Becoming Grace Foundation’s Post

In a world where you can choose to be anything, be kind… After yet another shooting incident in the US last week, this time in Kansas City, I felt the need to write something about kindness. It costs nothing to be kind. Each and every individual on this planet can choose to be kind. Not to be a keyboard warrior. Not to bring that other person down. To unite, spend time with friends. Be a friend to those who do not have many friends. I get it, some people are just rotten, I have met a few in my life, but that said, that does not stop anybody else from choosing kindness. In that perspective I want to put a shining light on Rotary. I am part of the most amazing Rotary club, Dr. Phillips Orlando. Every Wednesday the people there and the context in which we meet (do good, kindness) lifts me up. We have happy dollars where people share happy events and stories of their week. We focus on a good cause, try to make a difference. Every time I leave, I feel ready for the second half of the week with a lifted mood. There are lots of misconceptions about Rotary. Rotary is all about giving back to the community. Rotary fights disease. Rotary contributes to peace, making the world a better place. Both locally and internationally Rotary is addressing problems of poverty, lack of education, sickness and its members make a difference not only by donating money but also giving their brain power and time to helping solve problems. Our weekly physical meetings make a difference also to our lives, not just others. Seeing people in a positive context nurtures the soul. If you read this text, perhaps today pay it forward. Do an act of kindness. Join a club. Do something for you and especially for others. Have a wonderful weekend and new week ahead. Make it count.

Founder: Al Moten Letter from Our Founder Dear Community Partner, Houston Vital Signs, Inc. (HVSI) is a non-profit organization that has been dedicated to the rejuvenation and rehabilitation of disadvantaged communities in Greater Houston for more than 30 years. Our wide range of programs caters to the social, physical, emotional, clinical, vocational, and self-help needs of both young people and adults who are facing challenges such as poverty, unstable housing, substance abuse, mental health issues, and general health problems. In the United States alone, there are approximately 391,000 children and youths in foster care. Shockingly, 23,000 of them age out of the system every year without finding permanent placement. It’s alarming that 1 in 5 of these individuals end up homeless instantly after leaving foster care and less than 3 earn a college degree in their lifetime. The situation is particularly worrying in Texas where there has been an increase of 1,100 children without placement from 2019 to 2021.

I want to connect and post a bit more on Linkedin going forward. A few happening: 1. I stepped into subbing at the local high school and middle schools and wish I would have started doing that 25 years ago. 2. I turned 50 this month and had a lot of guys over and heard from a lot of people via letters that my wife asked people to write. Encouraging. 3. STR's (short term rental) business is where I am putting time and capital and enjoying it. 4. People Bridge, our nonprofit, is thriving with gifted leaders leading a few nonprofits themselves. Our partnership with Work for Life with over 500 people trained weekly in entrepenurial basic job skills to provide for themselves is my favorite. 5. This is one of three groups of guys I meet with weekly and ask two questions, "How are you doing...really?" "What is God teaching you in the Bible and through life this week?" 6. Family and friends! A whole other category!

🧂🧂 "There’s so much that we need to share, so send a smile and show you care." - ‘Give a Little Bit’, Supertramp 🧂🧂 On National Nonprofit Day, the lyrics of Supertramp’s classic hit are striking a chord for me (and Stevie Nicks while on our walk)… a reminder of the selfless giving that defines the nonprofit world. Today, we celebrate not just the work, but the people in the work: our fellow sojourners in the nonprofit sector, whose incredible qualities shine brightly, even if they don’t always see it themselves. You season the space around you in might ways: 🧂**Unseen Resilience**: To my peers in the trenches, you exhibit a resilience that is nothing short of heroic. You face challenges with grace and tenacity, turning obstacles into growth and impact. You may not always feel strong, but your strength is what carries your missions forward each day. 🧂**Quiet Dedication**: You are seen. The long hours. The sacrifice. Your dedication does not go unnoticed. Your steadfast commitment makes ripples in the communities where you serve. 🧂**Innovative Spirits**: You are innovators, constantly thinking creatively to solve issues with limited resources. You imagine/reimagine what's possible, crafting paths to provide hope. 🧂**Compassionate Hearts**: Above all, you care deeply—and that compassion is so important. You see the world not just as it is, but as it could be. Supertramp might have said it best, but today, let me say it for them: Thank you for giving so much of yourselves. To me. And to the world around us.

The 24 hour news cycle, makes us all aware of the evils of the world. War, hunger, illness, poverty, crime… so much pain. What is not frequently showcased in the news, is the amazing amount of empathy and generosity that exists in the world. As a social impact strategist, working for the largest social service agency in the United States (and maybe the world), the NYC Department of Social Services, I am blessed with the opportunity to channel the generosity of individuals and organizations, to serve over 3 million vulnerable New Yorkers. This generosity manifests in in-kind donations, cultural and educational programming, health support, philanthropy investments in innovative interventions, capacity building, and much more. There is strategic, creative and measurably impactful good happening all around us. However, more is still needed. If you or your organization want to be part of the beauty and generosity I am speaking of. Do not hesitate to contact me. Let’s make 2024 the year of conscious generosity and positive change!! #socialimpact #socialchange #generosity #nyc #lovenyc

Do you know someone who struggles with clutter? And it impacts them in a major way? Clutter affects our physical space, but also our lives . . . ⚫ Financially ⚫ Socially and ⚫ Emotionally Some of our neighbors are practically drowning in clutter. For these neighbors, the mess isn’t just . . . mess. It’s an emotionally-draining burden that feels impossible to overcome. And who is there to help them? It’s usually outside of the scope of support that they can / do receive. Clutter chaos is stuck in ‘no man’s land’ of social support. We’ve been looking for ways to help our neighbors break through these barriers that hold them back, and give them a safe and functional living space. ♡ That’s why we’ve created a community-sponsored program for emotional well-being that uses the professional organizing skills we’ve developed through @joyfulspaces.co to help those in our community who need it the most. Sponsor A Space is a 501c3 nonprofit that partners with Colorado Springs social services agencies to identify needs-based candidates. Then we pair them with community givers like you who make their life-changing sessions possible. Neighbors helping neighbors! 👉 Who can we connect with to share this new resource? 👉 Do you know people who might want to help? 👋 Share our page with a friend to help us spread the word! #sponsoraspace  #coloradononprofit #coloradospringsnonprofit  #coloradosprings 

Happy MLK Day!✊🏽 Who else funded the Civil Rights Movement?💰👇🏽 💙Atlanta Life Insurance Company, 💙Sidney Poitier, 💙Sammy Davis, Jr. 💙Taconic Foundation, 💙Field Foundation, 💙Stern Family Foundations, and 💙Many more. Can you imagine if the Civil Rights Movement didn’t receive any financial support? Many of us wouldn’t have the freedom we have today. For instance, the Freedom Riders might not have had the resources to gain national attention, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. might not have had support to provide for his family while leading the movement, the NAACP would look a lot different… Whether you are wealthy like Harry Belafonte or a small entrepreneur like Georgia Gilmore, your contributions can help move change forward ⏩⏩ Managing, investing, growing and giving your money wisely gives you more capacity to make a financial impact 💪🏽💙. 💙Imagine if you allocated 5% of your budget towards STEM programs in underserved communities, or 💙Gave a portion of your bonus to an organization that fights for peace in a country at war, or 💙Committed to donate a $1 from each side hustle sale to your Church’s community service committee. Yes, the current cost of living is high. But, if African-Americans were able to give with low-wage jobs and limited opportunities (due to systemic racism) during the Civil Rights Movement, many of us can find a way to give (even if a little) today. May we forever be encouraged for those who used their money to fight for freedom 🫡 Happy #MLK Day! _____________ #MLKDay #martinlutherking #blackwealth #giveback #personalfinance

