Teen Starts 3 Nonprofit Organizations

Jillian Roels knows what it's like being bullied.  The grief she experienced in junior high school inspired her to start three nonprofits, including a chapter of Girl Talk, a mentoring program for middle-school girls.

“I wish I’d had something like this to go to when I was dealing with tough stuff in junior high,” she said.

Jillian meets with a group of elementary school girls at Rosa Parks Elementary once a week. Using free materials provided by Girl Talk, the girls discuss subjects such as body image, friendship, and dealing with divorce.

She also meets with a group of junior high girls once or twice a month, discussing topics more appropriate for this age group, such as teen partying, depression and dating. By sharing her own experiences, Jillian helps the girls open up about theirs.

Listening skills are emphasized. Vanessa, a sixth grader, says, “You can say what’s on your mind, and they’ll listen and try to help sometimes.”

Marisa, also in sixth grade, was very shy when she joined the group. Now she speaks up confidently and likes being able to share her feelings. She also likes having an older role model.

“Jillian is a good person to look up to,” she said.

BEFORE STARTING her Girl Talk chapter, Jillian was already giving back in big—and small—ways. Two years ago, she created Spark Your Heart to inspire and perform small acts of kindness.

The idea grew out of an encounter with a homeless man selling roses on a street corner. She brought him snacks and small gifts to cheer him up, and the experience inspired her to continue performing acts of kindness all over town.

Since then, Jillian has babysat for special needs students, cheered on Special Olympics participants, written letters to military personnel overseas, brought flowers to retirement homes, collected items for the homeless, and—well, the list goes on.

“My passion lies in helping others,” she said.

When she learned about families who couldn’t pay the bills for their children’s medical care, Jillian created Spark Your Little Heart, a Seattle Children’s Hospital Guild that raises funds for uncompensated care. She has organized auctions, teddy bear teas and other events, and recently collected hats for children with cancer and stuffed animals for young hospital patients.


Many of these community service projects have been done in tandem with Jillian’s Girl Talk groups.

“Every day provides an opportunity to make a difference, and even a little bit goes a long way," she says.

Two years ago, she decided to try something new: a scholarship pageant. Besides the chance for scholarships, Jillian said she entered "for the experience.” She was chosen Miss Redmond Teen USA 2011, and she also competed in the Miss Seattle Pageant this Saturday, earning the scholarship award for community outreach.

Jillian is excited about college next year, where she plans to major in sociology. She hopes to find a way to combine her studies with some of her other interests—working with special needs kids, writing and interior design.

Whatever Jillian chooses to do with her life, you can be sure it will be more than just talk.

Source.

Seed Savers Exchange

Many people may not be able to say whether or not they've eaten genetically modified food, but chances are they have since 70% of the food available in the U.S. contains genetically modifed ingredients like corn or soy.  Seed Savers Exchange works toward preservation of food integrity:

Seed Savers Exchange is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving and sharing heirloom seeds. Since 1975, our members have been passing on our garden heritage by collecting and distributing thousands of samples of rare garden seeds to other gardeners.

Gardeners and food purists rely on Seed Savers Exchange for untreated, non-GMO (genetically modified organism) varieties of fruits, vegetables and herbs.  From arugula to zucchini, growers have more than 13,000 types of seeds from which to choose.

The Morgan Center: Daycare for Children with Cancer

Children with cancer often face isolation as chemotherapy suppresses the immune system and leaves them open to other illness that could complicate and even risk their lives further.  Nancy Zuch saw her toddler, Morgan, go through this as the 2 year old underwent treatment for leukemia. Zuch opened the Morgan Center, a New York-based preschool, to provide a clean environment for kids with cancer so the little ones wouldn't miss out on learning and making friends.

THE MORGAN CENTER is a 501(c)(3) not for profit charitable organization dedicated to providing preschool age children who are undergoing treatment for cancer the opportunity to interact and socialize, in a safe environment that stimulates cognitive and social development. Children on chemotherapy treatment have a suppressed immune system, and could otherwise risk infection and serious illness by attending typical age appropriate preschool programs.

The program has been so successful that another New York center is in the works, and Zuch has been approached by other states to reproduce her model of care around the country.

CNN Heroes spotlights The Morgan Center and what Nancy Zuch has made possible for children battling cancer.

