To alleviate hunger in Lincoln County by distributing healthy, nutritious food to our agency network & education empowerment.

Food Share of Lincoln County is one of 21 regional food banks in the Oregon Food Bank network.  Food Share of Lincoln County distributes food to its network of  local emergency food pantries, soup kitchens, produce drops, senior food box home delivery and other assistance agencies in addition to facilitating cooking classes and farmers' market tours..

Food Share of Lincoln County

Eliminating obstacles on the path to the comprehensive medical control of aging and age-related disease.

Longevity Escape Velocity (LEV) Foundation exists to conduct and inspire research to proactively identify and address the most challenging obstacles on the path to the widespread availability of comprehensively effective treatments to prevent and reverse human age-related disease.

Longevity Escape Velocity Foundation

The oldest humanitarian organization in Poland.

Polish Red Cross (Polish: Polski Czerwony Krzyż), who has been helping several generations for over 100 years, is a part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
The mission of the Polish Red Cross is to prevent and alleviate human suffering, and to protect human dignity, without any discrimination on the basis of nationality, race, gender, religious or political beliefs.  We help the most vulnerable in the country and abroad.

Our activities span across the following 9 key themes:
1. Humanitarian Aid
2. First Aid
3. Emergency Response System 
4. Universal Humanitarian Education
5. Blood Donation
6. Health Promotion
7. PRC Youth Movement
8. Social Assistance 
9. Caregiving Activity

Polish Red Cross is committed to, and bound by the seven fundamental principles, which sum up our values and enable us to provide effective, unbiased assistance to people in need:
1. Humanitarianism
2. Impartiality
3. Neutrality
4. Independence
5. Voluntary service
6. Unity
7. Universality. 

Be aware. Be active. Be with us.
For business inquiries, email: partnerzy@pck.pl

Polish Red Cross

We aim to give a life full of dignity and care to vulnerable elderly people in the Bucerias, Nayarit region of Mexico. 

History:

Tercera Edad has significantly and continuously  impacts the lives of hundreds of vulnerable Mexican seniors in the Bucerias community.

In Mexico, familial devotion to elder care is a deep-rooted tradition; most families strive diligently to support their senior members. However, challenges arise when resources are limited. For instance, in households where all adults are employed full-time, there may be no one available to care for elderly relatives during the day. Additionally, as in many cultures worldwide, some seniors unfortunately may become victims of abuse.

In the state of Nayarit, the absence of non-profit long-term care (LTC) homes exacerbates these challenges. The existing for-profit senior care facilities often charge fees that are unaffordable for many families. As Mexican society gradually moves away from traditional models of senior family support, the need for an alternative support system becomes increasingly evident.

Casa de la Paz is a new facility dedicated to providing comprehensive care and housing for seniors. This project addresses the urgent need for non-profit long-term care homes in Nayarit, ensuring that seniors receive the necessary care and support. Construction of the home is 80% complete and can be followed on our web site Cdelapaz.org.  The funds we require will primarily be allocated to cover operational costs to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of the facility.





Bucerias Tercera Edad AC

Habitat for Humanity of Key West and Lower Keys believes that everyone should have a decent, safe and affordable place to live. 

About Habitat for Humanity:
Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity found its earliest inspirations as a grassroots movement on an interracial community farm in south Georgia. 

Since its founding in 1976, the Christian housing organization has grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S. and in more than 70 countries. 

Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. 

Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. 

Through shelter, we empower.

About Habitat Lower Keys:
Habitat for Humanity of Key West and Lower Florida Key is a nonprofit organization that helps families build and improve places to call home. We believe affordable housing plays a critical role in strong and stable communities. 

Habitat Lower Keys builds and repairs houses using volunteer labor and donations. Income-qualifying Lower Keys families purchase homes through no-profit, no-interest mortgages. To qualify, the families must demonstrate a need for affordable housing, qualify for the loan, and be willing to partner with Habitat by completing homeownership courses and contributing 200-300 hours of "sweat equity" through work on their home or within the community.

Homebuyer Program:
Habitat for Humanity of Key West and Lower Florida Keys, Inc. does not build houses for families or give homes away; we facilitate a partnership with families who demonstrate a need for adequate affordable housing, the ability to pay a mortgage, and a willingness to partner with Habitat for Humanity. 

This partnership also engages community supporters who join the families in the home building process and provide both financial and in-kind support for building supplies and materials. Homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor into building their home and they pay back a no-profit, no-interest mortgage. 

Habitat for Humanity of Key West and Lower Florida Keys, Inc. is committed to the development of decent, affordable homes. We also are committed to working with partner families to insure that the experience of homeownership is positive and successful. 

Families are trained and supported in a variety of skills, including: basic construction skills to assist in the building of their house; home maintenance skills; various home improvement skills; neighborhood involvement and cooperation skills; budgeting and consumer awareness skills; and others as necessary.

Habitat homes are modestly sized. They are large enough for the homeowner family’s needs, but small enough to keep construction and maintenance costs down.

The labor of volunteers and partner families, efficient building methods, modest house sizes, and no-profit loans make it affordable for low-income families to purchase Habitat houses.

We are proud to be able to provide an opportunity for working families to stay in the Keys, put their roots down and raise their families. 

Critical Home Repair Program:
Down here in the Lower Keys, available land to build on is very scarce. Habitat for Humanity of Key West and Lower Florida Keys also focuses on maintaining decent, affordable homes for low-income families by renovating or preserving existing homes. 

By making critical home repairs to homes owned by low-income seniors, or adults with disabilities, we allow these residents to remain in their homes independently. For older adults, aging in place in their homes extends longevity and quality of life, and safe and stable housing and community networks are core to these outcomes. Surveys of homeowners that partner with Habitat show they’re mentally and physically healthier, feel safer at home, and engage with their family and friends more. Recognizing that safe and accessible housing is a key social determinant of health, Habitat is committed to making repairs focused on safety and accessibility for those in need.

Affordable Rentals:
Recognizing the scope of the affordable housing crisis in the Lower Keys, habitat also provides 27 affordable rentals for low-income families and residents. Keeping our rents below the city and county-mandated affordable levels allows our tenants to focus on why they live here and enjoy the beautiful Lower Keys environment, instead of spending all of their time working multiple jobs just to make it.

For some of our tenants, a Habitat rental can be the gateway to homeownership. Their rental agreement and payment history with Habitat helps them establish credit and show a history of on-time payments, which then helps them to qualify to become a Habitat homeowner.

Why does housing matter?
Affordable housing plays a critical role in strong communities because it is a determining factor for mental and physical health, as well as in educational outcomes for children. Access to affordable homeownership allows essential workers to stay in the Keys, put
down roots and raise their families here, establishing a foundation for building generational wealth. Communities that are diverse across income levels, race and culture are resilient communities. 

Housing that is affordable and decent also reduces taxpayer expenses and boosts the local economy. Allowing seniors to age in place in their own homes reduces the tax payer burden of supported living. Safe, affordable homes reduce public costs associated with
illness and poor school performance in children. Construction and rehabilitation of affordable housing employs local trade workers and powers local businesses.

How do we achieve our vision?
To achieve our vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live, we build with hammers, with volunteers and with families. We build affordable homes for local essential workers to purchase, we make critical repairs to keep residents on fixed incomes in their homes, we build future homeowners through affordable rentals and homeowner education classes, and we build community in the process. We build through advocacy and through partnerships, and by bringing people together to forge bonds, share their skills and share
their stories. 

Our work is needed now more than ever. We must continue to create community, foster opportunity, and generate access and equity for all. A world, and a local community, where everyone has a decent place to live is not only something we wish for, it is the future we build together every day.

You can help!
Be an Advocate. 
Make your friends and family aware of Habitat’s good work and ask them to support our cause. Follow us online and share our social media posts.

Give Your Time.
We need help with: construction, property maintenance, community education classes, and fundraising.

Support Financially. 
Help us build affordable homes through a one-time donation, monthly support, or a corporate sponsorship. With your help, a family can achieve the dream of owning a home in their community. Your donation becomes the solid foundation for their future. You can donate online at www.habitatlowerkeys.org, or give us a call at our office at 305-294-9006. You can also donate stocks, crypto, DAF, or leave a planned gift through your will or estate.



Habitat For Humanity Of Key West And Lower Florida Keys

CFH Inc is a nonprofit organization (501c3) focused on affordable housing options for first time homebuyers and renters.

CFH Inc is a nonprofit organization (501c3) empowering individuals and families to successfully create a sustainable home in which they can achieve their goals and allow their children to build their dreams and reach their potential.

CFH provides First Time Homebuyer Opportunities, Down Payment Assistance, Security Deposit Assistance, Senior Assistance, Affordable Rental Homes, including managing a Mobile Home Park, and distribute food to support our residents.

