We are not artists. We are not painters. We are not professionals. We are volunteers. This week, the kind folks at Crossroad Child and Family Services learned that first hand.
We arrived on the 47 acre campus of Crossroad Child and Family Services on a beautiful Saturday morning. It was our first visit and introduction to this organization that is a treatment provider for emotionally troubled children in our area. The mission of Crossroad is to “create promising futures for children in difficult circumstances by providing therapy, education and family support services.” Founded in 1883, Crossroad has positively impacted the lives of children through residential, outpatient, home-based, and community services that value each child while creating strong families. The children who attend Crossroad find the help that they need, the healing they desire, and the hope they deserve.
After a short tour and brief history of the organization, we grabbed our pencils, flipped on the overhead projector, and began to trace images and quotes on the walls of a room in the Northland Education Building. This small meeting room was used for education and family visits. It needed some “sprucing up” and that was our goal. Once we traced the drawings onto the wall, we painted them to bring them to life. People often say that “you get what you pay for” and that could not have been more true on this occasion. As I mentioned above, we are not artists. We are not the Van Gogh family. We are the Browns and we make mistakes. Straight lines ended up a bit squiggly. Thin, nice looking letters ended up thick and oversized. Paint smeared and dripped down the wall. Proof that we are not professionals. We are, however, a family that cares. Each letter painted was done so with joy and laughter. We joked around and laughed as we completed the work. We enjoyed each other’s company as we often do while volunteering. In all, we drew and painted three different images/sayings on the walls. Though they were not perfect, they were done with love. I must say that in the end, they definitely helped bring the room together.
We were very happy to spend week 52 with Crossroad Child and Family Services. It was a great way to end the second year of our project. As with most experiences, this week was reminder that you do not have to change your life to change the life of another. You do not have to possess great skills or great knowledge. All you have to possess is the heart and the willingness to give up some of your time. We all can do it when we make the decision to do so. When we do, we help those who truly need a helping hand and we grow as people in return. I continue to be inspired by the giving spirit of my wife and my girls. They are an inspiration to me every week. I encourage you to get your family involved with organizations like Crossroad. It will change your perspective, your family dynamic, and your life. And remember, you do not have to be Van Gogh to paint for children.
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Leave a comment | tags: children, community, Crossroad, emotions, family, Fort Wayne, impact, Impact52, Indiana, Inspiration, nonprofit, philanthropy, volunteer | posted in Impact 52
I first heard about the HIV/AIDS virus as a youth growing up in Indiana in the mid 80s. Ryan White, an Indiana teen, was expelled from his middle school after contracting the virus through a contaminated blood treatment. The story created a firestorm of media coverage while raising millions of questions in communities all over the country. My small hometown was no different. After learning that a student in our school had been infected with HIV/AIDS, our small community was turned upside down. Open debates and town meetings sprung up everywhere. People protested because they didn’t want him to attend school with “normal” kids. The infected individual was called names and received death threats. Looking back on that time, the reactions and actions of our community were ridiculous. Why did people react that way? The answer is simple. AIDS was unknown to most and misunderstood by all in those days. It was believed to be the disease of gay men and no one understood exactly how it spread. Ignorance and the lack of public awareness led to a public perception that was inaccurate. Thanks to individuals like Ryan White and Magic Johnson, that perception would slowly change over time.
Today, the AIDS pandemic continues to destroy the lives of people all over the world. Over 33 million people on the planet are currently living with HIV. Since the first diagnosis in the early 80s, 1.7 million people have been infected in the United States alone. Every 9.5 minutes someone in our country is infected. HIV/AIDS affects the health of individuals in addition to the health of families, communities, and economies. Much work is being done domestically and globally to combat this crisis. Locally, we have a great organization that is making a difference in the lives of people in our area.
The AIDS Task Force of Northeast Indiana is the oldest AIDS service organization in Indiana. Their mission is to improve the lives of all individuals living with HIV and AIDS. Comprehensive care coordination and outreach initiatives like prevention programs and awareness education are offered to individuals at increased risk for infection and to the community in general. More than 300 individuals living with HIV/AIDS in eleven Northeast Indiana counties benefit from the services the Task Force provides.
