"Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best."
-
Henry Van Dyke
My drive for my own perfection is often exhausting. Sometime just making some racket is what is needed to break the silence of perceived obstacles.
That's all folks....
I went to a Women's College. I spent most of my "corporate" days working in a woman-owned company. So I am a big believer in "Girl Power." In fact, I'm pretty much convinced that if we girls pull together that we can find some awesomely creative ways to solve many of the world's problems. More to the point, if we can lend helping hands to good mothers so that they can provide for their children then we are taking a big step toward repopulating the world with a wonderful new generation full of hope and potential.
So I love to hear stories about someone has come up with a creative way to help women find meaningful ways to become self-sufficent and provide for their families. Amanda Judge, the founder of The Andean Collection, a new company that is using the "Eco-Fashion" industry niche to provide opportunities for women to overcome poverty, contacted me a week or two ago to tell me her story. The excitement and enthusiasm around her dream of making a difference in a innovative way is quite contagious.
With a commitment to fair trade principles and ecologically sound business practices, The Andean Collection works collaboratively with artisans from disadvantaged communities in South America to create jewelry that is marketable in the US, but also includes design elements that are clearly influenced by ancient culture. Furthermore, Amanda's company works with the artisans to establish a path to prosperity. By marketing the jewelry in the US, Amanda estimates that they are also helping to ensure the survival of the world’s rainforests by providing an alternative income to its inhabitants rather than logging or selling land to destructive industries.
The fair-trade practices of the company have significantly enhanced the lives of its indigenous artisans. Amanda conveyed a story of one of her artisans who prior to making jewelry for The AC, she made her living by selling grain at the local market, where she made so little that she and her husband would often forgo meals to feed their three children. Based on just two jewelry orders, the woman was able to build an extra room in her two-room clay brick house and purchase a washing machine, after hand washing clothes for 26 years.
Now I love a little bling. However, I don't buy it very often because I sometimes feel a little guilty about treating myself too often. I know it is just a semantic argument, but there is really something about wearing and buying socially conscious goods. My order from Andean hasn't arrived, but I've ordered stuff from other socially conscious companies. When I use/wear those items, I look at them and know that it really helped someone. It gives me just that extra lift.
Previously, the jewelry has been sold in high-end boutiques and retail outlets in Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, and New York. However, now you can purchase affordable ($18-$98) handcrafted jewelry online at www.theandeancollection.com.
Now, I've never been much of a girly girl, but I do enjoy the guilty pleasure of having a snazzy bracelet or necklace. Having been bitten by the beading bug, I used to make a lot of my own. However, now that Doodles is here, I've no time and no space to spread out.
Thank Heaven for 31 Bits! They have just launched their online store where you can buy Ecofriendly, fair trade jewelry made out of 100% recycled paper, posters, and magazines by internally displaced women in Northern Uganda.
The Uganda Story:
31 Bits explains, "Uganda has been plagued by an internal war between the government and the Lord’s Resistance Army for over twenty years. The war has caused untold numbers of abductions, torture, rape and deaths throughout the northern regions of the country. Over one-million of the Acholi people, who reside in the north, have been displaced, many forcibly entered into refugee camps. The refugee camps provide little refuge due to poor security, lack of healthcare, lack of proper sanitation, and a lack of jobs. The endemic poverty is hardest on the children who often go hungry and have little opportunities to grow out of their current situation. However, in the midst of this suffering, there are women who are finding creative ways to provide for themselves and their families through their art of jewelry. These crafts, though easily made, are very difficult to sell because there are few available markets for such items. Despite the fear of ongoing war and the struggle to provide basic necessities, there is immense hope for change.
31 Bits is centered around using the creative art and entrepreneurship already present in the women. Our goal is to help get them out of poverty, provide consistent schooling for their children, and proper nutrition and healthcare for the entire family. We do this by creating an international market and a voice for the beautiful jewelry the women are already making. All of our products are bought directly from the women, are fair trade, are made from recycled paper, and are sold in boutiques across the United States. We envision that in two years we will expand 31 Bits to partner with local Non Government Organizations to initiate and fund community based projects directed by the needs and desires of the community."
