Christian HELP Foundation: Offering More than Prayers to Those in Need

There are many faith-based ministries that help those who are in need, but there only a few that go the extra mile by forming a mission-based organization set up to help the unemployed find jobs and providing other forms of help to those who need it.

The Christian HELP Foundation is one of those rare faith-based ministries. HELP stands for Hope, Encouragement, Love, and Prayer, which is exactly what this organization offers those who come to them. Founded in 1992 by Dick and Madge Wilson, and Harry Kunisch, Christian HELP reaches out to unemployed Christians and non-Christians alike and helps them by providing them food and the opportunity to find a job through job fairs and other endeavors. They also make sure that the children of the people they serve get to spend a proper Christmas celebration.

Since the foundation was established, Christian HELP has made employment connections for over a hundred thousand people and saved over $250,000,000 of the taxpayers’ money which is usually spent on welfare checks for the unemployed in Central Florida.

Meals On Wheels: Providing Nourishment to Seniors since 1954

Children aren’t the only ones prone to malnutrition. Many senior citizens, especially those who are not able to leave the house, find themselves unable to prepare or buy nutritious food for themselves. Some are lucky enough to have caring friends and family members that can help them, but for others who live alone, malnutrition is a sad reality.

Founded in 1954, Meals on Wheels aims to change that. The initiative to deliver food to homebound seniors began as a small scale operation in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This initiative led to the creation of similar programs in different parts of the United States. By 1972, these Senior Nutrition Programs (SNPs) received recognition from the government by including it in the Older Americans Act through which these programs will receive funding.

20 years after the first Meals on Wheels program was launched, the various SNPs came together in Washington D.C. and established The National Organization of Home Delivered and Congregate Meal Programs. The SNP network went through a couple of name changes. They changed their name to the much simpler National Association of Meal Programs in 1976. In 1998, the organization changed its name again, borrowing the more popular Meals on Wheels label, and since then they have been known as the Meals on Wheels Association of America (MOWAA).

In recent years, the MOWAA has embarked on several new initiatives, including an annual public awareness campaign called March for Meals which aims to spread awareness about the organization, get more funding, and recruit more volunteers for the cause. Aside from food, the MOWAA also wants to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the seniors they provide services for during times of emergency. This is why they have developed their own Disaster Preparedness guidelines to make sure that disasters and emergencies won’t disrupt their operations and that the seniors get the help they need during these times.

House of Ruth Fights Against Homelessness and Abuse

House of Ruth is a well-known non-profit organization dedicated to provide meaningful assistance to women, children and families who have been abused and homeless. It has identified over 600 recipients of its programs and projects, which are designed to provide them with assistance in building safe and stable lives despite the challenges. In so doing, House of Ruth helps them achieve their highest potential.

In its 14 locations in Washington D.C., House of Ruth caters to individuals with the greatest needs. Its recipients are usually those who have been subjected to domestic violence, childhood trauma, and mental health disorders as well as substance abuse, most of them of which have been homeless.

By providing recipients with a structured, safe and nurturing housing accommodations, the staff members of House of Ruth works toward addressing the specific needs of the women, children and families under their care.

Donations will be used for funding three main programs, namely, Housing and Services for Women, Housing and Services for Families, and Community-Based Services. Donors are assured that their contributions will be spent as intended with its 4-star rating from Charity Navigator for proof.

Hope Connections for Cancer Support Strengthens Bonds, Boosts Hope, and Provides Support

The cancer community is a tight-knit community whose members are bound together by their shared experiences. Hope Connections for Cancer Support is an active member of the cancer community because of its programs and projects designed to give hope to cancer patients and their families.

The non-profit organization has its origins via The Michele Susan Kogod Memorial Fund but it was incorporated as the Hope Connections in 2004 before adopting its present name in 2011. It has conducted over 50,000 home visits to cancer patients and their families usually to encourage them to actively participate in educational workshops, support groups, and mind/body classes as well as community programs.

Its programs and projects are conducted by medical professionals including oncologists, psychologists and counselors who provide physical and psychological support for patients and their families.

Indeed, Hope Connections for Cancer Support provides for three things that cancer patients need – hope for a better tomorrow, strong connections with others who have undergone similar experiences, and support for their challenges along the way. The emotional and social support provided to patients comes in the form of support groups, social activities, and stress management programs, among others

Everybody who has struggled with cancer-related issues is welcome to participate in its programs and projects. These include individuals with cancer, people who are in remission, and their family and friends as well as their healthcare providers, and people dealing with survivorship issues. Participation is usually free and can be enjoyed even without referrals.

It must be emphasized that Hope Connections neither provide for medical services nor offer medical advice as the organization does not have medical staff on board. People with cancer should seek the best type of treatments for themselves while availing of the free support services provided by the organization.

Ultimately, Hope Connections can only support cancer patients but cannot give the answers most often asked by them.

Children's Rights Fights For Children’s Rights

Children’s Rights, a non-profit organization, is well-known and well-respected in its work of defending and protecting children’s rights especially those in the foster care system. Its staff, members and supporters use the law in holding state and local governments accountable where children’s rights are concerned.

Such is its success that the organization has literally saved thousands of kids from the abuse and neglect albeit not necessarily on an individual basis. Children’s Rights have secured many court orders mandating child welfare reforms across a dozen states, said reforms of which have resulted in safer environments and better services in education, housing, and healthcare for kids in foster homes. Plus, the kids are also more likely to be placed in permanent homes with loving families.

