Dollar Philanthropy

Women's Bean Project: Seeds of Hope for Breaking the Chain of Poverty

Sometimes life can throw you a curve ball.  Sometimes people can overcome.  Sometimes people find themselves in a downward spiral that takes them to places unimagined.  The worst part about the human experience of hitting rock bottom is that the whole process strips a person of self-worth, self-confidence and hope-- the three things a person needs most when trying to set the world right again. The Women's Bean Project in Denver, Colorado changes that for many women.

For 16 years the Women's Bean Project has helped women break the cycle of poverty and unemployment. As a non-profit business specializing in the production of gourmet food products,their goal is to provide each program participant with a safe, accepting work environment where she can learn to identify and build upon her talents while building the skills necessary to get and keep mainstream employment.

It's not just a training program... The income from their businesses allows them to pay the trainees and hourly wage (starting at $6.35 and increasing with satisfactory performance). During the 6-12 month program with a wide variety of training tracks, women are also offered  opportunities to learn life skills through targeted ancillary services including:

• Weekly support group, addressing issues such as appropriate workplace behavior, positive communication, and employment goals
• Ongoing job coaching
• Retreats on topics such as health and money management

From Substance Abuse to Success

In my own professional experience, I have seen meaningful work be a tool of profound postive change.  Geoff at the WBP has provided me a wonderful story of a program participant that illustrates just that.

Leslie has been at the Women's Bean Project for 7 months.  Here is her story in her own words.

"I found out about the program from a friend I had been in the Halfway House with.  She told me that the program would help give me job skills and learning skills on how to make myself more sufficient with the things I would like to do in my life.  She thought the program would be good for me so I decided to put in an application and luckily here I am.

What brought me to this point is a common story.  At 24, I was a mother of 2 with a struggling marriage.  At that time, a friend introduced me to cocaine.  This started a 15 year addiction that caused my marriage to end, I lost custody of my children to my mother and I went to prison 3 times for forgery and theft. 

Working at the Bean Project has allowed me to be the person I am today--- willing and determined to be that woman I’ve always been, except clean and sober.  My time here at the Bean, I have learned oh so much!  I’ve learned about production, computers, I’ve even learned to do receptionist work, which I have grown to love.

I also plan on going back to school when my son is about a year old.  Right now it is only work and home.  I am thankful for the Women's Bean Project.  It has restored a lot of self confidence in me. "

Send Your Dollar

By Mail --Please make your check payable to:

Women's Bean Project
3201 Curtis Street
Denver, CO 80205

Through their Website:  Click Here

Through Network for Good ($10 minimum):  Click Here

Through JustGive ($5 minimum):  Click Here

Treat Yourself Too!

After helping WBP-- take a minute and indulge yourself by purchasing something from thier gourmet food line.  Personally, I like the fair trade coffee line.  Help women out of poverty locally and help families abroad out of poverty too.

Help My Friends and Help Find a Cure for Leukemia and Lymphoma

OK-- I admit it... I am blessed with a group of wonderful friends.  One couple (The Kings) are busily getting ready to run, swim, and bike their first triathalon.  The cool thing is that they are doing this as a part of the Team in Training program to raise awareness and needed research funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

The story behind why they are doing this is really the story here.  You see, 16 years ago Michael lost his father to leukemia.  Then 10 years later, his brother's wife develops the awful disease.  Where there were not a lot of treatment options for his father, Michael's sister-in-law has been able to benefit from much of the research and new treatments.  Currently, the medicine she has been taking for 5 years has been able to keep the leukemia under control. 

With leukemia barging in, unwanted, twice to their lives, Michael and Nanci decided to join the Team in Training program and work toward competing in a triathalon in Florida.  This has meant lots of running and biking in cold weather, but they have just got out there, done it and smiled to boot.  Afterall, they know that every inch they cover is to help find a cure so that no other family has to go through the same thing.

Just recently, a woman who was training with them began having health problems.  She went for a brief check up figuring it was just the training wearing down her health reserves.  That same day she was admitted to the hospital and began treatment for leukemia.  Yes... leukemia.  Thus Michael and Nanci are working even harder to raise funds in hopes of finding more answers sooner.

The thing I most admire about Michael and Nanci is that when faced with a really crappy situation that no one deserves, that they found a way to help out.  I ask you, kind readers, help my friends raise money for leukemia and lymphoma research.

To Donate:

Read more about Michael at his Team in Training Page: Click Here
Read more about Nanci at her Team in Training page:  Click Here

Update:  Click Here to see TV News Spot about The Georgia Team in Training.  Michael and Nancy speak and you can hear about the program. 

Add A Little "Doing Good" to Valentine's Day

OK--- I admit it.  Valentine's Day is holiday completely centered around women.  The flowers, the candy, the pampering, the professions of love--- yeah... I'm a sucker too.  Why not?  Every one likes to be recognized, cherished, and appreciated. 

This year I want Valentine's day to be a little different. The Hubby and I have agreed that we will exchange gifts that 'do good' this year.  We both are to try to pick something that the other person cares about.  I'd tell you what I'm thinking about getting him... but he reads from time to time and it wouldn't be a surprise.

