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You are here: Home / Archives for Good News Update

Good News Update

“When I Heard the Violins I Knew I Would Be Safe”

Shelter guests often have many things to worry about in addition to not having a place to sleep and be protected from the elements. For people living in several of Boston’s shelters the harshness of everyday life is softened each month as our grantee, Shelter Music Boston, and its founder, Julie Leven, and her fellow artists present beautiful classical concerts-music that soothes both the heart and the mind.

The guest who recently penned the note above speaks of her fear of losing her belongings or the possible violence that may erupt-both dismissed as she absorbed the sounds of the violins and realized that she could sleep there in comfort.

Truly a tzedakah investment that makes our heart sing, too.

Filed Under: Good News Update

Winning the Lottery

Can any of us imagine navigating school without the use of a computer?

For many young Ethiopians, all the first in their families to attend college, having a computer is not a given. Our friends at The Forgotten People Fund in Israel have a backlog of worthy students who would benefit greatly from such a learning tool which made it an easy decision to underwrite the purchase of nine new computers to help reduce the number of students on the waiting list.

Belaynesh, pictured here, was thrilled.  Is it any wonder why “she said that she feels like she won the lottery”?

Filed Under: Good News Update

A Love Story–With a Twist

Our dear friend and grantee, Blyth Lord, is the founder of Courageous Parents Network, a Boston-based organization that provides support tor families caring for children with serious illness. CPN’s virtual community uses both written and filmed resources to provide parents with the skills, tools and support they need to cope and adapt throughout their child’s illness.

Clearly, Blyth’s work is difficult and heart-wrenching. Children facing life-threatening illnesses is gut-wrenching. And yet, in the midst of the pain, the anger, the unbearable reality of it all there are moments just bursting with beauty and love.

Take a few minutes to watch. You will cry–but through the tears you will see so much more.

Filed Under: Good News Update

It’s the 21st Century But…

soapThis morning, as I went back and forth on the “news of the day” in emails with Jeannie Jaybush, founder of Seattle’s Baby Bank, her words resonated particularly loudly and certainly echo what we hear from other grantees like Jeff Feingold from Hope and Comfort, Dana Marlowe from Support the Girls and Fran Held of Mitzvah Circle Foundation.

Please consider Jeannie’s thoughts as we enter this season of Thanksgiving; a season where far too many vulnerable people struggle to find reason to be thankful…

…The Baby Bank has had a huge upswing in requests for what the nurses are now calling “personal needs support” Laundry detergent, toothpaste, deodorant, tampons, and, especially for the Moms with newborns, the overnite sanitary napkins…Food banks don’t handle any of this kind of thing & basic hygiene is critical for maintaining any kind of good health. The lack of just a bar of soap can usher in the illnesses that are so easily preventable. Chronic homelessness has made this a constant problem for the nurses. (Laundry detergent we managed by getting the detergent that is packaged in what they call “pods” and splitting them up in to zip-locks of 6 so that people don’t have to carry a bottle of laundry detergent with them all over the place.) Women with newborns can’t possibly be expected to properly care for a newborn if they can’t manage to take care of themselves post-delivery. The horror stories still arrive about women lacking sufficient soap & sanitary napkins. (Stuffing your undies with newspaper should have died out in the 19th century & here we are in the 21st & it still happens!!!) So, the Baby Bank does a lot of supplying the clinics with the hygiene basics. Some are the hotel samples, but families with several kids need more than hotel samples can address reasonably. Kids donate the sample toothpaste from their dental checkups. Hotels will recycle their towels & sheets to charity if you ask them & pick them up. The list goes on & on. Sometimes I don’t even realize that I’m doing it. Guess I’ve been doing this a long time…

Some of the scenarios Jeannie describes are unpleasant and may make us cringe in horror and disgust but–they are all truthful and representative of how some people live today. Please help us help Jeannie and all of our other Good People working to keep people from falling off the edge.

Filed Under: Good News Update

“Good night Mommy!”

IPad

“Child you gave iPad to said first words through device! “Good night mommy!””