Each year, the Task Force hosts Vive Le Rouge, an AIDS walk that raises funds that benefit the organization. We were unable to participate in the event, but we were able to volunteer some time after the event to help with clean up. We counted and sorted left over t-shirts, folded table cloths, busted balloons, and helped box up and put away all walk supplies. It was important for the organization to get this work completed because the items were interfering with the happenings of the organization’s food bank. Unfortunately, like most nonprofit organizations, space for storage is limited. In a few hours we were able to get all of the materials organized and put away for another year of storage.
The AIDS Task Force has been increasing the public’s understanding of and compassion for HIV and AIDS for almost thirty years. The services provided by the organization are best-in-class. The staff is committed to the mission and very passionate about their work. Although there has been a lot of progress in the world of HIV/AIDS over the years, there is still work to be done. I encourage you to learn more about the AIDS Task Force of Northeast Indiana, their mission, and how you can get involved. Take action by investing your time and/or by investing your money. By doing so, you can do your part to improve the lives of people with HIV/AIDS in our community.
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1 comment | tags: AIDS, community, HIV, impact, impact 52, Indiana, Inspiration, Magic Johnson, nonprofit, Northeast Indiana, service, Task Force, volunteer | posted in Impact 52
The Franciscan Center has been lending a hand to its neighbors for more than twenty years. Those in our community who are less fortunate are served through programs like food pantries, sack lunch deliveries, and a medicine cabinet. In fact, the organization serves more than 100,000 people in our area every year. We were first introduced to the Franciscan Center back in September of 2011 (week 13 of our first year) when we participated in the sack lunch ministry. In three hours on a Saturday morning we delivered almost 300 sack lunches. I remember that day, the smiles on the faces of the recipients, and the emotions that went with knowing that the sack lunch was the only meal most would enjoy on that day. You can read about that experience in a post we titled “A Little Brown Bag”. This week we re-acquainted ourselves with the organization and learned about a venture that will help support the work they do.
The Franciscan Center announced recently that they were opening a thrift store to “turn Rollerblades into food”. The store will sell donated clothing, toys, old sporting equipment, household goods, and other items. The money generated will help to fund the programs that serve thousands of men, women, and children on the south side of our city every year. Like most nonprofit organizations in today’s economy, The Franciscan Center needs new revenue streams. Over the last five years there has been a decline in foundation grants and donations, but a large spike in the need for services. This is a trend that is common in today’s world and something that challenges the existence of many nonprofit organizations. Alternatives sources of funding are desperately needed and this new store could be the answer.
The store will be located in an old Goodwill location in the Coliseum Corners Plaza in Fort Wayne. There is a lot of work to be done to get the sales floor set, racks in place, and the mound of donations sorted before the store opens on June 1st. That is how we helped this week. We put together some donated racking, performed some minor cleaning, and received a few donations at the back door. We enjoyed engaging with Franciscan Center staff and the other volunteers who were helping. We were only able to give a few hours, but the time was very rewarding.
Fort Wayne friends, I need you to listen to this call to action. The Franciscan Center needs your help. They need volunteers to help get the store open and donations sorted. The Goodwill store moved out, but the donations continue to pile up in the stockroom. I was shocked to see how many bags of donated items they have accumulated in just 4 weeks. They need hands to go through these bags, sort items, and get them onto the sales floor. This is a job you, your friends, and your family could do with ease. Even if you can only give a few hours, it would be greatly appreciated. Visit the organization’s website to learn how you can get involved. I also want to encourage you to visit the store after it opens. Buy an item or two and support a great cause and a great organization. That is all it takes to lend a hand through a new store.
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Leave a comment | tags: community, donations, food pantry, Fort Wayne, hunger, impact, impact 52, Inspiration, lunch, medicine, poverty, retail, shopping, thrift store, volunteer | posted in Impact 52
What were you born to? Were you born to sing, to dance, to become a parent, to practice medicine, or change the world? There is no doubt that we were all born to be and/or do something. I believe that I was born to positively impact the lives of others. That is my purpose and thus far in life, I have been healthy enough to pursue that passion. Unfortunately, many babies in our society do not get that opportunity. They are born too early, unhealthy, and very weak. Life is an uphill battle from the moment they enter the world. Thankfully, there are organizations like the March of Dimes that work tirelessly to ensure that babies are born healthy and strong.
