Giving Back Podcast

Nick Marchesi and his best friend, Lucas Patchett, loaded up their van one day with washing machines and driers to help homeless people wash their laundry. Little did these young adults know at the time that their idea would take off like wildfire. They are now located in 7 cities in Australia and plan to branch out to the United States with their services. Orange Sky Laundry doesn’t just wash clothes, but they also help connect their homeless friends back into the community. Find out more about the mission from Nick on this week’s episode! 

Key Takeaways:

[3:00] What does Orange Sky Laundry do?

[6:20] How many cities is Orange Sky Laundry located in?

[8:55] Why did Nick and his best friend, Lucas, decide to start Orange Sky Laundry?

[10:55] Before Orange Sky Laundry, Nick and Lucas had volunteered to help homeless folks after school. Their eyes were opened when they realized how big Australia's homeless population is.

[14:30] How did Orange Sky Laundry evolve from ‘just laundry’ to building a community?

[19:40] We take things for granted like having a nice conversation. The homeless often don’t have access to that on a weekly basis. They are regularly ignored by the community.

[26:25] Nick dives a bit into the 3 roles a volunteer can apply for.

[30:30] Nick was surprised by how supportive communities all around the world have been about the service.

[34:00] LG is one of the corporate sponsors of Orange Sky Laundry.

[34:45] Next year, Orange Sky Laundry plans to branch out into the United States.

[36:30] No matter what our cultural background is, we all want to be respected.

[38:30] How was Nick able to get corporate sponsors so quickly?

[42:40] How can the Giving Back community help Nick?

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

Orange Sky Laundry

Rich Valenza is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Raise a Child. When Rich went through the adoption process, he was a single gay man. That experience made him realize some of the trails the LGBT community has to go through in order to adopt a child. This is why Rich founded an organization that welcomes everyone, no matter their sexual orientation, race, or marital status. Rich is the proud father of two children that he adopted through the LA County Department of Children and Family Services. Find out more about Rich and his organization on this week’s episode!

Key Takeaways:

[6:50] Rich decided that by 45 he wanted to have a family — with or without a partner.

[7:15] What happened when Rich started the adoption process as a single gay man?

[11:15] Rich didn’t tell any of his family members about his choice to adopt because he didn’t want to hear any negativity about taking in a foster child.

[12:35] A year later, Rich received a call from the agency who had two children, a brother and a sister, available for adoption.

[13:50] Rich wanted to make a change in LA’s foster system.

[17:00] After about a year and a half of parenting, Rich called up the LA County Department of Children and Family Services and asked if he could volunteer. He wanted to make the orientation process less confusing and less frightening.

[19:10] When Rich was starting out, the LGBT community was an untapped market for adoption. Rich worked with the LA County Department of Children and Family Services to come up with an engaging marketing campaign that would bring more awareness to adoption or foster options for LGBT people.

[23:25] A woman who was attending a Raise a Child meeting for LGBT people confessed she wasn’t a lesbian. She was just a single mother who wanted to adopt another child and she believed pretending to be a lesbian would make the process go faster. This opened Rich’s eyes that many agencies were turning people like her away.

[25:10] The Raise a Child foundation accepts everyone! Single parents, Latinos, African Americans, and anyone else who feels like they’d be discriminated against.

[26:15] There seems to be a 95% drop off rate for those who are inquiring about adoption services. A 5% success rate is not good enough.

[33:25] A number of people fear they are not a good parent. Rich says, if you’re already questioning yourself and your abilities as a parent, you’re on the right track.

[39:50] Rich discusses Raise a Child’s outreach and their ad campaigns.

[45:50] What does Rich and his team do for fundraising?

[57:35] Rich often asks parents, “When did you know this child was going to be your child?” It’s always magical the way parents tell that story.

[1:01:15] November is national adoption month.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

Raiseachild.org

Taprootfoundation.org

Encore.org

Alex Swallow is the Founder of the Young Charity Trustees, which seeks to help and support young people who are interested in charity trusteeship. Alex is also the owner of The Influence Expert, where he teaches people how to grow their circle of influence. Many of our young adults today are unaware about the opportunities several non-profit sectors have for them, but Alex hopes to change that. Charity provides unique opportunities for our youth because it opens their eyes to what they can achieve as well as gives them the confidence and skills they need to succeed in any area of life. 

Key Takeaways:

[4:25] Millennials tend to get a bad rep for their work ethic, but Alex doesn’t buy into that misconception.

