Jefferson Awards Foundation opens entry for innovative service ideas to activate and scale in 2016

New York (January 5, 2016) – The Jefferson Awards Foundation, the nation’s most prestigious and longest-standing organization dedicated to powering and celebrating public service, announces its call for entries for its 2016 LEAD360 service ideas contest. In 2015, the LEAD360 Ideas Contest awarded three students with the opportunity to scale, empowering them to reach more than 7.7 million people in nine months of activation.

LEAD360 is a platform for simple, fun and scalable service designed to offer accessible projects while measuring and celebrating impact. Open to young people between the ages of 5-25, LEAD360 begins by collecting big ideas for social change. Once submitted for consideration, the Jefferson Awards Foundation will announce the top three projects in March at their National Ceremony in New York City, which will then be activated nationally. Additionally, finalists will be equipped with resources and leadership necessary to scale their ideas.

Youth service project ideas for the LEAD360 Ideas Contest will be accepted online through January 31, 2016 at LEAD360.jeffersonawards.org. This year, there are 10 actionable areas of care for young people to submit ideas to:

• Animal Care & Wildlife Preservation
• Civic Engagement & Community Building
• Education & Literacy
• Elder Care
• Environment & Sustainability
• Health & Wellness
• Hunger & Poverty
• Infrastructure & Innovation
• Peace & Justice
• Veteran Care

“LEAD360 exemplifies the power of young people by supporting their ideas for public service and bringing them to a national audience,” said Hillary Schafer, Executive Director of the Jefferson Awards Foundation. “Each year we are amazed at the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the young people who enter the challenge, creating change not only in their communities but around the world.”

The submissions for LEAD360 will be voted on in February through a process of regional, national and online voting to determine the top three youth service project ideas that will be activated on a national level by the Jefferson Awards Foundation throughout the remainder of 2016.

In 2015, LEAD360 considered over 5,000 youth projects, engaged over 1 million young people, and impacted over 7.7 million lives. Last year’s finalists were considered in the categories of health and wellness, education and literacy and hunger and poverty.

• Brittany Amano’s The Future Isn’t Hungry collected 305,000 bags of food—exceeding her goal of 250,000 and attracting the support of local and national activation partners including Food Lion, generation On, Blessings in a Backpack, Hawaii Food Bank and more.
• Wesley Boone’s Gear Going Global tracked 275,000 pieces of sports equipment for kids in 3rd world countries and partnered with Rustic Pathways, One World Play, New York Giants, Indianapolis Colts & Indians and Wes received over $100,000 in scholarships.
• Patricia Manubay’s BIG IDEA for Dream Boxes resulted in care packages for 48,000 low-income students and attracted national activation partners from Family Giving Tree, KIND Snacks, and New Haven Reads.

Submissions for 2016 will be accepted through January 31, 2016. Ideas submitted after January 2016 will be considered for the 2017 Ideas contest.

About LEAD360

LEAD360 starts with collecting BIG ideas from young people for social change, asking kids what they care about and how they would fix it. JAF then takes the three best ideas, breaks them down into easy-to-do and replicable projects and makes them available to anyone to activate. Through activation, JAF also identifies individuals and organizations already active in each project area to aggregate and celebrate their impact. To learn more about LEAD360, visit: Lead360.JeffersonAwards.org.

About the Jefferson Awards Foundation

The Jefferson Awards Foundation is the country’s most prestigious and longest standing organization dedicated to powering and celebrating public service. JAF’s programs accelerate and amplify service, training and activating Americans to take action, and to be leaders in schools, communities, workplaces and the world. With celebration, JAF says thank you, shares the stories of America’s best citizens, empowering them to do more and inspiring all to take action. To learn more about the Jefferson Awards Foundation, visit: JeffersonAwards.org or engage with our community on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

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NEW YORK, Jan. 5, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The K.I.N.D. fund, which provides students in Malawi with desks and scholarships, has topped more than $10.5 million in donations, it was announced last night by MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell. Created in 2010, K.I.N.D. (Kids In Need of Desks) is the result of a partnership between UNICEF and O’Donnell and is featured during the holiday season on the MSNBC primetime show “The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell.” This past 2015 season, show viewers provided an outpouring of support, bringing the total funds raised since its inception to more than $10.5 million dollars.

“Ten million dollars was beyond my wildest dream when I started K.I.N.D. with UNICEF. I am in awe of the generosity of our audience. There are hundreds of thousands of students sitting at desks instead of on the floor today thanks entirely to our audience. There are girls in high school today thanks entirely to our audience. This is proof that small acts of kindness can make a big difference in our world.”

Since 2010, K.I.N.D has placed more than 148,755 desks in 575 primary schools in Malawi, providing actual workspaces to nearly half a million students who would otherwise be sitting on the floor. The fund has also provided over 718 scholarships to girls to complete all four years of high school. K.I.N.D. continues to benefit the Malawian community beyond the walls of the classroom as the desks are manufactured locally, resulting in numerous jobs created for residents over the past 5 years.

A very personal project for O’Donnell, the idea to create the fund was sparked after a 2010 visit to the country when he learned firsthand that the number one item that Malawian school teachers said would best improve the lives of the students was desks. During that trip, O’Donnell connected with UNICEF and a Malawi woodworking shop and paid for them to make 30 student desks. With three kids to every desk that first delivery enabled 90 students – a full classroom – to move from classroom and dirt floors to desks, and in turn began the K.I.N.D. movement.

To donate or learn more, please visit www.unicefusa.org/kind or call 1-800-4-UNICEF.

“The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell” airs M-Th at 10:00 PM ET on MSNBC. Drawing upon his experience as a former chief of staff on the Senate Finance Committee and as an Emmy-winning executive producer and writer of “The West Wing,” O’Donnell and his venerable guests give the “last word” and discuss the most compelling stories of the day.

About UNICEF

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to put children first. UNICEF has helped save more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization, by providing health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF’s work through fundraising, advocacy and education in the United States. Together, we are working toward the day when no children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.

About MSNBC

MSNBC is the premier destination for breaking news and in-depth analysis of the headlines through commentary and informed perspectives. Reaching more than 96 million households worldwide, MSNBC offers a full schedule of live news coverage, influential voices, and award-winning documentary programming – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. MSNBC also delivers breaking news and information across a variety of platforms including www.msnbc.com and MSNBC on Sirius XM radio. The MSNBC App for iPhone, iPad and iTouch also provide a customizable user experience with live streaming, clips of select MSNBC programming, and additional show content. Watch MSNBC anywhere: On Demand, online or across mobile and connected TVs. MSNBC is part of the NBCUniversal News Group, a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies, which is owned by Comcast Corporation. For more corporate information, visit www.nbcuniversal.com.

SOURCE U.S. Fund for UNICEF

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What we have learned and where do we go from here?