You can find more information on our website at https://cfhva.org/




CFH Inc. (Creating Foundations for Hope Since 1979)

Friends Of The Northern Wake Senior Center is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization It received its nonprofit status in 2018.

Friends of Northern Wake Senior Center's mission is to fundraise and support our Senior Center and advocate for aging adults in our community. We are based in Wake Forest, NC.

Friends Of The Northern Wake Senior Center

Serves in partnership with our stakeholders to support quality of life for seniors - allowing them the choice of safely aging in place with dignity and independence.

Silver Key Senior Services is a local, non-profit organization dedicated to providing services to keep seniors living the lives they want--with safety, independence, and quality of life.

Silver Key Senior Services

Mystic Arts Foundation exists to support artists and develop artistic works that create the opportunity for transformation.

The Mystic Arts Foundation (“MAF”) is an organizational platform established to support and develop artistic works and pieces which provide experiences and environments that are conducive to personal transformation. 

MAF, a California corporation, is an IRS-qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which offers legal organization, structure, full-service turn-key administrative services, and financial support for transformative artists and their projects.  A primary purpose of MAF is to allow artists to play in their zone of genius and do what they do best – which is to create art … without being encumbered by many of the organizational, administrative, and fundraising hurdles of executing such important projects.  The MAF structure also provides contributors and grant providers full transparency, governance, and reporting to support their contribution/grant mission and serves to match benefactors of such artworks to well-vetted, managed, and operating artists and their projects.

MAF, born out of its inaugural project – the Mystic Flyer Art Car, has been established and formed as a tax-deductible nonprofit organization in order to effectively and efficiently solicit contributions and grants, creating a vibrant hub of creativity for transformative and immersive art experiences.  At first, it was named Mystic Flyer Arts Foundation, however, within a few months, it became clear that our mission was much larger than the mutant vehicle project that inspired its formation, and “Flyer” was dropped from public-facing written materials.  This change was officially recognized on 1/31/19.

The Board of Directors will primarily focus on selecting and supporting best-in-class artists that have the drive and vision to create works with the ability to transform an individual’s experience and consciousness.  MAF will support a diverse group of artists and art projects including the development of emerging artistic technologies, art cars, and other portable immersive exhibits which can be displayed and experienced in various formats.  Artists that are supported by MAF will have access to an extended network of constituents, supporters, and thought leaders as resources for both developing and then displaying their art.

Mission

It is the mission, duty, and purpose of The Mystic Arts Foundation (MAF) to bring interactive and immersive art experiences to the public in the United States and beyond.

MAF provides mobile and portable art platforms as an educational showcase for graphic artists, LED lighting artists, technology artists, music/sound artists, and more. We provide opportunities for learning about the arts and the creation of new art in all settings through workshops…whether we are working on new technologies or art in our warehouse facilities between events or at events open to the general public.

Education

MAF provides education in the arts as they relate to the current artists we are working with. Artists are invited to participate with the understanding that they will also provide live, interactive, or recorded education on how the particular art is conceived and developed from the inception of the idea to the completion of the art for display and interaction with the general public.

Programs for Volunteers

At times, per the discretion of the board of directors, we may provide internships or volunteer opportunities which will provide a pathway for involvement in art development and outreach activities and programs in order to have a greater impact on educating the public and introducing new art, artists, and technologies. Some of the activities that volunteers may be involved in are basic education on topics such as graphic design, painting, lighting design, visual perspectives, sound technologies, digital music creation, etc. Such activities shall always be free of charge to participants and will not include compensation to the volunteers.

Multimedia

It is our goal to bring awareness to interactive and immersive art from every medium possible and this does not exclude documentaries and photos of our activities, projects, programs, and expeditions. All programs and art projects will be available to the public through displays at festivals, events, and other public venues.

Our primary revenue is derived from donations.  We also accept supportive payments from a variety of commercial art venues where our participation is made possible by receiving payments used to cover the expenses involved.  

Mystic Arts Foundation

Pet adoption, animal hospitals, pet boarding, teaching children to love animals and more can be found at www.animalcenter.org .

"Where people help animals and animals help people."  Helen Woodward Animal Center's passionate belief that animals help people and people help animals through trust, unconditional love, and respect, creates a legacy of caring.  Sharing this philosophy with others, the Center inspires and teaches, locally and globally, the importance of the animal-human bond.

Helen Woodward Animal Center was founded as the San Dieguito Animal Care and Education Center in 1972 with its primary focus on pet adoption and humane education.  In 1986 the Center was renamed after its founder, Helen Woodward, and program offerings were expanded to include Pet Encounter Therapy, Therapeutic Riding, and AniMeals. These programs helped further our goal of serving as a place where “people help animals, and animals help people” by bringing people and animals together for the mutual benefit of both.  In 2017, the Center added Pets Without Walls to provide no-cost vet care to the pets of the homeless population in San Diego. Since then, we have added additional services including a top-rated boarding facility, a state-of-the-art equine hospital, an affordable small animal hospital for the public, and a designer resale store. 
Helen Woodward herself would be proud of the over 10,000 pets and more than 90,000 people these programs touch each year, and that the Center continues to teach and provide programming for all of San Diego County, across the nation, and globally the importance of the human-animal bond.

Helen Woodward Animal Center

Dedicated to the care and management of people with progressive incurable diseases, since 1998.

DEAN Foundation has a 26-year history of being the premier provider of Hospice and Palliative Care services in the community, free of charge to the economically weaker sections of society. They treat those with serious, life-threatening, chronic, progressive and incurable diseases with an emphasis on the elderly, the poor and the marginalized. Through their Outpatient and Home Care services they offer medical care, emotional and spiritual support, tailored to the patients' wishes to remain at home.

*Since inception in 1998, our teams of doctors and nurses have reached out to 19,022 patients (Adults, Children & the Elderly) as on 31 July 2024 through 81,244 Outpatient Services and 72,577 Home Care visits; 14,965 have been Cancer patients. In our Paediatric Palliative Care Project, we have treated 3,737 children between the ages 0 to 12 years of whom 2,398 have been afflicted by Cancer. Currently, approx. 1002 patients are under our care.  About 85% of our patients are from very low socioeconomic backgrounds; unable to cope with the negative impacts of adverse health events, and approx. 50% are geriatric patients.*

DEAN Foundation

We are a culturally-based Kinship Navigator Program serving Southeast Alaska kin families outside of the foster care system. Our focus is helping families build and maintain healthy intergenerational relationships that keep children and youth safe,  stable, and out of the system.

Kin Support Program Haa Yaitxu Saiani

Desmos (www.desmos.org) is a Non-profit Foundation with the aim of connecting donors and foundations in need.  

Desmos Is a Non-profit Foundation with the aim to best manage and utilize surplus goods and pro bono services from companies and individuals, in order to help cover documented needs of social welfare providers in Greece. Simply put, Desmos matches regular and emergency needs with - existing or potential - surplus. Desmos strives to render the donation process simple, targeted and efficient, by undertaking the research, managing logistics and ensuring transparency of transactions, thus encouraging the involvement of the private sector in charitable activities. 

Desmos Non-Profit Foundation

Meals on Wheels SW OH & N. KY delivers meals and other essential services that promote independence and allow seniors to thrive.

Providing care to seniors is a distinctly challenging balance of providing appropriate levels of intervention, while fostering independence and protecting dignity. Meals on Wheels Southwest Ohio & Northern Kentucky is uniquely positioned as the region’s leading agency to address and meet these challenges.

Meals on Wheels Southwest OH & Northern KY

RSJC of San Francisco Bay Area is a nonprofit charitable organization, based in San Francisco, CA. .

Our community is at the forefront of every battle when it comes to supporting Israel, fighting antisemitism or protecting our teens and young adults from raging antisemitism.

Our community was one of the [main sponsors of the largest pro-Israel Rally](https://youtu.be/My7DDOECKBo) in the last decade and a large ["Empty Shabbat Table" exhibit](https://vimeo.com/887902059?share=copy) in front of the S. Francisco's City Hall.

We are [collecting and monitoring](https://www.cognitoforms.com/RussianJewishCommunityOfSFBayArea/AdvocateForJewishStudentsReportAntiSemitismAndAntiIsraelBiasInPrivateOrPublicSchoolsOrColleges) every incident of antisemitism and [anti-Israel activity](https://rsjc-bayarea.org/StopHateSanFrancisco) in Bay Area's High Schools and in order to combat ant-Israel lies we offer a unique college-level course ["What Every Jewish Teenager Need To Know About Israel" ](https://vimeo.com/893946365) in 10 locations in the Bay Area.

We also advocate rigorously and unapologetically [for safety of our high school](https://jweekly.com/2023/10/17/pro-palestinian-group-calls-for-school-walkouts-in-s-f-and-beyond-on-wednesday/) and college students

In the summer of 2024 we have provided scholarships to [45 teens in our community](https://vimeo.com/653872256) to attend Jewish overnight camps and retreats, and we've partnered with 13 premier Jewish day camps in the Bay Area to provide [192 scholarships for Jewish youth and teens](https://vimeo.com/782647969) from all over Bay Area to attend Jewish camps where they learn more about Jewish heritage, history and Israel, our homeland.