[7:10] Alex talks about his dear friend, John Loughton, who runs Dare2Lead.

[11:45] Alex believes authenticity is an important factor for leaders.

[14:55] One of the benefits of technology is that anybody can put themselves out there.

[16:30] What is Young Charity Trustees about?

[19:00] Younger people worry about not having enough experience for charity. Charities worry that younger people aren’t interested in their cause.

[23:00] One of the biggest challenges a charity faces is having members of the board who think outside the box.

[25:55] Youth unemployment all over the world indicates so many of our young workers are not in careers they’ve studied for, but charities can help them bring back some of their confidence.

[28:30] Many people believe they’re not qualified to be a trustee, but trusteeship should be seen as just another form of volunteering.

[38:00] Alex talks about the first charity he volunteered at.

[42:20] How does Alex help his clients at his company, The Influence Expert?

[48:45] Alex wants all young people to believe they can do anything.

[54:15] How does Alex plan to connect more young people to charities?

[59:00] Alex is passionate about connecting people together.

[1:02:05] If everybody in your local community banded together to solve a problem, that problem would get solved!

[1:04:15] You can always contribute by being a mentor to someone.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

Alex Swallow | Driving Change, Unlocking Potential

Theinfluenceexpert.com

Trustees-unlimited.co.uk

Dare2lead.co.uk

Streetleague.co.uk

Smallcharities.org.uk

Dr. Michele Summers Colon is a podiatrist and physician with her own medical clinic as well as the owner of 34 Minutes, a shoe company designed specifically to help women’s feet feel amazing.  Dr. Michele has successfully incorporated a giving back mentality into her clinic and has become a distributor for Soles4Souls. But between her two businesses, how does she even find the time to give back?

Key Takeaways:

[2:30] Who is Dr. Michele? 

[4:10] Why Dr. Michele started her own shoe company, 34 Minutes, to give women comfortable shoes instead of surgery. 

[5:35] Why Dr. Michele named her shoe company, 34 Minutes.

[6:40] As a way to give back, Dr. Michele began collecting shoes, for homeless people, at her clinic.

[8:30] Dr. Michele is now a Soles4Souls distributor.

[9:35] On an average year, Dr. Michele sends out about 1,000–1,500 pairs of shoes to Soles4Souls, but one year she was able to send the organization 3,000 pairs of shoes.

[10:15] How did Dr. Michele distribute the donated shoes to homeless individuals before she aligned her efforts with Soles4Souls?

[13:50] How Giving back is deeply integrated into the culture of Dr. Michele’s clinic.

[16:15] It’s awful that children so close to home need shoes. It’s such a basic need.

[19:50] What’s the next step for Dr. Michele?

[24:40] People can always find a community close by that needs help.

[26:10] Between Dr. Michele’s charity work and two businesses, how does she find the time?

[30:00] Any business can put a collection box in their lobby.

[31:30] As long as Dr. Michele practices self-care and takes care of her body first, then she can always achieve great work.

[34:50] What kind of feedback has Dr. Michele received from her staff?

[36:55] When Dr. Michele was a resident physican, it was a requirement to help Mexican children with clubbed foot every weekend.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

Drmichele.com

Elmontefootdoctor.com

34minutesshoes.com

Soles4souls.org

Operationfootprint.org

April Belt is the Founder and Pastor at New Friends Homeless Center, a non-profit organisation that provides a 3-4 course dinner to homeless individuals. April is working towards changing the misconceptions about the homeless population. Many believe homeless people are drug addicts or alcoholics, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. The reality is that homelessness affects a wide variety of individuals, including veterans, senior citizens, people with disabilities, and hard working folks that are simply down on their luck.

Key Takeaways:

[2:25] April experienced a life-changing event when she went to India in 2000.

[3:55] When April came back, she decided to create Miracle Minded Ministry 3.

[5:10] In this modern world, what does April mean by the word ‘crusades’?

[7:00] Why did April come back to the U.S. in 2010?

[9:10] After speaking with a homeless man, April came home and prayed to God for a better way to help the homeless population in L.A.

[10:25] Why did April decide on delivering a 3-course meal to the homeless? Why does it have to be so fancy?

[13:15] When April has these dinner events, she tries to bring in live singers to the restaurant.

[14:15] April is trying to educate and change perceptions about what homelessness looks like.

[15:00] April welcomes anyone who is down on their luck with open arms. She does not turn anyone away.

[17:20] What kind of feedback has April received from the homeless so far?