Santa Monica, CA – January 5th, 2016 — Howard Leonhardt, founder of BioLeonhardt and Leonhardt Ventures, will be presenting his team’s experience with stem cell based therapies for repairing damaged organs. The 2016 Academy of Regenerative Practices Winter Conference and Scientific Seminar will be Feb. 5th to 7th held at the Marriott Renaissance Fort Lauderdale-Plantation Hotel, 1230 South Pine Island Rd.,Plantation, FL 33324 -to register to attend click here – https://regenerativeacademy.com/conference

Leonhardt Ventures since 1982 has been involved with developing and bringing to market regenerative medtech and biotech therapies. In 1985 prompted by the publication of Dr. Robert O. Becker’s book The Body Electric they began experimentation to harness the power of bioelectric stimulation to direct regeneration and healing, later joined by Dr. Jorge Genovese. In 1988 Dr. Race Kao a Leonhardt research collaborator working with Dr. George Magovern completed the first muscle stem cell repair of damaged hearts in large animals and published the results the following year in The Physiologist. In 1994 working with Dr. Stuart Williams they began cell sodding stent grafts for aortic aneurysm and heart valve repair. In 1999 working with Wendell King they completed the first successful cases of biological pacemaker implantation (BioPace). May 2001 Leonhardt led the team that completed the first-in-man non-surgical repair of a damaged heart with muscle stem cells in Rotterdam, The Netherlands with Dr. Doris Taylor, Dr. Patrick Serruys, Dr. Pieter Smits, Dr. Warren Sherman and Dr. Kumar Ravi. Since that time Leonhardt Ventures has raised and put to work over $145 million invested in over 15 regenerative medtech/biotech startups that it has founded. The lions share of this funding and research has focused on regenerating damaged hearts. A current translational heart regeneration study is being launched with Dr. Eric Duckers in Europe. Spin outs from this original core technology now focus regenerating eyes, brains, breast tissue, limbs, arteries, heart valves, aortas, dental gums, lungs, joints, pancreas and skin – see www.leonhardtventures.com This full portfolio was presented last month at the World Stem Cell Summit – click here for links to each spin out > http://www.calstockexchange.com/bioleonhardt-myostim-to-present-at-world-stem-cell-summit-2015-atlanta-dec-12th/

Leonhardt Ventures and its associated innovation startup accelerator is led by a team of over 70 medtech/biotech industry veterans – http://calxstars.com/team-cal-x/ and 35 world opinion leader scientific advisory board members – http://calxstars.com/scientific-advisory-board/ ; The team has led numerous products from concept to market and clinical leadership positions since its founding. In the 1980’s they patented and pioneered predictably compliant cardiovascular balloon technologies POLYCATH TM, radiation delivery catheters, electrical stimulation for limb treatments and an artificial lung. In the 1990’s they developed the first commercially successful stent graft TALENT TM , the first percutaneous heart valve, first stem cell micro needle delivery catheters PROCELL TM and the first biological pacemaker made entirely of living cells BIOPACE TM. Since 2000 they have focused on stem cell based regenerative therapies supported by micro pumps, sensors, stimulators and personalized precision medicine. In 2001 they introduced the first cardiovascular genetic test onto the U.S. market, the Pla2 test, for determining the genetic risk for heart attacks helping to launch the era of precision medicine.

Leonhardt has over 200 issued U.S. patents claims and about 100 additional claims pending or in process – http://patents.justia.com/patent/8308708 including a pioneering patent for utilizing a specific bioelectrical signal to direct stem cells, via SDF-1, to any organ location stimulated and controlling their proliferation and differentiation – https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pdfs/US20050171578.pdf

The company’s flagship early stage development is a Whole Body Regeneration Chamber being developed by BioLeonhardt that pulls together into one unit all the separate organ regeneration and healing technologies designed with the goal to extend life by 30 years.

SOURCE Leonhardt Ventures

RELATED LINKS

www.leonhardtventures.com
www.bioleonhardt.com
www.myostimpacers.com
www.stemcellbra.com

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Call for Nominations

The University of Utah College of Social Work — with the ASUU student group, Voices of Diversity (VOD) — invites the community to submit nominations for the first annual Moving It Forward Social Justice Awards. These awards recognize the work of those who are dedicated to the goal of social and economic justice.

The College of Social Work, along with the Suazo family, recognizes that change comes to everything. As such, we will be moving forward with the Pete Suazo Social Justice Awards under a new name. The College of Social Work will to continue to recognize individuals and organizations who work to advance social justice advocacy and action—the individuals and organizations who keep “Moving it Forward.”

Nominees can be individuals, programs, agencies, organizations, or community leaders (public or private) who have shown initiative and leadership in furthering the cause of social and economic justice for all in the following categories: Community Organization Advocacy through Education; Individual Advocacy through Education; Community Organization Leadership and Advocacy; Individual Leadership and Advocacy; and Lifetime Achievement. Examples include, but are not limited to: developing cultural competency training programs, providing culturally sensitive and appropriate services, being instrumental in effecting policy change, or serving as an advocate for underrepresented and/or disenfranchised individuals/groups.

We will be presenting two awards: 1) one individual award, and 2) one organization award.

Completed nominations must be received by Friday, February 26, 2016, midnight. The Awards Ceremony will be held on Friday, April 8, 2016, at the College of Social Work – details will be sent at a later date.

“Compassion, social justice, and fairness are not lost ideals but practical guideposts.”

Sim Gill, Salt Lake County District Attorney
2012 Pete Suazo Social Justice Award Recipient
October 2012

Nomination Letter

In addition to this completed form, the nominator should submit a nomination letter that details why the nominee is deserving of a Moving It Forward Social Justice Award. The nomination letter should include as much of the following information as possible:

• Reasons why the nominee deserves this award
• Reasons why the nominee serves as a role model and/or advocate for social and economic justice for underrepresented and/or disenfranchised individuals/groups
• Specific activities that demonstrate advocacy for social and economic justice
• Types of community service and the number of years of participation
• Program and/or training development
• Innovative and effective policy change and/or implementation
• Outstanding service provision
• Community organization and advocacy activities

Letters of Support are encouraged

Letters of support can be submitted along with the nomination materials (preferred), or can be sent directly to the College of Social Work to irene.ota@socwk.utah.edu.

Nomination Submission

Completed nomination materials (nomination form, nomination letter, and letters of support) should be submitted to the University of Utah College of Social Work by February 26, 2016, via:

Email: irene.ota@socwk.utah.edu
Fax: 801-581-8455
Mail:

University of Utah College of Social Work
Attn: Irene M. Ota
Moving It Forward Social Justice Awards
395 South 1500 East, Rm. 228
Salt Lake City, UT 84112

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A New Donation From the Bonnaroo Works Fund Raises Manchester’s Artistic Flair

MANCHESTER, Tenn. – January 5, 2016 – The Bonnaroo Works Fund, the charitable arm of the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, recently partnered with the Manchester Recreation Complex to create a mural that reflects the Bonnaroo Works Fund’s continued mission of making communities healthier through the arts, education and environmental sustainability.

The recently completed mural overlooks the outdoor pool area of the complex and can be enjoyed by Manchester residents as they drive past.

According to Nina Miller, Bonnaroo Works Fund director, the mural fills a community need and underscores the Bonnaroo Works Fund’s mission of advancing the arts.