Russian Speaking Jewish Community Of San Francisco Bay Area

Gleaners Community Food Bank exists to provide households with access to sufficient, nutritious food and related resources.

Headquartered in Detroit, Gleaners serves five Southeast Michigan counties: Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Livingston and Monroe. Gleaners provides food to nearly 400 partner soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters, schools and other agencies across the region, and supplements the efforts of those partners by offering direct service drive-up grocery distributions. Gleaners further empowers households with food programs and education to help overcome food insecurity. Every dollar donated provides three meals, and 92 percent of our expenses directly support our neighbors facing hunger.  

**Food Donations and Surplus:** Gleaners has developed a very efficient, technologically advanced system to collect, store, and distribute food with very little waste through our state-of-the-art distribution center in Wayne County, supported by our distribution center in Livingston County and our headquarters in Detroit. This process allows Gleaners to handle a tremendous volume of donated food, as well as the fresh produce we purchase, to ensure our communities have access to a variety of healthy, nutritious food. 

**Partner Agencies:** Gleaners is devoted to getting surplus food and donated items directly to our partners, saving their organizations time and money so they can focus on better serving their communities. Together, we are increasing the amount of vital, emergency food available to our neighbors facing food insecurity and building capacity for service organizations to make an even greater impact toward solving hunger. 

**Mobile Food Distributions:** Gleaners also hosts direct-service, mobile distributions strategically located throughout our service area to supplement our partner network. These sites, operating on a rotating basis five days per week offer balanced nutrition – including fresh milk, vegetables, fruit, whole grains, lean protein and shelf-stable items – with no appointment necessary, built on a “no-contact,” drive-through model. 

Gleaners Community Food Bank

Marshall ROC -  Restoring Our Community is a coalition helping our neighbors recover from the devastating Colorado Marshall Fire  

Marshall ROC -  Restoring Our Community  is a coalition of community organizations, funders, and government agencies bound together by the common interest: Helping our neighbors, particularly those who are most in need, recover from the Devastating Marshall Fire & Windstorms which destroyed over 1000K homes.  

Marshall ROC is led by its members, who are a dedicated community of volunteers and organizations, in collaboration with government representatives. Many organizations in the surrounding communities offered their help after the Marshall Fire. Coordinating these efforts is challenging, but important. Marshall ROC is structured as a Long Term Recovery Group (LTRG), which is a nationally recognized, tried-and-true method for coordinating limited money, muscle, and materials among multiple organizations, on behalf of individuals and communities impacted by disaster. The Marshall ROC Mission is to support and empower individuals and households affected by the Marshall Fire and windstorm to lead their own recoveries by identifying needs and coordinating assistance on their behalf

The Marshall ROC Mission – Restoring Our Community
The mission of Marshall ROC is to support and empower individuals and households affected by the Marshall Fire and windstorm to lead their own recoveries by identifying needs and coordinating assistance on their behalf. Marshall ROC is a collaborative coalition of existing agencies and all Marshall ROC related services will be provided without regard to race, creed, color, gender, disability, religious or political affiliation, documentation status, or sexual orientation. 

Disasters are, by their nature, overwhelming. If it wasn’t overwhelming, we’d call it an “inconvenience,” not a “disaster.” The Marshall Fire and Windstorm is overwhelming. Our neighbors lost hundreds of millions of dollars worth of property and belongings. So many individuals and organizations have rallied to help and it is inspiring to see how engaged and supportive the communities responding to this disaster have been. However, it is now clear the need is greater than the available resources. Marshall ROC and its members will work to help as many people as possible, while managing community expectations.
One of the most important efforts of Marshall ROC is the launch and opening of the Marshall Fire Recovery Center, which is a centralized Louisville, CO location dedicated to expediting the access and delivery of disaster related support, services and resources to fire survivors in Superior, Louisville and Unincorporated Boulder County as they navigate the complexity of their recovery. The Marshall Fire Recovery Center will house the Marshall ROC office and provide spaces for mental health, rebuilding and technical programs, and the network of professionals who are all helping to support the impacted community as well as to facilitate coordination and collaboration among local, national and governmental organizations. The Navigating Disaster for Boulder County program, operated by Lutheran Family Services – Rocky Mountains, will also be located at the Center. 
The Marshall ROC Marshall Fire Recovery Center is a testament to the power of community and our coalition of organizations. We / Marshall ROC felt it was important the financing of this Marshall Fire Recovery Center effort should be separate from donations previously collected so as to not detract from funds raised for the direct support of fire families, and we’re exceedingly grateful to the many organizations who have contributed so far to  help us launch the Recovery Center and effort:
The Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP) Colorado Wildfire Fire Recovery Fund
Stephen Tebo and Tebo O'Conner 
Colorado 211-United Way
The Episcopal Diocese of Colorado
Ascent Community Church
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)

We also appreciate the in-kind contributions which have furnished the offices, conference rooms, website graphic design and technology:
A Precious Child
The University of Colorado Boulder Property Services Division
ITDRC (Information Technology Disaster Resource Center
Crisis Cleanup
Voltage


Marshall ROC - Restoring Our Community 

E N C Inc is a 501c3 nonprofit organization since 2019, based in Marsfield, WI focused on older adults and adults with autism.

Adults with autism need society to understand what autism is for each individual.  The education system, in much of the US, has gained a great deal of expertise in meeting individual needs and reliably creating a environment for individuals to be successful.  Unfortunately after high school there is a cliff rather than a bridge to more productive opportunities.

Our older adults in America are very often isolated by circumstances of where they live and how their lives have changed.  Children have grown up and moved away.  The social activities that the children obligated them to attend are gone so many have no social contact for weeks.  Isolation leads to boredom, loneliness and depression.  Loneliness has been shown to be as hard on health as 15 cigarettes a day.  

The Pandemic has taught us how all of us NEED social engagement.   It is not a luxury it is a need and each person needs social engagement differently.   The model for aging in America right now is to stay in one’s home as long as possible, move to assisted living if it is feasible, and ultimately to a nursing home as independence deteriorates.

The people who live the longest active lives on the planet are engaged in family and community and are needed members of the community.  In assisted living and nursing home models our older Americans often feel meaningless and crave a more meaningful life.

What if we could create a multigenerational community that understands autism and cultivates volunteer activities that support one another?  What if we could create a pedestrian community where one could walk down to the community center to meet for coffee and conversation?  What if we had close working relationships with property management, social services and our coordinating staff?  We could create successful long-term places to live for families, older Americans and autistic people in a vibrant connected community.

It has been estimated before the pandemic that up to 40 % of homeless people had intellectual or developmental disabilities.  We don’t really know what percentage have autism, but I can tell you a story about a young man near me.

Tim, not his real name, was 28 years old, with a job and living in his own apartment for three years in a complex for people with disabilities when he was arrested for cutting the cords on the vacuum cleaners for the second time.  For those of us who live with loved ones who are autistic we ask, “Why did it happen a second time?”  Autistic people have a variety of sensory hypersensitivities that may be sounds, sights, tastes, smells, and touch, basically any sensation that can be felt.  The manager could have told Tim when he was going to vacuum so that Tim could put on a headset, or the manager could have vacuumed when Tim was not home.  Likely the vacuum sound was torture for Tim.

Instead of working out a solution Tim was arrested and could have ended up in jail.  Fortunately Tim’s parents were still in the picture, and just as fortunate, the judge recognized that Tim was not competent and as such had not committed a crime.  Unfortunately, Tim was evicted from his housing, and would have been homeless except that his parents found him a place to live.

Many people with autism will never be able to self-advocate.  This is an inherent part of autism.  Navigating the social world is confusing at best and one of the biggest challenges for autistics to navigate the social world of the neurotypicals.

My autistic son has taught me a lot about how different autism perception of the world is from mine.  I like to say that living with him “Everyday is Opposite Day.”

What do we mean by opposite?
 
An autistic person may run back into a burning building after being rescued, seeking their place of comfort.  Unfortunately people have died, both the autistic person and would be rescuer when this has happened.  The person with autism may seek comfort when stressed and want to return to a bedroom.
 
A person with autism is likely to be unable to look at you and listen at the same time.  Most people assume if someone is not looking at them they are also not listening.  This is not only untrue but can also lead to worse issues.  Law enforcement is often trained that avoiding eye contact is a “guilty look.”
 
“Time out” may not be an effective strategy for discipline, as many autistic minds prefer isolation.  The isolation with “Time out” is often exactly what the person with autism likes; it is quieter, much less confusing and overwhelming and can be a situation that they want to experience over and over.

