Housing Up’s Post

Volunteers of America-Greater New York’s signature community service campaign. Family homelessness in New York City has been steadily on the rise in recent months—creating a greater demand for the school supplies we provide to children experiencing homelessness through Operation Backpack®. The educational resources we provide through Operation Backpack® play a critical role in higher rates of homework completion, class participation, and, ultimately, graduation. Now in its 22nd year, VOA-GNY’s Operation Backpack® is a crucial tool in the fight to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty. At a time when 1 in 9 NYC students are homeless, homelessness can significantly disrupt a child’s education, which can have a devastating impact on their future. Providing children experiencing homelessness with backpacks and school supplies goes a long way toward setting them up for success in the classroom and beyond. Our city’s children are depending on you. What are the children given? Every child is given a new, high-quality backpack and brand new school supplies according to their age group. Our supply lists are curated to align with what’s required by the NYC Department of Education to make sure every child has what they need. How is Operation Backpack® funded? VOA-GNY relies on the generosity of the community to make Operation Backpack® possible, including our many corporate partners. Make a donation, create a fundraising team, or learn how you can become an official sponsor. further details below 👇 https://lnkd.in/eeBse2Ru

Bayley’s Holiday Toy Drive for Foster Kids. Bring Joy to Foster Youth this Holiday Season! This Holiday Season, Bayley will be partnering with Child Advocates of Silicon Valley to make sure every foster kid they serve receives a gift this year. The holidays are tough for many, but they’re especially tough for children who have been removed from their homes. Together we can change that. Here’s how you can help. Bring a new unwrapped gift on Friday, December 20th from 3-5pm; meet me, drop off your gift and enter a raffle to win some giveaways. Location will be shared on my Instagram (@ItsmeBayley) closer to the event. Can’t make it to the event? You can SHOW UP for foster youth by purchasing a gift (or multiple gifts!) from my Ding Dong, Holiday Toy Drive Amazon Wish List or by making a donation using the form below. When purchasing a gift or donating, be sure to include your email in the gift note to enter the giveaway raffle. When writing your email, exclude the “.com” from the note so that your purchase goes through.

I want to take a moment to recognize my daughter for her outstanding display of leadership, compassion and commitment to making the world better. Earlier this year she put together a project to help foster kids in New Mexico. This started because, as a volunteer teaching science in elementary schools, she noticed some of the kids carried their things in suitcases or even sometimes trash bags. She conceived a project she called Backpacks for Kiddos. She applied for grants and got enough money to supply 168 —that’s 7% of all foster kids, in NM— backpacks filled with toiletries, essentials (like socks), as well as a comfort item. Because of her success putting this together, she received another award + $500 toward another community service project. She decided that she wanted to help more foster kids. This past Saturday she held a 5k fundraiser. This event was months in the making. 108 people ran the race and even more cheered and donated. With her dedication, the help of volunteers and the support of the community, she was able to raise enough money and donations to help 504 kids (close to 20% of all the foster kids in NM). Besides my being extremely proud of my daughter, there are three things that really stand out to me. 1. She is 16 years old with a full schedule of AP classes, athletics, clubs, and hanging out with friends, yet she always carves out time to volunteer or, in this case, coordinate a sizable event that took at least 50-60 hours to put together. This speaks to incredible time management. 2. She ran into multiple obstacles along the way. She always found practical ways to overcome them. An example was her initial difficulties finding backpacks. At first she looked for donations, then sponsors and finally settled on bulk purchases to make sure she could get the project done on her self imposed deadline. This speaks to focus and perseverance. 3. In order to maximize the money she could raise, she fearlessly reached out to kids her age, parents and faculty at her school as well as businesses in our local area. Two businesses, Starbucks and KevaJuice (Jus De Fuits) stepped up to donate items. She then raffled those items off at the 5k. This all speaks to her tenacity and grit but also to her strategic thinking. She’s not done e with this project yet. I’m super inspired by her and can’t wait to see what she does next with it. #maketheworldbetter #compassion #grit

Starting a new nonprofit is a #commitment. Today a #ministry took a critical next step in their #journey to fight addiction's hold on young men. Have a #vision and need help moving forward? We're here to help and today is your day to step forward. #Forming501c3 #nonprofits #starting #newnonprofit #Form1023 #IRS #taxexemption Community Development Professionals, LLC Community Development Professionals

Have you ever seen the ripples created by a single stone skipping across water? Just like those ripples, one small act of kindness can create a lasting impact. 🌈🎒 Donating a new bag to a child or youth in foster care is more than just a gift; it’s a powerful gesture that can uplift and inspire our entire community. 👜✨ 💡 Here’s how a new bag can make a difference: 1️⃣ Restores Dignity: No child should have to carry their belongings in a trash bag. A new bag provides a sense of worth and belonging. 2️⃣ Builds Confidence: Personal possessions help foster children develop self-esteem and identity. 3️⃣ Encourages Education: A new backpack can boost excitement for school and support academic success. 4️⃣ Strengthens Community: Acts of kindness foster generosity and compassion, creating a nurturing environment for all. By donating, you're not just giving a bag; you're giving hope, dignity, and a brighter future to children in need. Let’s come together to support our youngest and most vulnerable. 🌍 Join us in making a ripple of change. Help us #EndTheTrashBag and show foster children they are valued and supported. Together, we can create a community where everyone thrives. 🤝💖 Read more about how you can make a difference on our website: https://bit.ly/3VEQYvA

