Joseph J. Albanese’s Post

While on a volunteer trip to West Baltimore with Chris, Jake starts up a conversation with a friendly and candid local named Don. 🗣 The two talked at length about the current status of the West Baltimore neighborhood and the volunteer efforts that were taking place that week. When asked how he felt about seeing all of the new faces that had descended on the neighborhood, he had this to say: #WestBaltimore #CommunityResilience #RestorativeJustice #SystemicInequity #VolunteerImpact #BelongingMatters #SocialChange #HousingEquity #BridgingDivides #NeighborhoodRevitalization #TransformativeExperiences #RelinquishedRedlining #EmpathyInAction #CollectiveHealing #AgencyAndOwnership #ProximitySparksChange #BreakingBarriers #RestoringDignity #ImaginingEquity #CompassionateAction

Grassroots groups in NY are organizing in response to continued police and state violence—and the many other immediate harms impacting our communities locally and around the world. They are organizing around the devastating police murder of Sonya Massey; Mayor Adams blocking the law banning solitary confinement from taking effect in NYC; and, in solidarity with movements to end genocide.  North Star Fund continues to make rapid response funding available to support organizing, activism and strategic convening in response to urgent threats and breaking opportunities, including during critical junctures in a campaign. Rapid response grants may be used to hold our elected leaders and institutions accountable and demand they take action to support and protect our communities, or for solidarity organizing. You do not have to be a current North Star Fund grantee to apply for a rapid response grant. Apply for a rapid response grant: https://lnkd.in/d7f5unqQ

Roots & Wings is an incredible non-profit organization dedicated to supporting youth aging out of foster care. The statistics speak for themselves: - More than 1 in 5 will become homeless within 18 months of emancipating. - Almost 50% of inmates in our prison systems have spent time in the foster care system. - Only half of aged-out foster youth obtain their GED or High School diploma by age 19. - Just 6% go on to earn a 2- or 4-year degree. In 2023, Roots & Wings members defied the odds: - 100% have a High School diploma. - 94% were employed. - 88% maintained a savings account. - 81% attended an educational, vocational, or certificate program. Join us at the Gala on October 17th, a crucial event that supports Roots & Wings in their mission. Your participation or donation can make a real difference. Learn more and contribute here: https://lnkd.in/enHAkd9U #RootsAndWings #YouthEmpowerment #SupportingFosterYouth #MakeADifference No alternative text description for this image

I love this new blog, which will feature stories in the next several weeks from our youth who have been participating for years. Click here to see Angel's story: https://lnkd.in/gzaVmQcQ

Is your will, advance health directive and financial power of attorney complete and up to date? What about beneficiary designations attached to life policies and investment accounts? While I wrote the piece below to help nonprofits leverage the upcoming National Estate Planning Awareness Week (October 21), this week is also a reminder for all of us to stay on top of these important estate planning details for the benefit of our loved ones. Oh, and if you need a simple will and associated documents that can be created online in minutes, visit LifeLegacy! #NEPAW #estateplanning #lastwill&testament #lifelegacy #plannedgiving https://lnkd.in/eUtK3ggV

In 2023, grantmaking through Charityvest reached new heights. Our grantmaking grew considerably, funding greater impact, with organizations supported across all major charitable sectors. Here are some key grantmaking stats from 2023: ➪ $32M in grants (🔼60% from 2022) ➪ 6,855 unique organizations were supported (🔼17%) ➪ With a payout rate of 54% (Foundation Center method) ➪ A healthy payout rate is important to us. This payout rate of 54% shows that our donors get money out to their favorite charities. Taking a look at this considerable growth, we are thrilled to see our grantmaking expand. Here’s to enabling more people to give purposefully in 2024. 💙 You can read our full Annual Report, with more comprehensive stats below. https://lnkd.in/eNAmXtwf

