Violence Against Women

Submitted by kawilkins2004 on Sat, 02/04/2012 - 13:37

the problem:

We are working to create an all-inclusive therapy program for women have been victimized by sexual assault or domestic violence. We have been providing counseling and yoga therapy with the help of kind therapists and social workers who are interested in this cause.

vital stats:

people impacted:

people involved:

why it's important:

One of our "founders" was a victim of sexual assault that occurred within a violent relationship and she was able to heal through attending therapy and getting involved in yoga. Her experience in therapy moved her to become a therapist herself and she attained her certification in yoga. She is now working on creating a yoga therapy that is specific to PTSD symptoms which so many victims of assault suffer from.

the plan of action:

We want to open a facility that offers these services as well as inpatient treatment for victims who need a safe place to get away from a violent relationship.

how you can get involved:

As our idea grows, we will need mental health counselors, yoga instructors, and those trained in equine therapy who want to get involved. The first thing that has to happen in order for us to grow is to come up with funds to open a facility.

project updates:

Submitted by cinamon20040 on Fri, 02/03/2012 - 23:48

the problem:

I am trying to help the women that suffer from violence in their house to have hygienic supplies available. Therefore allowing them to leave their houses to find a safe place. A place where they don't have to worry about hygienic items and feel that they can find help in many ways. A place where they can realize that they are not alone.

vital stats:

people impacted:

100

people involved:

why it's important:

This is important to me because I am a woman. As a woman I believe that there is no greater comfort than that of a clean safe place to go to. I gathered hygienic supplies because I understand that the need as a woman to be clean is a great one. It is essential to a woman's health to be hygienic and I believe that the donated kits will assist in that. I also realize that the women that will receive the kits have left their homes and personal belongings or simply do not have any. The kits are necessary to help the women get back on their feet.

the plan of action:

To begin with I researched local women's shelters. Then I contacted the Women and Children in Crisis center, to find out what donations they needed. I proceeded to buy hygienic supplies and pass around sign up sheets every few weeks to members of my community. After gathering supplies I packaged them and set up a drop off time with the Crisis center.

how you can get involved:

Contact local crisis centers and donate new items for those in need.

project updates:

Submitted by pattiannpattiann on Fri, 02/03/2012 - 19:39

the problem:

The Red Riding Hood Project is a new initiative that is striving to make Wagner College and New York City a safer place for women from sexual violence. This project exists to create a community that can provide security, awareness, and empowerment to women by advocating for policy change, providing resources, and basically giving women the power, voice and kick-ass abilities to protect themselves and their fellow sisters.

vital stats:

people impacted:

people involved:

why it's important:

This is an issue that really hits home. It is something that affects the whole community. I feel that everyone has the right to feel safe wether they are walking home on campus or in NYC.

the plan of action:

This semester we are planning a Wake-Up Week with a kick-off event, self-defense workshops, a Speak-out about Wagner College's sexual violence climate, and a community march.

how you can get involved:

This project needs a strong team of women and men, of all ages and occupations, to join under the same intention - to change the world. We need artists, techies, leaders, etc. You can bring your goals and skills to the table and make this project work for you!

project updates:

Submitted by msurguy on Fri, 02/03/2012 - 14:23

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the problem:

Fountain of Hope Youth Initiative was founded in 2003 by a group of youths impacted by the effects of HIV/Aids, poverty, limited access to information, degradation of environment, tribal & cultural intolerance. The primary objective of FOH is to engage the youths and entire community in seeking local remedies that would help in elimination or reduction of the above issues. Our goal is to offer a noticeable contribution towards achievement the Kenya’s Vision 2030 & The Millennium Development Goals. FOH exists to offer a platform for youths and the community to exercise social obligations and therefore as an organization we strive to promote the philanthropic culture to the local community.

vital stats:

people impacted:

2,000

people involved:

why it's important:

I believe in generosity and doing unto others as I would like it to be done to me.

the plan of action:

I am the webdesigner for FOHLC website, I built the website on my own hosting and I need help continuing working on the project so it could have more exposure and more impact for the local Kenya community

how you can get involved:

Donate, invest, share

project updates:

Submitted by The Collective on Wed, 02/01/2012 - 13:14

the problem:

We believe that one of the biggest challenges facing young organizers is navigating internal group dynamics. Whether it is teens, college students, volunteers, parents or community members fighting together for a specific cause, there are inevitably moments in these struggles when group members are faced with difficult decisions and potential conflicts. Often times these complex internal dynamics can be the biggest barrier a group may face when working on a campaign or project.

Through workshops on non-violent communication, consensus decision making and non-hierarchical leadership, we hope to promote alternative strategies and tools for organizing at the grassroots level. Our goal is to alleviate much of the stress and anxiety that can come from working in a group setting, and provide creative techniques for collaborative work.