Services are not enough for our older Americans, our autistic loved ones, or any of our isolated people.  What is missing from our choices of assisted living and nursing homes?  A meaningful life.  People need opportunities to do meaningful things on their own terms.

We are interpreting an award-winning model, “Treehouse Community” in Easthampton, MA, that brought together older Americans with families adopting children who have experienced foster care.  They have a high school graduation rate near 100% for those children with near 90% who go on for higher learning.  The community is all about building long term relationships.  The older Americans we met there voiced, "I never imagined I could have a life like this."  The older Americans support one another, the kids, the parents and love what they are doing.

In the model they have a three-way cooperation between Treehouse staff, property management, and social services.  They are able to match peoples’ needs to available services, leveraging what is available already.  It is a neighborhood community that considers itself trauma informed and encourages 6 hours or more a week of volunteering in the community for seniors.  This might be giving rides, teaching a skill like cooking, or taking a walk.

We have spoken to church groups, employee groups and clubs and the most common question is, “Why doesn’t this exist already?”  This kind of community is not for everyone.  Grouches need not apply.  For people who want to build a new social life where they are needed it is a new choice.

Imagine a community where people appreciate one another, where we grow understanding of one another’s’ unique qualities.  I imagine a community where my autistic son can greet everyone enthusiastically and the people get a charge out of it.  I call him “My Tigger” for the way he bounds and bounces from person to person greeting them repeatedly with his big smile.  He seems to understand that greeting people makes them happy so I imagine his repeated greetings as him multiplying the happiness he is spreading.  Who wouldn’t want someone who is happy to see them?

We will be nurturing understanding of one another, not just the autistic individuals.  We will be fostering volunteer activities of all kinds that can introduce people to one another and create teamwork in efforts desired by the community members.   We see many of the needs and abilities that may dovetail, like our older folks needing house cleaning and a few of our autistic people who love to clean.  We see working with local agencies and creating new opportunities to expose our special people to new activities but with agencies that know how to do it.

As a parent I worry about what will happen to my son when I can no longer advocate for him?   Family is not enough.  He needs a community.  We need to grow advocacy both for our aging population and our adults with disabilities.

Autism is very challenging because each person is so different.  The saying in the autism community is, “If you know a person with autism you know ONE person with autism.”  In a neighborhood community it is our aim for people to know one another and look out for one another.  

We are partnering with Wisconsin Housing Preservation Corporation (WHPC), a nonprofit developer to create the rental properties that will include a portion of affordable rental units and a community center.  We would also like to have a home ownership option immediately adjacent to the rental community.

We aim to have an outreach activity that includes the general public and those with autism in the greater community who wish to engage.

We don't have a committed timeline yet, but an estimate is three years.  We don't have a final budget yet but our estimate is $1,000,000 for our part of the capital fund and $500,000 for start up costs and staffing.  The Treehouse model has  a Community Facilitator, an education officer, coordinators for volunteers and outreach coordinators.

We believe our town is the right place for the first community like this.  We have many retired teachers and healthcare personnel who have the passion for helping one another.  A small town has its challenges in fundraising and we are grateful for the opportunity on Every.org.  We believe that this community model will be replicated and will promote a better healthy aging option for our growing population of older Americans.

I imagine a community where people understand and value one another.  I imagine a community where "My Tigger" can greet and spread happiness to all he meets there.  One need only understand that he will not likely be a conversationalist but he has a great smile and enthusiasm that is contagious.

I imagine a community where my son and others like him are safe in the world when parents are gone.


E N C Inc

Working to develop and ensure widespread access to rejuvenation biotechnologies to address the disabilities and diseases of aging.

SENS Research Foundation works to develop, promote, and ensure widespread access to therapies that cure and prevent the diseases and disabilities of aging by comprehensively repairing the damage that builds up in our bodies over time. We are redefining the way the world researches and treats age-related ill health, while inspiring the next generation of biomedical scientists.

SENS Research Foundation

Jacob's House helps support families who have a loved one in the hospital. 

Jacob’s House is a home of refuge where families and loved ones of those in hospitalized traumatic medical need can find hope, comfort, peace and inspiration.  We are a community resource dedicated to serve families in crisis.  We do this by providing a shelter for the physical, emotional and spiritual support. Learn more at www.jacobshousetemecula.org

Jacob's House 

An all women disaster response and recovery group that deploys to communities affected by natural disasters. 

- **From Willie in Mississippi whose home was damaged a year ago in a tornado**: "We kept seeing workers go by but they didn't stop at our house. We just felt we were left behind. I'm just tickled to death and we care so much for all of you ladies coming out to help. I will never forget you!"
- **From Homeowner in Oklahoma when asked to evaluate the work on their house**: "The ladies all worked really well together. They were precise about their work and asked us if we were pleased. I personally feel like they did an excellent job. I felt really blessed!"
- **From Gail in Florida:** "Many volunteer groups had worked with me and 'Did what they could' and I am grateful for them......When Sister-Corps first visited me, I was in a very dark space in my life, giving up hope for recovery...... Sister-Corps lifted my life up physically and emotionally and kept on lifting and building a stable, practical, safe area for me to live.........
- Sister-Corps is an all-women organization that offers **recovery phase relief efforts deploying volunteers to communities affected by natural disasters**. In addition, Sister-Corps volunteers respond to local communities that need short-term non-life-threatening relief efforts. Each person pays their own way so that funds can be used for materials needed to repair damaged homes.

Sister Corps Inc

CAPSLO's mission is to help people become self-sufficient.  Every day we are helping people and changing lives.

The mission of Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County is to address the causes of poverty, empowering low-income people to achieve self-sufficiency through community-based collaborations and programs.

Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County, Inc.

Haven For Heros Inc is a nonprofit organization focused on housing and shelters. It is based in Fredericksbrg, VA. It received its nonprofit status in 2018.

Our goal is to end veteran homelessness. We believe no veteran should be without a place to call home.  Haven for Hero’s Inc. is a nonprofit organization, organized and operated exclusively to improve the lives of veterans and their families by providing housing and a pathway to homeownership for low-income veterans.

Our mission is to eliminate veteran homelessness by providing housing solutions and services that will empower and impact the lives of homeless and low-income veterans and their families.

Haven For Heros Inc

As a nonprofit received 501(c)(3) in 2020. Recognizing the need for end of life readiness planning, provide a free guided course.

Thank you for seeking to know us better and see that we are worthy of your donation.
We are kind and caring people who recognize the need for end of life readiness planning. We have created an action plan to fulfill that need, thus providing hope for the survivor of an end-of-life event.
As life coaches, specializing in end of life readiness, we have personally experienced, observed, and helped others with end of life planning and the restructuring of their life after an end-of -life event.
A major reason that one or both of the spouses, life partners, or family members are not preparing each other is they do not want to talk about dying. Their children do not want to talk about their impending death, even though it is inevitable. Without hope for how they will get along without their spouse, life partner, or family member they become fearful and choose optimism, a belief that things will turn out for the best. Reality says that it does not happen that way.
End Of Life Ready brings real hope to a person. Our online course offers a solution to being prepared both physically and spiritually. There is no cost for the course, so everyone can be prepared.
We want everyone to have the peace, comfort, joy, and the hope that comes with being a prepared survivor. This is a gift from us to you and for you to give to each other. We want you to have such an enjoyable experience that you cannot stop talking about it. 
Visit us at eolready.org and sign up for the free course then share the your good experience with your family and friends. 
We appreciate your making a donation of what you can afford to sustain our program. 
Join the movement.


End Of Life Ready

Feeding Pets of the Homeless® believes in the healing power of pets. 

Mission Statement
Feeding Pets of the Homeless® believes in the healing power of companion pets and of the human/animal bond, which is very important in the lives of many homeless. They find solace, protection and companionship through their pets. They care for their pets on limited resources so they themselves have less. Our task, nationwide, is to feed and provide basic emergency veterinary care to their pets and thus relieve the anguish and anxiety of the homeless who cannot provide for their pets.

History
Several years ago, our founder, Genevieve, and her husband visited New York City. They saw a homeless man with his beautiful healthy, mixed breed dog at his side. He wasn’t panhandling. She had always ignored the homeless but this time, something was different. She couldn’t get that dog out of her mind.

She tried to imagine what brought the man to be homeless. Was it drugs, alcoholism? That’s the conclusion most people make about the homeless. This man didn’t look like an addict, and she wondered why and how he got to where he was in life. And, what about his dog? It was obvious the dog was devoted to the man. He was not on a leash and could have run away at any time. She was confused about why anyone homeless, who could barely feed or take care of themselves, would even consider having a pet.