Phoenix Multisport: choosing health and sobriety

Scott Strode offers choice to people recovering from alcohol and drug addiction.  Strode battled addiction himself and knows one of the struggles is tearing away from social circles that help perpetuate continued substance abuse.  He founded Phoenix Multisport as a place for those facing these sorts of challenges.  The name is Phoenix alludes to the the mythical creature rising new and alive from its own ashes.  Stode's sports club welcomes anyone with 48 hours of sobriety free of charge.  Participants have instant camaraderie and a range of activities that promotes healthy living and fun.

"Life should be better once you get sober," said Strode, 38. "(We want to) help people build a new life, a new self-image and have fun without getting high." (CNN)

More than 4,700 people have participated in Phoenix which Strode started in 2007.  He is now featured as one of CNN's Heroes for 2012.

Archi's Acres: From Combat Fields to Farms

Archi's Acres understands the problems facing veterans leaving combat service.  One of the farm's founders served as a Marine.  Colin Archipley and his wife Karen started farming with avocado trees.  When their methods proved unprofitable, they went for more sustainable methods by switching to raising basil and using hydroponic methods.  Their choice brought them success; so, they wanted to share their knowledge with returning veterans:

The USDA has a push right now to create a 100,000 farmers per year over the next five years.  They're not going to meet those goals, but we think we have a population that can certainly help who have the motivation and the willingness to do this; as well as the leadership skills and the management ability to operate a business.  --Colin Archipley

About half of veterans come from rural areas.  The Archipleys see farming as a natural transition back home for a veteran and the active military spend a lot of time outdoors.  Archi's Acres offers Veterans Sustainable Agriculture Training (VSAT) through a local community college.

With the help of VSAT, retired Marine Mike Hanes invented a wholesome and nutritional hot sauce called Dang!.

Go Halfsies for Good Health and Fighting Hunger

Halfsies: Connecting the Dots from Go Halfsies on Vimeo.

"About 40% of the food produced in the United States isn't consumed. Every day Americans waste enough food to fill the Rose Bowl. And our national food waste habit is on the upswing: We waste 50% more food today than we did in 1974." -- Jonathan Bloom, author of American Wasteland

Go Halfsies is a nonprofit and social initiative offering restaurant-goers the choice of healthier meal portions, reducing food waste, and supporting the fight against hunger.  When people choose to "go halfsies" at a participating restaurant, they receive a half-portion and still pay full price.  The restaurant then donates to local and world hunger causes.

Right now, New York City and Austin, Texas restaurants plan to participate, but since the idea was just featured, Go Halfsies has received requests from DC, Atlanta, Athens, Saf Fran, Boston, LA, Chicago, & even Australia.

Bridge Communities: Adopt a Family this Christmas

The nonprofit Bridge Communities allows anyone to take responsibility for providing Christmas gifts, clothes and food for homeless children.

Many people associate “family” with the holiday season. We spend time with families. We celebrate family traditional. We send cards and gifts to our families. We reminisce about past holidays celebrated with family. This year, why not create your own extended family? Adopt a homeless family that’s currently in Bridge Communities’ Transitional Housing Program, and you can give even more during the season of giving. When you adopt a Bridge client family, you’ll experience the joy of giving love and hope to a Bridge family. --Bridge Communities

All year round Bridge Communities commits its efforts to transforming the lives of homeless families through partnering with talented, resourceful individuals and groups. The programs aim to empower families in the direction of self sufficiency.

The Trevor Project for Teen Suicide Prevention

Suicide is the third leading cause of death among LGBT and questioning adolescents.  The Trevor Project makes itself available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by telephone for young people in crisis:

We promise to create a safe space, through our lifeline and online, for LGBTQ youth. We promise to deliver our message of suicide prevention in schools throughout the country. We promise to hire a highly qualified and professional staff and providing them with incentives. We promise to operate our board, our committees, our lifeline, our offices and our events with the utmost integrity.

The Trevor Lifeline is 866-488-7386. It's free and confidential.  TrevorChat is also an option.  Youth can access instant messaging each Friday.  With the help of sponsors like Wells Fargo, Google, and Levi Strauss, The Trevor Project has fielded more than 200,000 calls from teens in crisis.

LETT 'em play: Tennis Anyone?

LETT, Learning Excellence Through Tennis, is a small nonprofit serving Birmingham, Alabama.  Beginning in 1998 as the Birmingham Area Tennis Association, the organization provides tennis and academic opportunities to youth with an eye on improving health and offering a productive activity for children when they are not in school. Additionally, tennis teaches discipline, social skills, improves self-esteem, and promotes physical fitness.