March of Dimes is a nonprofit that helps moms have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies. The organization works globally and in our local communities to support moms and babies through reasearch, education, advocacy, and support. In 2003, they launched the Prematurity Campaign to address the growing problem of premature birth. They are funding life-saving research and advocating legislation to improve health care for babies and mothers. Each year, the March for Babies takes place in more than 900 communities across the country. Families and friends join together to walk, to remember, and to raise money to fight premature birth.
This was the second time that we have volunteered at the Fort Wayne March for Babies event. Unlike last year, the weather for this year’s walk was absolutely beautiful. The temperature was warm and the sun was shining. We sold raffle tickets for the 75th anniversary blanket, collected notes for the Wishing You Well Tree, and handed out Imbornto stickers. It was great to see so many people come together to support this cause. It was difficult to see the families that were honoring the life of a son, a daughter, and a grandchild. Many of them were wearing shirts with the name of a child and a picture that commemorated a short, but special life. Like last year, I asked myself why I was lucky enough to have two healthy, full-term children. So many are not as fortunate. That is why we have to help the March of Dimes continue its research and education. Premature birth is a national crisis that affects 1 in 8 babies in our country. These statistics are staggering and unacceptable. Money is needed to continue the fight and the March for Babies is a great event that helps the cause.
This week’s experience was another opportunity to serve as a family. We enjoyed the time together helping the March of Dimes. I ask you again “What were you born to”? As you think about your answer, I want you to thank about the premature baby who is fighting for his or her life. That baby deserves to have the opportunity to answer that question some day. We must support the work of March of Dimes and all organizations that are working to end the prematurity epidemic that faces the world today. Visit their website, gather some information, and find a way to get involved. Maybe the answer to the question is “I’m born to help babies”. You never know.
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Leave a comment | tags: babies, birth, community, death, family, Imbornto, impact, impact 52, Inspiration, march of dimes, premature birth, volunteer, walk | posted in Impact 52
Could you engage with and teach 25 middle school students about the global marketplace? What if I told you that they were all boys? Feeling confident? Those were the questions that crossed my mind as I entered Mr. Mann’s 6th grade class at Blackhawk Middle School. I was there as a volunteer for Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana and my task was to be teacher for a day.
Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to educating students about financial literacy, workplace readiness, and entrepreneurship through experiential, hands-on activities. The local organization here in Northern Indiana has been educating students in our area since 1952. More than 100,000 students are impacted each year by the practical economic lessons taught by thousands of volunteers. This was my second experience as a volunteer in Junior Achievement’s JA in a Day. I volunteered approximately one year ago and wrote a blog about that particular experience called “A Teacher For A Day”. I really enjoyed last year’s experience and I expected that this year would be no different.
Much like last year, my mutant size acted as an instant icebreaker. ”Wow”, “Dude”, “how tall are you”, and “did you play basketball” all came from the mouths of students before I even had a chance to set my briefcase down. I wasn’t surprised by these comments nor the reaction of the class. Quite frankly, I would have been shocked if they hadn’t said those things. It is a common occurrence for anyone who is 6 foot 9 inches tall. In a school, in church, and in the supermarket, the stares and comments always exist. During my introduction to the class, I answered the questions they were asking. It was now time to teach. We jumped in and began our journey through the global marketplace material.
Over a span of about four hours we discussed trade, imports and exports, understanding cultures, and the importance of people in our economy. As expected, the students’ attention would stray from time to time (especially as we approached lunch). What can anyone expect? They are sixth grade boys. The last activity of the day really engaged the class and it was, by far, my favorite part of the experience. In an effort to teach the students about mass production and unit production, we set up a mock book bindery in the class. Teams competed to see who could create the most paper books using scissors, paper, a stapler, and a pen. The cheers, the chants, and even some trash talk made the activity great for everyone involved. This engagement helped each student learn the importance of teamwork, direction, and quality assurance. As we finished the session, I was thanked with a loud round of applause and few high fives. Great payment for a few hours of work.