When she returned home, she researched the homeless with pets and came across the “National Coalition for the Homeless.” At the time, their estimates indicated that 3.5 million people in America were homeless and that between 5%-10% of homeless have dogs and/or cats. In some areas of the country, the rate is as high as 25%. Most people who experience homelessness are homeless for a short period and usually need help to find housing or a rent subsidy. Unfortunately for those with pets, it becomes more difficult, and many homeless are forced to choose between their pet and a roof over their head. Surprisingly, most choose to stay on the streets with their pets. Why? The answer became evident to Genevieve. Their pets are nonjudgmental; provide comfort and an emotional bond of loyalty. In some cases, they provide the homeless with protection and keep them warm.

Genevieve’s family has almost always had dogs and cats, which made her wonder, what would she do if faced with homelessness? Could she give up her pets? It felt equal to giving up her children. While they would possibly be better off emotionally, it would be a devastating decision to make because of the comfort and unconditional love they give.

It was one of those “ah-ha” moments when she realized that she could do something for those pets. And so began Feeding Pets of the Homeless®. 

Donors have told us over the years that they feel such compassion for the pets of the homeless but were afraid to approach due to safety concerns and welcomed the opportunity our organization give for a safe and easy way to help. 

That one day in New York changed Genevieve’s life. It created a passion she did not know she held that utilized her past education, life experiences, and careers to start this unique nonprofit. Each day, she looks forward to knowing that Feeding Pets of the Homeless® is providing pet food and veterinary care to the hundreds of thousands of pets that wander the streets with their owners. And she looks forward to each day knowing that we can assist the calls from the homeless or about to be homeless.

The homeless with pets are often desperate to find a shelter to go to that will allow their pets. They seek help to find an agency that will give them pet food. They are frantic to find emergency veterinary care for injuries or illnesses.

Next time you see a homeless person with a pet, think of Genevieve’s story. Please share it with your friends and consider donating to our organization. Such donations help pay for emergency care, wellness clinics, and pet crates for homeless shelters. Check to see if there is a pet food and supplies donation site in your community. If there isn’t, consider helping us to get one started.

Thank you for your interest and support,

Genevieve Frederick

Feeding Pets of the Homeless

We are the community's safety net, providing critical support services that preserve and promote stability, self-reliance, and dignity.

Since 1957, Community Services Agency has been providing vital social services for residents of Mountain View, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills. We understand that hardship can come at any time and knows no age limit. We provide a safety net so independence and self-sufficiency can be restored and maintained. Our clients may be a young, working poor family or an elderly person looking for companionship.

Community Services Agency

Legacy provides behavioral health, mental health, intellectual/developmental and addiction services for individuals of all ages. 

Legacy Treatment Services is a vibrant, behavioral health nonprofit agency with more than 70 programs and services throughout New Jersey, serving more than 20,000 individuals a year. The organization utilizes cutting edge technology and evidence-based practices in treatment and clinical care that ensure our continuum of integrated care meet individuals and families at their specific points of need. 

Legacy's mission is to change the behavioral health and social service outcomes for people of all ages from surviving to thriving. Legacy’s mission is the cornerstone for providing state-of-the-art services and best practices in multiple levels of care. This continuum of care provides continuity and stability in Legacy’s wide range of expert services such as prevention programs, crisis intervention, outpatient therapy and psychiatric services, substance abuse services, therapeutic foster care, residential programs, juvenile detention alternatives, case management, developmental disability services, and a special education school. 

Legacy was created as a merger between The Children’s Home and The Drenk Center.

The Children’s Home was established in 1864 as an orphanage for children of the Civil War. Initially only providing custodial care, the Children’s Home responded to community needs in 1937 and became the first agency to employ a social service caseworker and begin therapeutic treatment in a residential setting. 

The Drenk Center, founded in 1954 by Judge Lester A. Drenk, began as a counseling program for Burlington County juveniles and their families. Since 1954, The Drenk Center has seen a steady expansion of services to meet higher levels of consumer needs in outpatient settings. Together, these organizations formed Legacy Treatment Services in 2014. Community Treatment Solutions affiliated with Legacy in 2017. 

Since Legacy responds to children, youth and adults who have a variety of complex mental and behavioral health needs, the organization ensures that its multidisciplinary staff is well-trained and mission-driven with programs are individualized, strength-based and trauma-informed. 

Legacy Treatment Services

Queens Community House (QCH) is a multi-site, multi-service settlement house that serves the diverse neighborhoods of Queens.

Our Mission: Queens Community House provides individuals and families with the tools to enrich their lives and build healthy, inclusive communities.

Our Vision: Queens Community House envisions Queens as an empowered community that values diversity, respect, and mutual responsibility. In this community, ALL people are actively engaged, feel supported, have a voice, and experience equal access to opportunities.

Queens Community House

Leftover Love, Inc. is a Baltimore-based community 501c3 committed to helping get leftover food in the hands of those in need

Leftover Love, Inc,  A Baltimore-based community 501c3 non-profit committed to helping get leftover food in the hands of those in need, located at 5000 Thayer Center, Suite C, Oakland, MD 21550.

Our purpose and mission is to connect community based businesses’ leftover food with those in need in the Baltimore area, ultimately reducing both food waste and those who go hungry.

We achieve this mission by matching volunteers in our network to businesses in their area for picking up food donations and dropping off at local shelters, wellness centers, churches and other organizations who use this to serve their community in need.

Your donation goes directly to the organization's costs such as mileage reimbursement for volunteers, food packing materials, bags, website costs and upkeep.

Leftover Love does not have any paid staff lines and all donations benefit the organization's mission.

Charity Identification Number: 51731

Leftover Love Inc

The city's major hunger-relief organization working to end food poverty across all 5 boroughs since 1983.

We empower every New Yorker to achieve food insecurity for good.  

Food Bank for New York City

A social justice movement and social service provider dedicated to strengthening communities and transforming lives.

GLIDE

The Dojo of Exceptional Wellness (DEWINC®) is a 501c3 nonprofit based in Doral, FL. It received its nonprofit status in 2018.

The Dojo of Exceptional Wellness, Inc. (DEWINC.org), a duly designated 501(c)(3) tax exempt nonprofit and registered Charitable Organization with the State of Florida, improves the quality of life of the Special Needs and General Population communities with our Wellness & Martial Arts (W&MA) programs. 

DEWINC®’s Mission is to empower our youth, adult and senior participants promoting a safe, peaceful and welcoming environment for self-expression, inner strength, self empowerment and self-confidence development through the instruction of traditional martial arts. We believe, as we teach martial arts and its benefits become evident first hand, these benefits shall transcend to participants' routines, their family and community relationships, improving their quality of life.

We have serviced dozens of participants in our W&MA Programs, carried under provider agreements, partnering with Miami-Dade County Municipalities already tasked to service these communities and with the ADA compliant spaces that belong to the communities we aim to serve.

DEWINC®’s goal is to offer the W&MA Program for the Special Needs and General Population Communities throughout Miami-Dade County and beyond, in time. The Special Needs population in our area comprises nearly 10% of the total population, according to the Department of Labor and Statistics (dol.gov). The foundation is governed by a three member Executive Board of Directors.

We believe and understand that a great number of individuals with special needs already receive therapies on a weekly basis. Adding a traditional martial arts, non-fighting, program to their existing regimen of therapies can only assist them in reaching their goals faster. Think about it; when an instructor focuses on YOUR child, sibling, parent or relative’s needs there is no doubt the results are immediate. Focus, concentration, balance, muscle tone, spatial and self awareness, self regulation, core strength, reduced anxiety are just a few of the benefits your child, adult or senior will receive at the right martial arts school, or dojo. Providing repetition of same location, same faces, same class agenda (explore our YouTube video library) and knowing what to expect are all part of the recipe. With continuous structure, discipline and fun exercises, even the individual with multi-sensory issues almost immediately rises to the occasion, peeks to see the other side of the veil.

DEWINC®’s STEP AHEAD W&MA Team courageously participated and proudly brought home ELEVEN (11) GOLD MEDALS from the 2019 Miami Karate Open that took place in Miami, FL on May 25th. Also during Q2 2019, the foundation began operations of a second W&MA Program for the Community at the Legacy Park Community Center in the City of Doral. The Wellness & Martial Arts (W&MA) Program, however, is NOT just a Martial Arts class. We integrate an appropriate number of trained mental health professionals (FL Certified ESE Teachers, Board Certified Behavioral Technicians) in accordance to the applicable ratio of students:teacher (1:6, 1:8, etc.). Our goal is to ensure the proper monitoring, safety and management of the participants’ special needs conditions as they may manifest themselves during the course of the W&MA Program sessions. 

During in-person instructions, metrics are developed on each participant to monitor their progress objectively, based on data metrics for Duration, Frequency and Transition. Karate specifically, and martial arts in general, assists kids on the autism spectrum, for instance, with the ability to concentrate and focus their attention in a consistent and highly structured environment. Budo is a philosophy and a way of life that utilizes Martial Arts as a means for continuous self-improvement; a lifelong tool.  