We also believe that the way we are with each other reflects the way we are in the world. By this we mean that if we can radically change our relationships to be more harmonious, peaceful and cooperative, we have the capacity to create entire communities in the same way.

vital stats:

people impacted:

200

people involved:

why it's important:

The members of The Collective first met in 2007 while participating in a study abroad program. There were 28 students on an epic journey across the world, and establishing effective and democratic group norms was a key component of our trip. For us, the exploration of these issues came first out of necessity. In order to survive our nine months together, we had to devise ways to interact, make decisions and handle conflict.
It was during this time abroad that many of us discovered the importance of collaborative decision making and ways in which non-hierarchical leadership can create a space where all voices are respected and heard. Ultimately, by the end of our time together, we were deeply committed to working with each other and others on developing new processes for communicating and organizing in groups.

the plan of action:

Since 2010, we have taught numerous workshops to college students, young adults, small progressive nonprofits, and co-ops in the region. We have promoted our work through word of mouth and other networks with which we are familiar.

In addition to teaching in-person workshops, we have written, designed and published materials on communication and community-building techniques.

With a seed grant of $500, we could significantly expand the content and scope of our workshop, as well as produce a more comprehensive resource guide and workbook on consensus and alternative forms of decision making.

how you can get involved:

Others can be involved by attending our workshops and teaching others! We believe that the material and content of our workshops and publications should be widely distributed, and that everyone can benefit from these resources.

If others have an interest in teaching the materials with members of the collective, and getting directly involved, we would be happy to discuss that possibility.

project updates:

Submitted by roger2286 on Wed, 02/01/2012 - 12:57

the problem:

The Problem im planning to solve is hunger, homelessness, batterd woman, sick, poor, religious pratcie i school, troubled youth etc..

vital stats:

people impacted:

100

people involved:

why it's important:

It is important to me cause i hate to see my society go down hill and suffer from poverty. I came from a rough childhood and i know what it feels like not to have nothing i just want to give back and bea ble to help and give back to all.

the plan of action:

My plan to open up more shelter facilities food programs, build more schools and universities, afterschool programs keep kids engaged.

how you can get involved:

I need funding, dedicated people who will help and fight for the cause. Support and a better network to reachout to american society

project updates:

Submitted by DBH0014 on Wed, 02/01/2012 - 11:51

the problem:

A Family Community is a program I am desigining to benefit every individual in our community, not only residents and locals, but the community as a whole. This includes surrounding areas and even alternate states. We aim to provide Disater education, job readiness, disater preparedness seminars, dating volience information, a place of refuge for volience over comers, a place for homeless individuals to get food, and clothing and opportunities for job search, and job placement. We want to prevent teen pregnancy, but all the same provide help to those who have already had children. We promote family stablility. We want to educate individuals on healthy eating, and living a healthy lifestyle as well. We plan to this not only by branching out and starting partneships with exsisting organizations, but by putting in hard work, and sweat ourselves as well. We plan to involve individuals that seek help in unimaginable ways.

vital stats:

people impacted:

people involved:

why it's important:

This is imporatnt to me because, I grew up in a single parent home; and felt sad and alone. I want individuals to understand that not every house hold is the same, and that it is okay to be different. I understand the importance of education, and i am seeking to futher my education. I want every individual that I encounter to understand this concept as well.

the plan of action:

*Conduct meetings with community leaders(i.e. Community pastors, non-profit organizations, mayor)
*Get Schools involved( with the job I already have I have easy access to recruiting teens, and volunteers)
*Get the community aware.....(i.e.: Facebook, local news, news paper)
*Recruit Volunteers/ Board members (i.e. Church goers)
*Set up banking account
*locate a building for headquaters (i.e.: unused city building, or church building)
* Contact local food banks set up patnerships
*start partnership with local DHR

how you can get involved:

Individuals can help by contributing non perishable items, volunteering, making donations, and participating in the program

project updates:

Submitted by bri7232 on Wed, 02/01/2012 - 01:05

Check out our videos!

the problem:

Right now, more than 300,000 Kenyan youth live and work on the streets. Street youth face a life of disease, poverty, exploitation, and violence. Some street youth survive by collecting scrap metal for recycling as well as washing cars, while the more vulnerable turn to theft and prostitution. In Kenya, where education is neither free nor mandatory, many street youth have not completed Primary School let alone Secondary School. Millions of dollars are invested into humanitarian programs that offer food, clothing, and shelter, but they often fail to keep youth off the streets forever. In a country with an unemployment rate of 64% among youth between the ages of 18 and 35, street youth simply cannot compete in the job market.

vital stats:

people impacted:

300

people involved:

why it's important:

In 2008, I traveled to Nairobi, Kenya to volunteer with an HIV clinic in Mathare, the second largest slum in Kenya. The experience changed my life. Upon my return to the U.S. I changed my major from Biology to International Studies with the determination to go back to Kenya after I graduated.