Indeed, Children’s Rights have proven and continues to prove that the child welfare system in the United States can be fixed and, thus, can run better than it does now. In the end, the kids who are the future of the nation benefit from its programs and projects.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving Are Putting Their Anger To Positive Actions

Established by Candice Lightner after the death of her daughter, as caused by the reckless actions of a drunk driver, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has transformed its anger to positive actions. The non-profit organization aims to stop drunk driving among all age levels, provide support for people affected by drunk driving, and preventing underage drinking, as well as pushing for overall stricter policies on alcohol.

While its claim of drink driving being cut in half since its establishment may be subject to debates, it cannot be argued that, indeed, the organization has made its positive impact on the general public. Its members, supporters and volunteers have all contributed to the organization’s success while the general public has been largely receptive to its message.

MADD favors several approaches in its programs and projects against drunk driving including:

• Providing for education and advocacy services for the general public
• Advocating for stricter policies in several areas, such as lowering the illegal blood alcohol content limit, implementing stronger sanctions against drunk drivers, and recommending better treatments for alcoholism, among others
• Assisting the victims and their families of drunk driving as well as the guilty impaired drivers

The organization pushes for areas where the government may have been relatively lenient, thus, contributing to the still-disturbing rate of drunk driving. These areas include maintaining the 21-year old minimum legal drinking age and mandating IIDs.

MADD has also shifted its focus from reducing driving under the influence (DUI) instances to reducing alcohol consumption across all age levels. As such, it has been accused of taking a neo-prohibitionist stance that a few sectors are adamant to be identified with considering the present attitudes toward alcohol.

Nonetheless, MADD has garnered accolades for the work it does for the community. It has been rated as one of the best charities in the United States with majority of its fundraising efforts going to its programs and projects.

Alzheimer's Foundation of America Meets The Needs Of Patients And Families

When Alzheimer’s disease hits, both the patient and his/her families and caregivers suffer its consequences albeit with varying degrees. The Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA), a national non-profit organization, works toward meeting the wide range of needs of both parties affected by the disease. These include their social, emotional and education needs as well as their practical needs for their everyday lives, all of which are crucial toward enjoying a better quality of life despite the disease.

While based in New York City, the organization has over 1,600 member organizations on the West and East Coast, said organizations of which include senior citizen day centers, home healthcare agencies, research facilities, long-term care facilities, and grassroots agencies. Indeed, the network is as extensive as can be, thus, contributing to the sense of a strong, supportive community for patients and their families and caregivers.

Its core programs include the provision of counselling services, informative resources, and health referrals via its toll-free hotline; the monthly educational teleconferences known as Care Connection; and free screenings via the National Memory Screening Day, among others.

Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation Puts Clout, Connections And Fame To Good Use

While the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation has been accused by a few quarters as a political vehicle for the presidential aspirations of the Clinton matriarch and for reinforcing the Clinton brand, it is still widely considered to be a legitimate enterprise with philanthropic purposes (i.e., helping humanity against the threat from its own ranks). Indeed, the non-profit foundation is one of the best examples of putting one’s clout, connections and fame to good use in a wide range of issues.

Founded in 2001 as the William J. Clinton Foundation soon after the completion of its namesake’s presidency, its initial success was largely due to former President Clinton’s global fame coupled with his uncanny ability to rally Hollywood celebrities, government officials, and corporate executives, even ordinary people, to his causes. Today, the foundation has double the drawing power because Hillary and Chelsea have their own fan bases, so to speak.

In the past, former President Clinton’s interest in certain issues was the driving force behind its programs and projects but this soon changed. The foundation now focuses its formidable efforts on 4 critical areas, namely, economic empowerment; health security; racial, ethnic and religious reconciliation; and leadership development and citizen service with each focus area having its own specialized program. The people behind it work from two offices, namely, in Little Rock, Arkansas and in New York City, New York.

Its programs include the Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI); the Clinton Development Initiative (CDI); the Alliance for a Healthier Generation with its Healthy Schools Program; and the Clinton Economic Opportunity Initiative.

The foundation does not work alone but instead leverages the resources, connections and clout of its partners including individuals, organizations and corporations as well as governments. It can act as an incubator for the public and private sectors’ new policies, programs and projects, thus, contributing to the success of these common endeavours.

EngenderHealth (formerly AVSC International): Changing Times, Shifting Goals

EngenderHealth has undergone many changes since its predecessor was created in 1937, said changes of which include its official names and its organizational goals. After all, with changing times come shifting goals and achievements, thus, reflecting the effectiveness and efficiency with which the non-profit organization responds to its present challenges.

From its headquarters in New York City, the organization has offices in dozens of countries worldwide with all offices focused on promoting women’s health in general and sexual and reproductive health in particular. At present, its main programs are focused on the following areas:

• Family planning including the prevention of teenage pregnancy
• Maternal health including the prevention of cervical cancer
• HIV and AIDs prevention and treatment as well as in the reduction of discrimination against patients
• Gender equality including increased male participation in family planning and decreased gender-based violence
• Quality improvements in the healthcare system

EngenderHealth uses the the Supply–Enabling Environment–Demand (SEED) Programming Model for its programs.