LETT reaches 10,000 children each year with after-school, summer camp, and academic programs.  Children who are interested are given access to all the equipment necessary to play. The organization gears itself to take on beginners and see them through to USTA Youth Team Tennis competitions.

Vets4Warriors: Vets Helping Vets

Photo Courtesy: Vets 4 Warriors (dot) com
A local New Jersey help line is going national in services veterans all around America.  Vets 4 Warriors' assistance by phone, email and live chat focuses on suicide prevention and crisis counseling.  The success of the organization was rewarded with $5 million--making the nationwide service possible.

From the mission statement:

For any issue, at any time, a Veteran is here to help. We all need a helping hand sometimes and Vets4Warriors provide 24/7 confidential peer support, information, and referrals for all National Guard and Reserve service members.

1-855-VET-TALK is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Vets 4 Warriors staff undergoes specialized training to address the particular needs of military personnel in trouble.  Confidentiality is guaranteed. Vets 4 Warriors want no one to "suffer in silence."

The Women's Bean Project: Transforming Lives

The Women's Bean Project knows that empowering a woman is more than opening up a future for one.  The lives of her children, friends, and other family members are lifted.  The project dedicates itself to helping women break the cycle of poverty and unemployment.  The organization's mission is an ascent to self-sufficiency through social enterprise for every woman that participates in the program.

Job and life skill training is used to end problems like chronic unemployment and poverty.  The women, who are often former prisoners or drug users, tap their undiscovered talents and develop skills for the workplace.

With this stepping stone toward success, the women will be able to support themselves and their families and create stronger role models for future generations.   --Women's Bean Project

The 501 (c)(3) nonprofit makes and sells salsa mixes, spice rubs, coffee beans, and jelly beans in addition to  soups and chili, along with gift baskets, baking mixes, and much more.  The Women's Bean Project is rated highest at 4 stars by Charity Navigator.

Free the Children (from poverty, exploitation, and powerlessness)

Free the Children aims to free children from poverty, exploitation, and a sense of powerlessness.  Changing the world for good is in the hands of anyone who wants to try.  Free The Children inspires youth "to develop as socially conscious global citizens and become agents of change" through local and global empowerment programs:

• Adopt a Village
• Turn students into youth leaders
• Promote Self-Sufficiency

This 501 (c)(3) nonprofit has built more than 650 schools and school rooms around the world and has reached more than one million young people through outreach in North America and the United Kingdom.

Earthspun Clothing Line: Giving Customers an Eco-Friendly Alternative

Forty-seven million barrels of oil are needed each year just to supply America with all of the plastic bottles used.  A textile company that's been around since the American Revolution has found an innovative way to reduce oil consumption.  Patrick Yarns makes its Earthspun® brand clothing from recycled plastic bottles and recycled cotton.  No dyes are used because the green, blue, and brown bottles plus old X-ray films provide the color for this apparel.  Here are some facts the company highlights for those interested in making an eco-friendly choice:

• 1 shirt is made from .5 pound of fiber or about 6 bottles.
• 1 ton of recycled plastic saves 3.8 barrels of oil.
• 1 million recycled plastic bottles eliminate 180 metric tons of CO2.
• 10% of all US oil, 2 million barrels, is used to make plastics.
• 500 tee-shirts made from Earthspun® yarns save about 1 barrel of oil.

Because of an adaptive and innovative business model, Patrick Yarns remained profitable even after the recession hit, and the owners kept their textile plants in the U.S. (Source)

Harlem Children's Zone

Serving 17,000 children in a hundred block area, Harlem Children's Zone implements a new method to end the cycle of generational poverty. An entire community is empowered with information at the same time that the educational needs of the community's children are being met.  Parents learn developmental milestones to watch for and discover ways to turn ordinary life at home into an educational experience.

The Harlem Children's Zone sees families through a child's college experience.  Ninety percent of the nonprofit's high school participants go on to study on the university level. This incoming freshman class obtained over $6.4 million in scholarships and grants.

Harmony, Hope & Healing

Music possesses a power that reaches beyond entertainment and performance.  Harmony, Hope & Healing harnesses the creative and therapeutic aspect of song as a way of offering dignity and spiritual healing to homeless and underserved women, men and children. This Chicago-based nonprofit was founded in 2000 by singer and educator Marge Nykaza.  Programs offer a chance to learn, heal, and experience a sense of community:

• Adult music sessions
• Musical English lessons for non native speakers
• Senior group piano lessons
• Senior choir rehearsals
• Parent / child music classes
• Children’s music classes
• Pre-school music classes
• Annual music event at each program site
• Choir performances in public or private venues

Harmony, Hope & Healing "delivers direct services in the form of therapeutic music programs that offer healing from the devastating effects of poverty, homelessness, domestic violence, substance abuse and the isolation of aging."  (Mission Statement)

Sustainable Prisons: What If?