This one line email from Fran Held, founder of Mitzvah Circle Foundation in Pennsylvania just popped up and serves as a reminder to all of us of just how much of an impact we can have with modest tzedakah investments. As the summer began, Fran shared the story of a non-verbal nine-year old girl with autism and cerebral palsy. It was going to be a long summer for this youngster and her Mom–no camp would take her because of her hyperactivity and inability to ride on a bus or van. An IPad would help her keep up with her school work and various apps could help with other tasks.

Clearly, our purchase was well worthwhile!

Filed Under: Good News Update

Summer Sailing

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

What could be better than a warm summer day sailing on the Mediterranean near Tel Aviv?  I know that there were many warm days here when an excursion like that would have been a welcome diversion.  The Good People Fund was excited to help underwrite this week’s outing on the deep blue sea for the teens who take part in Camp Shutaf in Israel. This after-school and camp program for children and teens with and without disabilities was started by Miriam Avraham and Beth Steinberg, mothers of two children who had few such options available to them several years ago. Shutaf has expanded well beyond its early days and we remain excited about being on board for them.  Ahoy!

Filed Under: Good News Update

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Tzedakah Diaries

The Good People Fund is all about stories that share the goodness within each of us and the way that goodness can change the world, bit by bit. Read on and find out why we love our work, helping extraordinary people. . . .

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    August 11, 2025 12:11 pm

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ROSH HASHANAH BEGINS SEPTEMBER 22ND!

Good People Fund Rosh Hashanah e-Card 2024

Wish your friends and loved ones a Shana Tova U’Metukha (a good and sweet year) with a GPF Rosh Hashanah e-card. Send holiday wishes and support our Good People at the same time. Quick, easy, and impactful.

 

Purim is coming on March 13th …

And we have a no-calorie, no-stress holiday plan for you!

No Calories, Just Good - Good People Fund Purim 2024 e-card image

Send your friends and family Purim greetings guaranteed to make everyone feel good by giving tzedakah in such a meaningful way.

It’s Here!
GPF Journal of Good 2024

Our Journal of Good 2024 could not have been published at a better time. As we struggle with so much–a war, widespread hatred and political dysfunction, its stories of visionaries driving positive change… and those of individuals, families and communities whose lives are altered for the better, will move you.


Empower More Good

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Just add your name and email address and you are on the way to reading Good People’s stories that will inspire you!
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November 17

The Good People Fund (un)conference

Join us virtually, Sunday November 17th, 7:00pm to 9:30pm Eastern for The Good People Fund Celebratory Program. Featuring … Ruth Messinger (Global Ambassador of the American Jewish World Service), John Beltzer (Songs of Love) and Naomi Eisenberger (Co-founder and Executive Director of the The Good People Fund). You won’t want to miss it!

 

You can still send a New Year’s Greeting

Good People Fund Rosh Hashanah e-Card 2024

Wish your friends and loved ones a Shana Tova U’Metukha (a good and sweet year) with a GPF Rosh Hashanah e-card. Send holiday wishes and support our Good People at the same time. Quick, easy, and impactful.

 

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Good News

Purim is coming on March 23rd …

And we have a no-calorie, no-stress holiday plan for you!

No Calories, Just Good - Good People Fund Purim 2024 e-card image

Send your friends and family Purim greetings guaranteed to make everyone feel good by giving tzedakah in such a meaningful way.

GPF Live From Israel!

Sunday, March 3rd @ 12 PM Eastern Standard Time

Join Naomi, Julie and three of our visionary Israeli grantees for a special live Zoom event:

Good People Fund — Live from Israel!

Find out how they’re meeting new challenges since Oct. 7, while staying true to their passions and missions of elevating good and uplifting the communities they serve. And ask your questions!

Our family in Israel is hurting,
can you help?

There has been significant loss of life, horrific injuries and deep, deep trauma from an unexpected attack on its soil and from the unprecedented kidnapping of so many civilians and soldiers. We are working hard to uncover needs on the ground that we can meet and help facilitate in our typical manner—person to person.

We have spoken with several grantees and the sentiments we hear over and over again are disbelief and shock … but more than anything, resolve. They foresee that many more lives will be lost and that life, as they knew it, has been forever altered.

As we have learned from earlier wars, the situation is fluid and each day new needs will be identified. We have joined together with two grantees and, conferring with local social workers, are developing a plan to assist at least twelve families directly impacted by the war, as well as families of kidnapped victims.