I had another great experience with Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana. I have a passion for youth development and the organizations that strive for it each and every day. Junior Achievement is a best-in-class organization. The material is solid, the staff is accommodating, and the volunteers are prepared. I encourage you learn more about them and make the decision to become a volunteer. When you do, you can have as much fun as I did teaching global marketplace to 25 sixth grade boys.
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Leave a comment | tags: children, community, education, global, impact, impact 52, Junior Achievement, marketplace, Northern Indiana, school, students, volunteer | posted in Impact 52
I have two questions for you. First, can you say “Good morning! Welcome to Focus on Health! How are you today?” Let’s try it. Say it with me, “Good morning! Welcome to Focus on Health! How are you today?” Awesome! Good work. Second, do you know how to smile? I know you do even if you do not do it enough. By answering yes to these questions, you would have been a qualified volunteer for this week’s volunteer activity.
Focus on Health provides the community with free health checks and interactive learning centers to help participants detect diseases and make informed healthcare decisions. The mobile “health fair” travels to more than 12 locations in our area. Individuals can participate in free screenings such as hearing and vision, bone density, blood pressure, height, weight, and BMI. Lab services that test liver and kidney function, prostate, glucose, and thyroid (to name a few) are also available at low costs. In the end, each participant has the opportunity to sit down with a medical professional to discuss results and future action items in summary and referral process. Since its beginning more than 30 years ago, Focus on Health has impacted the lives of more than 146,000 people in our area.
My volunteer duty was to greet all attendees. I was stationed near a main entrance and, as mentioned earlier, I greeted each person with a smile. I directed them to the registration table and answered any questions they might have had. It was obvious that I was playing an important role in the day. People who entered through the doors were there for health screenings. For most, that is not a fun activity. I wanted to ensure that I did everything that I could to start their experience off on the right foot. You know me, I was in an outstanding mood and I wanted that attitude to be contagious with everyone I came in contact with. I was complimented many times during my 4-hour volunteer experience on my smile. One gentleman told me that “no person should be that happy on a Saturday morning”. It was followed by a thank you and smile in return. I enjoyed engaging and connecting with those who participated in Focus on Health. By the reactions I received from those I spoke with (almost everyone who attended), I was reminded that sometimes all we need is a smile.
Focus on Health is a great service provided by the Parkview Health network and our local ABC affiliate 21 Alive. I encourage you to look into the event and consider participating at a location near you. You just cannot beat the free and low-cost services that are provided. I also want you to consider volunteering your time. My experience was great. The staff and the volunteers were amazing. I felt welcomed, appreciated, and valued. What more can a volunteer ask for?
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2 comments | tags: community, Focus on Health, Fort Wayne, health fair, Healthcare, hospital, impact, impact 52, Parkview, screenings, volunteer | posted in Impact 52
Rube Goldberg was a Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist, sculptor, and author. He was well-known for his inventions that took simple tasks and made them unbelievably complex. A Goldberg contraption often featured an elaborate set of gears, arms, springs, wheels, and rods that were put into motion by balls, a canary cage, pails of water, boots, and live animals. If you have ever played the board game Mouse Trap, you have experienced a Rube Goldberg machine. Pee Wee Herman used an elaborate Goldberg machine to prepare his breakfast in “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure”. Don’t deny seeing that movie. We all know it is an American classic. You can look all around today and see inventions and contraptions that were inspired by Rube Goldberg. His creations are very relevant. So relevant that Webster’s New World Dictionary defines a Rube Goldberg machine and states Rube Goldberg as an adjective.