“The building hadn’t been painted since opening over ten years ago,” said Miller. “It was an easy decision for the Bonnaroo Works Fund to jump in and help reinvigorate this key community resource. The mural not only gives Manchester citizens something beautiful and entertaining to enjoy, it also celebrates the importance of art and the Bonnaroo partners’ ongoing commitment to its home community.”

The mural was painted by Nashville artist Bryan Deese in partnership with Beautify Earth, an organization committed to enlivening blank spaces, empowering artists and instilling pride in communities. It was created over the course of two weeks and depicts some of Bonnaroo’s most colorful and iconic touchstones from the farm, such as the arch, clock tower and fountain.

“We have had an exciting response from the community,” said Manchester Parks and Recreation Director Bonnie Gamble. “The mural grabs your attention, energizes the area and is a source of colorful inspiration for the children of Manchester.”

The Manchester Recreation Complex, located at 557 N. Woodland St., is a vital facility in Coffee County that provides affordable, quality programs and facilities that unite the community.

The completion of the mural is just one of last year’s Bonnaroo Works Fund projects. In 2015, the Bonnaroo Works Fund provided close to $300,000 in support to more than 50 organizations advancing the arts, education and environmental causes.

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Shavei Israel launches emergency relief fund to aid Bnei Menashe quake victims

CHURACHANDPUR, India, Jan. 4 – A 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck northeastern India early Monday morning killing at least nine people and injuring more than 90. The Bnei Menashe – descendants of the tribe of Manasseh, one of the Ten Lost Tribes – reported extensive damage to their community in the Indian state of Manipur.

“The earthquake struck early in the morning and buildings shook violently,” said Tzvi Khaute, Shavei Israel’s emissary to Manipur and a member of the Bnei Menashe community. “Thank G-d no one among the Bnei Menashe was injured or killed. There is, however, extensive damage from the quake.”

Shavei Israel has launched an emergency relief fund to assist members of the Bnei Menashe community affected by the natural disaster. Shavei Israel is accepting donations at: http://shavei.org/manipur-earthquake-relief/.

“We are in touch with the leaders of the Bnei Menashe community throughout northeastern India. Miraculously no one in the community was harmed, but we are concerned by reports of damage to homes and property,” said Shavei Israel Chairman and Founder Michael Freund.

In recent years, some 3,000 Bnei Menashe, whose ancestors were exiled from the Land of Israel more than 2,700 years ago by the Assyrian empire, have made Aliyah thanks to Shavei Israel. Freund added, “There are still 7,000 Bnei Menashe living in India and 700 of them, many of whom were affected by the earthquake, are awaiting final permission to make Aliyah in 2016. I call on the Israeli government to bring them home to Zion as soon as possible.”

About the Bnei Menashe

The Bnei Menashe (sons of Manasseh) claim descent from one of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel, who were sent into exile by the Assyrian Empire more than 27 centuries ago. Their ancestors wandered through Central Asia and the Far East for centuries, before settling in what is now northeastern India, along the border with Burma and Bangladesh. Throughout their sojourn in exile, the Bnei Menashe continued to practice Judaism just as their ancestors did, including observing the Sabbath, keeping kosher, celebrating the festivals and following the laws of family purity. And they continued to nourish the dream of one day returning to the land of their ancestors, the Land of Israel.

About Shavei Israel

Shavei Israel is a non-profit organization founded by Michael Freund, who immigrated to Israel from the United States with the aim of strengthening the ties between the Jewish people, the State of Israel and the descendants of Jews around the world. The organization is currently active in more than a dozen countries and provides assistance to a variety of communities such as the Bnei Menashe of India, the Bnei Anousim (referred to by the derogatory term “Marranos” by historians) in Spain, Portugal and South America, the Subbotnik Jews of Russia, the Jewish community of Kaifeng in China, descendants of Jews living in Poland, and others. For more information visit: www.shavei.org.

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HOUSTON – (Jan. 6, 2016) – A leading researcher at Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business has received a $1.5 million grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation to study the effects of entrepreneurship education on entrepreneurial success. The five-year project will work with leading startup support organizations in the United States to track the outcomes of a group of startups receiving a free, concentrated entrepreneurship curriculum.

“Many resources are thought to feed into entrepreneurial success, including technical knowledge, business acumen, professional and entrepreneurial networks and market conditions,” said Yael Hochberg, the Ralph S. O’Connor Associate Professor of Finance and Entrepreneurship at the Jones School. “However, very little evidence exists to support the notion that business acumen and education accelerate startup success. We believe our study will help develop sharp inferences that will contribute to our current understanding of factors contributing to entrepreneurial success.”

Photo courtesy of Yael Hochberg.

Hochberg, who is considered one of the foremost experts on accelerator programs and serves as managing director of the annual Seed Accelerator Rankings Project, is the grant’s principal investigator. This month she received the 2016 Ewing Marion Kauffman Prize Medal for Distinguished Research in Entrepreneurship. The medal, which includes a $50,000 prize, is awarded annually to recognize a scholar early in his or her career as an associate or full professor whose research has made a significant contribution to entrepreneurship. Prior recipients of this award are at some of the most highly regarded universities in the U.S.

“The Kauffman Foundation is widely recognized as the leading independent philanthropic foundation supporting entrepreneurship research and education,” said Jones School Dean Bill Glick. “Its award for Yael Hochberg and financial support for this research provide further validation of the impact and prominence of Rice’s scholarship in entrepreneurship, and we are very grateful to the foundation.”

The last decade has seen the proliferation of new types of programs, such as accelerators (fixed-term, cohort-based programs with an educational and mentorship component that culminate in a pitch event), and the re-emergence and growth of incubators and entrepreneurship and innovation-focused co-working facilities, Hochberg said. These approaches have been adopted not only by private investors, but also by regional development agencies and policymakers and by corporations around the world.

“Our research agenda aims to explore these new institutions and their features, and to answer a number of fundamental questions about their nature and efficacy,” Hochberg said.

“We expect the results of our study to be of considerable interest to many groups, including accelerators, incubators, local governments considering entrepreneurship education programs and educational institutions,” she said.

“Professor Hochberg’s approach goes well beyond the standard at most universities today,” said Rice University Provost Marie Lynn Miranda. “While many are offering activities around entrepreneurship, Yael is establishing the evidence basis for what actually works in activating the entrepreneurial capabilities of students – and in so doing, building a more robust program for students.”

Other key team members of the grant’s research team are Eric Floyd, an assistant professor of accounting at the Jones School, and Daniel Fehder, a Ph.D. student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Sloan School of Management.

Hochberg is also head of the Rice Entrepreneurship Initiative, a cross-disciplinary initiative to provide students from across the university with skills and knowledge to succeed in a world where entrepreneurial capabilities are increasingly critical for meaningful and influential careers.

Based in Kansas City, Mo., the Kauffman Foundation provides educational resources for U.S. entrepreneurs, works to accelerate metro-area entrepreneurship hubs and helps supporting organizations that assist entrepreneurs. The foundation also works to advance entrepreneurship by providing research-based knowledge to entrepreneurs, policymakers and others. In addition, it aims to foster economic independence by advancing youth educational achievement.

