In 2021 foster carers Debbie and Jason founded The Raft - a charity dedicated to empowering care experienced young people and their families. As they explored different forms of trauma-informed practice they came across Lego Serious Play – a series of structured exercises using Lego bricks designed to develop social connection, shared understanding and new ideas. Inspired by what they’d learned, they ran a pilot session with care experienced young people, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive: 💫Children who wouldn’t normally speak in front of others shared stories about their creations. 💞 A child who initially hid behind a table found the confidence to engage in the session. 🌻 One carer said the session gave her child the opportunity to ‘be herself’. 🌞A child who lacked confidence was able to express himself through Lego. In our latest blog we catch up with Debbie who tells us more about The Raft’s work and their vision for the future. ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/ggH_vJrf
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Every interaction can teach you valuable lessons you can carry forward into other areas of your life. Daniel Cakora here again to share some reflections. Vendavo offers 16 hours of annual paid volunteer time to each employee so we can all give back to causes that matter to us. But this is something my family does outside of that. This year I volunteered for the Jackson Chance Foundation, and this one really hit home for me. Jackson Chance Foundation assists families with NICU-bound children by covering parking fees. My son spent a significant amount of time in the NICU, so I know what that’s like. Not having to worry about expensive parking fees during such a trying time was a weight off our shoulders for my wife and me. It gave us the freedom to visit our son, step away to run errands, and come back to spend more time with him – all without additional financial stress layered atop everything else. This cause means so much to us that we set aside money on birthdays and the anniversary of our son’s “come home day” to make contributions. There are little lessons like that everywhere. Openings for solutions that can help make others’ days a little less stressful or a little easier. Opportunities that matter a lot to the people on the other end of the experience. As Benjamin Franklin said, “When you’re good to others, you’re best to yourself.” https://lnkd.in/g547y64Z #vendavo #employeetakeover #jacksonchance #jcf
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World Family Day: The Importance of the Modern Family World Family Day is celebrated annually to recognize the central role that families play in society. This day provides an opportunity to focus on the needs and challenges faced by families in the 21st century. The modern family encounters various challenges. Professional demands and financial stress can lead to stress and isolation. Parents often struggle to find a balance between work and family, while new technologies can create distance between family members. Despite these challenges, there are ways to strengthen family bonds. Each member can show love, respect, and support towards one another. Dialogue is key to resolving differences and enhancing relationships. Engaging in shared activities, such as family outings or hobbies, helps create memories and bonds. Furthermore, families can demonstrate solidarity towards their community. Volunteering or participating in charitable events can give both children and adults the opportunity to feel they are making a positive contribution to society. In summary, World Family Day serves as a reminder of the significant role that families play in our lives. By recognizing the needs of the modern family and strengthening our bonds, we can create a more united and healthy society.
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What's the secret ingredient to navigating through the current state of relocation? Watching the culinary students prepare our meals and hearing what fellow panelist had to say, I think we can find some consistency's between a culinary program & employee relocation program: 📅 Planning & Coordination: Both programs require meticulous planning & coordination to ensure smooth execution. 💲 Budgeting: As the culinary programs budget includes ingredient, equipment and labor cost, similarly, in relocation programs via temp housing, real estate, household goods and other services 💪 Quality Control: Maintaining high standards is essential for both. Whose testing to ensure taste/presentation meet those standards (especially if its unmanaged). It's also hard to avoid the conversation on where #AI & chatbots fall into the equation. 🤖 While the technology is more affordable & readily available, not every move is the same and we still need someone who can develop clear policies/guidelines, audit & assess files, provide transparency & control in estimates/cost, but also training the technology and educating the workforce. Our commodity can support this today, since the boom of survey technology, as we still find inconsistencies in technology that strictly uses #augmentedreality or #predictiveanalytics (no human interaction). Without someone spending the time to audit and manage, we can find ourselves creating more problems then benefits. With that said, knowing what we do is hard & there's a fading workforce, many of us are optimistic that these strategies will be another tool, allowing us to accomplish so much more. Thanks again for organizing another great event Michigan Relocation Council (MiRC) and looking forward to the next event in May! #Moving #Relocation #GlobalMobility #Robots #Humans #MovingIsFun #Procure #Protect #Experience #Hardwork #Network #HR #Procurement #RiskManagement #Technology #Trends #Topics #Budget #Control #Managed #Unmanaged #Strategic #Transactional
We extend our sincere gratitude for your attendance and participation during our Q1 Corporate Roundtable/Luncheon/Meeting, where we discussed the state of the relocation industry! We give thanks to our committees for organizing a tremendous event, our sponsors for their contributions and to our panel speakers Julie Shope, MOD, Keith Shafer, GMS, Chris Lagerman, Jenny Haller, CRP, Hans S. and Martin Mayotte . Your participation contributed significantly to the depth and breadth of our conversation. Lastly, we would like to thank everyone who supported our 2024 sponsored charity, The Arc Michigan. The mission of The Arc is to ensure that people with developmental disabilities are valued, in order that they and their families can participate fully in and contribute to their community. We can’t wait to see you all again soon, during our Q2 Corporate Roundtable/Luncheon/Meeting at the newly remodeled Mercedes-Benz North America headquarters in Farmington Hills, May 20th! #MiRC #Michigan #Relocation #GlobalMobility
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🥀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
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Donating to support widows can have a profound impact for several reasons: 1. **Economic Stability**: Widows often face significant financial hardships, especially in regions where women have limited access to economic resources and opportunities. Your support can help them achieve economic stability. 2. **Education and Empowerment**: Donations can fund educational programs, vocational training, and other initiatives that empower widows to become self-sufficient and improve their quality of life. 3. **Mental and Emotional Support**: Losing a spouse can be emotionally devastating. Charities and organizations often provide counseling and community support, which can be crucial for mental well-being. 4. **Social Justice**: In many cultures, widows may face discrimination and social exclusion. Supporting them can help fight against these injustices and promote equality. 5. **Community Development**: Helping widows can have a ripple effect, benefiting their children and communities by fostering a more stable and inclusive environment. 6. **Humanitarian Compassion**: Donating is an act of compassion and solidarity, showing that you care about the well-being of those who are vulnerable and in need of support.