Briefly recall Q2 2020. In April 2020, all of our programs were asked to stop activities due to COVID-19. DEWINC® along with the rest of the world was challenged to reassess, realign for an uncertain immediate future. Few were more exposed under these circumstances than those in the Special Needs communities, where services were curtailed, interrupted or abolished. 

Our foundation reassessed, realigned and went online, figured out a way to effectively deliver W&MA services to our population. The W&MA Online Program successfully launched during Summer 2020 and provided tools for resiliency, coping, entertainment, exercise, fitness, wellness and overall quality of life improvement for dozens of participants, while the planet was dealing with a kind of crisis not experienced in 100 years. In May 2021, more than a year after mandatory lockdowns and isolation from groups and services, the absence of the expected social dynamics and so much more, seven very courageous participants braved attending the 2021 Miami Open International Karate-do Championship held in Hialeah, FL. This was a USA Karate Federation and World Karate Federation sanctioned event. This was no small challenge to overcome, it was monumental. During the most contentious day of competition, organizers stopped the tournament to allow for the members of DEWINC®’s W&MA Program to demonstrate to the arena. They resoundingly succeeded, garnering seven (7) Gold Medals and positively impressing the more than 430 competitors and additional family members, coaches, referees and judges in attendance at the event. 

Today, subject to the latest Government and Health officials guidelines, we are operating all programs in-person and offer online instruction, upon request. DEWINC® counts and depends on the financial support from donations, grants and financial participation from sponsorship or scholarship programs to ensure the access to and the viability of this quality of life improving program for the Special Needs and General Population communities everywhere.

DEWINC  -  YOUTUBE  -  INSTAGRAM  -  TWITTER  -  LINKEDIN  -  FACEBOOK

Have a healthy day! I hope to speak with you in the near future. You are encouraged to visit our social media outlets and website or our in-person activities, to discover more about our mission, our enterprise and our programs.

Dojo of Exceptional Wellness Inc.- DEWINC®

Studio Zero develops programming and resources on the subjects of meditation, philosophy, theology and the contemplative life.

In the past ten years we have helped hundreds of people to find greater serenity in their lives through meditation practice.

We have sponsored over 100 days of residential retreat practice.

A surprisingly large part of our impact has been among seniors, who have benefited from our gentle techniques.

Many have found our services to be supportive of longterm recovery from addiction.

Our non-sectarian approach to spiritual development has been beneficial to people both inside and outside of traditional religious communities.

Studio Zero Inc

National human services organization. Our mission is to foster stability and resiliency, and provide a safety net for performing arts and entertainment professionals over their lifespan.

Founded in 1882, we serve all professionals—and not just actors—in film, theater, television, music, opera, radio and dance through programs that address our community's unique and essential needs.

Employment in any division of the performing arts and entertainment industry is unpredictable. Work is erratic, security is fleeting and health insurance is often just a dream. For all of these reasons and many more, The Actors Fund is an indispensable and deeply significant part of the entire entertainment community.

As a national organization with offices in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, we directly serve thousands of performing arts and entertainment professionals across the country every year, in person and via our online resources. Our programs are wide in scope, responsive in nature and produce significant results.

Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund)

Johnathan Cares is a non-profit founded in 2019, to combat food insecurity, inspired by Johnathan’s legacy.

Johnathan Cares is Catalyzing Surplus into Hope. Established in 2019, it serves as a symbol of compassion, founded in memory of Johnathan - my remarkable child who defied the odds and overcame incredible challenges during his four-year journey of life.

Our mission is simple yet profound: to recover food and non-food products from our major donors, while reducing the waste footprint, all while treating those we serve with dignity and respect. We believe that no one should go hungry or feel invisible in our community.

Our distinct identity lies in our holistic approach. We don’t merely address immediate hunger, we also consider the environmental impact. By tackling both food, non-food insecurities and corporate sustainability simultaneously, we create a ripple effect of positive change. No questions asked; if you’re hungry, we provide nourishment.

Our recipients are not mere statistics; they’re our neighbors. Collaborating with partners like Wegmans and Panera Bread, maximizes our resources. Every dollar donated translates directly into families served. Our origin story resonates deeply with both donors and recipients, ensuring that Johnathan’s legacy lives on through our work.

In 2023, we distributed over $1 million worth of donated goods to those in need. However, we are facing an extremely critical challenge: securing a warehouse space, asap, to continue our work efficiently and effectively. This is where your support can make a significant impact. Your financial contribution would directly contribute to our ability to serve more people in need, provide essential financial resources, and create lasting change.

Demonstrating efficacy is at our core. We measure impact quantitatively based on the amount of surplus recovered and diverted from landfills, the lives improved, and more. But it’s the qualitative stories - the personal narratives of transformed lives - that truly inspire us. We work and collaborate with community partners who share our mission and values.

We are committed to social responsibility and community development, and our aim is to connect with potential donors who share this belief.

*How You Can Help:*

1. **Financial Donation:** Your generous contribution will help us secure a warehouse, allowing us to expand our operations and reach even more individuals facing hardships. 
2. **Collaboration:** We are open to exploring partnerships or joint initiatives that align with our mission. Let’s discuss how we can work together to create a positive impact.

What sets us apart is that Johnathan Cares doesn’t just feed, we empower. Our commitment remains unwavering. Impact is our currency. We're asking you to join us in nourishing lives and creating a sustainable future. Together, we can continue to Catalyze Surplus into Hope!

Johnathan Cares

Providing vital onsite health, education, and employment services to families living in affordable housing communities.

Founded in 1999, Project Access has been operating Family & Senior Resource Centers onsite in affordable housing communities. At these Centers, we provide access to tools, knowledge, and opportunities that cultivates strong communities, positive changes, and hopeful futures. 

Our Resource Centers serve as a “one-stop-shop” to help families, children, and seniors cultivate strong communities, positive changes, and hopeful futures. This model of service delivery allows Project Access to directly impact the lives of families while eliminating service barriers by bringing services directly to resident communities, meeting residents where they are. 

By addressing multiple factors that contribute to poverty, Project Access works to improve the quality of life of disadvantaged families and empower them to achieve economic self-sufficiency. In 2023, Project Access is positioned to serve more than 25,000 low-income children, families, and seniors through more than 80 Family & Senior Resources Centers across 16 states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Washington.

Project Access programming cultivates strong communities, positive changes, and hopeful futures for families, children, and seniors living in low-income communities by providing programs and services that address economic stability, education, health & wellness, and community building. Our holistic programming also wraps financial literacy and health services into our key initiatives so the residents we serve receive care that sets the stage for long-term self-sufficiency and wellness. Project Access’s onsite presence, culturally competent staff, and proven history of impacting affordable housing communities allow us to overcome many traditional barriers to service access by bringing services directly to resident communities, meeting residents where they are.

Project Access’s core services include: 

Economic Stability – To promote hopeful financial futures, services include financial literacy education (in partnership with financial institutions), job readiness workshops, interview preparation, and technology workshops and training. Program outcomes include improved planning and decision-making about financial future, increased job search skills and increased technology skills and access. 

Health & Wellness – To promote good health and well-being, services include mental health education and workshops, health fairs, exercise classes, and preventative screenings. Program outcomes include increased knowledge of healthy habits and behaviors, increased access to healthy food and meals, and a plan to put learnings into action. 

Education for Youth and Families – To promote resilient youth and caregivers, services include parenting workshops, rigorous after-school learning activities for youth grades K-12, and college and career readiness for teens. Program outcomes include increased social and emotional competencies, increased access to STEAM learning opportunities, increased knowledge of college / trade school eligibility requirements and financial aid options. 
 
Community-Building – To promote safe communities and strong connections, services include community gatherings through cultural or holiday celebrations, community safety nights, and recreational activities for seniors. Program outcomes include strengthened social networks / reduced isolation and improved investment in the well-being of the community. 



Project Access

ARI works to advance the health of autistic people through biomedical research and free education.

Established in 1967 by psychologist and renowned father of modern autism research Dr. Bernard Rimland, ARI continues to pioneer in research, outreach, and cooperative efforts with other organizations worldwide. ARI advocates for the rights of autistic people and operates without funding from special-interest groups.

Connecting investigators, professionals, parents, and autistic people worldwide is essential for effective advocacy. Our continued work focuses on education while funding and supporting research on genetics, neurology, co-occurring medical conditions, nutrition, sensory processing, severe and challenging behaviors, and adult and senior issues. ARI is committed to pushing the boundaries of autism understanding, providing practitioners with current research, creating accessible resources for everyone, and advocating for the best possible care for autistic individuals and their loved ones.

- In January of 2023, the Autism Research Institute’s [National Autism History Museum](https://autism.org/visiting-aris-national-autism-history-museum/) officially opened its doors. The museum offers an engaging and comprehensive look at the prolific history of autism research and discovery. Its interactive exhibits highlight prominent autistic figures and underscore critical moments in the evolution of autism research. Leading researchers from many areas are collaborating with ARI to curate a collection of historical artifacts. The museum promises to be a valuable resource in increasing autism acceptance and understanding.

