Headway: Improving the Lives of People With Brain Injury

Founded in 1979, Headway is a UK charity set up to support individuals affected by brain injury. Headway raises awareness about brain injury and its consequences; organizes activities and campaigns that will reduce the occurrence of brain injury; and assists people with brain injuries, their families and carers, and concerned professionals. Further, the charity promotes better approaches to diagnosis and treatment and helps people with brain injuries resume normal lives.

Operating locally and nationally, Headway has a network of local groups and branches across the UK and Channel Islands that offer rehabilitation programs, social reintegration, carer support, community outreach, respite care, and other services. In addition, Headway runs a nurse-led helpline that provides information and a listening ear to people who are struggling after brain injury, as well as publishes booklets that are designed to help not only those directly affected by brain injury but also employers, professionals, and the public.

Juvenile Arthritis Association: Raising Awareness About a Prevalent Yet Overlooked Chronic Childhood Disease

Based in Beverly Hills, California, the Juvenile Arthritis Association (JAA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing awareness, funding, and resources about pediatric rheumatic diseases. Usually broadly categorized as juvenile arthritis, pediatric rheumatic diseases are a family of autoimmune diseases that cause severe inflammation and pain in any part of the body. Extremely debilitating and sometimes fatal, pediatric rheumatic diseases are more common than many other chronic childhood ailments, affecting more children than cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, and juvenile diabetes combined.

A 2007 CDC study estimates that 294,000 children in America (1 in 250) have been diagnosed with arthritis or another rheumatologic disease. Still, there is a huge lack of research funding that goes toward pediatric rheumatic diseases, and there are fewer than 200 board certified pediatric rheumatologists nationwide, causing several families to travel hundreds of miles just to see a specialist. Even under professional care, children and young adults with rheumatic diseases face big challenges. Prescribed treatments come with significant side effects, and lack of public awareness about these illnesses leads to bullying and intolerance.

The Juvenile Arthritis Association was founded to change the status quo. While there are other organizations that focus on arthritis and rheumatic illnesses, very few cater to children and young adults exclusively. Committed to significantly improving the lives of individuals with pediatric rheumatic diseases and their families, JAA brings community, awareness, research, and empowerment (CARE) to those who need it. The non-profit is currently developing its website into a powerful online resource that will include news, blogs, educational materials, and medical information; planning an innovative public service announcement campaign that will have print, video, and social media components; and backing the pediatric rheumatology core program at Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

Last Saturday, actress and JAA supporter Teri Hatcher hosted her third annual celebrity yard sale at The Americana at Brand to benefit the organization. Hatcher was inspired to support JAA after meeting a child with pediatric rheumatic disease a few years ago.

Green Wish Makes Local Environmental Groups More Accessible to Consumers

After welcoming his first child into the world in 2003, actor and producer Raphael Sbarge suddenly felt remarkably alive as a father. At the same time, however, he felt unable to protect his daughter's journey in this vast and complex world and found himself asking, “What can we do to contribute in any small way to leave the world a better place than when we found it?” The answer is Green Wish, a grassroots, non-profit that supports local environmental organizations through customers' donations at local retailers. In other words, Green Wish is a charity that helps fund the green projects in donors' neighborhoods.

Founded in 2009, Green Wish partners with local retailers where customers can “buy” and add Green Wish donations on to their purchase at the cash register. These donations are then collected by local Green Wish chapters and 90 percent is distributed to area green groups that have been carefully evaluated and selected by each chapter's board of directors.

Currently operating in Los Angeles, California, and Lawrence, Kansas, Green Wish aims to start chapters across the United States.

Reverb Brings Sustainability to the Music Industry

Based in Portland, Maine, Reverb is a non-profit organization that educates and engages musicians and their fans to take steps toward a more sustainable future. Deeply rooted in the music and environmental communities, Reverb was founded in 2004 by environmentalist Lauren Sullivan and her husband Adam Gardner, guitarist for alternative rock band Guster. Reverb creates comprehensive, custom greening programs for music tours; educates and connects with fans on a grassroots level; and works with record labels, radio stations, and venues to reduce the environmental impact of the music industry.