I graduated in December 2010 and moved to Kenya in March 2011 determined to make a change in the world. Just a few short days after landing in Nairobi I met a former street boy, Wiclif Otieno. Wiclif's story, success, and passion for changing the lives of other street youth through KITO International was very inspiring. We became instant friends.

Wiclif taught me a lot about street life, poverty, and the importance of quality aid. I quickly fell in love with the KITO community and it didn't take long before Wiclif and I joined forces to continue KITO's growth.

the plan of action:

KITO believes that "moving off the streets" means "getting out of poverty." If street youth are given an economic opportunity that enables them to work their way out of poverty and become self-sufficient, they will stay off the streets forever.

Potential KITO youth are referred by partner organizations, recruited by team members, or apply on their own. KITO selects street youth through a participatory interview process. Successful applicants enter a vigorous 2 month training program which covers entrepreneurship, life skills, employability skills, and financial literacy. Upon graduation of KITO's Training Program, KITO youth are offered temporary employment with KITO's social enterprise, EcoSafi, where they learn to make bags from recycled material as well as practice the skills they have learned in a hands-on setting. KITO staff work tirelessly to customize each youth's exit strategy. KITO youth have the option to start their own business, go back to school, or find full-time employment.

how you can get involved:

Spreading the word about KITO International is very important to us. You can help us in these efforts by liking us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/kitointernational) or following us on Twitter (www.twitter.com/kitointl). KITO International is always looking for volunteers, interns, and donations to help us achieve our mission. To learn more about us please visit www.kitointernational.org.

project updates:

videos:

Submitted by FullCirclesFoun... on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 15:35

the problem:

Full Circles Foundation aims to grow "strong girls, a fair economy, and a healthy earth" in the Southeastern United States. Put another way, we seek to advance the interconnected goals of of girls' empowerment, economic justice, and environmental health.

Our mission of "growing strong girls" aims to forward solutions to the challenges of women's health, violence against women, and low civic efficacy among women.

Our mission of "growing a fair economy" aims to forward solutions to the problems of structural poverty and racial and gender wealth disparities.

Our mission of "growing a healthy earth" aims to forward solutions to the problems of environmental illiteracy and environmental destruction and degradation.

vital stats:

people impacted:

100

people involved:

why it's important:

Our vision is to provide a holistic, collaborative, long-term, multi-intervention empowerment track for girls who have high potential but who are facing big obstacles. Over the course of thirteen years (K-12), FCF girls will be paced through a series of community-powered, best-practice programs, including summer camps, afterschool opportunities, apprenticeships, civic engagement training, and hands-on microventure experiences.

In 2011, Full Circles Foundation launched our pilot project in Raleigh, North Carolina - a series of community-powered summer camps, The Strong Camps. The Strong Camps included Strong Self Camp, Strong Neighbor Camp, and Strong Home Camp; they emphasized the connections between personal, community, and environmental health. This strategy is called "intertasking" - that is, accomplishing multiple goals with one action.

the plan of action:

In 2012, Full Circles Foundation aims to hold the second Strong Camp series in Raleigh, and to launch another pilot in Lexington, Kentucky. These two programs will reach at least 70 girls. We also hope to launch the Green Apprentice in Raleigh, an apprentice program that will pair middle and high school participants with local women artisans and entrepreneurs.

how you can get involved:

n/a

project updates:

Submitted by kadeejah on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 18:36

the problem:

I want to keep our young troubled teens strong and help them achieve the dreams by staying in school furthering their education and getting good jobs. I also want to help them stay off the streets and out of jail and trouble and get their lives and minds back on track, and to help the abused become happy again.

vital stats:

people impacted:

people involved:

why it's important:

I want our women to suceed and to let them know that they are somebody. Lately our women and young teens have been falling but I want us to become a strong unit again.

the plan of action:

I will start by going to different schools and Rec centers telling people about this program. I want to create an all girls program with two different age groups. The first group which is ages 10-16 will be called Young Positive & Beautiful. And the second group ages 17-19 will be called No Men Allowed. The program will include Fahion, Hair and Makeup, Drill Team and Sports such as Soccer, Basketball, Bowling etc,, and most important education classes. After everyone gets comfortable in the activities, we will then introduce the most important part of the program which is Descussion Time. This is a time for all of our young teens to talk about what ever is on their mind. We will also have a TOPIC BOX where our young females will put what they want to talk about in a box and what ever gets pulled out, that will be the topic of the day.

how you can get involved:

People can help me by spreading the word and help me get started .