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National nonprofit hires accomplished food industry executive to accelerate efforts to end childhood hunger in America

WASHINGTON, D.C. Jan. 5, 2016 — Share Our Strength, a national anti-hunger organization, has appointed Peter Kaye as Chief Revenue and Marketing Officer. In this newly-created role, Kaye will unite the fundraising and communications departments to result in greater brand awareness and revenue growth for Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign, with the goal of ensuring every child gets the healthy food they need every day.

“Peter combines being genuinely mission driven with a solid track record of helping the world’s largest brands achieve communications and revenue growth,” said Tom Nelson, president of Share Our Strength. “We have bold goals to end childhood hunger in America, and hiring experienced corporate leaders like Peter is the type of bold innovation needed to measurably impact social change. We’re confident that Peter’s powerful combination of skills, entrepreneurial spirit and shared values will accelerate our progress toward achieving our mission.”

During his 20+ year career, Kaye has worked with major brands including Coca-Cola, Nestle, Diageo and Dannon, where he consistently drove substantial revenue growth by leading branding and marketing efforts across traditional, digital and social media.

Most recently, Kaye served as Chief Marketing Officer at the venture-backed startup NuTek Food Science, maker of the revolutionary “better-for-you” Salt for Life. Previously, he was head of marketing at Honest Tea where he achieved $100 million in revenue through innovation in events, PR, social media and digital advertising.

“I was attracted to Share Our Strength and its No Kid Hungry campaign because they use proven, practical solutions to achieve their mission, such as ensuring kids start the day with a nutritious breakfast and teaching families the skills they need to shop and cook on a budget,” said Kaye. “It’s refreshing to join a philanthropic organization that places importance on driving measurable impact, which is a requirement in the corporate world. I am excited to work with the team at Share Our Strength alongside our many partners, and to build new relationships that help end childhood hunger in America.”

About Share Our Strength

Share Our Strength was founded with the belief that everyone has a strength to share in the global fight against hunger and poverty, and that in these shared strengths lie solutions. Thirty years later, the organization has raised more than $604 million to combat hunger and poverty and is renowned for finding scalable, pragmatic solutions to social problems. Today, Share Our Strength is focused on ending hunger in America through the No Kid Hungry campaign. Since the campaign’s launch, No Kid Hungry and its partners have connected kids struggling with hunger with more than 460 million meals.

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Discusses strategy to drive positive impact while supporting business success in annual corporate responsibility report

MCLEAN, Va. – January 6, 2016 – Four years after launching its corporate responsibility strategy, Travel with Purpose, Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) says its investments in global partnerships and programs to activate hotel and office teams is not only driving positive social impact, but also supporting long-term business success.

“Travel with Purpose has played an important role in bringing our vision and values to life by uniting our organization around a set of global issues that connect our business to society. We continue to invest in issues we believe we can positively influence – creating pathways to opportunities for young people, building stronger communities and preserving our environment,” said Christopher J. Nassetta, president and CEO, Hilton Worldwide. “We’re proud of the successes we’ve had to date, and look forward to using guidance such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals to continue to partner with governments, NGOs and other businesses to do our part to address pressing societal challenges of our time.”

Travel with Purpose was designed to examine global issues where Hilton can make an impact while simultaneously contributing to its future success:

• Opportunities: Globally more than 74 million young people are unemployed, yet the travel and tourism industry will need to hire 73 million new jobs by 2022. Hilton announced a commitment to invest in youth in 2014 and has since reached more than 400,000 young people through apprenticeship programs, career engagement and life skills training.
• Communities: Tourism makes up 9 percent of global GDP and up to 40 percent GDP in developing countries so the success of companies in the tourism industry is directly tied to the success of the countries and communities where they operate. Around the world, Hilton hotels are active in their communities throughout the year and set aside each October to celebrate this commitment, activating 4,145 volunteer projects resulting in 213,000 volunteer hours during the 2015 Global Month of Service.
• Environment: Natural resources are diminishing 50 percent faster than the earth can replenish, and the survival of businesses from a wide range of industries – including transportation, tourism, finance, and food and beverage – will depend on their ability to manage the major risks posed by climate change, including depleted natural resources, the loss of biodiversity, and extreme weather conditions. Hilton has invested in proprietary technology to track, analyze and improve natural resource management across its portfolio, and as a result has reduced energy use by 14.5 percent, carbon output by 20.9 percent, waste output by 27.6 percent and water use by 14.1 percent since 2009, resulting in an estimated $550 million of cumulative savings.

Hilton recognizes that its most powerful asset is the people who work in its owned, managed and franchised properties and corporate offices, acting as “intrapreneurs” who find creative solutions to challenges in their communities every day. To support these ideas, and encourage more of them, Hilton has awarded nearly 200 Travel with Purpose Action Grants to hotels and offices that partner with local organizations to implement a project that addresses these global issues.

“Since launching Travel with Purpose, we have developed partnerships with organizations such as the International Youth Foundation, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the 100,000 Opportunities Initiative to advocate for key issues at a global level coupled with programs like our Travel with Purpose Action Grants to activate teams to address local challenges,” said Jennifer Silberman, vice president of corporate responsibility, Hilton Worldwide. “Now that our programs have matured we’re starting to see the impact we can have when we engage our hotels around the world and align on key issues that support the long term viability of our business while also benefitting society at large. We look forward to expanding our reach and deepening our impact in the coming years.”

Hilton discusses its strategy and provides updates on its global impact in its fourth annual corporate responsibility report, available at: cr.hiltonworldwide.com

About Travel with Purpose

Travel with Purpose is Hilton Worldwide’s corporate responsibility commitment to providing shared value to its business and communities by creating opportunities for individuals to reach their full potential; strengthening communities where Hilton Worldwide operates; and preserving environments through the measurement, analysis and improvement of the company’s use of natural resources. Visit cr.hiltonworldwide.com to learn more.

About Hilton Worldwide

Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxury and full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and focused-service hotels. For 96 years, Hilton Worldwide has been dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences. The company’s portfolio of twelve world-class global brands is comprised of more than 4,500 managed, franchised, owned and leased hotels and timeshare properties, with more than 745,000 rooms in 97 countries and territories, including Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton, Curio – A Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages an award-winning customer loyalty program, Hilton HHonors®. Hilton HHonors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to benefits including free standard Wi-Fi, as well as digital amenities that are available exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton HHonors app, where HHonors members can check-in, choose their room, and access their room using a Digital Key. Visit news.hiltonworldwide.com for more information and connect with Hilton Worldwide at www.facebook.com/hiltonworldwide, www.twitter.com/hiltonworldwide, www.youtube.com/hiltonworldwide, www.flickr.com/hiltonworldwide, and www.linkedin.com/company/hilton-worldwide.