Serving hard time means facing a hard reality once a sentence is served.  Former convicts often finish their sentences unprepared for jobs, much less professions, and are generally considered undesirable as employees.  An experiment (and actually a number of research projects) being conducted in Washington state brings science and nature to prisons and prisoners.  One goal is education for inmates and sustainable job training.

"We conduct ecological research and conserve biodiversity by forging collaborations with scientists, inmates, prison staff, students, and community partners. Equally important, we help reduce the environmental, economic, and human costs of prisons by inspiring and informing sustainable practices."  Sustainable Prisons Project

Washington State Department of Corrections partners with Evergreen State College by way of the Sustainable Prisons Project.   Current inmates and ex-offenders who show an interest are taught sustainability, green-collar jobs, and given educational opportunities that advance scientific research.  Some prisoners do organic gardening.  Others are trained as beekeepers.  One program has prisoners raising the endangered Oregon spotted frogs for release back into the wild.  Endangered plant life is being cultivated for transplanting in nature.

Program coordinators note the value of connecting the incarcerated to the world beyond bars and razor wire. Prisoners say they feel like they're being prepared to do something meaningful once their time is served.

Net Literacy: Children Take the Lead

Kids bridge the digital divide by helping senior citizens learn to navigate the internet.  Net Literacy was founded by middle school students in 2003.  The organization has since developed a series of digital literacy projects: Senior Connects, Safe Connects, Financial Connects, and many more. Net Literacy has made computer access possible to more than 170,000 people with a small army of tech-savvy, student volunteers.

"One hundred million Americans do not have high speed Internet at home, and 18 million Americans live in areas with little or no broadband infrastructure.  Seniors, minorities, low-income and rural Americans remain disproportionately offline. "

The Net Literacy mission to get the digitally disconnected engaged has included students refurbishing 15,000 plus computers in just the last four years.

Do Something: You Could Save a Life

The award-winning DoSomething.org mobilizes young people to volunteer for a wide variety of great causes.  Right now the organization's nationwide bone marrow registry drive targets the best potential donors: college students.

Thousands of cancer patients need bone manor transplants every year, but only 2 percent of the population has had their cheeks swabbed to join the national registry. --DoSomething.org 

This nonprofit inspires college students to set up their own bone marrow drives on university campuses around the U.S.

This barely scratches the surface Do Something's mission.  Animal welfare, disaster relief, fighting prejudice, health issues, poverty, or bullying.  Do Something has your cause.  The organization even gives away grants to people 25 and younger so that they can start up programs in their own communities.

Visit the Do Something website to learn more.

Patrice Millet: a Life Rededicated to the Service of Haiti's Children

Patrice Millet survived life-threatening bone cancer and decided to do something different with his life.  The successful businessman sold his construction company to dedicate his life to the service of Haiti's children.  He founded the Foundation Notre-Dame du Perpétuel Secours (FONDAPS).

Millet's nonprofit organization uses sports to educate kids on fair play, teamwork, respect, love, and how to become a responsible, contributing citizen.  Poverty is pervasive in Haiti; so, FONDAPS offers a food program that addresses health and nutrition.  School tuition is also paid for youth whose parents cannot afford the fees. Besides offering sports, nutrition, and opportunities for education, FONDAPS makes regular donations to Haiti's orphanages and youth soccer clubs.

Millet has been nominated as a top 2011 CNN Hero.

Nourishing NYC: Growing Food is Power

Nourishing NYC tackles health and food security issues in impoverished East Harlem.  Chef and nutrition expert Gina Keatley saw the correlation between diabetes and lack of access to nutritious food in the NYC community and found a way to begin to empower residents through her nonprofit.

Twice a week, Nourishing NYC now offers nutrition classes at community gardens, shelters, and other nonprofit organizations which serve low-income people.  Urban gardening is also promoted as a way to have healthy food choices and beat paying for expensive produce.  The Junior Chef program teaches children basic cooking skills and how to smartly choose food.  The organization also distributes 1,000 free turkeys for Thanksgiving.

Keatley was recently featured as a CNN Hero.