Research

- ARI awarded more than $400,000 in grants to scientists whose work will have a direct impact on the lives of those on the autism spectrum. The funds supported research in immune, gastrointestinal, metabolic, neurologic, and sensory issues. [View ARI’s 2023 Research Grant Recipients](https://autism.org/ari-funded-research-studies-2023/)
- **Robert L. Hendren Research Grant Award**
*Inaugural Recipients – 2023*
Emanuel DiCicco-Bloom, MD
Ed Levin, PhDIn honor of his many years of support for our work, serving as a member of ARI’s Scientific Advisory Board and Board of Directors, the top-scoring research grant proposals funded each year are now recognized as Robert L. Hendren Research Grant Award recipients.
- [ARI’s annual in-person Think Tanks](https://autism.org/ari-scientific-think-tanks/) occurred during Autism Awareness Month last April, convening researchers
and clinicians to discuss emerging findings about autism.
- ARI held its annual online scientific meeting in October 2023. This international conference featured live presentations and discussions to provide researchers with updates on metabolic issues, co-occurring gastrointestinal conditions, and genetics.
- ARI continues to develop a [global research network](https://autism.org/aris-global-networks/) to keep researchers up to date with the latest news in the scientific community; this includes sharing articles on conducting research, informing them of various funding sources, and notifying them of the latest studies published in peer-reviewed journals
- ARI co-sponosored “Autism and/or Intellectual Disability and Older Adults: A Think Tank Promoting Quality of Life and Health” convening autistic seniors, clinicians, researchers, and caregivers to build on previous work to advance priorities related to the quality of life and health of older adults with autism and intellectual disabilities.

Publications

- ARI continues to publish its quarterly science newsletter, *[Autism Research Review International (ARRI)](https://autism.org/subscribe/),* summarizing current medical, sensory, and educational research.
- [ARI’s monthly e-newsletter](https://autism.org/ari-monthly-e-newsletter/) keeps more than 145,000 subscribers up to date on new resources and the latest research.
- ARI publishes a bimonthly e-newsletter, *[Clinical Research in Autism](https://autism.org/clinical-research-e-newsletter/)*, for obstetricians, pediatricians, and nurses who want to keep up to date with research relevant to their practice.

Continuing Medical Information

- ARI filmed a new series of[ continuing education](https://autism.org/cme/) talks during the fall of 2023 offering updates on co-occurring metabolic conditions frequently associated with autism.Connecting physicians to improved standards of care is crucial to amplifying understanding of the health needs of autistic people.

Online Learning

- ARI continues to host [live webinars](https://autism.org/webinars/) multiple times each month featuring top researchers and treatment professionals. In 2023, thousands of viewers registered to watch live presentations on various topics, including research updates, nutrition, behavioral support, assessment, educational therapies, adult issues, and more. One webinar each quarter (four per year) is offered in joint providership with the World Autism Organization.ARI webinars, both live and recorded, offer real-time, captioned translation support in more than 20 languages.
- Clinical webinars, aimed at guiding healthcare providers worldwide, are offered with live Q&A and simultaneous language interpretation.
- [ARI’s YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCewrICyE_Pl9LiyCHp6GnRQ) offers free access to experts with up-to-date webcasts on medical support and educational videos, social stories, and selected talks from past conferences. Users have tuned in for more than 1 million viewings.

Outreach in the U.S.

- ARI offers a hotline for parents and professionals, who can reach a live person for information and support. [Contact Us](https://autism.org/contact/)

International Outreach

- ARI embraces a global autism community, networking with parent support groups worldwide. The network aims to improve communication among support groups and inform the international community of the current state of the science regarding the underlying biology of ASD and evidence-based treatments. To date, 230 groups have joined the network spanning 77 countries, including Argentina, Belgium, Croatia, Egypt, Germany, Israel, Moldova, Nigeria, Peru, Poland, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Vietnam.
- ARI is an NGO (non-governmental organization) registered with the United Nations.
- ARI continues to translate many key articles, as well as our[Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC)](https://autism.org/autism-treatment-evaluation-checklist/), into diﬀerent languages—the ATEC is now available in 25 languages online. On average, more than 150 users per day complete ARI’s ATEC.

Autism Research Institute

We empower & promote the health & independence of people with special challenges through the therapeutic power of horses.

Horses of Hope / Caballos de Esperanza Inc., is a therapeutic riding center, located in beautiful Isabela, Puerto Rico. We are both a 501c3 nonprofit and a Puerto Rico certified charity (EIN # 66-0907166; PR caso # 2019-1101.01-6.

Our mission is to engage the therapeutic power of our horses to nurture the special abilities of people with disabilities, help heal those suffering from trauma, and empower our clients to improve the quality of their lives, their families' lives, and their community. We provide life-changing therapeutic riding, equine education, and equine-assisted activities and have programs suitable for children (4 years and up) to adults of all ages. 

Our therapeutic riding instructors are certified through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, International (PATH, Int'l). We follow their standards of safety, which are the highest in the world, for clients, volunteers, horses, and staff.

Our equine-assisted services are based on current research and outcomes in the industry.

Horses Of Hope-Caballos De Esperanza Inc

DC KinCare Alliance supports the legal, financial and related service needs of relatives who raise DC children in times of crisis.

Fueled by high rates of parental incarceration, gun violence, addiction, and mental health problems, some 9,000 DC children live in homes with “relative caregivers.” DC KinCare Alliance is the only organization focused solely on serving these caregivers, who rise to the occasion when parents are not able. They often live at the margins of economic stability yet face an uphill battle in a system designed for traditional families, one that expects relatives to step in without aid. A team of lawyers works to support them (usually grandmothers; often disabled themselves), offering free legal representation and education, as well as assistance with obtaining identification and advocacy in acquiring effective health and mental health care, financial supports, and other services for the whole family. The only organization in DC focused on this population, DC KinCare Alliance helps those who have opened their homes and hearts to children in need.

DC KinCare Alliance

The NLF dba The Greatest Gift Catalog Ever focuses on raising awareness for nonprofits in Tarrant County, Texas.  

Giving through The Greatest Gift Catalog Ever (a program of The National Leadership Foundation) is the best way to give to benefit Tarrant County neighbors in need.
Gifts are matched dollar for dollar, and those dollars are leveraged by each orgnization in amazing ways.  Matching funds are directed to the nonprofits at a rate of 100%.

Each page in the catalog, or on the website, shows where the money goes, and how it is matched.  For example, for every $1000 donated, a neighbor with a long term disability such as cerebral palsy or demetia can be enrolled into a lifetime of attendant care services valued at over $26,000 a year or an estimated lifetime value of $650,000 per client!

Supporting local charities can be a wonderful gift idea as well.  We have a gift card program where the donor gives a set amount, and gifts that amount to a co-worker, family member, friend, neighbor, teacher, or client so that they can read all about the opportunities to give and then decide where that donation should be directed.   It's the gift that puts a smile on more than one face!
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The National Leadership Foundation

An organization focused on food, agriculture, and nutrition. It received its nonprofit status in 2021.

Creating sustainable partnerships for greater resiliency by bringing together, promoting and utilizing sustainable food resources through emergency outreach and education.

International Nutritional Sustainable Partners

A foodbank that focuses on rescuing surplus and distributing to the underprivileged.

The Lost Food Project (TLFP) provide meals through an efficient networking model that allows them to expand their operations seamlessly and build capacity as needed. At the moment TLFP provide meals to over 10 thousand people weekly through partnerships with 80 charities and NGOs, serving underserved communities be it elderlies, orphans, homeless, people with disabilities, refugees, as well as over 10 B40 communities through our partnerships with local parliamentarians, residents associations, local councils and governments. Focusing more on the the collection and distribution aspects of operations, they enhance the outreach capabilities by strengthening the core of their work which is logistics and procurement with three chiller trucks and two warehouses and supported by experienced professional staff. Sustaining such operations require diligent financial and strategic planning to ensure we are able to continue contributing to these communities whilst maintaining the highest standards required in food handling.

The Lost Food Project

YWCA Brooklyn is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. 

Founded in 1888, YWCA Brooklyn has been a champion for racial justice and gender equity for over 130 years as the first YWCA in the country to racially integrate in 1943 and a leader in both the civil rights and women’s rights movements. 