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FAN Fund Co-leads $1.1 Million Investment in Medical Technology Company, TAO Connect

Orlando, FL – FAN Investors I GP, LLC (“FAN Fund”) is pleased to announce that in collaboration with New World Angels it has completed an investment in TAO Connect, Inc., a Florida-based medical technology company that provides online mental health treatment over mobile devices using an innovative set of integrated SaaS tools. The funding will be used for TAO’s continued product development, marketing and customer acquisition, and to hire several more full-time employees. The company’s current focus is on the university counseling and wellness center market, and this funding will allow expansion into that market as well as adjacent markets including: individual therapists, Veterans Affairs, and Medicare populations.

“Working with FAN Fund is a win-win collaboration. During discussions, they challenged us to organize our strategic thoughts and be thorough in our narrative. The principals understood our vision and provided helpful contacts and insightful guidance,” said Bob Clark, CEO of Tao Connect.

“The decision to invest in TAO Connect lies first in the qualities of the management team: business experience, domain expertise, commitment to the business, and the drive to succeed,” said Mitchel Laskey, managing director of FAN Fund. “Furthermore, over the past year TAO has proven its go-to-market strategy by successfully on-boarding over 20 large university counseling and wellness centers. We are excited to work with this talented team and to be part of an investment group of other experienced investors.”

This investment follows closely on the heels of FAN Fund’s investment in Fattmerchant, an Orlando-based merchant services provider with an attractive pricing model and merchant service tools which greatly enhance the client merchant services experience.

About FAN Fund:

The FAN Fund was established to invest professionally managed angel capital in growth-oriented companies in the technology and life science sectors in Florida. The Fund’s focus is in companies that that are in seed or early stages. The Fund takes a hands-on approach with its portfolio companies, and works closely with members of the Florida Angel Nexus (“NEXUS”), an entity whose purpose is to coordinate, educate and grow the community of angel investors in emerging companies and to promote the entrepreneurial environment in Florida. For additional information please see http://www.thefan.fund.

About TAO Connect:

TAO’s innovative online mental health treatment was developed when founder, Dr. Sherry Benton, former head of the University of Florida Wellness Center realized that she would never have enough staff to meet service demand using conventional treatment techniques. TAO has since licensed technology from the University of Florida and expanded on that technology with in-house developed intellectual property which has led to an integrated SaaS solution. The company believes their system of shorter interactive therapy sessions and work modules allows mental health professionals a 2-3 fold increase in the number of patients treated while providing better therapeutic results. For additional information please see http://www.TAOconnect.org

About Fattmerchant:

Fattmerchant is an Orlando-based subscription-based payment processor that offers unlimited credit card processing without markups or contracts. Fattmerchant helps businesses slash variable fees on credit card processing by paying a flat monthly membership. Without adding markups, basis points or surcharges to the interchange rates of Visa, MasterCard or American Express, Fattmerchant provides credit card processing for businesses at a fraction of the cost. For additional information please see http://www.fattmerchant.com

The post FAN Fund Makes Second Investment appeared first on My Social Good News.

Auction Benefits the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Children’s Literacy & Assistance Programs

LOS ANGELES (Jan. 7, 2016) – The SAG Awards® Red Carpet Bleacher Seat Auction, the second in a trio of online auctions benefitting the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, begins today at 9 p.m. (ET) / 6 p.m. (PT) at sagawards.org/auction. Film and television fans will be able to bid on over 100 bleacher seats, from which they can see their favorite stars walk the SAG Awards Red Carpet and have the opportunity to take pictures and request autographs during the 22nd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® arrivals on Saturday, Jan. 30 at the Los Angeles Shrine Exposition Center. Special VIP positioning includes front row seats with a terrific view of the red carpet procession and the stars interacting with the news media and fashion photographers. The auction closes Sunday, Jan. 17 at 9 p.m. (ET) / 6 p.m. (PT).

Proceeds from the SAG Awards Red Carpet Bleacher Seats Auction support the Foundation’s signature children’s literacy programs: BookPALS (Performing Artists for Literacy in Schools) and Storyline Online (storylineonline.net) where professional actors read to close to 6 million children in classrooms and online every month. The auction also supports the Foundation’s Catastrophic Health Fund and Emergency Assistance Program for performers in need.

On Saturday, Jan. 30 the SAG Awards Red Carpet Pre-show, including the announcement of the outstanding television and film stunt ensemble action performances honorees, begins at 6 p.m. (ET) / 3 p.m. (PT) and will be webcast live on sagawards.tntdrama.com, sagawards.org and People.com. The live simulcast of the 22nd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on TNT and TBS begins later, at 8 p.m. (ET) / 5 p.m. (PT).

The SAG Awards Ceremony Auction, the final auction in the series of online fundraisers, is scheduled to begin Friday, Jan. 29. Featured items donated by this year’s nominees and presenters will include autographed scripts, posters, wardrobe and props. Opportunities to visit sets will also be offered, as well as experiential packages from studios, sponsors and entertainment media outlets.

About the SAG-AFTRA Foundation

The SAG-AFTRA Foundation envisions a world where all artists can realize their dreams, and children are empowered to create their own. It is an educational, humanitarian and philanthropic 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, independent from SAG-AFTRA, and relies solely on support from grants, corporate sponsorships, and individual contributions to maintain its programs. The nonprofit gives back to the professionals of SAG-AFTRA, their families, and communities. The SAG-AFTRA Foundation provides vital assistance and educational programming to guild professionals while serving the public at large through its signature children’s literacy programs. For 30 years, the Foundation has granted more than $17 million in financial and medical assistance through its Catastrophic Health Fund and Emergency Assistance Programs, and $6.5 million in scholarships to SAG-AFTRA members and their dependents. In addition, the nonprofit has offered 6,200 free educational workshops, panels and screenings to union performers nationwide and its children’s literacy programs have brought the love of reading to more than 100 million children worldwide. For more information, visit www.sagaftra.foundation.

Connect with the Foundation:
Snapchat: @sagaftraFOUND
Twitter: twitter.com/sagaftraFOUND
Instagram: instagram.com/ sagaftraFOUND
Facebook: facebook.com/sagaftrafoundation
YouTube: youtube.com/sagaftrafoundation
Hashtag: #SAF

About the 22nd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards®

The 22nd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® presented by SAG-AFTRA with Screen Actors Guild Awards, LLC will be produced by Avalon Harbor Entertainment, Inc. and will be simulcast live on TNT and TBS on Sat., Jan. 30, 2016 at 8 p.m. (ET) / 5 p.m. (PT). TBS and TNT subscribers can also watch the SAG Awards live through the networks’ websites and mobile apps. In addition, TNT will present a primetime encore of the ceremony immediately following the live presentation. For more information about the SAG Awards®, SAG-AFTRA, TNT and TBS, visit sagawards.org/about.

Prior to the televised ceremony, honorees for outstanding television and film stunt ensemble action performances will be announced from the red carpet during the SAG Awards Red Carpet Pre-show, which will be webcast live on sagawards.tntdrama.com, sagawards.org and People.com beginning at 6 p.m. (ET) / 3 p.m. (PT).

