Toni Shirley’s Post

As a pastor and dad of three young children, I understand the importance of teaching kids about generosity. Here are two actionable tips for parents to try right now: 1. Model Generosity: Children learn by example. Involve them in your charitable acts and discuss why you give and the impact it has on others. This helps them see generosity as a way of life. 2. Empower Their Giving: Encourage your children to choose causes they care about and contribute in their own way, whether through a "giving jar" or volunteering. This fosters a sense of responsibility and empathy.

ANNOUNCEMENT: We're so thrilled to share that we now have subsidies for our outdoor play support programs. From the outset of our launching as a new charitable organization, we have been committed to access, equity and justice in our work, and that means we've prioritized our funding asks to include unrestricted funds that can be allocated to subsidies to remove barriers for children and caregivers to access our programming for free or with a minimal fee. As many of you know, in the start-up phase for any not-for-profit or charity, the financial needs are great, and determining what to ask for and when to ask it is a tricky game of capacity, timing, luck, and alignment to strategy. We wanted to make sure that as we build our internal capacity as an organization, we are equally committed to our vision for an equitable world, and we are building a community of diverse people who can access our services. We still have a long way to go, but we're happy to report that we have just secured our first funder who has committed to helping us create subsidized spots for children and caregivers to attend our Outdoor Play Grief Groups. The foundation has asked to remain anonymous, which we respect, but we celebrate this milestone and the real impact it will have on families!!! #philanthropy #unrestrictedfunds #subsidies #accessandequity #outdoorplay #supportgroups

🌟 Calling All Changemakers! 🌟 I'm reaching out to my incredible network with a special request that has the power to make a significant impact. 🤝 Does your company have a program that matches employee donations to eligible nonprofits? If so, I have a wonderful opportunity for you to double your impact and support a cause close to my heart: The Waterfront Project (WFP). 🏠 About The Waterfront Project, Inc. Based in Jersey City, NJ, WFP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing homelessness, preserving affordable housing, and promoting neighborhood stability. Since 2013, they have been providing free legal and housing counseling services to low-income tenants and homeowners in Hudson, Bergen, and Union Counties. Their mission is not just about offering assistance; it's about fostering positive change and making a lasting difference in the lives of those who need it most. 💡 Why Your Donation Matters: Every contribution to WFP helps ensure that vulnerable individuals and families have access to critical legal and counseling services. Your donation can be the difference between a family keeping their home or facing uncertainty. 🔁 How You Can Double Your Impact: 1. Check if your company offers a donation matching program. 2. Make a donation to The Waterfront Project. 3. Submit a matching gift request to your employer. It's that simple! By taking these steps, you can potentially double your contribution and help WFP continue their vital work. 🙏 I urge you to consider supporting The Waterfront Project. Even a small donation can have a big ripple effect. Let's come together to support this incredible organization and the communities they serve. Thank you for your time and generosity. Together, we can make a difference! https://lnkd.in/eafexSbT #NonProfitSupport #CommunityImpact #TheWaterfrontProject #DonationMatching #MakeADifference #HudsonCounty #NewJersey #DonateNow #PreventHomelessness #UnionCounty #BergenCounty

Happy National Random Acts of Kindness Day! Today is all about spreading more kindness in the world, so take the initiative and make a difference. Remember, no act of kindness is too small. Here are a few ideas for you to participate: 🔹Share a compliment 🔹Start a "pay it backward" chain 🔹Volunteer your time to a local nonprofit 🔹Let your loved ones know how much they mean to you 🔹Donate to your local food pantry or homeless shelter Visit the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation and the Jennifer Riordan Foundation for more even ideas! Use hashtag #RandomActsOfKindnessDay to help spread the word!

I recently found some old newspaper articles from when some friends and I raised money for a baby with disabilities. My mom had sent the family some baby clothes, and I took notice and wanted to help. My friends and I hosted a bake sale and a garage sale in support of the child. Local stores took notice and donated items. The newspapers shared our cause and strangers went out of their way to support our efforts. In the end, we raised close to $300, which was a lot in 1982. I have posted before about my nonprofit origin story, which I thought had started when I began volunteering at the age of 20. Reading these clippings, however, made me think about service in a different light. While I wasn’t raising money for an established organization, I was certainly contributing to my community and inspiring others to do the same, which is what mission-based work is all about. Here are a few more takeaways from my treasure trove of childhood memorabilia: ⭐Community-based activity is familial. It’s a value that is passed from one generation to another. Involve your kids in service now so it becomes a routine part of their lifestyle as an adult. ⭐Service doesn’t have to happen in a formal, structured, or organized way. A grassroots or individual effort can still have a profound, rippling effect. ⭐As Young Jill said in the article, “People are good.” We work in a sector that relies on good people for its sustainability. It’s often difficult work but remember these words. People ARE good and they’ll support you when you need it. It was refreshing to contemplate my natural interest in service and community as a kid, and how they provided a solid foundation for my work today. Thanks, Mom, for making that initial donation and sparking a life-long passion. What do you do to inspire service among the youth in your life? #Nonprofit #NonprofitLeadership #Service #Community #Volunteer 