A Rube Goldberg example
So why do you care? Why am I giving you a history lesson on a Rube Goldberg machine? The answer is simple……it was at the center of this week’s volunteer activity. Each year, Woodside Middle School sixth grade students work together to create their very own contraptions. This week I volunteered in the Rube Goldberg Project Warehouse. Students came to the warehouse to get supplies for their inventions. I, along with four other volunteer parents, fulfilled the orders. Students needed paper towels tubes, nails, and wood pieces, just to name a few. I spent my time working the Miter Saw. Each group of students needed wood cut to particular lengths with specific angles. I will be the first to admit that I am not much of a carpenter nor a handy man. I do not often get confused with the likes of Bob Vila. Thankfully, I was proficient enough on the saw to complete the task. It was great to see the excitement on the faces of the children. It was obvious that they took this project very serious and they were enjoying every minute of the experience. I enjoyed my time working with the other parents and giving some of my time to the school.
The saw used to fulfill Rube Goldberg orders
This week was another easy week in regards to the work completed. I think the one thing that I want others to take away from this post is that we cannot forget our schools. I believe that we all get caught up in life with work and family. We find that special nonprofit organization or cause that we commit to and to which we devote a lot of our time. That is great, don’t get me wrong. There is no bigger nonprofit advocate than myself. We must remember, however, to make time for our local schools. The schools that our sons,daughters, nieces and nephews attend need us. Teachers need our help. We, once again, must do our part. I encourage you to visit the websites of your local schools and find a way to get involved.
If you are looking for a fun way to get involved with young people, I recommend Rube Goldberg, middle school students, and a lot of sawdust!
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1 comment | tags: children, community, contraptions, family, impact, impact 52, inventions, machines, Mouse Trap, parents, Pee Wee Herman, Rube Goldberg, schools, students, volunteer | posted in Impact 52
This week’s volunteer experience is a little bit different from what we normally share. Most weeks I write about an experience with a specific organization. The goal is always to share our story, the lessons learned, and to shine a light on the great organizations that serve our community. This particular blog will highlight a specific volunteer role instead of an organization. That role is the role of board member. I have had the opportunity to serve as a member of the board of directors for many organizations over the past several years. The role can be very rewarding, eye-opening, and frustrating. I currently serve on the board for a local nonprofit organization that positively impacts kids in our community. I enjoy working with this organization and this week’s board meeting inspired some thoughts about board service. I wanted to share those thoughts as this week’s post. Board service is a great way to serve in your community, but there are some questions you must consider before joining a board:
What commitment are you willing to make? – Joining a board of directors is a serious commitment in two ways.
- First, there is a time commitment. There are monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly board meetings you will be expected to attend. In addition, most organizations will expect you to serve on committees (marketing, special events, finance, board governance, just to name a few). Many of these committees will meet once or twice a month. You will need to attend the organization’s special events and fundraisers. Most of these will take place in the evenings and on weekends. And let’s not forget, you will be asked to meet with potential donors to ask for donations and spend time recruiting new board members and maybe even volunteers. Lastly, each board has term limits that might be 2 to 3 years. Know how much time you can give and are willing to give before joining a board.
- Second, there is always a financial commitment. All nonprofit boards expect their members to contribute financially to the organization. There is good reason for this. Most donors and foundations will ask if the organization has 100% board giving. If an organization’s board of directors doesn’t support the organization with their dollars, why should anyone else. The financial commitment varies depending on the organization. Some just ask that you give what you can, staying within your means. Others will set a minimum expectation that each board member must meet. I, personally, have experienced the full range. Give what you can as long as you give and you must donate at least $1000 a year. In addition to annual giving campaigns, you will be expected (or encouraged) to pay to attend events such as golf outings, auctions, and fancy dinners. Understanding an organization’s financial commitments upfront is extremely important.
Do you really know the organization? – Make sure you do your research before agreeing to join the team. Learn about the mission, spend some time as a volunteer for the organization, and ask a lot of questions. You want to know as much as you can before taking your seat at the table. It will help you in your decision-making, your board votes, and your ability to fit in as a contributing member.
