Dear Friend,
There’s still time to register for the 2026 Hall-Proctor Institute at Children’s Defense Fund’s Alex Haley Farm.
This year, we gather under the theme, BEGIN AGAIN! Roots, Sacred Rhetoric & Revolutionary Mothering, returning to the sacred ground, deep memory, and shared moral work that have shaped Hall-Proctorfor generations. Together, faith leaders, advocates, organizers, young people, and partners will reflect, learn, worship, and prepare to act boldly for a future where every child can grow up with dignity, hope, and joy.
General registration closes June 15.
Lock in your reduced registration rate today and make plans to join us on the Farm July 13-16, 2026.Register Today
We’re also excited to invite you to our first pre-Institute webinar:
Welcome Home: First-Timer Orientation to Hall-Proctor and Alex Haley Farm
Thursday, June 18, 2026
7 p.m. ET
Are you attending Hall-Proctor for the first time? Have you been coming for years, but want to hear more about the amazing things we’re planning for 2026? This webinar will welcome participants into the story, spirit, and rhythm of Hall-Proctor, share what to expect during the week, and help you prepare practically and spiritually for your time at Alex Haley Farm.
More details and webinar access information will be shared soon.
We hope you will join us as we begin again, together.
With hope,
Rev. Marvin Silver
Director, Leadership Development & Organizing
Rev. Trevor Beauford
Organizing Manager, Faith CommunitiesDONATE
View email in browser
Children’s Defense Fund · 840 1st St NE Ste 300 · Washington, DC 20002-8000 · USA
Forward to a Friend
Update your Preferences or Unsubscribe
Published by RJ Hamster
I was born on 6 August 1956 in San Francisco, California to Janet and (the late) Richard Hovis.
I grew up in Santa Monica, California where I attended elementary, junior high school, and high school (graduating in 1974), in addition to involvement in sports and recreation (Little League +, the Boy’s Club ++). Further, it was in elementary school – St. Augustine’s By-the -Sea Parish School that I found, and made the choice to truly journey with God.
I attended Arizona State University from 1974 to 1977 – seeking to become an architect, however, I was not accepted, and, as such, I graduated with a Liberal Arts degree.
Upon graduation from Arizona State University, I attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and studied City and Regional Planning at the Master’s level. I successfully completed one (1) year in a two (2) year program – I did not complete the Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning – due to personal reasons.
I returned to Santa Monica where I started (October 1979) my career as graphic designer with Exxon Company, USA. I spent five years with Exxon Company, USA.
While working with Exxon Company, USA I was accepted into architectural school – Sci-Arc in Southern California, however, I did not attend preferring to stay with Exxon..
In 1982 I married Laura Flosi and in April 1983 we had our one and only child – Lauren Alain Hovis – a gift from God.
We moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1984 from Los Angeles, where I went to work as a graphic designer with Kitchell CEM (from 1985 -1987).
From 1987 – 1995 I was an independent contractor, and a registered representative in mortgage finance, financial management, graphic design, and drafting.
Further, I attended the University of Phoenix and successfully obtained a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) in 1982.
I was also a member of the Scottsdale Jaycees, where I became very involved in community events and projects.
In 1994, I accepted a cartography position with the Defense Mapping Agency in Reston, Virginia. As such, I relocated from Phoenix to Reston.
In 1998, I was accepted and worked as a Visual Information Officer with the Central Intelligence Agency. In 2002, I worked as a Support Officer until my retirement (due to a need for shoulder surgery) in September 2018.
Away from my Federal Government service, I have been involved in various organizations and activities in Northern Virginia.
In November of 2011, I married Rebecca Ouellette in Santa Monica, California. I reside in San Tan Valley, AZ with my two hamster - Jess and Timothy, our fish, our lizard - RJ Lizard., and our cats - Pearl and Grey.
As to hobbies, I enjoy playing sports, attending sporting events, mentoring individuals from financial management to hamsters, building models, photography, travel, multimedia design, managing partner for RJ Hamster, and jazz – smooth jazz to a samba or a bossa nova.
Love and God Bless,
Peter – aka RJ Hamster Jo hi
View all posts by RJ Hamster