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I am very grateful and proud of the Women's Initiative from TLC Engineering Solutions for supporting the Bag of Hope Project this month. The Bag of Hope initiative aims to provide the resources necessary for Foster Children aging out of the foster care system. Here are some studies that will help understand why these Foster Children need the help of the community. Some studies have estimated the cost of incarcerating youth who have been involved in the foster care system. The numbers are staggering when it comes to kids aging out of the care system without resources, often leading to homelessness or incarceration. For example, a 2016 report by the Juvenile Law Center estimated that in Pennsylvania, the cost of incarcerating a young adult who had been involved in the foster care system was approximately $324 per day, or $118,260 per year. The report noted that this cost is significantly higher than the cost of providing community-based alternatives to incarceration. According to a report by the Utah Juvenile Justice Working Group, the average daily cost of incarcerating youth in a Utah detention center was approximately $289 daily in 2018. This figure includes the cost of direct care and custody, education, and healthcare services. The state spends more than $8,000 per month on each youth incarcerated. What if we could avoid this situation in our community? This is the mission of the Hope Foundation for Foster Youth Housing. We want to be the support these young people need and provide them with the tools to become self-reliant, both physically and emotionally, as well as financially. Please, friends, if you can share and support our cause, you will make a difference in this nation. I am counting on you. As a former foster child myself, I know the challenges these young people face every day of their lives since being placed in the system and aging out. They need us. #BagOfHope #FosterCareSupport #YouthEmpowerment #CommunitySupport #HopeFoundation #AgingOut #EndYouthIncarceration #SupportOurYouth #ChangeLives #MakeADifference
This month our Women’s initiative is excited to support the Hope Foundation for Foster Youth Housing during their Bag of Hope Charity Event, providing vital resources to children transitioning in and out of the foster care system. Visit the link below to learn how you too can support this cause. #TeamTLC #BagOfHope #CommunityInvolvement Francione Sousa Neff
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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
2024 Gala
classy.org
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#DEI adds value, immediately to those who participate (seeking excellence), short-term to teams who actively practice - even to the network beyond your team, and long-term to companies seeking #improvement of outcomes. Working within an #ERG, leaders and participants are connection vision to mission, and collaborating to #create #opportunity for action, and #ChangeTheOutcome #NextHappensHere #Cincinnati #Advocate #Leadership
The Young Professionals (YP) ERG at Cincinnati Childrens. We host community service, fundraising, career development and networking events for all employees.
YP Spotlight! 🎷 Andrew Stallings is a Giving Hope Donor Relations Officer in the department of development. He is passionate about his role in fostering community connections and witnessing the impact of philanthropy. Andrew credits the YP group with helping him build meaningful relationships across the health system, allowing him to both celebrate successes and seek support when needed. His YP network has been instrumental in promoting the great work of Development, which supports patients and families in powerful ways. Among his fondest YP memories are the coffee chats, which energize his mornings. To new YP members, Andrew's advice is simple: attend as many events as possible to grow your network and make new friends. On a personal note, Andrew is on an exciting journey to visit all 50 states and has already checked off 38! 🚗
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VP | Head of Engineering @ Geico, ex-Amazon | Microsoft | Expedia, AI-ML-GenAI, building platform and products 0-1, Customer focused, DEI Advocate, Innovator, Founder, Traveler
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
Donate to NEI
nei.nih.gov
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📢Could Easy Board be a game-changer for your organization?! What a wonderful review by Inform USA! #NonProfit #BoardManagement #ChangeMaker #GameChanger
We help change-makers create more impact while better engaging their board and saving resources. People are at the heart of our technology... Over the coming months, we'll be sharing brief stories about the impact these incredible organizations are making, along with a short quote about their experience with Easy Board. Inform USA is a 501c3 charitable organization whose mission is to serve those in the nonprofit and government sectors that provide information and referral services, often referred to as community navigation. Inform USA is the driving force behind the delivery of quality resource referral, navigation, and connection services and is the sole source for standards, program accreditation, and practitioner certification for the sector. Inform USA members include governmental units, 211 & 988 programs, libraries, civic organizations, and those who work in the areas of aging and disability.
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