Week of July 12- July 19, 2010

Dear GEM NYC friends and followers this week’s post is truly a very personal one for me. I believe we can take a break from sharing the latest and greatest restaurant, lounges, and/or museum exhibit for a good cause. This week we encourage you to consider the value and personal enrichment that comes from donating your very precious time and Volunteer!

Yesterday I accepted an invitation from my friend Brenda Jones to speak to a group of women at her non-profit organization 4 Real Women International, Inc. (4RWI) in Brooklyn, NY. The topic was “Women in Media, Marketing and Advertising”, this General Assembly is part of LEAD! an eight-week workshop seminar, geared specifically to ‘reach and teach’ women aged 18-35 the personal 'life skills' that help build important self-trust, and foster a solid foundation of self-reliance and confidence. The experience of connecting with other women and sharing both my personal and professional journey was humbling and fulfilling. I am thoroughly impressed and applaud the commitment that all the women at 4RWI are making to empower and enrich the lives of all the women and the families they touch!

If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else. — Booker T. Washington

The following is a modest list of some equally important and commendable non-profit organizations that can use your help:


4 Real Women International, Inc. (4RWI)
Mission: To help women by equipping them with leadership and empowerment skills to effectively change their lives, the lives of their families, and their communities. The organization is run by women for women, and their families, with operations in the United States and internationally. 4RWI, Inc. develops and presents innovative and creative insight-gaining programs and activities for women in individual or group settings. We do this through peer-counseling, mentoring, online and on-site workshops, seminars, interventions, and support groups. www.4realwomeninternational.org.


Boys and Girls Club of America
Mission: To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. In every community, boys and girls are left to find their own recreation and companionship in the streets. An increasing number of children are at home with no adult care or supervision. Young people need to know that someone cares about them. Boys & Girls Clubs offer that and more. Club programs and services promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence. www.bgca.org.


Dress for Success
Mission: To promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Founded in New York City in 1997, Dress for Success is an international not-for-profit organization offering services designed to help our clients find jobs and remain employed. Each Dress for Success client receives one suit when she has a job interview and can return for a second suit or separates when she finds work. www.dressforsuccess.org.


Girls Education and Mentoring Services (GEMS)
Mission: To empower young women, ages12-21, who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking to exit the commercial sex industry and develop to their full potential. GEMS is committed to ending commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking of children by changing individual lives, transforming public perception, and revolutionizing the systems and policies that impact sexually exploited youth.www.gems-girls.org.


Big Brothers Big Sisters
Mission: To help children reach their potential through one-to-one relationships with mentors that have a measurable impact on youth. For more than 100 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has operated under the belief that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life. As the nation’s largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”), ages 6 through 18, in communities across the country. They develop positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people. www.bbbs.org.


Safe Horizon
Mission: To provide support, prevent violence, and promote justice for victims, their families and communities. Since 1978, Safe Horizon has provided support and advocacy for victims of crime and abuse. Today, as the largest victims' service agency in the United States, they are also recognized leaders in responding to the changing needs of their clients, and are sought out as experts on issues of violence and victimization across the country and around the world. www.safehorizon.com.


God’s Love We Deliver
Mission: To improve the health and well-being of men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other serious illnesses by alleviating hunger and malnutrition. God’s Love We Deliver prepares and delivers nutritious, high-quality meals to people who, because of their illness, are unable to provide or prepare meals for themselves. They also provide illness-specific nutrition education and counseling to their clients, families, care providers and other service organizations. www.godslovewedeliver.org.


The Multicultural Music Group
Mission: The basic mission of the MMG is to provide performances, instruction and professional development in multicultural music as a tool to promote global understanding, cultural awareness, and academic achievement. The presentations, training and instruction provide the constituents the opportunity to experience artistic growth and cultural awareness through the acquisition of specific knowledge, skills, and attitudes that contribute to a more harmonious society and a better lifelong enjoyment of music. www.multiculturalmusic.org.


Spoons Across America
Mission: Spoons Across America,® the source for children’s culinary education is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to educating children, teachers, and families about the benefits of healthy eating. We work to influence the eating habits of children through hands-on education that celebrates the connection to local farmers and the important tradition of sharing meals around the family table. www.spoonsacrossamerica.org.


El Puente
Mission: El Puente is a community human rights institution that promotes leadership for peace and justice through the engagement of members (youth and adult) in the arts, education, scientific research, wellness and environmental action. Founded in 1982 by Luis Garden Acosta, El Puente currently integrates the diverse activities and community campaigns of its Center for Arts and Culture and its Community Health and Environment Institute (CHE) within its three neighborhood Leadership Centers and its nationally recognized public high school, the El Puente Academy for Peace and Justice. Organizing in North Brooklyn and beyond, El Puente remains at the forefront of community/youth learning and development issues and as such, initiates and impacts social policy both locally and nationally. www.elpuente.us.


Women in Need - WIN Organization
Mission: Women In Need provides housing, help and hope to New York City women and their families who are homeless and disadvantaged. Through comprehensive programs such as shelter, supportive permanent housing, job training, domestic violence services, alcohol and substance abuse treatment and childcare, WIN offers the tools and guidance which allow our families to return to their communities and live independently. www.women-in-need.org.