ANNOUNCEMENT: We're so thrilled to share that we now have subsidies for our outdoor play support programs. From the outset of launching as a new charitable organization, we have been committed to access, equity and justice in our work, and that means we've prioritized our funding asks to include unrestricted funds that can be allocated to subsidies to remove barriers for children and caregivers to access our programming for free or with a minimal fee. As many of you know, in the start-up phase for any not-for-profit or charity, the financial needs are great, and determining what to ask for and when to ask it is a tricky game of capacity, timing, luck, and alignment to strategy. We wanted to make sure that as we build our internal capacity as an organization, we are equally committed to our vision for an equitable world, and we are building a community of diverse people who can access our services. We still have a long way to go, but we're happy to report that we have just secured our first funder who has committed to helping us create subsidized spots for children and caregivers to attend our Outdoor Play Grief Groups. The foundation has asked to remain anonymous, which we respect, but we celebrate this milestone and the real impact it will have on families!!! #philanthropy #unrestrictedfunds #subsidies #accessandequity #outdoorplay #supportgroups

Charity truly does begin at home, as the saying goes. It serves as a reminder that if we cannot show love and care for our own family, how can we extend that love to others? It is a valuable lesson for all of us to remember that charity starts within the walls of our own homes. We must first learn to wholeheartedly care for and love our family before we can share that love with the outside world. It is our primary responsibility to prioritize serving our family before others, and to fulfill our duties towards them above all else. While some may argue that this means prioritizing our family's needs over those of others, others interpret this proverb as emphasizing the importance of teaching children about charity within the home. Children learn by example, so when parents demonstrate love, generosity, and a commitment to social causes, their children are likely to follow suit and contribute positively to society. By setting a positive example, parents can instill the value of giving back in their children, who will in turn pass on these teachings to future generations. On the other hand, if children witness their parents mistreating those in need, they are more likely to replicate that behavior. Therefore, it is crucial to teach our children the importance of kindness and generosity, as it can help build a more compassionate and supportive society. #CharityBeginsAtHome #FamilyFirst #SpreadLove #CompassionStartsAtHome #ActsOfKindness

🧡💫 "Every Child Deserves Their Mother" - The bond between a mother and child is irreplaceable, yet it's being broken every day by a system that incarcerates Black mothers at alarming rates. Your small donation can make a huge impact. It's about more than money—it's about restoring families, healing communities, and fighting against a system that tears them apart. We're committed to dismantling a system that leaves children motherless and communities fragmented. Help us bail out Black mamas, reconnect families, and provide the supportive services necessary for a new start. 🖤🔓 Your contribution can empower and uplift. Scan to donate, act to change lives. 📲✊🏾 . . . . . #BlackMamasMatter #BailOut #JusticeSystemReform #IncarcerationCrisis #PretrialDetention #BailOutMamas #RestoreFamilies #FightInequality #CaregiversBehindBars #JusticeForMoms #CommunityHealing #BlackFamiliesMatter #MothersInNeed #EndPretrialDetention #SocialImpact #CommunityCare #RacialJustice #ChangeTheSystem #EmpowerWomen #BlackFamilyReunification #SupportBlackWomen #JusticeAndEquity #BarredBusinessCares

This month's nonprofit Spotlight is Community Services Clearinghouse: I got to sit down with Aubry Severe and learn about the ways this organization can help, and also hear about the impact they've already made. Here's what we discussed: Q. What is one thing you want our community to know about this organization? A. There is an on-site food pantry for elders, disabled, and individuals going through medical treatments. Q. How many were you able to help in 2023? A. *They helped 400 families a month with the food pantry *71,898 kids from Aug. 2023-May 2024 through the Meals for Kids Backpack program *142 schools in 7 counties Q. What brought you to this organization? A. Aubry first came as a volunteer for the holiday program for a few years then applied to become a caseworker, and is now the Director of Operations Q. What big events do you have coming up in 2024? A. *True Grit Ride/Run is coming up soon on June 22. The ride starts at 7am, and run starts at 7:30am. You can sign up at csclearinghouse.org *Meals for Kids Backpack program picks back up in August Q. How can we help? A. Pantry donations are always needed especially in the summer. Businesses can help by hosting food drives.

There are currently nearly 9,000 youths in Tennessee foster care—yet there are only homes for a little more than half of them. Within the first 12 months of being in this program, 30% of those youths are moved through three or more homes. Without our help, the trauma of this unstable environment has been shown to have a negative impact on these youths for the rest of their lives. If you don’t know how to help but feel like this is your calling, some wonderful options to get involved are: 1. Join a volunteer committee 2. Become a corporate sponsor 3. Make recurring monthly donations 4. Become a Friend of Jonathan’s Path 5. Host a fundraiser event (even at a distance!) Click here, choose the option that suits you best and start making a difference: https://zurl.co/Udn1 #nonprofit #adoption #volunteer #fostercareawareness