The Fostering Network’s Post

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

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.

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

🥀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

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.

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

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

#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

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

📢Could Easy Board be a game-changer for your organization?! What a wonderful review by Inform USA! #NonProfit #BoardManagement #ChangeMaker #GameChanger