This week I want to call to attention a handful of local non-profits and thank them for their passion and hard work. Yesterday I spent several hours with some of the volunteers from GiveLight putting together materials for their fund raising program. I saw more energy and hope in the eyes of the volunteers than I think you’d find today in any local Fortune 100 tech company here in Silicon Valley. Even the one with the motto “don’t be evil”. It is truly amazing when you consider these volunteers are working for free on their weekends – and working on extremely difficult and systemic problems which will take years, or decades and even generations to solve. Namely the problem of getting hope to orphans in poor communities thru resources for education. No matter how daunting the size of the challenge is, the light in these volunteers eyes and energy of their team is inspirational. “Terima Kasih” or Thank You to Dian Alyan and her team at Givelight.org This special group of people is bringing hope, love and peace to communities in the world most in need of it. Please check out their website and read their story. You can even make a donation to any of the orphanages right on their website.
What non-profits locally do you support? When did you start providing resources and time? What makes them special and what would you like share about their mission of staff?
The group which first captured my heart and spirit in the non-profit world is Focus HOPE in Detroit. If you do not know the story of Eleanor Josaitis and Father Cunningham, you should read about it on their website. In Eleanor’s words – post 1967 Detroit riots she was a housewife and decided she had to do something to help community recover. Problem was too big to solve at once but if she just took it one step at a time, well she could make a difference. Their mission is for “intelligent and practical action to overcome racism, poverty and injustice.” 40 years later, Focus HOPE has made tremendous impact on community. Please read about it and be inspired too! One person and their dream can really make a difference.
-Kristin
I love the spirit of this post! It is easy to forget that one person with a dream can move mountains. The trick is to get in touch with passion. I look forward to reading your posts to help me get in touch with my own passions.