A note from our new Executive Director: Dear Valued Welcome Inn Supporters, I am honored to serve as the new Executive Director of South Oakland Citizens for the Homeless (SOCH) & Welcome Inn. SOCH/Welcome Inn has built a strong legacy providing critical services to “the least of these” – I am eager to join you in this mission. I have dedicated my career to supporting individuals and families in need and my experience equips me to hit the ground running at a critical time for Welcome Inn. I am as eager to learn from all of you as I am eager to lead us through the next chapter. My journey working in non-profits began nearly eight years ago at the Baldwin Center in Pontiac, where I started as a Youth Center Assistant and progressed to the role of Deputy Director overseeing all programs and services. I did not come to this work uninitiated, having experienced homelessness, hunger, and poverty as a single mother. This built within me an intense solidarity with individuals and families who today face the same challenges. I believe in the power of resilience, empathy, and compassion. I hold a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Oakland University, where I earned my undergraduate degree in Elementary Education as a first-generation college graduate. I am now pursuing a Master's Degree in Education, with the goal of furthering my expertise. Additionally, I am a certified ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences) trainer, focusing on educating others about how childhood experiences shape the rest of our lives. My long-term ambition is to pursue a Doctorate in Counseling. Faith plays a central role in my life. I am a longtime member of Woodside Bible Church in Pontiac, where I have taught Children’s Church for many years. I enjoy reading, journaling, and exploring new restaurants with my three teenagers. I look forward to collaborating with our guests, volunteers, and donors, all of whom play an essential role in our mission. My job is to ensure that everyone in need feels seen, heard, and supported. While we provide essential services such as food, clothing, and shelter, we also offer dignity, hope, and a pathway to a brighter future. Our work extends beyond meeting immediate needs: We strive to break down the stigmas surrounding homelessness and foster an environment of compassion and community for all. With your support, we can expand our programs and reach even more individuals in need. Whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading awareness about our mission, every contribution makes a meaningful difference. Together, we can build a community where everyone has access to opportunity, and no one faces life’s challenges alone. If you would like to learn more or get involved, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I look forward to hearing your story and working together toward a future where no one has to go without. Heather Duenas Executive Director South Oakland Citizens for the Homeless/Welcome Inn Heather@SOCHomeless.org

October is Blindness Awareness Month. Throughout this month, we celebrate the remarkable achievements of individuals who are blind or have visual disabilities. It’s a time to recognize their strength, resilience, and the many contributions they bring to our communities. As we raise awareness, it’s important to reflect on the critical role of empathy and inclusion in creating a supportive environment. Parents of children with visual disabilities often face tremendous stress as they navigate education, accessibility, and ensuring their children thrive. It's our collective responsibility to ease this burden through greater societal support. Companies, too, play a crucial role in this effort by fostering inclusive workplaces, investing in assistive technologies, and ensuring equal opportunities for all employees, regardless of their abilities. Yet, there’s still more work to be done—whether through policy changes, better tools, better accessibility standards, or greater community outreach. #Microsoft is having their month of caring. Consider donating to National Eye Institute - https://lnkd.in/gkuUpdYN Let’s commit to fostering environments where everyone, regardless of their vision, can achieve their fullest potential. #BlindnessAwarenessMonth #Inclusion #Accessibility #Empathy #WhiteCaneSafetyDay

Students in the Philanthropy and Leadership (MNGT 411) course at the College of Business discover how nonprofits empower communities and how philanthropy can foster change. The hands-on project called Strive to Thrive Lincoln culminated in the awarding of $10,000 in grants to two local nonprofits addressing homelessness: Friendship Home of Lincoln and BRIDGES TO HOPE. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gK6hSP3w

Happy Monday Linked in team. It is time that we find innovative ways for potential tough times. I know something about tough times. Survival is my life. I have heard and can see the struggles of non profits in these tough times to stay afloat. Let’s work together instead of apart and find way to innovate and create sustainable and flexible funding. My tie dye idea for example is just one way I hope to show that we can make this happen. For every $3 in supply costs, the potential for funding for developing a youth empowerment center is $11. Let’s work together. Let’s grow together. Let’s empower together. #homelessness #buisness #funding #nonprofit #mentalhealth #networking #giving

Inasmuch Foundation Announces $13 Million Grants - Inasmuch Foundation has announced grants totaling $13 million to organizations serving communities in the foundation’s four focus areas of community and civic engagement, education, human services, and journalism. The grants as follows: Community & Civic Engagement - $2.8 million - Asian District Cultural Association - Boys & Girls Clubs of Oklahoma County - Central Oklahoma Humane Society - Cleats for Kids - deadCenter Film - Fields & Futures - OKC Repertory Theater - Oklahoma City National Meml Education - $3.3 million - DEAN MCGEE EYE INSTITUTE FOUNDATION - DOVE SCHOOLS - Keystone Adventure School and Farm - Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness - Positive Tomorrows - Rainbow Fleet - Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma - SidexSide - St. Paul's Community School - The Verge  - University of Central Oklahoma Human Services - $5.9 million - Catholic Charities of Central Colorado - Center of Family Love - City Care - City of Oklahoma City - Key to Home - City Rescue Mission - Community Health Partnership - Diversion Hub - The Dragonfly Home - Greccio Housing - Healthy Minds Policy Initiative - HOMEWARD PIKES PEAK - Mental Health Association Oklahoma - Neighborhood Services Organization - Palomar - Partners In Housing - Pikes Peak Housing Network - ReMerge of Oklahoma County - Sisu Youth Services - The Place - Westside CARES Sarah Roberts Tyler Tokarczyk Anne Vorndran Hedrick