One of the awards season’s premier events, the SAG Awards® annually celebrates the outstanding motion pictures and television performances from the previous calendar year. Of the top industry honors presented to actors, only the SAG Awards are selected entirely by performers’ peers in SAG-AFTRA. Members in good standing eligible to vote this year number 116,741. The SAG Awards was the first televised awards show to acknowledge the work of union members and the first to present awards to motion picture casts and television ensembles.

Connect with the SAG Awards®

Hashtag: #sagawards
Website: http://sagawards.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sagawardsofficialpage/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/sagawards/
Google +: http://google.com/+SAGawards/
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/sagawards/
Tumblr: http://sagawards.tumblr.com
Blog: http://blog.sagawards.org

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NEW YORK, NY – The Vera Institute of Justice (Vera) today announced a new year-long legal fellowship for a first-year attorney funded by the Clifford Chance Foundation.

Working primarily in Vera’s in-house legal department with its corporate counsel and special counsel on transactions, policies, and compliance, the Clifford Chance Foundation Fellow at Vera will also support Vera’s Expanding Access to Postsecondary Education Project.

The federal Department of Education recently announced the Second Chance Pell Pilot initiative to allow eligible people incarcerated in state and federal prisons to pursue postsecondary education through Pell Grants—federal financial aid to which they had been denied access by the 1994 Crime Bill. Through the Expanding Access project, Vera will provide technical assistance to correctional facilities that partner with colleges and universities as part of the experiment. The pilot program will generate a greater need among states to understand what their own regulatory options are—for example, some states have independent bars to funding higher education for people who are incarcerated. The Fellow will assist with researching these requirements, in addition to general organizational legal needs including nonprofit compliance; negotiation of a wide gamut of agreements; lobbying law and regulation; and employment law.

“We are thrilled and grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Clifford Chance Foundation on our shared goal of ensuring that our society lives up to both its promise of education and its rule of law,” said Vera President Nicholas Turner. “Vera’s attorneys play a critical role in our organization by allowing it to function efficiently, so that the only obstacles to our complex work are those inherent in it. We gladly welcome the addition of the Fellow to our team.”

Clifford Chance is a global law firm with U.S. offices in New York and DC. Since 2007, the Clifford Chance Foundation has provided funds at both a local and global level to community and international charities.

The Clifford Chance Foundation Fellowship at Vera will serve as the anchor of a broader pro bono relationship between Vera and Clifford Chance, enabling the organization to take advantage of the firm’s experienced attorneys while the Foundation invests in its mission of improving access to education.

The fellowship is open to all law school students in their third year and will begin in the fall of 2016. More information, including the full application, is available online.

The post New Clifford Chance Foundation Legal Fellowship Will Help Increase Access to Education appeared first on My Social Good News.

SDSU family development researcher Sarah Garrity has received a prestigious fellowship to help improve the lives of young children.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (Jan. 7, 2016) — San Diego State University education researcher Sarah Garrity, an assistant professor in the Department of Child and Family Development, was chosen as a 2015-16 faculty fellow in early childhood care and education for the Simms/Mann Institute. Eight of the 13 faculty chosen for this prestigious fellowship are from California State University campuses.

Simms/Mann fellows will be tasked with helping the CSU system to expand its early childhood care and education provider programs for youngsters up to age three. The CSU is recognized as a top national producer of graduates who go on to become teachers and administrators in early childhood programs.

Garrity’s research focuses on a concept known as continuity of care in early care and education (ECE) programs. Under this model, programs assign a primary care teacher to young children at the time of enrollment, and that relationship continues until the child turns three or leaves the program.

“Continuity of care recognizes that children develop within the context of nurturing and supportive relationships that develop over time,” Garrity said. “I have recently completed a qualitative case study of the successful implementation of continuity of care at the SDSU Children’s Center, and my findings point to an urgent need to explore ways in which institutions of higher education can prepare the ECE workforce to successfully implement this practice.”

The 2015-16 Simms/Mann Faculty Fellows will participate in a unique professional development opportunity in collaboration with faculty from the California Community Colleges while helping to build the CSU’s early childhood curriculum. They will each spend one year completing a project that translates neuroscience research into practical applications. Additionally, each Faculty Fellow will collaborate with an interdisciplinary cohort of professionals to focus on integrating the latest research into their classrooms.

“Through the generosity of the Simms/Mann Institute, the CSU is able to further invest in its early care and education program and bolster the number of graduates with early childhood expertise,” said Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs Loren Blanchard. “Learning starts at birth and by creating a knowledgeable and respected early care and education workforce, we will help create better students for the future.”

The Simms/Mann Institute Faculty Fellowship will prepare its graduates for working with the youngest children in the state. Additionally, 20 CSU campuses have early care and education centers on site, and these centers will serve as a vital place of training for the next generation of early care and education providers.

The post Improving Early Child Care appeared first on My Social Good News.

Outreach Training Institute is offering scholarships and job placement assistance for its Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) training program to those who qualify as low income and meet certain other criteria. Through a grant, unemployed or those earning less than $20,000 per year are able to enroll in the program located in Richmond Hill, Queens. In addition to free tuition, students receive career development guidance through services including resume-writing workshops, vocational assistance, internship and career placement, and much more.

The next cycle of classes begins on January 20th with other start dates to follow. Applications are strongly encouraged as there are limited scholarships remaining.

Since September 2014, OTI has also been providing skill-building workshops on study skills, clinical writing, and practice on electronic health records. These new workshops, all offered on the same campus, will not only prepare OTI students for the workforce, but help them keep and advance in the ever-changing field.

The scholarships are meant for low-income students and/or those with limited education, particularly those with a high school diploma or GED. Such candidates may be unemployed, working at low wage jobs, on public assistance or re-entering the workforce after a period of disability.

To date, more than two thousand people have taken advantage of the high quality training at Outreach. A large percentage have already graduated and moved on to jobs in the treatment field as substance abuse counselors.

To qualify, students have to meet the following criteria:

• Prior and current year annual income of $20,000 or less, or unemployed during that period (must be documented).
• A high school diploma or G.E.D (documentation required).
• Residency in the five boroughs of New York City.
• Other eligibility criteria

All applicants must also take a TABE reading/writing exam and participate in an interview.

The grant program will support scholarships for students with the following:

• 350 hours of classroom and hands-on training over tracks of 8- or 11- months, leading to fulfillment of all the course work required by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) for Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselors (CASAC).
• Introduction of new skill-building workshops, which include: basic writing and computer skills, clinical writing, and practice for Electronic Health Records
• Student advisement on attendance and course-related matters, and individual meetings with students on a monthly (or more often, if needed) basis.
• Ongoing Life Skills group counseling related to finding and keeping a job, etc.
• Comprehensive test-prep services to prepare graduates for the State CASAC Exam, including: regular study group sessions facilitated by senior faculty, one-day test prep courses on test-taking and study skills, etc.
• Internship and Job Placement Services and post-graduate follow-up assistance.

About Outreach

For more than 35 years, Outreach has been a premier provider of life-changing substance abuse treatment in New York City and Long Island. The organization is committed to making a difference in the lives of the people it serves. A non-profit organization licensed by the New York State Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) and operates in a safe, empowering and affirming environment.