[23:40] Unfortunately, a lot of people choose to look the other way when it comes to tackling homelessness.

[26:30] A homeless person could be your father, brother, sister, or even your neighbor.

[31:55] Why New Friends Homeless Center goes into the rich areas where the poor are living.

[36:20] April admits that homelessness in Woodland Hills, California looks very different from Skid Row, California — a relatively poorer community.

[40:00] If we make people aware, they’re going to take action.

[44:40] Once a month, April throws birthdays for the homeless people.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

Miracle Minded Ministry 3 on Facebook

New Friends Homeless Center

New Friends Homeless Center on Facebook

Call April: 818-887-1109

Amy Rogers is a Digital Project Manager at AOL and is hugely passionate about charity projects in Baltimore, her local community.  She is an avid, avid volunteer and has even incorporated many of these charity projects into AOL’s company culture through the help of AOL’s senior management team and the culture team. Currently, she is a Kitchen Coordinator at My Sister’s Place, one of the many projects of Catholic Charities of Baltimore.

Key Takeaways:

[3:30] Who is Amy?

[6:15] What does the ‘culture team’ at AOL do?

[10:35] Giving to charity or helping the community creates a ripple effect of goodwill.

[11:05] What kind of work is Amy doing with the culture team?

[13:25] This year, Amy and the culture team have partnered with Meals on Wheels.

[15:45] Amy discusses her work on increasing women leaders within the AOL organization.

[18:15] What has the impact been like for AOL employees who are volunteering on these important causes?

[23:05] Amy discusses her work with Church of the Nativity and their project Camp Go.

[29:40] AOL is incredibly supportive of Amy’s charitable work.

[30:00] My Sister’s Place didn’t have any turkeys for Thanksgiving one year, but Amy reached out to senior leadership at AOL and they were able to donate 8 turkeys to My Sister’s Place.

[31:55] The Business Volunteers Maryland organization really opened Amy’s eyes towards the kinds of non-profit charities that are available in Baltimore city.

[33:15] What causes does My Sister’s Place support?

[35:00] Amy’s father got very sick in 2011 and Amy knew she had to service a bigger purpose in her life.

[42:00] No act is too small to do!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

Please take our survey: Giving Back Podcast Survey

Generosityfeeds.org

Mealsonwheelsamerica.org

Students.churchnativity.tv/events/

Catholiccharities-md.org/my-sisters-place/

Bvuvolunteers.org/

Businessvolunteersmd.org/

Every year in November, men grow out their ridiculously good (and sometimes awful) mustaches to bring awareness to men’s physical and mental health. The Movember Foundation tackles three key areas — prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s mental health with an emphasis on suicide prevention. Mark Hedstrom is the Senior Vice president of the Movember Foundation and talks on how the foundation is helping men’s health issues on this week’s episode.

Key Takeaways:

[1:05] Can you start a movement with just facial hair?

[2:55] What is the Movember Foundation about?

[4:25] Movember is in 24 countries around the world and the foundation has raised around 720 million US dollars in the 13 years that they’ve been around.

[6:20] Men who participate in Movember are surprised by the kinds of conversations that get started.

[6:50] What types of causes does some of the Movember donation money go to?

[7:05] Prostate cancer is the 2nd most common form of cancer amongst men.

[7:08] In the US — 220,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year. However, around 30,000 men die every year from the disease. [8:25] If you’re in your late 30’s, you should begin getting checkups for prostate cancer.

[9:10] Although testicular cancer is a lot more curable than prostate, younger men from the ages of 18-34 tend to get this disease. These men often aren’t even thinking of their health at that age.

[9:35] In 2006, the Movember Foundation branched out from cancer research and is now investing  in boy’s and men’s mental health initiatives.

[10:05] On a global scale, half a million men take their lives each year.

[10:10] In the US — 41,000 Americans took their lives in 2014 and 75% of those were men (Centers for Disease Control).

[11:35] Movember’s focus is on early intervention across all 3 fronts.

[13:15] Mark shares some of the success stories of the men the foundation has helped.

[18:20] Mark has been with Movember for over 4 years.

[22:25] Men tend to have deeper conversations when they’re working shoulder-to-shoulder on a task — like fixing a car.

[25:30] Raising money is important, but having the discussion about these important issues can save lives.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

Movember.com

Us.movember.com

Michael Bungay Stanier is the Founder of Box of Crayons, an organization that helps busy managers incorporate and teach key skills to their team. Michael is also the author of End Malaria, where $20 from each book sold goes to the charity Malaria No More. Michael has so far raised $400,000 for the charity. How did Michael generate such a large following for the cause? Find out more on this week’s episode.

