Project HEAL: Help to Eat, Accept, and Live
the problem:
Project HEAL is designed to influence a worldwide community. Specifically, the money raised goes to those suffering from eating disorders who cannot afford treatment. However, many people, of all ages and both genders, are affected by body image issues (even if they do not have full-blown diagnosed eating disorders) because of today's media-saturated society. We want to encourage these people to accept their bodies. We are aware that this issue has been addressed by others before. However, we hope to have more of an impact as former eating disorder sufferers who are now well into recovery. It is our goal to reach out and insprie others to accept their physical appearances by sharing our personal stories.
vital stats:
people impacted:
0people involved:
0why it's important:
The mission of this project is to raise money to help people suffering from eating disorders who want to pursue recovery, but cannot afford the appropriate treatment. Residential treatment usually costs about $30,000 per month. Insurance companies are rarely willing to cover this cost because they do not recognize eating disorders as an illness. People seeking our help must send an email describing why they have chosen to begin recovery at this point in their lives, what they hope to gain from treatment, and a brief background on themselves. Then, the three founders (Becky, Kristina, and Liana), with the help of Dr. Ira Sacker, nutritionist Wendy Meyer, and therapist Christina Carrad, will determine who we feel would benefit most from our funds. Next, both our committe and the patient we are providing funds for will determine an appropriate treatment center. Following up on this, we will keep in contact with this person with the hopes that it will encourage them to continue fighting for recovery. Additionally, we encourage all people to accept their bodies. We understand that it is difficult for people in today's media-saturated society to feel complete love for their physical appearances. However, we strongly believe that all individuals are capable of achieving acceptance. Accepting one's body, even without loving it, greatly helps in recovery as well as diminishing society's obsession with physical appearance.
the plan of action:
After the idea for Project HEAL was developed by Becky Allen (age 15), Kristina Saffran (age 16), and Liana Rosenman (age 17), it was promoted through a group on Facebook. The group currently has over 800 members from thirty-one states and places as far away as Canada, England, Italy, and even Australia. The success of this group influenced us to create our own website. The website contains our stories, information about our organization, and merchandise sold to raise money for our organization. Next, we filed for non-profit status with the state of New York. We received our certificate of incorporation on May 8, 2008. We are also pending 501(c)3 status with the Internal Revenue Service. Currently, we have been selling bracelets and tshirts designed just for Project HEAL. In only three weeks we have made over $1000. Becky, Kristina, and Liana have already been featured for the founding of Project HEAL on the Sam Greenfield Radio on WVNJ 1160 AM and are scheduled for an interview with Newsday on June 23, 2008. We are also working to plan our first fundraiser. It will be a brunch on Sunday, September 14, 2008 at Crabtrees Restaurant in Floral Park, NY. We will sell our t-shirts, bracelets, as well as hold a silent auction at this event in order to raise money.
how you can get involved:
Others can support us by joining our group on Facebook. Also, they can buy bracelets and t-shirts through our website or just make a donation through out website. Currently, we are also looking for donations for the silent auction that will be conducted at our brunch in September.
project updates:
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