We would be grateful if you would be a part of our efforts to help in the way that we do best … our very personal way.

Our Spring Sale Has Started

You can see how this popup was set up in our step-by-step guide: https://wppopupmaker.com/guides/auto-opening-announcement-popups/

It’s Here!
GPF Journal of Good 2022

Our Journal of Good 2022 has just been published and it’s filled with stories of visionaries driving positive change… and those of individuals, families and communities whose lives are altered for the better.


Journal of Good 2022 cover

Empower More Good

ROSH HASHANAH BEGINS SEPTEMBER 25th!

Wish your friends and loved ones a Shana Tova U’Metukha (a good and sweet year) with a GPF Rosh Hashanah e-card. Send holiday wishes and support our Good People at the same time. Quick, easy, and impactful.

 

In Their Words: The Pandemic

Read what our grantees are saying and how they’re responding to COVID-19 with the help of Good People Fund donors.

How the Pandemic is Changing Their World

It's Here!

GPF 2021 Annual Report

Our 2021 Annual Report has just been published and it’s filled with moving stories about ordinary people who have done extraordinary things to make our world a better place.

We need it now, more than ever … Read on!

Hanukkah begins November 28th, about the time we gather for Thanksgiving.

Send a few ecards to family and friends, and do some good at the same time.

 

We know you’re thinking beach, relaxation, barbecues and summer fun, but…

Labor Day will usher in the New Year so while you are still relaxing, think about all of your friends and family you want to wish a sweet, healthy holiday.

 

Good People Talk! is Everywhere!

Now you can subscribe to our monthly podcast — Good People Talk! — on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer, Stitcher, TuneIn, iHeartRADIO, and Podcast Index. Please subscribe, share, and comment on your favorite podcast network!

Register now!

April 11, 7:30 pm Eastern

How Good People Help Aspiring Americans Succeed

Join us for our second Good People Talk Live! event – Meet four of GPF’s Good People and learn about their unique experiences, observations, and approaches to uplifting newcomers seeking better lives for themselves and their families.

Our guests include:

  • Kristen Bloom, Founder & Exec. Director, Refugee Assistance Alliance
  • Sloane Davidson, Founder & CEO, Hello Neighbor
  • Kari Miller, Founder & Exec. Director, International Neighbors
  • Dr. Eva Moya, Assoc. Professor, Dept. of Social Work, The University of Texas at El Paso

Save the Date!

April 11, 7:30 pm Eastern

Don’t miss our second Good People Talk Live! event – as we explore front line challenges facing aspiring Americans across the country. Meet Kari Miller, Founder of International Neighbors; Sloane Davidson, Founder of Hello Neighbor; Kristen Bloom, Founder of Refugee Assistance Alliance; and Dr. Eva Moya, Associate Professor at University of Texas: El Paso, four women dedicated to helping newcomers adjust to their new home. Look for registration information on our website shortly.

Register now!

March 14, 7:30 pm Eastern

How Good People Help Detroit’s Youth Succeed

Join us for our first-ever Good People Talk Live! event – as we explore challenges facing inner city youth in Detroit, and how three of our GPF grantee organizations there are instilling hope.

Our guests include:

  • Courtney Smith, Founder of Detroit Phoenix Center
  • Sherelle Hogan, Founder of Pure Heart Foundation
  • David Silver, Founder of Detroit Horse Power

Save the Date!

March 14, 7:30 pm Eastern

Join us for our first-ever Good People Talk Live! event – as we explore challenges facing inner city youth in Detroit, and how three of our GPF grantee organizations there are  breaking cycles and instilling a sense of future. Our guests include Courtney Smith, Founder of Detroit Phoenix Center; Sherelle Hogan, Founder of Pure Heart Foundation; and David Silver, Founder of Detroit Horse Power. Look for registration information on our website shortly.

GPF 2020 Annual Report

Let stories from our Good People inspire you during these difficult days

During a year in which a pandemic is upending our already broken world—creating and revealing untold & unimaginable human, social, and economic challenges—our Good People Fund family has arguably never been so critical.

Our 2020 Annual Report reflects that truth and the immense nourishment and salve that our visionary grantees are bringing to their communities in the US, Israel, and elsewhere around the world.

2020 Annual Report

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