Key Takeaways:

[3:45] Find out more about Box of Crayons, an organization helping time-crunched managers. 

[4:35] How everything you do in your life falls into 3 different buckets.

[7:20] Michael really cares about change on a large scale.

[8:50] A mosquito net costs only $10.

[10:45] Why did Michael write the book, End Malaria?

[14:15] Michael started the book in March and published it in September.

[17:30] Why did Michael decide to contribute to the Malaria No More charity?

[22:00] Why you never take the first ‘no’ as a ‘no’.

[23:10] How ‘no’ is the first step to getting to a ‘yes’.

[25:50] How can people help end malaria?

[29:05] Somebody recently asked Rob what is the point of his podcast.

[31:15] The rational and logical argument doesn’t persuade people.

[35:35] What’s the next step for non-profits?

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

Boxofcrayons.biz

Malarianomore.org

End Malaria by Michael Bungay Stanier

Doing Good Better by William MacAskill

Seth Godin Website

Matt Marr is the Communications Director at Camp Brave Trails and the host of the Dear Mattie Show. Matt worked as a suicide hotline operator for The Trevor Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping struggling LGBT youth.  Camp Brave Trails is a summer camp that offers an open environment for LGBT youth to be themselves. Matt talks about both of these important projects, and how they’re helping today’s LGBT and questioning youth to feel more at peace within themselves.

Key Takeaways:

[4:55] Find out more about Matt Marr.

[10:25] Matt came out as gay when he was 19.

[11:35] Matt discusses how he discovered The Trevor Project.

[17:00] Tim Gunn from Project Runway tried to commit suicide at one point in his life.

[20:00] When people feel alone, they could be in the most crowded room ever and it still wouldn’t make a difference.

[24:30] Matt talks about Camp Brave Trails.

[26:10] Tell your story in a manipulative way — Matt explains further.

[32:15] Be sure to check out Marshall Ganz’s work.

[33:00] Camp Brave Trails got started 2 years ago.

[42:50] What does Matt do at the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute?

[52:35] We’re living in a connected world.

[54:15] Rob noticed that Matt has got some awfully good looking people on his Dear Mattie Show.

[55:45] Matt talks about why he started his podcast, the Dear Mattie Show.

[59:00] People are naturally very giving. A couple of bad apples shouldn't spoil the whole bunch!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

Dearmattieshow.com

Camp Brave Trails.org

Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute.org

The Trevor Project.org

It Gets Better.org

YouTube Video: It Gets Better by Tim Gunn

Marshallganz.com

Soulpancake.com

Charley Cramer is one of the co-founders of Crack + Cider, an organization with an initiative to provide the right supplies to the homeless population. Charley and her business partner, Scarlett, came to the conclusion that people don’t want to give money to homeless individuals because they’re afraid they will spend it on crack and cider. At the same time, people in general do want to help homeless folks, they just don’t quite know how to. This is where Crack + Cider comes in to the rescue!

Key Takeaways:

[2:55] There are different levels to homelessness. 

[4:00] What is Crack + Cider all about?

[5:25] People do want to help homeless individuals, but they’re afraid donated money will be spent on crack and cider.

[6:05] Charley and her business partner, Scarlett, came up with the idea of helping people buy items online for the homeless population.

[6:30] What kind of items does Crack + Cider sell?

[7:55] Crack + Cider is now offering dog care items for homeless people.

[9:30] Charley had a physical shop when they first launched, but only had it open for a couple of months.

[10:05] Charley is bringing the idea to the US and will have a physical store up until Christmas.

[11:20] Charley hopes to be able to franchise the idea so that it can reach a global scale.

[11:45] The San Francisco shop will open up this November.

[13:40] How does Charley and Scarlett manage Crack + Cider and their day jobs?

[18:15] How is Crack + Cider distributing the purchased items?

[21:10] When customers buy items, there’s a bit of money leftover from those purchases. Where does that extra money go?

[27:15] Crack + Cider’s name really attracted a lot of the media’s attention.

[29:20] What has the response been for some of Crack + Cider’s customers?

[37:30] The key to launching a successful social impact project is to scale it back and start small.

[40:00] If you’re in San Francisco, please feel free to send Charley resources of homeless shelters or distributors in the area.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

Crack + Cider Website

Email Charley: [email protected]