Do you know any current board members? – Take time to talk with friends or contacts in your network who are board members for a nonprofit organization. Get their feedback about the pros and cons of board service. Reach out to current members and former members of the board that you want to join. Find out if they are happy with their experience and the board dynamics. Are relationships present amongst board members? I have seen on many occasions where they are not present. Company executives who feel they are above others do not take the time to build and cultivate relationships with other board members. You will also want to know if the board is filled with people who really want to work and help the cause or just get the resume filler or community credit. Those people do exist. If the board is filled with good people who want to work and build relationships, you will enjoy the experience.
Can you be happy sitting around the table? - I ask this question because I often question it in myself. I am a hands-on person who wants direct contact with those we serve. I want to see and feel the end result. That is why I love to volunteer. Unfortunately, you do not always get that satisfaction as a board member. You spend the majority of your time sitting at the conference room table talking about P&L statements, committee reports, and fundraising. You might spend hours talking about things that at times seem irrelevant. In the end, the hours spent could be chasing your tail, debating, and never finding a real solution.
I do not want you to get the wrong idea about this post. I am not sharing these questions and these thoughts to deter you from becoming a board member. I just want to ensure that you are informed about the experience. I have enjoyed my role as board member and the board I currently serve on is a great board. Board service is a great way to serve your community. Doing your homework and understanding the process only makes it better. You joining a board and being unhappy is not good for you or the organization.
I encourage you to look for opportunities to serve as a board member in your community. Just remember to take some time to answer the above questions before getting on board!
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2 comments | tags: board member, board of directors, committee, community, impact, impact 52, nonprofit, organization, service, volunteer | posted in Impact 52
What is child abuse? Could you properly define it if someone asked? We could ask one hundred people and we would probably get one hundred different answers. I am sure that many definitions would be similar, but few would be the exact same. This is something that needs to be addressed. One of the best ways to prevent child abuse is to know what it is and how to prevent it. So what, exactly, is child abuse? The state of Indiana legally defines child abuse as “a child’s physical or mental health is seriously endangered due to injury by the act or omission of the child’s parent, guardian, or custodian.” As a parent, a man, and a human being I cannot understand how and why individuals abuse their children. It sickens me to think about it. The abuse of children has to stop. This week, we volunteered with an organization that works everyday to work the eliminate the abuse and neglect of children in our area.
SCAN (Stop Child Abuse & Neglect) is a nonprofit organization that has been making a difference in our community for over 38 years through various programs and services that center around family. They believe that all families have value and that child abuse can be prevented by working to help parents with support, teaching, and practice. This organization has positively impacted families and protected children through services like parent education, abuse detection, crisis intervention, and in-home parental monitoring, just to name a few. Eighteen Northern Indiana counties benefit from the services provided by this first-class organization.
Throughout the year, SCAN conducts many events to raise money, and awareness, for the organization. This week we had the opportunity to volunteer at one of those events. The Brown Bag Lunch is an event that raises money to support the programs and services offered. SCAN partners with Casa Ristoranti Italiano to provide meals to businesses, individuals, and families in our community. The money raised directly benefits SCAN. We volunteered to help prepare the lunches. My role was to scoop pasta noodles into a to-go container as part of the assembly line. After dishing out my portions, I passed it on to the meatball and sauce station. In the end, each meal contained pasta with 2 meatballs and a salad. The volunteer experience only lasted a few hours and it was extremely simple. It was a volunteer activity that made you a bit hungry, but enjoyable nonetheless. It was great to be part of such a well orchestrated and successful event. In only a couple of hours, 150 volunteers prepared and delivered 2800 meals to our community which raised over $27,000 dollars for the organization.
This week was another example of how easy it is to make a difference in your community. Anyone can perform the task of noodle scooper (if you can resist eating more than you scoop). Investing a few hours is all it takes. A reminder for all of us that we do not have to change our lives to change the lives of others. Visit the SCAN website and learn how you can get involved and lend a hand. Maybe next year you can prepare a brown bag lunch to stop abuse.
Regardless of where you live, child abuse is an issue. We ALL need to step up, take action, and become advocates in our communities. We must do our part to protect the lives of innocent children. I am going to do my part, will YOU?
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Leave a comment | tags: child abuse, children, community, family, food, impact, impact 52, Inspiration, neglect, nonprofit, SCAN, violence, volunteer | posted in Impact 52