However, if you need some hints and ideas, the Case Foundation has constructed a list of "14 Charitable Ways to Celebrate Valentine's Day"  (Thanks Mark for the scoop on this great article.)

Some easy suggestions that anyone can do are:

• Remember Those Who Serve You. In the spirit of service, think of all those people who make your life easier and more convenient -- every single day. Give a thank-you card to the bus driver or the barista who serves you your latte. Personally thank the janitor who keeps your office or campus clean, or the people who pick up your trash. Leave your waiter an extra tip, and smile -- big -- at the gas station attendant.
• Send Love Letters. Not just to your sweetheart, but to people and organizations that are doing good things for the world. Tell them why you respect and appreciate their work, and that they really do make a difference. If you're feeling extra romantic, include a donation in the envelope.

One I would like to add is to consider purchasing items where you know a portion is going to charity.  One of my recent favorite gifts is Chef Hilly's Gourmet Chocolate Blend (Superb for hot chocolate or coffee).  A portion of your purchase goes to pay for mammograms for women who otherwise would never be able to afford them--- and thus would not get them.

OK-- Chime in folks!  Leave a comment to add more ideas and good products that support worthy charities.

photo courtesy: Library of Congress

Girl Talk Builds Self-esteem and Confidence

I hated middle school.  I know some whistfully look back and wish to relive their childhood.  I, however, can think of no punishment worse than having to relive my middle school years.

Looking back with the knowledge of an adult, I understand that I was in the throes of puberty as were all my compatriots.  Hormones, body changes, acne, moodiness, self-consiousness, and feelings of attraction to others with awkward, if not inadequate social skills to express those feelings.  ICK!  I get the 'heebies' just thinking about it.  Oh-- how I would have welcomed a 'cool' program to participate in to alleviate, at least temporarily, the anxst and feelings of nothingness.

Well today, Girl Talk, provides just that for 10,000 girls in 22 US states, Virgin Islands and Canada.

Girl Talk is a nonprofit organization that desires to inspire young teenagers to build self-esteem through positive weekly programs as well as encourage each girl to have a unique sense of individuality. Organized and led by inspirational high school girls who serve as mentors, the girls participate in activities and conversations that promote self-worth. The bonds and lessons learned in Girl Talk meetings are something the girls will carry with them wherever they go in life and because of this, each girl will grow into a confident and independent young woman.

The GIrl Talk Handbook starts out with a wonderful quotation from Gandhi--- "Become the change you want to see in this world."  signifying Girl Talk's commitment to mentoring young women toward taking an active role in making a difference.  One way the meetings do this is by emphasizing their T.H.I.N.K. communication guidelines (which I think all of us could use):

T = Is what you are saying TRUE?
H = Is what you are saying HELPFUL?
I = Is what you are saying IMPORTANT?
N = Is what you are saying NECESSARY?
K = Is what you are saying KIND?

Girl Talk was recently highlighted in the Atlanta Journal and Constitution.  Click Here

Send Your Dollar Today!

By mail, payable to:

Girl Talk
3400 Peachtree Road
Suite 1750
Atlanta, GA 30326

Through Network for Good ($10 minimum):  Click Here

Through Just Give ($5 minimum): Click Here

Charity that Empowers: Take The Bite

Back in December, I met with Lisa Kays of the Washington Area Women's Foundation for a lovely breakfast.  She had just gotten, in my view, the universe's most perfect job-- blog and social media maven for a progressive nonprofit focusing on giving women tools and support to raise themselves out of poverty-- for good.

During that meeting, (maybe she already knew) I discovered that we shared many of the same thoughts and ideas about the purpose of philanthropy.  That morning, for me, minds met and dreams and visions for social change were offered a potent dose of hope. 

Amonst talking about wonky, technical crap associated with all things bloggy and social networky, our discussions always came back to discussing philanthropy with the lofty goal of giving a hand-up instead of a simple hand-out. 

Today, while catching up on my feeds for the week, I came across a series of posts at The Bamboo Project Blog that address this issue, as well as links to others. 

• It's Not about "Good Enough"  it is about Empowerment
• Change the world by empowering others, not yourself

This notion of empowerment is one of the main reasons I started this blog.  Here I highlight small to medium nonprofits.  Why??? ...click here  ---I do this because I believe that smaller organizations are the footsoldiers of social change.  They are in the trenches.  They see the need.  They, if given enough resources, are nimble enough to implement creative solutions that empower and meet the needs of individual cases. 

Yes... this is a slow approach to social change.  But, not to offend my animal advocate friends, how do you eat an elephant.... one bite at a time.

For donors, empowerment also means that you are taking a risk and investing with the hope that  with enough good stories and problems solved --- that maybe, just maybe--- we can have a permanent solution.  If individual cases fall short--- well at least you met an immediate need (no shame in that, right?).

Here it really comes back to Niels' post above, donating for empowerment not about you. So let go of your fear of being snookered, rooked, and fooled.

Just take the first bite...Do your research, make your best guess, let your gut lead you and indulge yourself in a moment to dream a pretty dream of the world as a better place.  Afterall, altruism and true philanthropy is about taking a chance on someone else.  And we all need chances...