When school was cancelled in Detroit this week, our Good People Fund grantee Sharnese Harris, Founder of The Konnection, continued to serve her students by moving their mentoring program online and surprising them with pizza. No surprise that with that type of dedication and commitment to their students, they had almost full attendance! The Konnection combats chronic absenteeism by providing students with mentoring, essential resources, attendance incentives, and enriching experiences that inspire them to stay engaged in school.
Good News Update
From Refugee to Leader: Bahati’s Journey with International Neighbors
Good People Fund grantee International Neighbors (IN), founded by Kari Miller, shared a recent story about a beneficiary whose life was changed by their timely support. Read below to learn about Bahati who was helped as a new American and is now a donor and supporter of IN’s important work supporting new community members in Charlottesville:
At 23 years old, Bahati Majuto fled the Democratic Republic of the Congo after the 1996 war left many of his family members slaughtered, and his town annihilated. Bahati was separated from his wife and son in the process.
A refugee camp in Burundi was Bahati’s “home” for five years, until he reunited with his family in South Africa. Bahati, a renowned tailor for many of Africa’s elite, attempted to continue his career by working out of a shipping-container-turned-
His first years in the United States were not without challenges. When International Neighbors connected with the Majuto family, they were struggling with meaningful employment, isolation, and healthcare access. We were able to coordinate a vehicle donation, help them understand bills and medical care in the U.S., and assist with home improvements including having a dangerous dead tree removed in their backyard where a now-thriving garden grows.
Bahati is now a homeowner and a naturalized citizen. He continues to work multiple jobs to provide for his family of seven, and sends money to his surviving relatives in Africa. His oldest son graduated from William & Mary in 2021 and is studying for his Master’s at Yale University.
Bahati has moved from client to volunteer and donor at International Neighbors. He has connected 23 families with our services, given countless rides to refugees in his IN-donated vehicle, and made gifts to our Annual Fund.
“I know firsthand what International Neighbors does for newcomers, and it is God’s work,” says Bahati.
Reflecting on GPF’s Transformative Support
Rekindle, Cleveland
Matt Fieldman, co-founder of Rekindle, an organization that supports bridge-building between Black and Jewish community leaders, shared a reflection about meeting Naomi several years ago when the organization was struggling to find its footing. He noted that the Good People Fund offered the “first real vote of confidence and meaningful support we had ever received.” That early belief helped launch a period of rapid growth, allowing them to reach far more fellows. They are now operating in 20 cities around the country. (A Good People Talk! podcast episode on Rekindle will be releasing soon.)
https://www.goodpeoplefund.
Witness to Mass Incarceration, NYC
Evie Litwok, the founder of Witness to Mass Incarceration, recently reminded the team that The Good People Fund made her “very first donation.” This was a pivotal moment that helped launch her work supporting formerly incarcerated individuals. What began as a Suitcase Project to provide essential supplies for people to restart their lives has since evolved into a multi-pronged organization offering advocacy, vocational training, networking, and documenting stories that would have otherwise remained invisible.
https://www.goodpeoplefund.
A Courageous Voice, Detroit
Amy Ever, Founder of A Courageous Voice and her board chair, Lexie Schwarze, shared that over the past nine months, they have “completely re-energized their board, increased their revenue, and brought their organization back from the brink of closure to stability and strength.” They credit the mentoring, workshops, and tools provided by the Good People Fund as instrumental in this turnaround. Additionally, the matching grant Good People Fund offered them last year sparked significant fundraising momentum for them. Today, the organization is teaching hundreds of children how to stay safe from harm, both online and offline.
Choosing Connection in a Divided Time
What does it take to build a bridge between communities?
For Good People Fund grantee Rabbi Elhanan Miller, founder of People of the Book, it starts with language. Through videos, podcasts, and educational content that are all in Arabic, he is teaching the Arab-speaking world about Jewish culture, religion, and history. He was recently featured in a beautiful short video about his powerful work. In a time of deep division, he’s choosing to build bridges of connection and we are proud to support him.
Watch the video here: https://youtube.com/shorts/jr6ig7SuLt0?feature=share
First GPF Community of Practice is a Success!
Good People Fund grantee Erin Stieglitz, founder of Bagel Rescue, recently shared what it has been like to be part of our first GPF Community of Practice. Led by volunteer facilitator Beth Gansky, this cohort brought grantees together for connection, support, and shared learning. As we prepare to launch our second Community of Practice, Erin wanted other grantees to know what they might gain from participating.
Her story speaks for itself:
https://youtube.com/shorts/uo-ldhekWkA?feature=share
Building Bridges on the Court: JAB Camp’s Mission
Good People Fund grantee Jared Armstrong, Founder of JAB Camp, works in Philadelphia and Israel empowering youth through sports to increase skills and knowledge, and decrease hate and antisemitism. Here is a recent article highlighting his work:
