Charity Matters
Tag

Make a difference

Browsing
Health

Why I give

Here in LA, its benefit season. The days are now brighter, longer, the invitations and donation letters begin to pile up in the mail box. With all of the fun and fundraising comes the hours of work and volunteering. Each charity benefit takes hundreds of hours of volunteers to raise funds for the causes that mean so much.

With days spent stuffing envelopes, coordinating logistics from garden tours to fashion shows and everything in between I recently found myself saying why am I doing this? Why do I volunteer? Why do I give?

The answer came to me unexpectedly the other night after a long day of meetings. I was heading to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles for the launch of the Junior Ambassador program, that I am Co-Chairing. I was tired and questioning myself until I heard Manny Hernandez speak.

His story reminded me. Why.

 (click here) video?id=8257849

Manny spoke about his 10-year-old son, Manny III and how he had been a patient at CHLA off and on most of his life. He spoke of his excitement in being able to actually build the new hospital building (he is a construction worker) where his son spent so much time. His pride in both the building and his son were evident. Manny talked about little Manny wanting to be a nurse since he had always been a patient.

When he told us that little Manny died this past December, that his dream of being a nurse wasn’t going to happen but his sisters were studying to carry on that dream well, we all fell apart. This brave and loving Dad sharing his story and love for the hospital and all it had done for his family. It was so real, so beautiful, so brave and so exactly why it is …. we do what we do.

At the end of the day whether it is a stuffed envelope, a phone call, an invitation, a donation, it is all about the people’s lives that we touch. It is those moments when brave men like Manny Hernandez share their pride in giving that makes you realize that everything we do matters. Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2012 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.


Keep Reading
By
Microfinance

See whats hatching in Boston

Since its summer time, our family is heading east this week to Boston. I asked a friend from Boston if there is any cause dear to her heart that I should see, her response, One Hen.Org

Truly a great story about a few women taking their children’s book, One Hen, and turning the book’s message of microfinance into a real-life non-profit.  The book is a story of a West African boy who receives a loan to buy a hen and becomes an entrepreneur in the process. It is the story of one person creating change for himself, then his family and ultimately for his community.

The beauty of this real-life story is how one book, one message and one author can create change for thousands of children.

Click here to see for yourself.

True life imitating art in the most beautiful way.

Copyright © 2011 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

Keep Reading
By
Charity Matters Inspiration

Charity Profile: Theresa Gartland

“If you want to be remembered, do something memorable.”

Charity Matters wants you to get to know these inspirational people that will be remembered for their remarkable gifts of compassion to those in need. Theresa Gartland is exactly that, remarkable Here are her answers to Charity Matter’s Questionnaire.

What Charity Matters to you?

Urban Compass, of course!

What or who inspires you?

My students inspire me every day!  Even though they live in a very violent and depressing neighborhood, they are the most resilient, positive, happy children I have ever met. They have a thirst for knowledge and a strong desire to succeed; they cherish every moment they are at Urban Compass.  They are risk takers – they want to explore and you can feel their excitement the minute they step into the UC van because they know they are going on an adventure they have never been on, exploring a new community, learning more about what life has to offer.  They don’t take for granted what for most of us are everyday experiences.

When did you realize that you made a difference?

It’s in the little moments that you realize you are making a difference in these children’s lives. It’s when they give you a hug and hold you tight and won’t let go.  It’s when you see them quietly working on their homework, striving to be their best.  It’s when a student says, “Thanks Ms. G- I want to be a good person when I grow up and stay out of trouble, just like you.”  When a teacher, principal or parent lets me know the student’s math or reading scores are improving because of Urban Compass.  It’s when I get home at night and reflect on the day, thinking about the smiles I saw, the laughter I heard, and the hugs I received; and the tears I cry are coming from a place of compassion, knowing that we have provided a place for these children to create positive childhood memories that they wouldn’t have otherwise.

If you could get everyone to do one small act of kindness, what would it be?

I don’t know if this is an act of kindness but a small thing we all can do is to validate each other more.  Whether you are 8, 28, or 48 years old, you still want to hear that you are doing the right thing, that you are a good person, and that you are making good decisions in life. I see it all the time with the students I work with:  they want approval, they want recognition, and they want to know that they are ok.  I am constantly looking at each one of them in the eyes and saying “I’m proud of you!”  Those words are so powerful, so meaningful.  The students respond with a smile and you can see new confidence in their eyes.  We don’t tell our friends, partners, spouses, children, parents, students, and co-workers often enough that we are proud of them.

What is your motto?

“The best thing you can do is help those who want to be helped.”

Copyright © 2011 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

Keep Reading
By
Education

Urban Compass

With over 1.8 million non-profits in the United States alone, I thought where do you begin? For me, Urban Compass is a place close to my heart and a place that gives children a beginning, a hope and pays everything forward.

Located in Watts, an economically depressed area known for its high drop out rates, poverty, crime and gang violence…which triples in the hours following school. The local elementary and middle schools are recruiting grounds for new gang members with some children joining as early as eight years old.

Urban Compass was formed in partnership with Verbum Dei High School and 112th Street Elementary School to combat poverty and violence and make a difference in the lives of children in Watts. This incredible after school program captures children at a very volatile age and offers an alternative model for them: an environment that challenges them to dream of a rewarding future where they can accomplish anything and escape poverty.

Urban Compass is featured in Daughtry’s video “What About Now” (at approx 2min) you will see that Urban Compass is the path to now.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roDXSHSEuoo&ob=av2e]

Copyright © 2011 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

Keep Reading
By