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You are here: Home / Archives for Good News Update

Good News Update

A Job With Benefits

Growing up, how many times did your parents plead–wash your hands!

And yet, we forget that in some cultures the very act of hand washing is foreign and practiced far less often than necessary because of ignorance AND the dearth of actual soap bars.

It was this seemingly simple problem that Erin Zaikis chose to resolve when she began Sundara a few years ago. Sundara focuses on reducing preventable hygiene-related deaths and disease by creating sustainable soap recycling programs for under-served populations worldwide.

As Sundara has grown, several women in the slums of Mumbai have become Hygiene Ambassadors, charged with teaching the community about this critically important function. The women are not only paid a modest sum for their work, but now also receive health benefits thanks to The Good People Fund and our belief in Erin and Sundara’s mission. (Health insurance premiums in India are amazing!)

Filed Under: Good News Update

Helping When Help is Most Needed

It’s a cold and dreary day here; a grey sky and impending snow just add to the bleak mix. It is a day like this when a ray of sunshine and some warmth take on even greater significance, and that is what arrived just a few hours ago in an email from our grantee, Blyth Lord, founder of Courageous Parents Network. CPN provides a virtual community that utilizes both written and filmed resources that give parents the skills, tools and support they need to cope and adapt throughout their child’s illness.

Blyth shared a recent note from a pediatric oncologist in Omaha, Nebraska:

Dear Blyth,

We are so very grateful for the work of CPN (Courageous Parents Network) and the support the CPN videos offer our families – I started to watch the videos with two of our families last week and really valued this ability to sit together with them to view such powerful messages together – thank you for this incredible gift…

It is for the parents of children in palliative care who are struggling to find the best ways to handle a dire prognosis, and the doctors who try to guide them, that The Good People Fund invests its tzedakah dollars in Blyth’s special work.

Filed Under: Good News Update

A Breath of Air

                                            

With Puerto Rico’s devastation still impacting so many of the island’s residents, it gave us great satisfaction to be able to provide 100 battery-operated nebulizers (pictured here) for kids and adults who have been identified by medical personnel as asthma (or other respiratory illness) patients. The units were purchased here from a very generous supplier who offered a significant discount, and were flown by private jet to the island where our contact, David Solomiany from the Jewish community, delivered them to the city of Loiza.

With so much of the island still without electricity it is not just refrigeration and other basic needs that are impacted. For some, the simple act of breathing is imperiled, as well. These nebulizers have truly brought a breath of fresh air to many people impacted by health issues.

Filed Under: Good News Update

Houston Rising Up

The news from Houston these past few months has been anything but positive with much of the city affected by the epic Hurricane Harvey. And yet, this morning we received this amazing picture featuring some of the new students in Plant it Forward‘s latest class of aspiring farmers seeking to return to the agrarian life they left behind when migrating to this country. The Good People Fund’s matching grant has helped make this class of 22 possible.

Teresa O’Donnell began Plant it Forward to teach organic farming to refugees whose crop is then sold at local farmers markets and farm stands, as well as through farm shares (or CSA groups) and to restaurants; all meaningful ways to create employment and provide Houston with fresh, local produce.

It’s great to see some return to normalcy in a region that was devastated so cruelly only a short time ago.

Filed Under: Good News Update

Last Evening in Houston

 

    

Last evening, through our Houston grantee, Yan Digilov, we connected with Cathy Moore, the Executive Director of a small health clinic that services families and individuals in one of the hardest hit parts of the city.

Cathy explained that those who rely on the clinic have an average monthly income of about $1,100.  She was expecting today, the first day the clinic would be open post-storm, to be very difficult. Cleaning supplies, toiletries and other basic needs were needed.

After making some simple arrangements, we gave Cathy a budget and told her to shop.

These pictures will attest to the fact that in less than 24 hours, Cathy and her volunteers had shopped and grateful clients received what they needed to start the long clean-up.

We expect to continue to work with Cathy over the next several weeks as additional needs become known. These are people who have lost everything—clothing, furnishings, kids’ toys, books and so much more. We hope we can make their lives a bit easier during this traumatic time.

Stay tuned….

Filed Under: Good News Update

August Vacations

It seems that nearly every August, when our family travels to the Jersey Shore, we get the chance to watch horrific destruction unfold somewhere as hurricane after hurricane rolls in at summer’s end. One year, it was Katrina, and we thought we would never see anything so devastating again. A few years ago, we ourselves became the victims as Hurricane Irene roared up the coast and sent us all packing.

And now we are all transfixed by the severe damage and trauma that Hurricane Harvey is bringing to Texas and the Gulf Coast. Seeing the images and reading the news, we are horrified but also heartened by tales of bravery and humanity.

We have reached out to our three grantees based in the area and all of them have reported back that they are safe. Teresa O’Donnell, founder of Plant It Forward, which works with refugee farmers, is secure in her home at the moment, but is trying to reach out to the organization’s “farmer families” to ascertain their welfare.

Rabbi Amy Weiss, founder of Undies For Everyone, is safe, though her message left us overwhelmed: “Unfortunately, we have lost the house, probably most of the things in it. People in the neighborhood are being rescued by helicopter. There are literally swarms of fire ants, snakes and alligators in the waters.”

Yan Digilov of Firestarter, another organization working with Houston’s enormous refugee population has just checked in and reported that he has gotten to a safe place as have some of those refugees we have been helping.

We know that human nature is such that everyone wants to help now.  As we have in the past, The Good People Fund will rely on those we know and trust on the ground to tell us where verified needs are most critical.  This takes time.  But when the time comes, we hope you will support us as we help those impacted by the storm.

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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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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