With the opportunity to reach hundreds of thousands of fans every year, Reverb spreads a positive message of environmental sustainability in a number of ways, including setting up an Eco-Village at concert venues; Eco-Villages are festival-like villages that are equipped with environmental displays and activities and host environmental groups to engage and educate music fans. Reverb also presents eco-trivia, tour greening information, and text messaging campaigns on Jumbotron slideshows; provides eco-concert takeaways for fans that describe the green initiatives of the tour and offer simple calls to action; and creates custom tour-specific websites that feature green resources and calls to action for fans.

Behind the scenes, Reverb carries out and oversees all greening elements of each tour; coordinates with the production team and drivers to arrange local and sustainable biodiesel fuelings; works with tour caterers and local farmers to provide healthy and organic food options for the band and crew; and  makes recycling on tour easy by supplying bins and signage for all dressing rooms, production offices, and other locations. Further, Reverb replaces paper and plastic catering products with reusable items when possible and with biodegradable and recyclable items when not. Jason Mraz, Dave Matthews Band, and Mumford & Sons are among the artists that have recently partnered with Reverb to green their tour.

GreenTreks Network: Telling Stories That Change the World

Headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, GreenTreks Network, Inc. is an environmental communications non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public about the relationship between the health of the environment and the health of people. Through its award-winning documentaries, GreenTreks inspires people to take action towards a more sustainable way of life. Looking at the big picture but through the eyes of the individual, GreenTreks' productions feature people who adopt a hands-on approach to solving environmental issues. Each story is highly personal and action-oriented, communicating the power of the individual in making an impact and creating a healthier community.

GreenTreks' story began in the early 1990s, when the Environmental Fund for Pennsylvania (EFP) took on the challenge of demonstrating the interconnectedness of environmental, economic, societal, and individual health. To accomplish this, EFP traveled across the Commonwealth to find and film individuals who were helping their communities by protecting the environment. These stories became an Emmy Award-winning series that was broadcast in more than 5 million homes throughout Pennsylvania – a success that led to a strong interest both within and beyond the state. Thus, GreenTreks Network was founded in 2004 to meet the demand.


Since then, GreenTreks has produced several television programs which have aired on public television and cable access stations in all major US markets, as well as created web programs to accompany its documentaries. GreenTreks has also lent its creative expertise to various issues and causes, providing communications strategy and documentary production services to other organizations that share its vision of a more sustainable world. Through its programs and services, GreenTreks connects the big issues to real people and daily life; challenges individuals to reflect on the consequences of their actions; provides insight and motivation for change; encourages viewers to act in positive ways; and tell stories that change the world.

Over the years, GreenTreks has received many recognitions for its efforts in environmental education. The group's accolades include Emmy Awards, Telly Awards, and a Three Rivers Environmental Award.

A Million Lights for a Brighter, Cleaner World

Based in Palo Alto, California, One Million Lights is a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the daily lives of people by providing clean and healthy lighting. Through its international distribution programs, One Million Lights delivers clean, safe, and affordable solar lighting to rural communities worldwide. The organization aims to send out a million solar lights to replace harmful and polluting kerosene lamps, which is used by 1.3 billion people around the world.

In addition to polluting the environment, kerosene is a major cause of burns and respiratory illnesses and is responsible for 1.5 million deaths annually. Kerosene is also very expensive due to transportation costs; impoverished families around the world use up half of their income on kerosene, spending about $36 billion on this dangerous and inadequate form of illumination. On the other hand, solar light eliminates carbon emissions, improves household health, and reduces expenses.

One Million Lights is working towards a brighter, cleaner world by distributing solar lights, raising funds, and working with local US schools to increase awareness of global issues.

Kids for Tomorrow: Giving Kenyan Students a Brighter Future

Headquartered in New York City, Kids for Tomorrow is dedicated to improving the world, one child at a time. Working towards a world where every child has access to a nurturing and inspiring education, Kids for Tomorrow supports programs that advance the development of knowledge, community participation, creativity, health, and sustainability. Taking a holistic approach in addressing world issues, the organization focuses on access to clean water, locally sourced materials and employment, affordable and healthy food options, safe and inspiring learning environments, volunteering and community involvement, and sustainable projects and practices.

Kids for Tomorrow has projects in Kenya, where education is technically free from nursery through eighth grade. Public schools are extremely overcrowded, however; a typical first grade class has 1 teacher and 85 students. By grades seven and eight, many students drop out. Kids for Tomorrow aims to provide children in Kenya with better learning environments, beginning with Hope Streams Academy and Sewa Junior Academy in Nairobi.

