Week of November 22 - November 29, 2010

We are 3 days away from Thanksgiving Day, menu planning is in full swing, kitchen duties have been assigned and we will soon sit around the dinner table with our families and friends, and give thanks for all our blessings.

Thanksgiving Day is also a time when I think about those that are less fortunate and how important it is to give back. If like me, you too share this sentiment the following is a list of organizations that could use your help on Thanksgiving Day and every day...

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BOWERY MISSION

The Bowery Mission has served homeless and hungry New Yorkers since 1879, when its neighborhood came to define the term "skid row"; Our children's programs, called Kids With A Promise, serve at-risk youth and began in 1894 by giving the children of recent immigrants the chance to escape the tenements in the summer. Today, The Bowery Mission & Kids With A Promise is a results-oriented organization that is recognized as one of New York City's most effective.

www.bowery.org. Bowery Mission, 227 Bowery between Rivington and Stanton Streets. (212) 674-3456. To Volunteer contact: Matt Krivich (info@bowery.org)

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CITYMEALS-ON-WHEELS

Citymeals-on-Wheels raises private funds to ensure no homebound elderly New Yorker will ever go a day without food or human company. Last year, our

family of contributors helped us bring over 2.1 million nutritious meals to 17,713 frail aged in every borough of New York City. In addition, over 1,500 volunteers collectively spent 62,000 hours visiting and delivering meals to New York's frail aged. One hundred percent of all public donations go to the preparation and delivery of meals.

www.citymeals.org. Citymeals-on-Wheels,355 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10017. (212) 687-1234. To volunteer contact: info@citymeals.org

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FOOD BANK FOR NEW YORK CITY

In New York City, the number of New Yorkers who report difficulty affording needed food has doubled to four million since 2003. Food Bank For New York City works to end hunger and increase access to affordable, nutritious food for low-income New Yorkers through a comprehensive group of programs that combat hunger and its causes. From food distribution and nutrition curricula to free tax assistance and disaster relief, learn about how our programs help New Yorkers in need throughout the five boroughs.

www.foodbanknyc.org. Food Bank for New York City, 39 Broadway, 10th Floor, New York, NY

10006. (212)566-7855. To Volunteer contact: volunteer@foodbanknyc.org

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GOD'S LOVE WE DELIVER

The mission of God's Love We Deliver is 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. We prepare

and deliver nutritious, high-quality meals to people who, because of their illness, are unable to provide or prepare meals for themselves. We also provide illness-specific nutrition education and counseling to our clients, families, care providers and other service organizations. All of our services are provided free of charge without regard to income.

www.glwd.org. God's Love We Deliver, 166 Sixth Ave at Spring St. (212) 294-8100. To check out Neighborhood Meals Distribution Center in your area follow this link: www.glwd.org/volunteers/delivery.jsp To Volunteer contact: Susan Oher (volunteer@glwd.org)

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NEW YORK CARES

New York Cares was founded by a group of friends who wanted to take action against the serious social issues that faced our city in the late 1980s. Finding few options to help, they created their own organization to address the problems from the ground up. New York Cares is now the city's leading volunteer organization, bringing vital volunteer support to

thousands of nonprofit agencies, public schools, and other deserving organizations. Today's volunteers share our founders' vision that we all have a role to play in making our city a better place. There are dozens of programs you can take

part in over Thanksgiving week's from serving meals to running children's art projects. All volunteers are required to go through a one-hour orientation before signing up for a program; the orientations, which can be booked online, take place every Monday through Thursday, until

Tuesday 23rd.

New York Cares, 214 W 29th St between Seventh and Eighth Aves. (212) 228-5000. www.newyorkcares.org. To Volunteer contact: Conor Carroll (info@newyorkcares.org)

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SALVATION ARMY GREATER NY

The Salvation Army is an international, faith-based charitable organization with a simple mission: to help those in need without discrimination. There are overarching themes that run throughout The Salvation Army's faith-based humanitarian efforts in the United States and beyond, such as relief for victims of disasters, alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs, food, and shelter. The programs and services that each country, territory, or division offers differ drastically depending on the populations they serve. For insta

nce, programs in a third-world country might include a medical clinic or midwifery school, whereas a program in an urban region of the United States might attempt to remedy a lack of extracurricular education for youth by starting a basketball program or a music class.

www.use.salvationarmy.org/gnyd To Volunteer contact: Jennifer Groff (jennifer.groff@use.salvationarmy.org) or (212) 337-7324

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ST. JOHNS BREAD AND LIFE

Bread and Life daily addresses the issues of hunger and poverty in Brooklyn and Queens. Every day, Bread and Life serves over one thousand meals to hungry New Yorkers. We provide these services both at our Lewis Avenue facility and through our unique Mobile Soup Kitchen. For many, the meals that Bread and Life provide are the only meals they

have. Our goal is to combat poverty and help people achieve self-sufficiency, in addition to educating the public and increasing awareness about meals to needy New Yorkers.

www.breadandlife.org. St. JohnR17;s Bread and Life Program, 795 Lexington Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11221. (718) 574-0058.To Volunteer contact: Lavern Spencer (spencerl@breadandlife.org) or (718) 574-0058 ext. 126

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YORKVILLE COMMON PANTRY

YCP's Pantry Program is New York City's largest community-based food pantry and is designed to meet the needs of our families by providing culturally-appropriate and nutritiously-balanced food. Every

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, YCP distributes grocery packages to between 1600 and 1800 families. YCP's Project Dignity is designed to meet other needs of homeless and hungry individuals in our community and consists of a range of services designed to meet the most basic needs of YCP's clients - food, shelter, hygiene, medical services - as well as the larger, more challenging issues they face - long-term housing, health care, benefits and employment. The overall goal of the Program is to serve as a bridge back to health, well-being and self-sufficiency for our homeless and hungry clients.

www.ycp.org. Yorkville Common Pantry, 8 East 109th Street, New York, NY 10029. (917)

720-9700. To Volunteer contact: Gladys Ortiz (gortiz@ycp.org) or (917) 720-9710/ Cell: (646) 280-5939

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Urban Latino

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.