Read About the Designers
Secretly, perhaps not so now, I have a firm conviction that we can dramatically reduce the suffering and violence associated with poverty by just giving women around the world a chance to shine and thrive. Women are clever,crafty and many of us are fierce defenders and advocates for our families. The combo is a perfect recipe for success.
Not convinced? Go to the site and read about the Designers. After reading these short stories, I stand in awe. Even in the face of tragic loss these women find a way to thrive and give back. One 76 year old is a "goalie for the local widow's soccer team and volunteers at an organization that helps abused children." WOW thats a full life! Then add to that they aren't asking for a handout--- they just want you to buy their jewelry. Double WOW!
So Go Buy Something
Currently they have a large selection of necklaces. They also can double as bracelets. They are akk very affordable-- nothing over $28. Buy and know that you are definitely helping to brighten an especially dark corner of the world. http://www.31bits.com
My Friends at the WAWF doing what they do best--- helping organizations help women and children in their area. My friend, Lisa, sent me the details on their latest 2009 Leadership Award Winners --- each of which got $10,000 to help them do good work in their areas of passion and expertise.
Washington Area Women's Foundation is the only donor-supported public foundation focused solely on improving the lives of low-income women and girls in the region and on increasing philanthropy by all women.
A committee of
nearly 60 volunteers selected the Leadership Award winners through a
hands-on grant-making process. The volunteers, who are donors to The
Women's Foundation, researched 54 nominated nonprofits through phone
interviews and site visits. After narrowing the list to 20
organizations, the volunteers met to select the final 10 recipients.
Staffers from The Women's Foundation oversaw the selection process,
but the volunteers directed it.
Please don't think that $10K is enough to get the job done. No, your help is still needed. Donate, Give a Shout Out, Tell a Friend.
So if you are looking for a well vetted organization that is making a huge difference in their community. Check out the WAWF winners:
Your Vote Could Help Your Favorite Win Another $5,000
From March 16 to 27, the public will get to vote online for its favorite nonprofit from the 10 award winners. The winner will receive an additional award of $5,000. To cast a vote, go to TheWomensFoundation.org.
October 15th has been selected as the day when bloggers all over the world put on their "Do Gooder" hats and blog for a cause. Well-- that's not a new thing here at Dollar Philanthropy.
So, I'll keep this short...
Poverty is a bad thing. However, each of us needs to be sure that we do not allow it to shape our judgements and definition of people who must deal with it's consequences. Poor people are just like us. It is just that their poverty creates the situation where they lack access to resources many of us take for granted.
Just to name a few....
I think my many years of caring for and working with people with schizophrenia has made the issue of homelessness one that speaks to my heart. I know first hand the undeserved suffering that people with severe and persistent mental illnesses go through. So today I challenge you to do two things
Send Your Dollar Today!
MUST Ministries is an organization that has a wide array of services that meets people where they are and also provides assistance to keep people from becoming homeless. They operate a shelter, food kitchen, food pantry, health clinic, transitional housing, clothing closet, prevocational training, and emergency monetary assistance.
Click here to Donate Online
Click here for Donate by Mail
Holy Comforter is a parish in Atlanta where about 60% of their congregation lives with mental illness. Many of the congregants live in group homes or other supported living situations. In response to a dramatic decrease in state funding of services for this population, Holy Comforter offers a day program 2 days a week where 80 to 125 people with mental illnesses can participate in a variety of activities including painting, ceramics, gardening, weaving and woodworking.
Holy Comforter's staff and volunteers provide a compassionate and caring hand to help people get their lives back.
You can mail donations to:
Rev. Mike Tanner
Holy Comforter
737 Woodlawn Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30316
The Holiday season is rapidly approaching. This is the time I usually think about single parent families and people having a hard time making ends meet. Then I just want to slap myself.
So while I post this workplace philanthropy idea now, I would encourage all to be better than me and to think about these families throughout the year, not just at holiday time. Afterall, there are people everyday that go to bed hungry-- not just at holiday time.
