Deb B. Email & Phone Number

Understanding Works“When you walk in someone else’s shoes, when you hear their story, you gain a new perspective. This is why understanding works!” Deb Bowen Understanding Works www.understandingworks.org

Quad Cities

"I'm passing along the lessons from the Greatest Generation and others who have lived through hardship to future generations. Our subject's humility, sense of responsibility, and work ethic are inspiring. Having a student interview someone with a powerful story to tell is the greatest gift I can give them and those who will one day read their book."― Deb Bowen

Never Forget Publishing

The true story of my journey with three Jewish Holocaust survivors named Esther. It began when my daughter Cassie was in the 8th grade. She asked to go to synagogue to hear a Jewish survivor story firsthand. There we saw three local Jewish Holocaust survivors each named Esther. These three women touched our lives to create a book series I call A BOOK by ME. These are children's books written by children for children. It's a new way to tell an old story. There are over 60 children's books, the majority about WWII subjects, on Amazon. Visit www.abookbyme.com to visit our book store found in the top right hand corner. Now I've become an author too, and this book is written by me along with comments from my daughter Cassie.

Anywhere And Everywhere

Purses With PurposeBackground: During the interview process with my young authors, we heard from WWII veterans about their life during the Great Depression. It made me think of my mother, Lorraine, who was being raised by a single mom during that time. There had to be great lack in their lives but she never shared that with me. What she did share was her big heart to help others. I was the youngest of her eight children and we didn't have alot of extra cash but I saw her give when there was true need. Sometimes I felt like she couldn't really afford it but she gave anyway.Then during an interview with Veteran Al Taylor of Davenport, he talked about his father (who was a WWI veteran) being so angry and beating him, he ran away at age 12. He was a homeless teen and lied about his age at 16 so he could join the U.S. Army. At age 18, he was serving in Pearl Harbor the day of the Japanese attack. He was put " in charge" of triage making life and death decisions for the men being pulled out of the water. It was Lorraine and Al who inspired Love Love Lorraine. It's for all those "doing without" because they can't afford it or homeless teenagers who don't think anyone cares. We can all do a little something to help someone less fortunate. Here's how it works:Love Like Lorraine encourages women to donate their gently used purses to someone in need. Before doing so, fill them with the things women use and give them to the homeless, women in safe houses, refugees, etc. Visit us on Facebook to learn more: https://www.facebook.com/lovelikelorraine/

Quad Cities

After WWII, the United States became committed to have "an exchange" for young people. Can you imagine being some of the first American students to go to Germany and vice versa? Dwight Eisenhower knew it was the way to build bridges of understanding. Today, I am passionate about "Better Understanding for a Better World" by finding good host families for students coming here to the United States on a J1 visa for student exchange. I assure they are loved and safe and at home and have a great experience in their American high school and in their community. I take them to meet people who were involved in Civil Rights, Jewish Holocaust survivors, etc. I want them to hear the stories of old from those who experienced persecution. My goal is that they become leaders and "change agents" in their countries. Another aspect of my program is doing volunteer work. Many of my students complete 100 hours during the ten months they spend in the USA. I especially enjoy seeing them go home and begin volunteer projects to improve life in their cities. It was a happy day when I heard a boy from Nigeria had started a food pantry for the poor in his village. He learned that in rural Illinois!It's been cool seeing some of exchange students interested in the writing program. I love making the world a better place by having students better understand "the other".