For more information about Outreach, visit www.opiny.org. If you or someone you know needs help with a drug or alcohol problem, please call Outreach at (718) 847-9233.

For more information about scholarships, please visit http://opiny.org/outreach-training-institute, or call (718) 847-9233, ext. 2309.

The post Limited Full And Partial Scholarship Opportunities For The Outreach Training Institute Available To Qualifying New York City Residents Interested In Training To Become Alcohol And Substance Abuse Counselors appeared first on My Social Good News.

Four-Year Study Will Assess Impacts of Exoskeleton Use in Home/Community Setting on Patient Health & Well-Being

YOKNEAM ILIT, Israel and MARLBOROUGH, MA — ReWalk Robotics Ltd. (Nasdaq: RWLK) (“ReWalk”), the leading global exoskeleton developer and manufacturer, announced today the Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) awarded a delivery order to Veterans Healthcare Supply Solutions (VHSS), the Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) authorized distributor of ReWalk Robotics for the exoskeleton systems to support a first-of-its-kind national study.

The Department of Veterans Affairs is the largest single healthcare provider to persons with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) in the United States. This VA national research study seeks to examine the impact of exoskeletal-assisted walking in the home and community setting on quality of life and health outcomes in eligible Veterans with spinal cord injury. The study is planned to be conducted at 10 VA Medical Centers with Spinal Cord Injury Services across the United States. This is the first study in the United States to examine the impact of exoskeleton use in a home or daily life setting.

“The Department of Veterans Affairs has led the way in its examination of the impact of exoskeleton use and the correlated health benefits experienced by patients,” said ReWalk CEO Larry Jasinski. “We are excited they are continuing to build more quality research data that has the potential to demonstrate the value of home use of an exoskeleton.”

For this study, ReWalk Robotics, Inc. has already shipped six of these systems for the clinical trial. ReWalk is the only FDA cleared exoskeleton technology for individuals with spinal cord injury. ReWalk has Class II FDA clearances for exoskeleton use in the rehabilitation and personal setting, with the latter intended for home and community use.

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(Washington, DC) Foundations that operate with few or no staff are using a variety of strategies to make their grant dollars go further, according to Exponent Philanthropy’s 2016 Foundation Operations and Management Report. Exponent Philanthropy is the nation’s largest philanthropic member association, composed of nearly 2,200 individual and organizational members across the country.

“Despite their lean operations, Exponent Philanthropy members are a powerful force for change,” said Henry L. Berman, Exponent Philanthropy’s chief executive officer. “Many are achieving ‘outsized impact,’ the result of strategies that allow each dollar granted to result in more than a single dollar’s worth of impact.”

The report identifies seven grantmaking strategies that lead to outsized impact among member foundations. Ranked by the percentage of members that engage in them, they include:​

1. Make general operating support grants – 80%
2. Make multiyear grants – 68%
3. Use information received from grantees to inform grant making – 64%
4. Collaborate with other funders to increase impact – 61%
5. Make capacity-building grants – 58%
6. Convene grantees or organization – 37%
7. Make grants for advocacy work – 28%

Some 85% of Exponent Philanthropy member foundations engage in two or more of these strategies to help them achieve outsized impact.

The 2016 Foundation Operations and Management Report also includes the following findings:

• Foundation members collectively awarded an estimated $3.7 billion in grants in 2015
• Foundation members pay out more than the required 5.00% every year
• Foundation members fund more and provide stability in tough economic times
• Key benchmarks for small-staffed foundation grantmaking, governance, operations, and investments

“Funders who work with few or no staff make up the vast majority of the philanthropy sector,” said Berman. “On average, a member foundation gives nearly $1.8 million per year across 40 grants but spends just 14 cents per dollar in operating costs.”

Exponent Philanthropy members support many issues, including education (79%), human services (60%), health (55%), arts & culture (50%), and environment and animals (36%). They are funding locally (86%), at the state level (42%), regionally (26%), nationally (37%), and internationally (22%).

About the Report

The 2016 Foundation Operations and Management Report is based on the 15th operations and management survey of Exponent Philanthropy’s foundation members, conducted in Q2 2015. Data are also included from Exponent Philanthropy’s 2015 Foundation Salary and Benefits Report, based on data gathered in Q1 2015.

About Exponent Philanthropy

Exponent Philanthropy is the country’s largest association of funders—nearly 2,200 members strong—and the only one dedicated to serving foundations with few or no staff, philanthropic families, and individual donors. Our vibrant network has in common lean operations and a style of philanthropy motivated by personal passion, community needs, and the strong desire for better outcomes. We provide high-quality and cost-effective programs, resources, and connections that maximize our members’ dollars and time for the benefit of diverse communities and causes.

The post New Report Details How Foundations Create Change appeared first on My Social Good News.

Acclaimed Producer and Actor Joins Prestigious Group of Board Members for Leading Tourette and Tic Disorder Non-profit

BAYSIDE, NY – January 11 – The Tourette Association of America, the only national non-profit organization serving the Tourette and Tic Disorder community, is honored to welcome Jeffrey Kramer to its Board of Directors. Mr. Kramer, who himself has Tourette, is known for his outstanding career in the entertainment industry, including his award-winning television series “The Practice” and “Ally McBeal,” and his role as Deputy Jeff Hendricks in “Jaws” and “Jaws II.” Mr. Kramer is currently an Executive Producer at CBS Television Network.

Mr. Kramer has been actively involved with the Tourette Association since 1998, when he created the annual Champion of Children Dinner to raise money and awareness the Association and the disorder. The event, hosted until 2008, grew tremendously and was once the largest fundraising event hosted by the Association.

In 2014, Mr. Kramer was honored with the Tourette Association of America’s Lifetime Achievement Award for nearly two decades of dedication and commitment toward raising positive awareness and understanding about Tourette, and he will continue this advocacy in his new role on the Board of Directors.

“I have become deeply involved with the Tourette Association of America over the years and continue to be amazed by the work that they do to fund research and provide ongoing support for those, including my own family, who are affected by Tourette,” says Mr. Kramer. “I’m excited to join the Board and become more ingrained in the crucial behind-the-scenes work required to raise awareness for this misunderstood neurological condition.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Kramer to our Board of Directors,” says Michelle Barnes, Interim CEO of the Tourette Association of America. “His demonstrated success to further our mission of making life better for all those affected by Tourette and Tic Disorders as well as his endless energy makes him a valuable addition and we look forward to working with him more closely.”

Mr. Kramer received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Ithaca College in New York. He is the recipient of numerous Emmy, Peabody and Producers Guild of America Awards and resides in Los Angeles, California with his family.

About Tourette Syndrome and Tics

Tourette Syndrome is part of a spectrum of hereditary, childhood-onset, neuro developmental conditions referred to as Tic Disorders. These conditions affect both children and adults, causing them to make sudden, uncontrollable movements and/or sounds called tics (e.g. head bobbing, arm jerking, shoulder shrugging and grunting). Non-tic features, such as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning difficulties, often develop in affected individuals. Symptoms in Tic Disorders can range from mild to severe and, in some cases, can be self-injurious, debilitating and markedly reduce quality of life. While some treatments are available for people with Tourette and other Tic Disorders, approaches to care are inconsistent, medications are often ineffective and there is no cure.