A successful Meal Basket event can be divided into three stages.
Stage 1: Locating and gaining information about needy families in your area.
Teaming up with local service organizations that assist families in need is the best way of locating and understanding the needs of certain families in your area. In many cases the service organizations will want to maintain the confidentiality of the families they serve. As such, you can deliver your baskets to the organization and they will be responsible for making sure the family gets the items. Important questions to ask the service organization include:
Stage 2: Gathering up the items for the meal basket
Based on the information learned about the families/people for whom you will collect items, figure out a menu that they will enjoy. I've prepared some menu ideas and ingredients lists if you need help (see end of post for downloadable document). Depending on your family you may want to gather items to provide multiple modest meals rather than one huge one.
Once the menus have been determined, compose a list of items you want people to bring in and distribute the list. The perishable items on the menu provide people an opportunity to donate money toward grocery store gift cards. The combination of needs really eliminates any excuse for people not to participate.
Stage 3: Assembling the baskets/boxes and delivery
Once the items are gathered, the baskets/boxes will need to be assembled to make sure that each box has the appropriate items for the menu you've selected. Depending on the size of the families you are preparing for, the size of the boxes will differ.
Depending on the organization with whom you are working, you can also put in an encouraging message or card.
Download workplace_phil. menu ideas.pdf
Also consider buying soups and chili mixes from one of the DP highlighted nonprofits: Women's Bean Project It would be double good for the money... you purchase what you need and a good cause gets income to help them change women's lives in Denver.
Thanks to Wordridden for photo
I used to describe myself as a helper. I do like helping and I can be really good at it. There is really nothing better than seeing something or someone succeed. In fact, I think my attraction to helping is because it is a task oriented action where one has tangible proof that one has done good.
Now... now... lots of things have changed in my life over the last year an a half. Subsequently, I think how I describe myself has also changed a bit. Yes, I continue to like helping, but today I would more describe myself as a thankful person. I say this because I find my impetus for action is not really so much because I can see progress, but more because I feel I am so fortunate and blessed.
Like most everyone else in these economic times, I am concerned about the days ahead of us. If I am not careful, I can let my worries about our family's tight budget get to me. However, it is essential that we remember that we all are much more than just our incomes and expenditures.
My friend, Courtney, reminds me that we all have time, talent and treasures and they all are equally important in the whole scheme of things. Additionally, the amount of these given is of no real consequence.
The act of giving, in and of itself, is sufficient and transforming.
The act of giving of your time, talent or treasure requires one to examine what they have and determine where one has been blessed. By giving away what you have, you claim areas of abundance in your life. That's right.... abundance. That lesson has transformed me--- no longer just a helper, now I recognize areas of abundance and am exceedingly thankful for them.
That's not to say that the act of giving is not scary. That is simply not the case. I always battle the idea that I am a fool for helping or giving. What happens if it doesn't make a difference? What happens if someone takes advantage of my willingness to give? What if that homeless person takes that $5 I gave him and buys a bottle of MadDog 20/20 instead of buying some food?
The great thing about giving of your time, talent or treasure is that as long as it is freely given, without agenda or expectations, it is always a win. After you give it away, how it is used reflects solely on the receiver.
With that said, what areas of life do you feel blessed or fortunate? Do you have a talent or a gift? Do you get along well with kids, the elderly or animals? Do you have a few extra hours? Do you have a few extra dollars?
Remember, it is not the amount that matters. It is the fact you act.
Where do you have abundance and how will you share it?
Thanks to Suchitra Prints for the photo.
I know that over the years, DP has accumulated a number of readers who are actively engaged in nonprofit work. So this is for you...
Well, the Charles Bronfman Prize is looking for a few good Humanitarians.
The Charles Bronfman Prize is an humanitarian award of $100,000. It celebrates the vision and talent of an individual or team 50 years of age or under, whose humanitarian work has contributed significantly to the betterment of the world. Its goal is to bring public recognition to young, dynamic individuals whose Jewish values infuse their humanitarian accomplishments, provide inspiration to the next generations.
