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The Good People Fund

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MARVA

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MARVA is a unique Israeli organization that uses a holistic approach in addressing the problems of maintaining quality of life and independence for both elders facing the challenges of aging and for individuals with physical or mental disabilities. The founders of MARVA, led by Dr. Michal Wosner and now directed by Dr. Mickey Schindler, have created a program that combines both legal and social welfare expertise to help with decision-making and regaining control over one’s life. Our funds are directed to general operating expenses.

Heart 2 Hart Detroit

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Every sandwich Larry Oleinick and his volunteers offer homeless and destitute people who call the area around Detroit’s Hart Plaza “home” comes with caring and friendly conversation. While the sandwich is important, “The greatest gift we offer those we assist is reassurance that they are not alone. With the 3 C’s—Conversation, Compassion and Consistency – we build relationships.” Many lives have been transformed by a connection that comes from the heart. Our funds underwrite general operating expenses as well as a second refrigerator which allows Larry to store donated food.

 

Detroit Horse Power

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As a former Teach for America participant, David Silver learned very quickly about the unique and serious issues facing kids growing up in a once-thriving city that is only now starting to experience renewal.

Combining his own lifelong passion for horses and equestrian skills, with a strong desire to help the city’s youth, David began Detroit Horse Power which teaches kids important life-building skills while at the same time, helps build a stronger community. In just three short years DHP has gone from a pilot summer camp program for 18 kids, to its present program that attracts more than 100 kids over eight weeks of summer programming.  Through riding and caring for horses, urban youth learn empathy, confidence, responsible risk-taking and more.  With the availability of large plots of abandoned property, DHP’s plan to build a new urban equestrian center will provide kids with year-round programming and also provide the city with further renewal.  Our funds help with the cost of staffing.

 

City Strings

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Growing up in various parts of the U.S., Bithyah Israel vividly remembers the opportunity she was given, at the age of 11, to learn to play the cello, and how it changed her life. She founded City Strings to bring the same guidance and feeling of self-worth to Boston’s inner-city youth.

City Strings provides free cello lessons to students ages 6-18 in Boston’s Roxbury neighborhood.  “Musical opportunities” including working with esteemed music professors and Grammy-winning musicians, and more, foster social, emotional and educational growth and development.  The focus is on listening, respect, discipline and team work – all necessary life skills.

Having started with 12 children and now working with more than 20, our funds make it possible for City Strings to hire part-time administrative help to help with expansion.

SAHAR

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Years ago, an Liora Arnon‘s search for resources for an anorexic friend led her to an article by Professor Azi Barak from Haifa University who described two distinct connections between online behavior and suicide. In one way, clearly the most dangerous, online behavior can actually encourage suicide, providing knowledge and encouragement. More positively, though, online connections can actually allow for positive dialogue and emotional support, thus keeping the individual safe from harm.

Liora contacted the professor and with the help of others similarly interested in the possibilities, formed SAHAR (a Hebrew acronym for “Support and Listening on the Web”).  SAHAR is a professionally trained, volunteer-driven organization that provides free online support to people in emotional distress, and a web site with extensive articles and other support materials. Today, utilizing new technology, volunteers can actually scan social media identifying messages of distress and offer help. Our funds underwrite volunteer training costs.

Witness to Mass Incarceration

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Evie Litwok arrived in NYC penniless, homeless and jobless after time in Federal prison. She knows well that establishing a life after incarceration is challenging and frequently defeating, especially for women, LGBTQ+ individuals and others facing systemic and cultural disadvantages and the stigma of having been in in prison.

She used her experience as a social activist – culled from years in the women’s and gay rights movements – to establish Witness to Mass Incarceration to advocate for prison reform, and to help those just released from the penal system move more smoothly back into society.

WMI’s Suitcase Project equips them with valuable essentials to start a new chapter. Perhaps most important, Evie and her growing network of supporters create a circle of care so no one feels isolated. Our matching grant allows WMI to increase its capacity building.