i.am Angel Foundation

Posted on
By M. MarksPosted In: EducationTagged: , ,

 

Trans4mation Experience

Will.i.am, front man of the Black Eyed Peas of i.am Angel Foundation, was at the Hollywood Palladium hosting a benefit concert – the Trans4mation Experience – to raise money for I. M. Education, one of the branches of the Foundation.  A staggering $5m was raised from this one event.

Superman

The event was inspired by ‘Waiting for Superman’ the 2010 documentary on public education in America.  As Will.i.am said, “Superman is not coming to save no neighborhood or no education system…That’s the reason why I’m doing what I am doing because that movie hits straight to heart because my mom went to one of those schools.”

It wasn’t a solo act though.  Other than Fergie, Will.i.am brought in the rest of the Black Eyed Peas and those at the concert were privy to the sounds and musical talents of Stevie Wonder, Ne-Yo, K’Naan, and Flo Rida.   As well, videos were shown, which among other things, drew focus on students in Boyle Heights, where Will.i.am grew up and the struggle he endured in such a poor educational climate. 

Foundation Background

The foundation has been working in the field of education since its inception in 2009 through three branches: i.am First (after school programs set up to encourage school kids in the field of engineering and technology); i.am Home (battling the foreclosure housing crisis); and i.am Scholarship (giving potential leaders the financial resources needed for post-secondary education).

But it was Will.i.am himself who established the i.am Scholarship branch focusing on media; computer science and more.  In addition, he seeks to provide these potential leaders with professional opportunities at Dipdive.com once they have completed their education. In his words, “more than just financial aid, the i.am scholarship is an investment in our future.”

Feeding the Hungry

Posted on
By M. MarksPosted In: Poverty, UncategorizedTagged: , ,

As more and more individuals battle against poverty, those charitable organizations giving out food to the hungry are working increasingly harder.  In addition, their operations are expanding to deal with this demand.  For example, looking at statistics from Joseph’s Storehouse, when it first opened three years ago, it helped just over 10 people; now it gives out around 25,000 food parcels every year.

Increased Poverty: Why?

So why has there been so much increased poverty over the years?  There has been a huge increase in the price of food (as well as fuel).  As well, the economic situation globally has caused a lot of job losses and all of these factors have pushed people to poverty levels.

So what is being done to help these individuals?  There is one organization, FareShare which distributes excess food that would have been trashed. As such, in Leicestershire, over the last quarter alone, it delivered 120 tons of produce throughout the area.

More Tasks for Food Charities

But the work of Joseph’s Storehouse does not stop here.  And thankfully, it has been recognized and appreciated for its huge efforts.  Just last month, the organization provided food for free to anyone who could prove their income and address in Lebanon, TN.  Most of the food is given out on the last weekend, monthly.  Every family is assessed for eligibility based on employment, health, emergency and other such issues. Those with extenuating circumstances (such as disabilities etc.) receive additional assistance.  The organization is always looking for volunteers and the next monthly food giveaway is set for February 23rd and 25th.

How To Help

Organizations and individuals can always find ways to offer help.  For example, members of ULSTER Farmers’ Union can send excess produce to needy communities through the FareShare Island of Ireland Community Food Network.  FareShare does a lot in this regard.  Not only does it ensure that substantial amounts of food that would otherwise go to waste do not, it also provides immense support to those who would otherwise go hungry.  It is able to achieve its goals of helping the poverty-stricken through the support it receives from the Public Health Agency, FSA NI and DOE.

Run James, Run

Posted on
By M. MarksPosted In: FamilyTagged: , , , , ,

Forrest Gump did it, although not for charity, so perhaps 31-year-old James Crossland can run and run and run.  Well, that’s what the man who lives in Manchester plans to do. From June 8 to 18, 2012, Crossland will be running in an effort to raise money for the Manchester United Foundation that helps finance both the Christie Charity and Francis House Children’s Hospice in the city as well as Irish Autism Action – a support network for families whose kids have autism.

To add a bit of stardom to this endeavor, ex-United player Clayton Blackmore will join the team at different points during the challenge as well. But apart from being a strong runner, Crossland has to be quite the fundraiser since he needs to pay a £150 entrance fee and thereafter raise at least £1,500, which will be put toward the charity.  While he realizes it will be tough, he is excited to be doing his bit for charity and has thus already become involved in a grueling training regime.

Come On You R-E-D-S

But it doesn’t stop there for the Red Devils.  The MU charitable foundation has teamed up with Football Aid, letting football grace its turf and play in mid-May, in an effort to raise money for charity.  On May 17, 2012, fans will be able to enjoy a “match of the day” experience at Old Trafford. They will be able to get on to the pitch and tunnel areas, clad out in their very own United shirts (with their names on) in the team’s official changing rooms, walk down the tunnel to the sound of a cheering crowd as they’ve no doubt watched so many times from a TV screen and then walk out onto the turf to represent their club in and “never to be forgotten 90 minutes of football.”