Over the last few years, Bronfman Prize judges have considered hundreds of qualified nominations from around the globe -- young women and men whose diverse range of humanitarian efforts includes ground-breaking applications of medicine and science, education, human rights, conflict resolution, community development and compassionate care.
What They Are Looking for:
So if you know someone who is a good candidate for the Bronfman Prize, please visit the website for nomination information and forms.
Thanks to Nonprofit Online News for introducing me to Don Griesmann. I've long been a fan on small to mid-size nonprofits. Mostly because they are the troops on the ground and that they are extremely nimble and able to efficiently and quickly meet the needs of those in their communities.
Read Don's take on it... In Praise of Small to Mid-Size Non-profits - On the Side Streets of America
I was cruising through my feeds and found this inspiring post on $100 Kindness Ideas at CharityFocus.
Having a softspot in my heart for homeless people, I liked the idea:
I want to take a $100 and using a paper clip, attatch $1 to a smile card with one of my own RAK cards. I want to stand on the street next to the panhandlers, and every person who stops to smile, give or just say hello to us, will get my small Gift. Just because. And hopefully it will inspire them to pay it forward.
There are many reasons that people want to avoid panhandlers. The sight of someone begging on the streets conjures many uncomfortable emotions. Being brave enough to offer a smile Edit HTMLcan be a huge thing. Imagine how emboldened and awakened people would be by the kindness of this person offering dollars. Just an AWESOME idea.
Drop by CharityFocus and read the other good idea.
One-To-One Women Coaching Women is s a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to assisting underserved women to achieve sustained success in creating the life of their dreams through one-to-one life coaching.
Susie Strauss, the CEO, said it all started when she was attending a conference and she decided that she wanted to give coaching away to 2 women a month who could not afford it. "From sharing that idea and dream with two other coach trainees, we came together to create One to One based on our mutual desire to
provide free coaching to women from challenging situations/background and to women in transition who could not afford to hire a life coach. Once we created the concepts of the life coaching program, other trained life coaches were invited to participate in donating their skills and services to women across the US and Canada."
Since starting in 2004 One-To-One has provided coaching to over 75 women. Each woman gets 26 sessions with a coach (a value of $2600). Their philosophy is to partner with clients for a 6-7 month period of time. Sessions focus on helping each woman discover what it is she wants in all areas of her life: relationships, jobs, finances, health, family, leisure, and spirituality. Through this partnership approach, clients learn to trust and rely on their own decision-making skills as well as to identify and access appropriate support networks.
In 2004, 23 women participated in a pilot program that assessed the effects of coaching on their lives. A remarkable 70% of the participants completed the program. All of the clients who completed the program reported making significant changes in their lives including: improving their health, choosing fulfilling relationships, and pursuing a career of their dreams. They also reported an increase in self esteem, self confidence, and feelings of empowerment.
While the coaches donate their time, the organization is seeking some funds to help pay for phone bills (coaches training and to defer the cost of the phone based sessions for the women --- anywhere from $15 to $40 per call) and to help advertise and recruit new coaches and women to participate.
Your donation helps to provide deserving women going through a hard time an opportunity for a fresh start toward success.
Send Your Dollar Today
Mail: One To One Women Coaching Women PO Box 530346 Birmingham, AL 35253-0346
Just Give ($10 minimum): Click here
Network for Good ($10 suggested minimum): Click here
Our Pal's Place is a non-profit that is close to my heart. I've written about them before, but they rescue Metro Atlanta animals from "death row" and finds them new homes. But what I love about them best is that they work VERY HARD to educate people about spay/neuter, basic animal welfare and the pet overpopulation program.
Anyway--- this very COOL custom handbag maker, Arm Candy, is donating a portion of sales to Our Pal's Place during the month of August. Holly Firfer, an Atlanta celebrity, selected Our Pal's Place when she was elected the Arm Candy Girl of the Month. Thanks Holly!
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