DONATE NOW
SUBSCRIBE

The Good People Fund

You are here: Home / Archives for Programs

1in6 Support

by

The number is astounding — 1 in 6 children lives with a disability.. For Alma Schneider and Iris Mehler this is an all too familiar reality as both know first-hand the challenges that come from having a child with atypical needs, as well as the joy that also brings.

1in6Support’s mission focuses on three areas: empowering and uplifting families of children with disabilities by providing emotional and practical support; encouraging communities to recognize and foster accommodations for these children; and collaborating with organizations and companies dedicated to creating a more accessible and inclusive world. Their in-person and online support gatherings are a vital part of the many services they provide to families who often feel alone in this journey.

TransParent

by

In a world that has become increasingly hostile to the realities of the transgender experience, TransParent  provides safe harbor and community to parents with a transgender family member. Originally created by families in St. Louis, today the organization is headed by Susan Halla and operates sixteen chapters in nine states. Put very simply, TransParent seeks  “to normalize this naturally-occurring human experience and to empower children to live authentically.” By creating opportunities for parents to connect with each other, fostering advocacy and providing resources, TransParent offers compassion and hope in an increasingly alarming environment.

Ma’atzimot

by

Racheli Tadessa Malkai emigrated from Ethiopia to Israel in 1991. She was more than familiar with the traditional role played by women in her culture as well as the difficulties faced by people of color in their adopted homeland. She founded Ma’atzimot – Empowering Ethiopian-Israeli Women not only to counter that traditional role but also to address increased sexual harassment and domestic violence plaguing these women.

Racheli’s success can be judged by the more than 18,000 women and girls who have participated in programs run in nearly thirty communities across the country. Those programs promote leadership development, vocational training, entrepreneurship, emotional resilience and pride in their Ethiopian heritage.

 

Abrahamic House

by

Raised in Yemen, Mohammed Al Samawi  was taught from an early age to be suspicious of other faiths. An unlikely encounter with a Christian teacher challenged his beliefs and led him toward interfaith activism. In an epic story that has been shared in a compelling book, Mohammed escaped his war-torn country and came to the United States where he founded Abrahamic House, a multi-faith space where individuals from diverse religious backgrounds come together to live, learn, share, pray, celebrate, connect, and serve. Located in Washington, DC, Abrahamic House hosts emerging interfaith leaders from different faith traditions for a 1-2 year residential fellowship program. Through this program, they challenge assumptions, prejudices, and inequities, while inspiring and mobilizing others to foster understanding and build bridges across communities.

 

 

Be’Darchei Tamar – Tamar’s Way

by

Every parent’s nightmare — a child diagnosed with cancer. For Iris and David Herman whose daughter Tamar died at the age of 16, the journey they traveled during her illness as well as her own thoughts of living with cancer, inspired them to create Be’darchei Tamar, or Tamar’s Way. Despite her diagnosis, Tamar was determined to live her life on her own terms, rarely allowing the illness to stifle her energy and joy of life. Inspired by the support of community during this journey, Tamar’s Way provides families in similar circumstances with food, companionship and other material support as they seek treatment at local hospitals. Even after a child has succumbed to illness, the program continues to offer support after the last friends and family have moved on. In the future they hope to be able to provide housing to families forced to travel to access medical care far from home.

Tamar’s Way is a program guided by the simple concept of Tikkun Olam – making this a better world for all.

 

Wind Chimes

by

Scientists have always recognized the unique bond between animals and humans.  Noam Rudich created Wind Chimes as a safe and warm space where psychotherapeutic techniques are used to help youth, abused women and so many others newly traumatized by Israel’s ongoing war. Alongside Wind Chimes’ human therapists stand animals, themselves victims of traumatic events. Together, this unique team heals hearts and minds in a warm and safe setting filled with beautiful flowers and trees.

Animal team members may have been victims of abuse, or displaced from Israel’s borders during the past eighteen months of war, abandoned in animal shelters or have some type of physical disability such as deafness or loss of limb.  Humans treated here have been victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse, family trauma and more. What they all receive in this special oasis is love, kindness and compassion.