My hope is that everyone would #volunteer for a cause one hour a week. While many of us may be on fixed incomes due to youth, retirement, or disability, you can still help your #local #community gather together to identify, #fundraise, and collect specific resources (such as winter coats, non-perishables, or blankets) for local causes. Everyone has needs. Why are we human, if not to assist in each other’s #security and #stability? Many in our communities are: 🫶🏻 dealing with criminals 🫶🏻 losing property values due to governmental decisions 🫶🏻 housing a person carrying a disability with too few spoons for basic needs 🫶🏻 housing a family unable to afford basic necessities You carry opinions on nearly everything. You often speak of them through social media, over a backyard fence, or with your spouse. Let’s do something about it! Join a cause that addresses a concern that is directly or indirectly personal, is my recommendation. A personal connection creates automatic passion for the #project. This shines through you, with no effort necessary. Your #enthusiasm will draw in others, furthering the number of volunteers, and the cycle of help completes itself with larger collections year after year. You have just helped your neighbors have a better life. What is more world changing? What else could even be close to touching your heart? 🌎🤍 Taking the step from complaining or merely discussing an issue—in the timespan of one dinner—can affect true #change. That is how you change the world. Not with mere opinions—but an enthusiastic example affecting actual change and drawing others in to assist. Let us change the world together, with only an hour of your time.

Wishing you all a warm welcome to Legacy Place Society! For those of you who are new to our organization, we are on a mission to make a lasting impact on the lives of our everyday heroes - First Responders, Peace Officers, Firefighters, Emergency Medical Services, 911 Dispatchers, and Military Personnel. Our Mission: Provide empathetic support that builds resiliency individually and within our Responder and Military Families. In the pursuit of safeguarding our communities, these dedicated individuals and their families often face unseen challenges. Legacy Place Society is a non-profit charitable organization that stands as a pillar of support, fostering hope, mutual respect, trust, and longevity within these crucial professions. How We Make a Difference: - Accommodations: Providing a home away from home during times of medical or personal crisis. - Peer-to-Peer Support: Volunteers offering invaluable assistance in areas such as marriage, parenting, grief, spiritual wellness, addiction recovery, and more. - Web-Based Resources: Curated articles and links supporting mental health and overall family wellness tailored to the unique needs of First Responders and Military Personnel. - Family Camps: Creating cost-effective opportunities for quality family time. - Humanitarian Mission Trips: Join us in self-funded missions to build houses, playgrounds, provide disaster relief, and engage with local communities. - Education Bursaries: Supporting educational pursuits when funding is available. - Benevolence and Legacy Tribute: Extending a helping hand during medical or family loss situations, ensuring a lasting legacy. - Conferences and Family Resiliency Workshops: Partnering with organizations to provide workshops on mental wellness, suicide awareness, resiliency, and more. Our Core Values: FAMILY | EMPATHY | DIVERSITY | INCLUSIVITY | CONFIDENTIALITY | COLLABORATION | INTEGRITY How to Get Involved: Join us in building legacies of hope and support. Together, let's make a difference in the lives of those who selflessly serve our communities. Thank you for dedicating your time to join us in our mission to promote mental health and family resiliency. Together, we can serve as a beacon of hope for all those courageously standing on the front lines. #LegacyPlaceSociety #SupportingOurHeroes #CommunityMatters #NonProfitOrganization #FirstResponders #MilitarySupport #FamilyWellness #LegacyofHope 🌟

Nonprofits, why am I trying to help them? I spent years working in TV News and have seen things I can't un-see; heard things I can't un-hear; and read things I can't un-read. I've seen tragedy, up close and personal, and taken it home more times than I care to count. But, when I got to work with nonprofits, telling their stories, it was all good news, all the time. Bring on the Habitat Blitz's (I covered two, each for a full week); Shop with a Cop; Meals on Wheels; Rehab Centers; Humane Societies and so on. Many have told me they struggle to communicating their message well and in getting their message out. Using my experiences as a Professional Speaker and this background, my goal is to help as many nonprofits as I can to get more of the two things they need most: Money and Volunteers. And I am doing it incredibly affordably for them. If you are involved with a nonprofit want to improve communications and learn how to use media as a PR tool talk to me. You'll learn how to become a media darling; be a better interview subject; learn how to connect emotionally with potential donors; help more people and so much more. My goal is to spend the rest of my days in service to you, helping you, the helpers, help more people. After all the bad news I've been there for, let me assist you in spreading your GOOD NEWS! Kudo's to all of you for what you do! I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart!