find your cause

In this episode we interview Diana Canant, Founder and CEO at LifeSpheres. LifeSpheres’s mission is to To build resilience that empowers people to thrive by resolving trauma in peer-communities globally.

LifeSpheres, a California 501(c)(3) Public Charity and a South African NPO, facilitates trauma healing through a community program. They create safe spaces for deep listening and mutual support, addressing trauma effectively and affordably. Their PeerCommunity CoCare Program serves diverse communities, offering workshops on deep listening skills and tailored CoCare sessions. Graduates can further support others and access resources through follow-up workshops. Operating on a commitment-based model, LifeSpheres offers free services with support from donors who share their mission.

Want to learn more, donate, or get engaged?

• Donate: https://www.turningthetideoftrauma.org/contact

• Phone: 1.650.275.2537

• Email: [email protected]

• Website: https://www.lifespheres.org/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TurningTheTideOfTrauma/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/turningthetideoftrauma/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianacanant/

Lynn Margherio, founder and CEO of Cradle to Crayons, discusses the mission of the organization to end clothing insecurity for children. She shares her personal inspiration for starting the organization and the initial activities they undertook to understand the needs of families. Lynn highlights the growth of Cradle to Crayons over the past 20 years, from supplying 2,000 packages to children in the first year to projecting a million packages this year. She emphasizes the impact of the organization through feedback from agency partners and volunteers. Lynn also addresses the ongoing need for essential items and the importance of policy changes to support families in need. She outlines the future goals of Cradle to Crayons, including raising awareness, educating the community, and distributing more packages to children across the United States.

Takeaways

• Cradle to Crayons aims to end clothing insecurity for children by increasing access to affordable, appropriate, and adequate clothing.
• The organization has grown from supplying 2,000 packages in the first year to projecting a million packages this year.
• Feedback from agency partners and volunteers highlights the impact of Cradle to Crayons in providing essential items to children and families in need.
• There is an ongoing need for essential items, and policy changes are necessary to support families in need.
• Future goals of Cradle to Crayons include raising awareness, educating the community, and distributing more packages to children across the United States.

Want to learn more, donate, or get engaged?

• Donate: https://www.cradlestocrayons.org/donate-now/

• Website: https://www.cradlestocrayons.org/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c2cboston/ | https://www.instagram.com/c2cphiladelphia/ | https://www.instagram.com/c2cchicago/ | https://www.instagram.com/c2cnyc/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cradlestocrayons/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/cradlestocrayons

In this episode we interview Nate Pietrini, Ed.D., Executive Director at High Jump. High Jump equalizes access to education for Chicago middle school students who have exhibited academic ambition and potential and who are of limited economic means. We provide academic enrichment, counseling and support to students of diverse backgrounds, with the goals of sending our participants to superior college preparatory schools, ensuring their success while they are there, and enhancing their ability to gain admission to highly regarded four-year colleges and universities.

High Jump empowers Chicago’s middle schoolers to become well-rounded leaders through our tuition-free programs, which offer one-of-a-kind experiences, resources, and educational support for curious and motivated 7th- and 8th-grade students who want to challenge themselves academically.

We provide a holistic learning program to help learners develop the skills they need to thrive wherever they go. The program consists of six weeks of daily instruction in the summer and an average of two Saturdays each month during the school year. Our curriculum exposes students to culturally relevant literature, themes, rigorous math instruction, and experiential learning.

What makes a student a scholar? A love of learning and a desire to seek experiences to challenge themselves socially and academically. Our students are intellectually curious and academically motivated; many are the first people in their families to attend college.

Want to learn more, donate, or get engaged?

• Donate: https://highjumpchicago.org/donate

• Phone: 312-582-7700

• Email: [email protected]

• Website: https://highjumpchicago.org/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/highjumpchi

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/highjumpchicago/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/high-jump/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@highjumpchicago

Guest Information

• Guest Name: Nate Pietrini, Ed.D. 

• Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate-pietrini-ed-d-70652354/

In this episode we interview Ausra Tallat-Kelpsa Di Raimondo, Board President at Blue/Yellow USA. Blue/Yellow USA's mission is to provide medical care, humanitarian, and non-lethal aid to Ukraine.

Blue Yellow USA's mission is to provide non-lethal medical aid and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. They deliver aid to high-risk areas near the front line and underserved areas. The organization was founded in 2019 and is driven by a historical connection to Ukraine and a desire to support its struggle for independence and democracy. They provide non-lethal aid such as protective gear, medical equipment, and rebuilding materials. Blue Yellow USA plans to continue fulfilling needs, rebuilding infrastructure, and maintaining support in the long term. They are seeking volunteers and support from individuals and encourage advocacy to ensure aid reaches Ukraine.

Takeaways

Sound Bites

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Guest Information

In this episode we interview Vriti, Co-founder & President and Mike Peck, VP at Ed3 Dao. Ed3 DAO’s mission is to empower educators with the knowledge and tools in emerging technologies like AI & Web3, ensuring every student is equipped for the future workforce.

Ed3 DAO is a global community for educators who wish to catalyze innovation in education and reimagine learning with emerging technologies, with a focus on AI & Web3. First, we Educate. We provide free global learning events for educators both virtually & IRL, as well as partner with universities to deliver coursework for teacher development programs. Second, we Empower. We give micro-grants to members who want to facilitate peer-to-peer learning and we invite our members to take ownership of our community through a distributed governance model. Third, we Elevate. We help educators and institutions implement projects and innovations using AI & Web3, such as Learner Employment Records and virtual reality curriculum. 

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Guest Information

In this episode, Joseph interviews Kerry Brodie, the Founder and Executive Director of Emma's Torch. Emma's Torch is an organization that empowers refugees and survivors of human trafficking through culinary training and workforce development. Kerry explains that she founded the organization after realizing that she had the passion and idea to create a culinary training program for refugees and survivors of human trafficking.

She was inspired by the question, "Why not me?" and decided to take on the challenge herself. Kerry highlights the mission of Emma's Torch, which is to empower refugees and survivors of human trafficking by providing culinary training and opportunities for workforce development. She explains that empowerment is important because these individuals have often been told that they are different, other, and not the same.

Emma's Torch aims to change that narrative by recognizing the inherent dignity and worth of all humans and providing them with opportunities to pursue their goals and dreams. When asked about the origin of including survivors of human trafficking in the mission statement, Kerry explains that they work with a wide range of individuals who have been forced to flee or migrate for various reasons.

They focus on tailoring their support to the needs of these individuals and have developed a range of training modules to address English language skills, conflict resolution, and employability. Joseph asks Kerry about the name "Emmas Torch" and she explains that it is a tribute to Emma Lazarus, a Jewish woman who advocated for refugee resettlement and wrote the poem that is now inscribed on the base of the Statue of Liberty.

The poem, titled "The New Colossus," speaks to the idea that welcoming refugees is what makes the United States strong and unique. Kerry shares the initial activities of Emmas Torch, which started with a minimum viable product approach. They provided three weeks of culinary training to three students and raised funds through a catering event. They then opened their doors in Red Hook, Brooklyn, and expanded their training to include employability and empowerment modules.

In terms of data and impact, Kerry mentions that Emmas Torch has worked with approximately 350 students since its inception. They have seen significant wage growth among their students, with an average earning increase of six times within the first year after graduation. Their students also have a high job retention rate of around 85%.

Overall, Emmas Torch has created over $7 million in increased wages. Kerry discusses the future of Emma's Torch, which involves expanding their presence in New York and Washington, DC. They are also exploring opportunities for replication in other cities and states with high refugee populations and a need for social services. In terms of engagement, Kerry encourages people to visit their restaurant, support their catering services, and follow them on social media.

She also welcomes partnerships with employment partners, nonprofit organizations, and anyone who wants to collaborate in supporting their mission.

Overall, Kerry is grateful for the opportunity to share the work of Emmas Torch and is inspired by the positive impact they are making in the lives of refugees and survivors of human trafficking. She hopes to continue growing and providing opportunities for individuals to build a new life and pursue their dreams.

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Lyric Amodia, Founder and Executive Director of The Movement Street, joins Joseph in this episode. The Movement Street is a nonprofit organization that redefines community service through impact and style. Lyric was inspired to start the organization after witnessing the effects of the Flint water crisis and wanting to make a difference. The organization aims to make community service more attractive and engaging for the community, with a focus on sustainability.

In this episode we interview Anna Wassman, Founder and Executive Director at Onco-Ballet Foundation. Onco-Ballet Foundation’s mission is to provide free Onco-Ballet classes to anyone facing cancer. 

The Onco-Ballet Foundation was created to share ballet movement tailored and modified for the cancer community to help them get back in touch with their body. Our Founder and Executive Director, Anna Wassman, was a former professional ballet dancer and 2x young breast cancer survivor who found that ballet was helpful for her along her healing journey. She created the Onco-Ballet™ class to help her fellow cancer community find movement, creative expression and healing through ballet. We offer events throughout the year and partner with local hospitals across the US to offer workshop style classes and 6 week into sessions to share ballet with the cancer community. The Onco-Ballet foundation believes that ballet can be healing and we are here to offer these classes for free to anyone facing cancer. 

Want to learn more, donate, or get engaged?

Guest Information

In this podcast conversation, Joseph interviews Russell Robinson, the Chief Executive Officer of the Jewish National Fund USA. They discuss the mission of the organization, which was originally established 127 years ago to repurchase land in Israel but now focuses on building partnerships and developing the land for various projects. Russell explains that what keeps him in his role is the opportunity to bring people along and involve them in philanthropy.

He shares the story of how they were able to address a water catastrophe in Israel and turn it around, making Israel the number one country in the world in water reuse. Russell emphasizes the importance of having a business mindset in a nonprofit organization and the ability to take risks with a solid business plan.

He also talks about the history of the Jewish National Fund, including the planting of 260 million trees as a way to hold onto the land they purchased. When asked about the current programming of the Jewish National Fund, Russell mentions their work in Israel's "envelope" region, where people have been evacuated due to ongoing conflict. They are providing support and assistance to those affected, including food, water, and after-school activities.

They are also working on rebuilding and developing the area, such as building a culinary institute to change the narrative and attract tourism. Russell highlights the importance of agriculture education and how they are teaching farming and agricultural technologies to countries in need, such as Kenya, using the knowledge and experience gained from developing the Negev Desert in Israel.

They discuss the polarization and negative news surrounding Israel and how the Jewish National Fund focuses on sharing positive stories and bringing people together. Russell encourages people to follow their stories on social media and see the good work they are doing. He also emphasizes the importance of getting involved and being a participant in making the world a better place.

In terms of the future, Russell mentions the growing involvement of young people in the organization and the need to adapt to their world and values. He believes that the future of the Jewish National Fund lies in constantly thinking about how to engage and involve the younger generation.

Russell ends the conversation by encouraging listeners to visit the Jewish National Fund website, jnf.org, and to reach out if they are interested in ordering a tree or getting involved in their work.

Want to learn more, donate, or get engaged?