Football Aid

It’s simple to be a part of this fun charitable endeavor by logging on to Football Aid’s website and selecting your favorite team.  Positions are available for immediate purchase and thereafter, for bidding.  Two years ago, Football Aid celebrated a decade of hard work and dedication to its cause.  To date, the organization has enabled more than 12,225 football fans to participate in over 460 games. They provide funds by hosting a yearly football match at famous stadiums throughout the UK.  This all started with Craig Paterson’s idea (chair of Football Aid) and funds are used to benefit a charity nominated by the club as well as projects nominated by Field of Dreams, the parent charity of Football Aid.

Could Komen Cave?

Posted on
By M. MarksPosted In: HealthTagged: , , , ,

Controversy over Komen Care’s Financial Withdrawal

When the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation decided to pull the plug on financial support for Planned Parenthood (PP), there was a huge outcry.  Being America’s leading abortion service – providing an estimated 330,000 women with abortions annually – Komen withdrew its funding arguing from PP that it didn’t want to be involved with an organization that was under federal investigation by a congressman.  This outraged PP which the media made the most of; 26 US senators signed a condemnation document and up to $1m was pledged to Planned Parenthood to make up for the financial loss it endured from Komen.  Thus a couple of weeks ago, Komen reinstated its grant.

But what should have happened?  Why was there such a noise?  Is there anything suspect about Komen the public should have been made aware of before this came to light? And what other issues as a result have been brought to a head now?

Komen’s Chaos

It seems that Komen – the organization fighting breast cancer – may have some questions to answer.  According to a report in Reuters, “in 2011, the foundation spent 15 percent, or $63 million, of its donations on research awards that fund studies on everything from hard-core molecular biology to the quality of breast-cancer care for Medicaid patients.”  That means that a huge amount of financial resources was going toward administrative, fundraising and other costs.  So while one may be giving their monies to “kill cancer” what they really need to focus on is “killing greed,” since too much money was not going towards the organization’s goal – to find a cure for breast cancer, as Rev Vincent Kunicki said on Facebook.

Then we get back to Planned Parenthood; the organization that doesn’t even offer mammograms, and merely sends its clients elsewhere – perhaps to Komen – to get these necessary anti-breast cancer check-ups.  Perhaps one can thus be a bit more sympathetic to the withdrawal of Komen’s finances to PP.  But there again, is Komen really committed to helping detect breast cancer, or make money, given its 2011 expenses?  Perhaps this is why Komen retracted its decision and pledged to continue funding.  Maybe this was more due to all the media noise that was created.

Komen’s Commentators

So what does the man – or woman – on the street think about this? Debra Kerr Hofland on Facebook wrote: “There is a KNOWN, established and proven link between having an abortion before a full-term pregnancy AND getting breast cancer for young women with a family history of breast cancer in a near relative. That possibility is something like 100%! People can ignore this if they want, but that doesn’t change the facts!”

 

Delancey Street Foundation

Posted on
By M. MarksPosted In: EducationTagged:

The Delancey Street Foundation has been in operation since 1971, at which time it started with a mere ten dollars (on loan), four residents, and a larger-than-life dream to help those in poverty, on drugs, former felons and others who hit bottom, turn their lives around.

Today, in 2012, the foundation has achieved a lot but is still trying to help those who have been left behind by society and have not been able to get on their feet sufficiently. Those who are in poverty, or dealing with a teen pregnancy, or cannot read or write, etc., are all looking for a better life and it is the foundation’s mission to help them achieve that.

The average time one spends at the facility is four years (they need to remain there at least two years, but most stay longer).  Following that, those who have been at the Delancey Street Foundation will have gained an: “academic education, three marketable skills, accountability and responsibility, dignity, decency, and integrity.”

Thus it is clear that while there is still much work to be done, the Delancey Street Foundation is achieving its aims – helping the down and out get back on their feet and live a better quality life.

Armed Services YMCA

Posted on
By M. MarksPosted In: Military, UncategorizedTagged: , ,

The Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA), was set up by the National Council of Young Men's Christian Associations of the United States of America.  Its goal back then – a century-and-a-half ago – is the same as it is now; to help all military personnel and their families, in an attempt at providing them with a higher quality of life.  The organization seeks to do this via Christian principles that are manifested in the “educational, recreational, social and religious programs” it creates for them.

Working with the military in this endeavor, the ASYMCA, has, over the years, been highly successful.  Our soldiers and their families have benefitted greatly from its work.  The idea has very much been to provide all our soldiers with “a quality of life commensurate with their service to the Nation.”  However, while the ASYMCA indeed seeks to improve conditions for all soldiers, there has, in recent years, been a special focus on the services on the young, Junior Enlisted Troops and Families, since it is those soldiers who are at highest risk and thus have the greatest needs.

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research

Posted on
By M. MarksPosted In: Charity Activity, HealthTagged: ,

Established in 2000, the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research was a way for famous actor Michael J. Fox to put his fortune to good use.  Having been diagnosed with Parkinson’s himself, the actor wanted to help others who were suffering from this disease.  Ultimately, its main aim is to find a cure for Parkinson’s through “an aggressively funded research agenda and to ensuring the development of improved therapies for those living with Parkinson's today.”  In addition, the foundation aims to provide patients with improved treatments as well as long-term, a cure for the disease.

Since its founding, the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research has put nearly $150 m into research for Parkinson’s as well as finding a cure and in the meantime, developing improved therapies for those with the disease.  The foundation believes its goal really is in reach if it gains enough support.