🥀Children have a remarkable capacity to help others, and their actions play a significant role in promoting kindness and compassion within society. Through acts of generosity, empathy, and friendship, children contribute to building a more compassionate world. Whether it's sharing toys with a classmate, comforting a friend who's sad, or participating in community service projects, these actions not only demonstrate their innate sense of humanity but also inspire those around them to follow suit. By engaging in these small yet meaningful gestures, children not only help those in need but also cultivate values that will shape their character and interactions as they grow. 🥀The impact of children's actions extends beyond immediate assistance, as their acts of kindness can ripple through communities and create a positive chain reaction. When children see others helping, they're more likely to be motivated to do the same, fostering a culture of caring and empathy. Additionally, their involvement in charitable activities helps them develop a sense of responsibility, awareness of societal issues, and a deeper understanding of the diverse needs of people around them. As they grow into adults, these experiences can lead to a lifelong commitment to making a difference and contributing to the betterment of humanity. In essence, children's efforts to help others not only directly benefit those they assist but also contribute to shaping a more compassionate and interconnected world for everyone. #HumanityMatters #SpreadKindness #BeTheChange #CompassionInAction #EmpathyMatters #TogetherForGood #MakeADifference #LoveAndServe #CaringCommunities #InspireHumanity #helpinghands #helpingothers

Our on-wing activities don't just provide vital purposeful activity, they also give individuals the opportunity to have focused peer support time with our Activity Co-ordinators. Sometime this support can be life changing, such as the inspiring story from an individual at HMP Altcourse. When asked what impact the Activity Co-ordinators had on him, he said "They have really helped me, and I feel happy knowing I am improving, no one has ever offered to help me with this before." #LearningJourney #criminaljustice #charitysupport #purposefulactivity

Another year, another "No" to a grant. After hearing it so many times, you'd think I’d be used to it by now, but each "No" still hits hard. Maybe it’s because I know what’s at stake—the chance to show people that their mistakes don’t define them, but what they do afterward does. We talk about "Second Chances" all the time, but the truth is, many individuals never even had a "first chance." They’re caught in a cycle of survival, just trying to make it in a state where survival often feels impossible, especially when more than half the year is cold. The uphill battle we face in reentry is daunting, but it can be won—other states are doing better. So why can’t we? Why is it so hard to get the support we need when we know the facts? Around 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. has a criminal record. That record creates barriers—employment, housing, and more. Without proper support, breaking free from the revolving door of survival mode feels unreachable. Yet, every "No" is a reminder of how much work we still need to do—and I refuse to give up. We're here to change lives. We're here to ensure that "Second Chances" become real, not just words. If you haven’t registered for our upcoming event where we’ll be raising contributions to continue supporting our mission, you can still do so! If you’d prefer to make a private contribution, feel free to contact me at support@mwout.org or visit our website at www.mwout.org. Your support makes a difference! #SecondChances #ReentrySupport #BreakTheCycle #SupportTheMission #MyWayOut

I love how volunteering is a priority at Baptist Health, because volunteering as a team can offer numerous benefits in addition to benefitting your community. Below are my top 3 reasons why you should volunteer with your team on a regular basis: 1. Sense of Purpose and Fulfillment: Volunteering together reveals that sense of purpose and fulfillment we all crave with the added satisfaction of contributing to something bigger than the daily grind. Creating moments that matter and leaving a positive impact have a ripple effect! 2. Enhanced Communication Skills: Volunteering isn't just about the tasks; it's about honing those communication skills. Coordinating efforts to achieve a common goal in a different setting can create major communication breakthroughs!! This has the potential to create smoother conversations and a workplace where everyone's on the same wavelength. 3. Skill Development and Learning: Volunteering is not your typical office routine – it exposes your team to new challenges, fostering growth and discovery. It is so fun to watch your team members surprise each other with unknown or untapped skills. Incorporating regular volunteering into your team's schedule not only benefits the community but also contributes to a more positive, motivated, and cohesive work environment. Get out there and make a difference, y'all!