All religions can be described as humans attempts to gain the highest possible good for themselves and others. Religion has played a vital role in shaping not just the American history but world history. The place where people worships has been a place for creating individual and political change within the community. The place of worship has and will always serve as a haven for all not just for a place to worship God but also a place where we the , people can motivate and build our communities.
The Creative Spirits of the State of New Jersey is a 501c3 not for profit organization that was founded in 1979 that address the many issues that affect our society. Jihadah Sharif is the founder of Creative Spirits, the organization, I, Samuel Arnold, the President of Perry Funeral Home and Mitchell Williams, former owner and President of Debonair Men’s Wear in East Orange who recently retired after 40 years of service to the community are longtime supporters of Creative Spirits along with a few other concern citizens who has helped to keep this organization active for soon will be for 45 years.
After smoking cigarettes since the age of 14, in 2009 Jihadah succumbed to over 50 years of tobacco use and learned that she had severely damaged her lungs. Jihadah father died when she was 16 in 1960, there was little knowledge about the perils of tobacco at that time. Of her father’s 7 children, 5 of them smoke. Being the second child but the first to smoke, she is the only one that is living, none of her siblings including her father has lived as many years as she who be 78 this year.
Since she stopped smoking, Jihadah started researching the origin of tobacco and what she has learn made her realize that she must help get tobacco out of the community. Along with the many other program already implemented in the organization, she has added an initiative to challenge getting tobacco out of the community. For over 10 years, working tirelessly with Jihadah, Mr. Williams and I have been determined to help make this mission a success.
Jihadah who have tried to stop smoking for many times in the past know that it is not easy to give up this very bad habit, Jihadah also knows that with God, all things are possible, and she has succeed in overcoming the habit and is helping others to do the same.
Creative Spirits is also concern about crime in the community, The money that is invested 1n tobacco that can be invested in housing, education and social programs. We are also concern about helping criminal offenders to overcome negative behavior. Almost 90% of the people who are released from custody reenter. We must come up with innovated ways to improve the quality of life in our society. Steven Siebold, in an article that he contributed to Huff Post concerning prayer, he wrote “Most people believe that prayer is going to make the hero on the white horse come riding in singing, “Here I come to save the day.” For the devout, there has never been any question that prayer has power. Although those who have no doubt there is also an equal danger that we must also have action to fulfill our mission.
Our founder, the late Orlando K. Perry has faithfully served the Greater Newark and surrounding communities with kindness and professionalism and his vision continues with family and friends No matter what your religious belief we are dedicated to serving all families with compassion and dignity. Using the funeral home as a vessel, Orlando Perry was able to extend his warm heart, arms and generous spirit to the communities by providing a great service to grieving families. His generosity fulfilled his obvious calling to the ministry to help others. His compassion was not only demonstrated in the confines of Perry Funeral Home, but it went where it was needed -to the community, the church and to the families.
Young people were encouraged by the scholarship funds he donated to, the sponsorship of debutantes, basketball and bowling teams and Toys for Tots annual Christmas drive. Ministers in need could always find a willingness to help from Mr. Perry. Our Founder has faithfully served the Greater Newark and surrounding community with kindness and professionalism.
As we seek to solve and remove the many negative issue that effect our society, we ask you to join with us and the Creative Spirits to get tobacco out of our community. Creative Spirits initiative, “Stop In the Name of Love” is not just to stop burning up our bodies with poison nicotine but the funds that we invest in tobacco can be use in providing housing, education and social programs.
In behalf of the Perry Funeral home we are asking no matter what your religious belief is to support Creative Spirits and work with us to “Get Tobacco Out of Our Communities” Tobacco kills thousands of people every day and the millions of dollars that is invested in this poison can be invested in food for the hungry, house the homeless, supporting & developing programs to educate people and help those with criminal behavior overcome their negative ways and live a positive life style.
We continue in the spirit that Mr. Perry left with us not have been a long-time board member with Creative Spirits, over 20 years, I have been active with the organization wherever I am needed including performing in her Soap Opera that she writes and presents for family fun. I am also one of the longest board members of one of the oldest not for profit organization in Essex County, The United Community Corporation and we are doing some wonderful things including building homes for the homeless. Mr. Williams has been with Creative Spirits since they first started in 1979 and he too has performed in the Soap Opera and other community programs we both mentors the young men who has no father figure.
We agree with the statement that the best way for people of different religions to co-exist is by treating one another with kindness, and respect, listening to each other and adopting laws and policies that affect everyone religious principles that all can mutually agree.
I do know that the Federal Courts prosecution of the tobacco industry has not prevented them from stop selling their poison product has not been affective. There are very few people who does not have a family member or friends who have not been affected by tobacco use. Join us in honor of your loved ones who have succumbed to tobacco use and save others.
If you are interested in supporting: Stop In The Name Of Love” please call me, at (973) 824 9201 or
Mr. Mitchell Williams at (973) 214 1986 or Jihadah Sh · 973) 766 1514