Only Make Believe’s Post

It's crucial that we encourage open conversations about mental health. Let's spread the word and support #AndysManClub together! 💙 #ITSOKAYTOTALK #MentalHealthAwareness"

As an #entrepreneur, one has to think outside the box. Get #creative! Create #partnerships! Build #relationships! #comedyshow #indoordogpark #dogrescue #dogpark #comedy #philanthropy #advertising #businessadvice

This latest edition and the movie it features should both be on your to do list to read and watch this week! Wonderful insights into homelessness and the power of sport as an equaliser.

Very proud of my daughter Sofia’s #ServiceProject benefiting the #Blackfeet #NativeAmerican #Tribe in #Montana . She needs just a little bit more to reach her goal! Please consider supporting her cause by donating and clicking on the link below. Many #BlackfeetTribe students do not have the ability to buy a #Halloween costume due to: 1) financial hardship; 2) closest retail stores are hundreds of miles away; and 3) tribe members do not have mailboxes, so the adult in the multifamily household has to go to the post office which is very far away. Providing #Halloween costumes to poor children in a rural community can serve many important purposes, including: 1) promoting inclusion and participation; 2) offering joy, fun and equal opportunities; 3) community building; 4) encouraging creativity and imagination; 5) reducing social and economic stigmas; 6) creating memories; and 7) strenghtening community bonds. On the #Blackfeet Reservation, unemployment is over 10% and of those who work, 70% of those are employed to work for the tribal or federal government. Opportunities are extremely limited. The literacy rate among the #Blackfeet students when compared to their peers in Montana is extremely low, well below the 40th percentile of children in the 5th grade read at grade level. Please consider donating today! #BrowningElementary #WestminsterChristianSchool #Service #NativeAmericans

A film that profoundly impacts me every time I think of it is American Street Kid by Michael Leoni. This powerful documentary shines a stark light on the urgent need to provide real, sustained support for youth aging out of foster care and those affected by the child welfare system. It reveals the heartbreaking reality that many of these young people, often left homeless and vulnerable, are abandoned by the very systems meant to protect them. The lack of critical resources leaves them struggling to survive. This film is more than just a story—it’s a call to action for all of us to push for systemic change and ensure that no young person is left to navigate these challenges alone. One of the most heartbreaking moments in American Street Kid shows Michael Leoni desperately calling shelters and housing programs across the state, only to be met with the devastating reality that there are no available beds or emergency shelters for youth as young as 14. These children, often mislabeled as "runaways," are dismissed as "the problem" rather than recognized as victims of a broken system and programs. This scene is all too familiar in my work today and underscores the profound failures of our housing resources and emergency services. The rising rates of homeless youth in California need immediate action to provide stable housing, financial support, and a reliable safety net. The rising rates of homeless youth in California are alarming, with many being former foster youth and teens from other states, left without support after aging out of the system. I have personally met several during my teens years when I myself was identified as an "unaccompanied homeless youth," and also a labeled runaway. I was pushed out of my programs and told I was better off going AWOL from my "reunifying shelter" because no one would pick me up, or could care for me. This was right in Long Beach, where I walked and found my way to LA on many of occasions, some of the very streets shown in American Street Kid. Where I met many youth in similar situations depicted in this film. Some of them still friends of mine to this day. American Street Kid powerfully illuminates how the system is failing these vulnerable young people, and its consequences ripple through society. This documentary serves as a crucial conversation starter, shedding light on the homeless youth community and the urgent need for systemic change. It’s a film that should be shared and discussed widely to expose that the struggles of homeless youth are not just seen but need to be addressed. We need to really start giving every young person the opportunity to lead a stable, fulfilling life. Here is the link to watch:

#HLAA staffer Teri Breier, who lives in southern California, shares: "#BetterHearing to me is making a difference in the lives of others who have hearing loss, through volunteering every year for our local Walk4Hearing." Teri has been an enthusiastic Long Beach Walk4Hearing participant and volunteer since 2017; she's excited for the 2024 event coming up on June 8! What does #BetterHearing mean to you? Let us know during #BetterHearingMonth in May so we can share your story, too! It's just four easy steps: 1. Answer in one brief sentence with a picture on Facebook or Instagram that shows you living your best life. 2. Tag our account on Facebook: @ Hearing Loss Association of America (Official Page) or Instagram: @ hearinglossassociation. 3. Use the hashtags #BetterHearing and #HLAA. 4. Make sure the post is set to Public. Learn more: bit.ly/Better-Hearing

StampAuctionNetwork saves your searches and it can sometimes seem like your searches are "too sticky." Video #16 shows you how to STOP A SAVED SEARCH on the website. Click the link below to watch the video: https://lnkd.in/gd-grK55 IN #stampauctionnetwork #stamps #stampcollecting #topicalphilately #philatelycollection #philatelist #philately #stampauction

StampAuctionNetwork saves your searches and it can sometimes seem like your searches are "too sticky." Video #16 shows you how to STOP A SAVED SEARCH on the website. Click the link below to watch the video: https://lnkd.in/gd-grK55 IN #stampauctionnetwork #stamps #stampcollecting #topicalphilately #philatelycollection #philatelist #philately #stampauction

💔 Widows need more than just sympathy—they need true support. Are you ready to be the one who makes a lasting difference? We all want to help widows, but sometimes, it’s hard to know how. Many widows won’t voice their needs, and that’s where you can step in to make a life-changing impact. Imagine being the funeral home, church, employer, or support group that doesn’t just stop at the service but continues to walk alongside widows in meaningful ways. This isn’t just about building your reputation—it’s about providing care that truly matters. 🌟 Join me for the "Beyond the Service" webinar, where I’ll share how you can support widows in ways they might not even realize they need. Move from simply offering sympathy to becoming a beacon of hope and action during their toughest moments. 🔗 Sign up now—link in bio- or click here: https://lnkd.in/gxQTpFKQ #BeyondTheService #WidowSupport #CommunityCare #GriefSupport #MakeADifference

When I thought about this clothing drive initiative, it seemed insignificant. But over the years, gathering basic needs such as decent clothes, shoes, bags, diapers, mosquito nets, and books from people all over and donating them to communities that need them has proven to be profoundly impactful. It's not just about the items themselves; it's about the hope and dignity they bring, the doors they open, and the smiles they create. It’s clear now that even the smallest acts of kindness can catalyze significant change, transforming lives one donation at a time. In the near future, we aim to undertake sustainable development projects in these communities, aiming to build lasting solutions that support self-sufficiency and resilience. By investing in education, health, and economic opportunities, we aspire to not only meet immediate needs but also foster long-term prosperity and well-being. Follow our journey linktr.ee/theenbfoundation