Geographical Impact: Worldwide Website: www.stophungernow.org
Since 1998, Stop Hunger Now has coordinated the distribution of food and other lifesaving aid to children and families in more than countries around the world. As founder of the organization, Ray Buchanan, is helping many of them rebuild their lives and become self sufficient. The organization has supported medical programs, agricultural programs as well as micro-credit projects to help women start their own businesses.
“I have a vision of a world without hunger. The greatest lesson that I've learned is that we can do anything we set our minds to. The biggest shortcoming most of us have is we don't dream big enough. People say how can you think of a vision as big as ending world hunger. Very simple. You just do what you can where you are with what you've got and keep building on it.
One of the faith lessons that I have lived out my entire life that I know is true, is you're not given all the answers to start with but if you'll take one step in the direction you think you need to go, there'll be enough light given so you can take another step.”
The Nancy Lieberman Foundation was established to provide young girls and boys with an environment in which they could learn important life skills and build their self-esteem and confidence, thus enabling them to make sound decisions and the right choices in the future. Lieberman has dedicated her life to ensuring that sports and educational opportunities exist for youth through her educational programs, basketball camps and clinics, and Dream Courts.
“I’m trying to teach philanthropy to children. My foundation has been around for 30 years and we have given over 14,000 scholarships and over a million dollars. I want to be a giver, not a taker. I used to think God put me on this earth to be best woman basketball player ever but I understand that’s not why I’m here. I’m supposed to change people’s lives. I’m supposed to show them the way and I take it seriously.”
Geographical Impact: Texas Website: www.guzman23foundation.com
As a former major league pitcher for the Texas Rangers, Jose Guzman has had more winning games than one might imagine. He’s thrown hundreds of curve balls and has also received many of them from his on-field opponents as well.
Years ago life threw his mother a curve ball that changed her life and ultimately Guzman’s perspective on life. His mother suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, but her suffering was not in vain. It inspired Guzman to make a difference in the lives of other elderly individuals who suffer from the disease. As a result he founded the Guzman 23 Foundation. Its mission is to provide financial assistance to those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, and their families or loved ones when finances or basic insurance is unavailable.
“This is a personal journey to honor my mother Maria Mirabal Guzman, who died from this terrible disease. It’s my desire to help families care for their loved ones in their own home as long as possible. A secondary goal is to help improve Alzheimer’s facilities, making them a place where families feel their loved ones will be cared for with compassion.”
As a survivor of breast cancer, Maimah Karmo has dedicated her life to educating and advocating for young women who have breast cancer to get the care and attention they need to overcome the disease. She is the founder of the Tigerlily Foundation and is committed to empowering women around the world to live extraordinary lives.
The organization was created to educate, advocate for, empower and provide hands on support to young women before, during and after breast cancer. The organization also provides financial assistance, delivers meals and provides social networks to connect the young women to others who have been through cancer treatments.
“We aim to transform young women’s lives, so that they know that life isn’t about the cancer but that they can use the experience to prepare them for life ahead; that life can be all they want it to be.” Geographical Impact: Worldwide Website: www.tigerlilyfoundation.org
Geographical Impact: Maryland Website: www.umm.edu/shocktrauma/special_programs/
Heal the Body, Redirect the Mind. Dr. Carnell Cooper started the Violence Intervention Program (VIP) at the University of Maryland, Shock Trauma Center in 1998 after seeing victims of traumatic violent injury being treated, released, and readmitted months later due to another, often more serious, violent injury.
The VIP is an intensive hospital-based intervention program that assists victims of intentional violent injury, including gunshots, stabbings, and beatings. Victims receive assessment, counseling, and social support from a multi-disciplinary team to help make critical changes in their lives.
The success of Cooper’s program has made it a model for others around the country. The VIP program became one of the country’s first hospital-based anti-violence programs. Many of those who come into his operating room physically broken are able to leave Dr. Cooper’s care not only physically healed but in a healthy emotional and psychological state of mind as well.
It was a defining moment and a trip that left a lasting impression on Mona Purdy. She never imagined, while visiting Guatemala, that she would witness such heart-wrenching living conditions. She saw kids painting hot tar on the bottom of their feet so they could run a race during their village’s festival. Since then, and as founder of Share Your Soles, changing the world is what Mona Purdy has been doing for over twelve years, two soles at a time.
Since 1999, Share Your Soles has provided over 1.5 million pairs of shoes to desperately impoverished people throughout the world to such regions as Central America, Southeast Asia, The Caribbean, Africa, Eastern Europe, India and many others.
No boundaries. No borders. There are no boundaries for Share Your Soles when it comes to putting shoes on the feet of people in need
Executives in Action (EIA) builds communities by strengthening other nonprofit organizations and supporting executives in transition. They’re helping these organizations become self-sufficient in their mission to sustain their communities.
To accomplish its mission, EIA engages experienced executive leaders from the business sector as pro bono consultants to charitable agencies that could not otherwise access such talent. The organization provides “service grants” to improve the productivity, efficiency, and impact of selected charitable organizations. These service grants are fulfilled by senior executive consultants who bring years of management experience to targeted projects in their partner nonprofits.