In 2009, we declined offers from developers seeking to convert our historic building in rapidly gentrifying Downtown Brooklyn to luxury housing and instead reinvested our real estate in service of our mission. Today, our work is primarily focused on the economic empowerment of women and girls of color whose paths to prosperity have been limited due to systemic racism and gender bias, ensuring they can live independent, self-determined lives, and our building is now home to: 

- Over 300 women impacted by gender-based violence, homelessness and poverty who live in our permanent affordable housing units and have access to onsite trauma-informed supportive services and therapeutic programming to ensure they remain stably housed without a return to an abusive relationship or homelessness; 
- Our year-round, long-term, holistic *YW Brooklyn LEAD* college access and leadership program that advances the educational outcomes and economic mobility for girls of color from poverty-impacted communities to develop them into the next generation of leaders in communities of color; and 
- Our Social Justice Community Center, the last surviving community hub in Downtown Brooklyn, which provides office, event and program space for other grassroots nonprofits, helping them to broaden their scope and reach,. 

We are a nonsectarian 501(c)(3) grassroots nonprofit organization that receives no financial support from our association with YWCA USA, nor are we affiliated with any other YWCA in New York City.

The YWCA of Brooklyn, Inc. (YWCA Brooklyn)

Womens Visionary Council is a nonprofit organization focused on community development. It is based in Berkeley, CA. It received its nonprofit status in 2008.

The Women's Visionary Council (WVC) is a nonprofit organization focused on research, education, and advocacy related to entheogenic plants and substances, often referred to as psychedelics. The council comprises a network of women who are scholars, researchers, healers, activists, and artists, all interested in the exploration of these substances' potential for healing, personal growth, and spiritual development.

The WVC conducts various educational events, conferences, and gatherings that center on the responsible and informed use of entheogens. They aim to promote dialogue, research, and understanding of these substances, particularly from a gender-inclusive and diverse perspective.

Their work often involves exploring the historical and cultural contexts of entheogenic plant use, addressing issues of social justice and equity within the psychedelic community, and advocating for informed and ethical engagement with these substances.

The Women's Visionary Council plays a crucial role in fostering discussions, sharing knowledge, and promoting a balanced approach to the study and use of entheogens, emphasizing safety, responsibility, and respect for indigenous traditions and cultural contexts.


Womens Visionary Council

LTSC provides a safety net of social and community services to empower people and uplift low-income neighborhoods of color.

For over 40 years, Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC) has provided a safety net of social welfare and community development services to empower people and communities in need. LTSC provides culturally and linguistically appropriate services to the Japanese American community in the Southland, builds multi-family affordable housing projects to uplift low-income neighborhoods of color throughout Los Angeles, and promotes equitable development and cultural preservation in the Little Tokyo neighborhood.

Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC Community Development Corporation)

Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund is a nonprofit organization that raises funds for 3 of the largest civil legal aid providers in WI.

WEJF promotes the availability and public awareness of the need for free legal services to low-income individuals and families in Wisconsin, secures resources for providers of such services, and distributes resources to tax-exempt nonprofit organizations that provide such services. The three organizations for which we raise funds – Legal Action of Wisconsin, Judicare Legal Aid, and Disability Rights Wisconsin – provide pro bono civil legal aid services to economically disadvantaged residents and people with disabilities across the state in a wide range of practice areas including domestic violence, housing, bankruptcy, unemployment, employment, tribal, veterans, and disability law. Free attorneys for those in need means fewer Wisconsinites facing threats of unemployment, unsafe situations, and homelessness.

Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund


Our mission is to build community and improve lives.

Building Goodness Foundation is a Virginia-based non-profit that connects skilled construction volunteers with vulnerable communities, at home and abroad. Building Goodness [volunteers](https://www.buildinggoodness.org/volunteer) come to us from the construction industry – they are professional architects, engineers, builders and tradespeople. Together, we build the places where children learn to read, where women deliver babies, where youth discover their talents, and where parents work to support their families. 

AT BUILDING GOODNESS FOUNDATION, WE BUILD OPPORTUNITY.

Building Goodness Foundation

Serving South Florida, since 1992, we are one of the most effective vehicles for connecting those in need with those who can help.

Neighbors 4 Neighbors is unlike any other organization in that we are non-self-serving. Our forte is to bolster the resources of our private and community-based partners to serve more families. We've connected those in need with those who can help since 1992.

Working in partnership with CBS4 and myTV33 News, we also organize several campaigns dealing with the issues that dominate local headlines. No other nonprofit and television network in the United States has paired together this way, for this long.

With a staff of dedicated professionals and scores of volunteers, we can launch an immediate and effective community response to any emergency. Born from a natural disaster, we can maximize the support of South Florida viewers, aiding victims of many major hurricane, tornado, earthquake, flood, accident, terrorist attack, and other major crises where help was needed. The uniqueness of our organization is that we continue our work long after the media and government aid has ended.


Neighbors 4 Neighbors

Jews, Christians, Muslims uniting to serve the poor.

Abrahamic Alliance International unites Jews, Christians, and Muslims for poverty relief and active peacebuilding. We began with a simple dream that compassionate collaboration between Jews, Christians, and Muslims can build lasting bridges of understanding and respect between our communities. By uniting to serve the poor in obedience to divine commands, our grassroots movement is showing the world that peaceful coexistence between Jews, Christians, and Muslims is not a naive and distant dream, but a growing and present reality here and now.

We envision a world where children of Abraham unite to save lives; where Jews, Christians and Muslims enjoy peaceful coexistence and mutual appreciation as our faith is deepened by meaningful encounters with each other; where understanding, humility and respect replace ignorance, arrogance and contempt; where diverse yet faithful worshipers of the God of Abraham move beyond dialogue to cooperative action, loving our neighbor together until the hungry are fed, the naked are clothed, the sick receive care and the orphan is raised with love, compassion and generosity. We envision a world where God's faithfulness to bless all nations through Abraham's offspring is expressed in wonderfully new and creative ways through Jews, Christians and Muslims striving to obey all that the prophets have spoken.

Abrahamic Alliance International

Armenia emergency appeal to help people fleeing Nagorno-Karabakh.

Tens of thousands of people have fled to Armenia following the resumption of fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh on Tuesday, 19 September, and the subsequent surrender of the local authorities. From the very outset of these developments, our dedicated team has been on the ground, delivering crucial humanitarian assistance. The protracted conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh has inflicted unrelenting suffering on the local population since its eruption in 1988.

"The situation is critical, with over 105 000 people in need of assistance.  There are older people and families with small children. Many have taken only the basic things with them and lack adequate clothes, food, or hygiene items. We are relying on funds from our donors to respond to the civilian population's current needs," says Varduhi Dadunts, People in Need's Country Director in Armenia. 

"We will provide people with water, food, shopping vouchers, mattresses and blankets or clothes. We will help equip accommodation centers, support children and older people, and provide other basic humanitarian assistance. We are asking the public to contribute to our Armenia emergency appeal," says Šimon Pánek, CEO of People in Need. 

"In Armenia, we have been helping people affected by the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict for a long time. We have been supporting people affected by the conflict and subsequent developments, including the situation around the Lachin Corridor and current events," says Petr Drbohlav, People in Need's Regional Director for the Eastern Partnership and the Balkans.

People in Need is the largest non-governmental organization in Central and Eastern Europe, delivering development and humanitarian assistance to 25 countries across Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, MENA, and Asia. In 2022 alone, People in Need supported over 4,5 million people.   

People in Need has been working in Armenia since 2003 and is therefore well placed to provide timely and the most relevant assistance.  

*Armenia emergency appeal to help people fleeing Nagorno-Karabakh

The recent escalation of conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, preceded by the 9+ month blockade of the Lachin corridor has triggered the mass evacuation of Nagorno-Karabakh population, with at least 100,520 persons (over 80% of the region’s population) fleeing to Armenia between September 24 – 29. 2023. Already highly vulnerable after a prolonged blockade that has severe impact on their ability to access basic services (including basic food or medicine), the exiled people of Nagorno-Karabakh were   able to take with them little to no belonging.

The current situation is drastically different from before. Unlike previous displacements, this time they have no hope of ever returning to Nagorno-Karabakh. It means their needs include urgent, life-saving assistance such as emergency shelter, food, psychosocial support, health or protection, as well as mid to long-term integration support such as developing sources of income, education, etc. 

* Why your support matters?

• As of October 4, 2023, at least 100,520 persons have fled from the region towards Armenia, largely entering the country through the Lachin corridor and ending mainly in Goris/Syunik. 
• The coordination of the response is led by the Armenian government and supported by the UNHCR. Humanitarian actors are expected to coordinate their aid activities with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, and are then being referred to municipalities for further coordination.
• The current response relies on limited humanitarian resources and it can be expected that needs will rapidly become unmet as these are exhausted.
• PIN was among the first to respond with immediate food and emergency assistance in Goris. We were also amongst the first to support the official registration center run by authorities. 

In the coming months, PIN is planning to scale up its work and provide immediate assistance with:  
(a) Shelter and non-food items; 
(b) Food security and livelihoods;
(c) Education and child protection;
(d) Mainstreaming protection.

People In Need

1048940678

We are a nonprofit, so instead of charging fees we rely on the generosity of donors like you.