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Chess for Social Impact in DC Community - My Public Pledge, Open Invitation

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My next chess goal is to provide lessons to the DC community at no cost. If you know of an organization that could use this service, let me know!

I'm thinking nursing homes, community centers, hospitals, halfway houses and rehab centers, jails, things like that. My goal (to make it measurable) is to provide at least 100 hours of free chess instruction to organizations serving those in need by the end of 2016.

The struggle for Social Justice will ALWAYS be in my blood -- always -- and I'm very interested in utilizing chess as a medium to improve communities. Chess is a wonderful tool for cognitive development, critical thinking, and pure enjoyment. I strongly believe that it should be available to all, regardless of ability to pay!! 

For the past year, I have made chess my livelihood. So far I have achieved four goals: (1) spreading my love for chess through teaching, (2) securing a solid base of students that will allow me to meet at least basic sustenance needs, (3) taking an entreprenurial route that provides independence and avoids the "rat race," and (4) obtaining the National Master title. My next goals are to obtain the FIDE (World Chess Federation) Master title (ideally by the end of the year) and, now, to make a social impact through chess. Thus, I hope to provide as many free lectures/seminars/lessons as possible to those who would not have access to my lessons otherwise. If I am to make chess my livelihood, then I must carry out my core values through chess. Genuine opportunity for all is a CORE value of mine. This blog is a PUBLIC PLEDGE (didn't the political researchers say that one's effective? Wink) to ensure that this does indeed happen throughout the course of this year, in addition to the achievement of my other goals. 

It is also an Open Invitation to provide this service to organizations in need in DC (and potentially nearby areas as well). Please let me know if you have any ideas for DC (or DC area) orgs that could use this service or help spread the word, thanks!