Through their non-profit organization, founders Chris and Ashlee Kleinert’s vision is two-fold: (1) helping unemployed senior executives to rebuild self-esteem, and (2) providing them with hope for the future by utilizing their talents and skills while they are seeking employment.
Founded by John Wood, a former Microsoft executive, Room to Read is providing quality education to children around the world. Over six million children have benefited from Room to Read’s programs over the past ten years. The organization provides literacy and gender equality in education through programs such as the Girls Education and Local Language Publishing programs.
More than 3 million children in the developing world have benefited from Room to Read’s efforts in constructing schools, establishing libraries, providing long-term girls' scholarships and publishing new local language children's books.
“At Room to Read we truly believe that when you educate a woman, you are educating the next generation. My parents raised me to believe that to whom much is given, much is expected. What makes you a good person is what you do with your blessings. I am excited to go to work everyday and know that what we are doing at Room to Read is making a very real and positive change in the lives of millions of children around the world.”
Dr. James Morgan, founder of the Lamp for Haiti Foundation is an incredible human-being who is performing amazing selfless miracles for the poverty-stricken population in the urban slums of Haiti.
The organization’s mission is to provide assistance to the poor. It focuses on three areas: (1) health care, (2) legal and (3) human rights advocacy and community support. The medical arm of the organization treats over 500 patients per month, providing them with free evaluations, free medications, testing for HIV, tuberculosis and also a de-worming program where they treat patients with anti-parasitic medication.
Through the provision of quality free medical care and humanitarian assistance, Lamp for Haiti works with and for the people of Haiti to improve the lives of some of the most marginalized persons in Haitian society. Their work is done in collaboration with local residents, other Haitian professionals, and both governmental and nongovernmental partners.
Geographical Impact: Worldwide Website: www.ronclarkacademy.com
As founder of the Ron Clark Academy, Ron Clark has created a model for educators around the world. They are able to glean insights into teaching methods that they can take back to their classrooms.
The Ron Clark Academy is a place where award-winning visionaries instill dreams and a passion for learning in the minds and hearts of young children. It is a place where they can be enlightened with the gift of knowledge.
Clark’s methods and approach to learning has set new standards in the world of education. Students are achieving academic excellence, assuming leadership roles, learning team-work, integrity, honor and respect. Many of them are academically challenged when they enroll but they leave equipped to face the world with courage and anticipation.
These bold young souls learn to positively deal with hair loss, mortality, academic, social and many other issues compounded by cancer.
Kids Kicking Cancer was founded by Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg, who is both a black belt in the martial arts and a father who lost his first child to cancer. He has been using his experience in the martial arts to help kids deal with the disease. The training they receive through Kids Kicking Cancer helps them participate in the healing process and it allows them to draw on their inner-strength during such difficult times.
“I've learned from the children that no matter what we face in our lives, we have this incredible ability to respond with this power, peace and purpose, and that's what they teach us. I've learned that no matter what's going on and how dark it could be outside, there is a place where you get over the clouds and you see the sunlight. These children illuminate the planet with that message.” Geographical Impact: Nationwide Website: www.powerpeacepurpose.com
Geographical Impact: Texas Website: www.brasforacause.com
As the founder of Bras for a Cause, Emily Weathers is making a tremendous difference through creative fundraising events that bring awareness about breast cancer to the public. These special events are indirectly helping women get the resources they need to win their battle against the disease. The organization is partnering with cancer centers to create group therapy and peer groups for the children whose moms have breast cancer or in cases where both parents may have breast cancer.
“There’s nothing more important than giving back to your community. Find a way to volunteer and give back. I’ve always volunteered in various ways but there’s nothing that makes me more proud than seeing my kids excited and involved in giving back to the community. There are many ways to incorporate volunteering into your everyday life.”
For almost 30 years, Zeretzke has used his gifts as a musician and teacher to inspire young kids around the world. His world renowned project, Flutes Across the World has scored numerous international accolades for being a cultural outreach program for peace.
His Flutes program has connected young kids around the world, have given them hope and even saved lives in some cases. Kids who are at risk, who are abused, fall between the cracks, or have learning disabilities have all excelled in his art programs. They’re finally being acknowledged for something they do well. They have achieved something extraordinary. Zeretzke’s music programs have allowed many children to open up and realize they can excel not just in music but in life.
“We are just vessels that collect information and ideas and we carry them forward in our own way; in our own style.”
As a remarkable philanthropist, Lorna Johnson has impacted the lives of thousands of children and families, helping them to live healthy lifestyles.
Johnson founded Compassion for Teen Life, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing lowincome children and their families in California and Jamaica with supportive services focused on living healthy lifestyles and the importance of continuing their education. Topics such as childhood obesity, diabetes, hypertension and risky sexual behavior in adolescents are addressed. The organization also provides students with technological tools and stresses leadership skills so that they will be able to lead productive lives, become leaders and have a positive impact on their communities.