America's Oldest Environmental Organization Wants People to GET OUT

Founded by America's most well-known and influential naturalist and conservationist, John Muir, the Sierra Club is the oldest, largest,and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the country, with more than 1.3 million members and supporters. Muir, who served as the Club's president until his death in 1914, started the Sierra Club in 1892 with several supporters to “do something for the wilderness and make the mountains glad.” Since then, the Sierra Club has been exploring, enjoying, and protecting the wild; practicing and promoting the responsible use of the planet's ecosystems and resources; and educating and enlisting people to protect and restore the quality of the environment.

Last week, the Sierra Club launched a new campaign called GET OUT to urge people to get outdoors. Muir believed that if people were brought outside and fell in love with the wilderness, they would be inspired to protect it. Throughout the month of April, the Sierra Club is offering opportunities for those who care about the environment to spend more time in nature and connect with other outdoor enthusiasts.

According to the Club's executive director Michael Brune, “The GET OUT campaign is all about demonstrating support for environmental protection, getting involved in community activities, and taking time to enjoy and explore the great outdoors.”

As part of the GET OUT campaign, the Sierra Club has launched hundreds of events around the country such as local outings, service events, rallies, and online engagement opportunities, all designed to allow people to explore, enjoy, and protect their community. The Club has also produced a special video wherein Michael C. Hall, Shailene Woodley, Octavia Spencer, Dermot Mulroney, and more share their favorite ways to get out and explore, enjoy, and protect the earth. Further, local donation checkpoints will be set up across the country so the public can drop off their gently used outdoor apparel and gear. The items will be sold on eBay to raise funds to support Sierra Club chapters and groups.

Taking Action For People With Dyslexia

Headquartered in Egham, Surrey, Dyslexia Action is a national charity dedicated to changing the lives of people with dyslexia and literacy difficulties. Over 6 million people in the UK, or about 10 percent of the population, are affected by dyslexia in varying degrees. Though a hidden disability that doesn't bear on intelligence, dyslexia causes difficulties with reading, writing, and spelling and can impact organization, memory, and self-esteem. Without these skills, individuals with dyslexia face obstacles to education, employment, and fulfillment. However, with proper support, they can lead fulfilling lives. Dyslexia Action exists to ensure that people with dyslexia and other learning difficulties get the help they need.

With a network of 25 regional centers and almost 100 teaching locations across the UK, Dyslexia Action takes action by working directly with individuals affected by literacy difficulties; empowering parents, teachers, and other professionals; and influencing decision and policy makers. Dyslexia Action fundraises and sells products to support its work, the proceeds of which are donated back to the charity.

CoachArt: Increasing the Hope of Chronically Ill Children and Their Siblings

Based in Los Angeles, California, CoachArt is a non-profit organization that provides free lessons in the arts and athletics to improve the quality of life for children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses and their siblings. Serving youth between the ages of 6 and 18, CoachArt matches patients for weekly lessons with qualified volunteer mentors, giving them a sense of normalcy and an opportunity to take a break from the pain and isolation associated with chronic illness. In addition, the organization's programs increase hope, confidence, and self-esteem for patients and their siblings.

CoachArt was conceived by Zander Lurie in memory of his father, Dr. Arthur “Art” Lurie. Dr. Lurie loved teaching and mentoring kids and devoted his life to the healing and wellbeing of his patients. The original mission of CoachArt was to provide arts and recreational activities to youth with chronic and life-threatening illnesses. After CoachArt received its 501(c)3 in 2001, Zander and his team spent the next 18 months researching and developing the program. The idea was embraced by patients, their families, healthcare professionals, and volunteers alike. 

In 2002, CoachArt launched a pilot program at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, where 50 patients were provided with free lessons. It turns out that siblings of chronically ill kids also go through emotional and economic challenges, so CoachArt opened its program to them as well. The following year, a fully operational program was launched, enrolling 650 patients and siblings in lessons. 

Today, the non-profit works with more than 500 volunteer coaches and nearly 100 arts and athletics organizations, serving almost 2,000 children every year through its outpatient mentoring, in-hospital workshops, activity clinics, and community events. In CoachArt's flagship outpatient mentoring program, patients enroll in 12 weekly lessons that suit their individual needs and preferences. All lessons are provided gratis to families and mentors.