“I am proud to be able to give back to my community. I began bringing kids from Jamaica to expose them to American culture, while allowing Americans to gain exposure to an emerging country like Jamaica. I believe that is the key to success. Having an understanding of different cultures gives you a broader perspective on life than if you just remained in one community.”
Geographical Impact: India Website: www.childrescue.net
For thousands of children in India, Matthew Kurian is an angel of mercy. As founder of El Shaddai Charitable Trust, Kurian has been rescuing women and street children in the slums of India for over 14 years.
Matthew has provided homes and shelters for abandoned street/slum children, children from economically poor or dysfunctional families, and also orphans. The facilities provide children with the basic necessities of life followed by rehabilitation which helps to develop their personalities. Support systems like community centers for women and children have been developed. Additionally, his organization conducts awareness and educational programs on hygiene, lifestyle, nutritious food, and also organizes health and medical camps among the slum and street dwelling families.
“My mission for El Shaddai is ‘Loving, Caring and Sharing’. I want to love the unlovable, give care to the desperate and share God’s and men’s goodness with those who have not experienced it. Our core purpose is to ensure equal opportunities for all children, regardless of race, caste, religion, community or economic status.”
The Anchor of Hope Charities, founded by Judy Kendall was established to develop health care and educational programs that promote a brighter future for the world's most vulnerable children. The organization is dedicated to providing education and youth development to orphaned and abandoned children in Zambia, Africa.
Some of the organization’s projects involve assisting with the development of orphanages by providing irrigation systems and land development so that an orphanage can be self-sustaining. Dorm rooms, class rooms, clinics and chapels are also built and offer children a healthy environment for learning.
“The greatest reward for the work that I do is seeing the smiling faces of children who dare to dream of becoming doctors, teachers and pastors. My goal is to support the educational efforts in Zambia so these children can reach their dreams. In my mind, it is education that will facilitate breaking the vicious cycle of healthcare challenges and poverty. My goal is to help children be advocates of change.”
At the age of 20, Neil Willenson was heartbroken to learn that the streets on which he had grown up happy and carefree, were the same streets where another young child was being shunned and forsaken because he had AIDS.
Inspired by a local news article, Neil began a personal campaign to reach out to families experiencing similar difficulties. Angered by the reaction of the community, he decided to react differently by extending friendship and offering compassion to the child and his family.
In 1993, at age 22, Willenson founded Camp Heartland, now an umbrella organization for One Heartland. One Heartland annually serves thousands of suffering and at-risk children in the United States including those who experience poverty, HIV/AIDS, Type 2 Diabetes and other challenges.
His mission is to improve the lives of children, youth and families facing significant health challenges or social isolation.
Founded in 1993 by Stevens, School on Wheels, Inc. is a non-profit organization serving the educational needs of hundreds of homeless children who are in need of academic stability.
The disruption of lives, living in chaos on the streets, in motels, in cars and in shelters. Can you imagine living this way? No, none of us can, but it’s happening everyday all over America. Agnes Stevens couldn’t believe it either and that was her defining moment to begin changing the lives of the homeless. She is a woman who has made her mark in the world of education.
After retiring as a school teacher in 1989, Stevens began tutoring homeless kids in a park in Santa Monica, encouraging them to stay in school and participate in school activities. Today, hundreds of volunteers from all backgrounds and professions teach and mentor these children so that they may have a chance at living their dreams, while also ending the cycle of homelessness and poverty. Geographical
Geographical Impact: Worldwide Website: www.gftw.org
Gleaning For The World’s goal has always been to reach God’s children with life-saving supplies while redirecting useable non-sellable supplies from America’s industry.
What was once a small outreach program using returned and damaged goods from local stores and manufacturers, has now become a humanitarian organization that has shipped well over 350 million dollars in supplies of relief to people in need around the globe.
Wherever there is devastation and a dire need for humanitarian aid, Reverend Ronald Davidson, founder of Gleaning for the World is doing his part to help. From battle zones in Iraq, to Hurricane Katrina, clinics in Africa, hospitals in Lebanon, to orphanages in Guatemala and many other places where people are suffering and in need, Gleaning for the World is making a tremendous difference.
For over twelve years, Barbara Franklin has been the saving grace for her community at the Creech Community Center and Food Pantry in Paterson, New Jersey.
CREECH addresses the long-term conditions of poverty of families and individuals through its existing services and partnership with other agencies. Along with its community partners, the organization assesses the needs of the entire family and prepares an empowerment plan that will identify long term solutions for its constituents regarding housing, mental illness, education, and social behavior.
The program not only has a positive affect on it’s recipients but it has changed the lives of those who help run the program. Many of those who started as volunteers and were on welfare are no longer on welfare. They are now ex-drug dealers and ex-prostitutes. Many have gone through training courses at night and some have gone back to school.
“Don’t sit on what God has given you to do. Act on it. It may be the simplest thing, but act on it.”