About the Tourette Association of America

Founded in 1972, the Tourette Association of America is dedicated to making life better for all individuals affected by Tourette and Tic Disorders. The only nationwide organization serving this community, the Association works to raise awareness, fund research and provide on-going support. The Tourette Association directs a network of 32 Chapters and support groups across the country. For more information on Tourette and Tic Disorders, call 1-888-4-TOURET and visit us at tourette.org, and on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

The post Tourette Association of America Welcomes Jeffrey Kramer to Board of Directors appeared first on My Social Good News.

32,000 cyclists to ride 40 miles through five boroughs of NYC on car-free streets in America’s largest charitable bike ride; proceeds fund largest free urban bike education program in the country

EVENT: Registration opens for 39th Annual TD Five Boro Bike Tour Presented by REI

DETAILS: Registration for the world’s biggest charitable bike ride opens Tuesday, January 12th, at 10:00AM EST. The 39th Annual TD Five Boro Bike Tour will take place on May 1, 2016. On that morning, 32,000 cyclists from every state in the nation and dozens of countries around the world will come together in lower Manhattan in support of Bike New York’s free bike education programs. From there, they will ride 40 miles through the five boroughs of New York City on car-free streets, including over the Queensboro and Verrazano-Narrows Bridges. Using proceeds from the Tour, Bike New York has, over the years, taught bike skills to tens of thousands of kids and adults throughout the five boroughs. The nonprofit’s bike education program is the largest of its kind in the country—last year alone, more than 17,000 kids and adults learned bike skills.

“The opportunity to experience 40 miles of car-free streets in the most exciting and diverse city in the world is what keeps folks coming back to the TD Five Boro Bike Tour year after year,” says Ken Podziba, President/CEO of Bike New York. “We continue to make improvements—whether it’s more entertainment, better food options, or an increased focus on environmental responsibility—to provide the best possible experience for our 32,000 riders. And the fact that proceeds from the Tour help teach thousands of our fellow New Yorkers to grab life by the handlebars makes all this fun that much more meaningful.”

Media participation/coverage of the Tour itself is encouraged; interested journalists are invited to apply at http://www.bike.nyc/events/td-five-boro-bike-tour/media.

REGISTRATION DATE/TIME: January 12, 2016, at 10:00AM EST

About Bike New York

Bike New York is 5O1(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free bike education programs throughout the five boroughs. In 2015 alone, they taught bike skills to more than 17,OOO kids and adults. Funding for these programs comes from the organization’s numerous annual events, including the TD Five Boro Bike Tour, Bike Expo New York, and smaller regional and local rides. www.bike.nyc

The post Registration For 39th Annual TD Five Boro Bike Tour Opens January 12th At 10:00AM appeared first on My Social Good News.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Friends of the Earth U.S. announces Michelle Chan has been promoted to vice president of programs where she will lead program and campaign planning and develop major organizational strategies. With more than 20 years’ experience, Chan is Friends of the Earth U.S.’s longest-serving staff member.

Michelle Chan

As the organization prepares to take bolder strides toward its economic, racial and environmental justice goals, Chan will play a crucial leading role that builds upon her experience and insights.

Previously, she led Friends of the Earth U.S.’ economic policy team, which works to reform international trade rules, get money out of politics, promote sustainable finance policies at public and private financial institutions, and to green U.S. tax and budget policy. She is the founder of BankTrack, and the current vice president of the Amazon Watch board. She has served on the boards of Ceres, the Council for Responsible Public Investment, the Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment; and was a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index Advisory Committee. In 2002 received the Social Investment Forum’s Service Award for outstanding contributions to the field of socially responsible investing. She graduated from the Division of Honors with degrees in Economics, Development Studies and Geography from the University of California at Los Angeles.

“Michelle Chan’s experience, leadership and accomplished record have strengthened Friends of the Earth for two decades,” said Friends of the Earth U.S. President Erich Pica. “In this new, and well-deserved role, she will help to advance the organization toward several strategic goals and position FOE toward greater outreach, campaign success and deepening our legacy as champions for a healthy and just world. I look forward to working with her to win hard battles for systemic, social and environmental change.”

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Two Ethical Partners Join Forces to Further Women’s Empowerment

NEW YORK, NY — (Marketwired – December 08, 2015) – World-renowned jewelry designer Kara Ross is thrilled to announce a strategic partnership with CanadaMark diamonds around Ross’ new brand DIAMONDS UNLEASHED. Under this strategic alliance DIAMONDS UNLEASHED will only be using CanadaMark diamonds, which is owned by Dominion Diamond Corporation, in pursuing initiatives surrounding the women’s empowerment movement. The #BeBrilliant Collection for Neiman Marcus launches this month and the first collection of co-branded DIAMONDS UNLEASHED jewelry featuring CanadaMark diamonds is expected to debut in March/April 2016 at retailers HSN and Neiman Marcus.

DIAMONDS UNLEASHED is a brand with a social purpose launching this December to promote and support women’s empowerment. The mission is to engineer a great rethink about how diamonds are bought, given and perceived and then to use that shift as a platform to address issues that enable women to achieve their potential. The brand will be brought to life through a collection of jewelry and other products, a powerful network of influential ambassadors, and a platform of compelling content that is educational and engaging. DIAMONDS UNLEASHED has partnered with She’s the First and Girls Who Code and will donate 100% net profits to each organization.

“From the conception of DIAMONDS UNLEASHED it has always been my goal to partner with CanadaMark diamonds,” said founder Kara Ross. “They are the epitome of an ethical brand partner. Canadian mines from where CanadaMark diamonds are sourced are completely committed to working with and benefiting their local Aboriginal community partners, protecting the environment and promoting a safe and healthy workplace with fair pay for all workers. The prestige of their diamonds speaks for the quality I would like my DIAMONDS UNLEASHED products to have,” noted Ross.

The CanadaMark program assures consumers worldwide that their polished diamond is of Canadian origin. Every CanadaMark diamond is responsibly mined in Canada’s Northwest Territories, natural and untreated, tracked through audited processes at every stage from country of origin to polished stone, and polished to meet specific quality standards. Once a diamond has been accepted into the CanadaMark program, it is laser inscribed with the CanadaMark logo and a unique serial number. This number is recorded on a certificate card, which accompanies the diamond on the rest of its journey. The result is an ethically mined and beautifully cut diamond that can be worn with pride.

“We are delighted that CanadaMark diamonds has found a perfect partner in Kara Ross’ exciting DIAMONDS UNLEASHED brand,” said Jim Pounds, Executive Vice President, Diamonds, Dominion Diamond Corporation. “The CanadaMark hallmark speaks to excitement, to stunningly beautiful diamonds, but diamonds that also represent authenticity, social responsibility, uniqueness and fairness. Kara’s vision and mission which celebrates that women, like diamonds, are brilliant, multi-faceted and unbreakable is truly inspiring. We are excited to work with DIAMONDS UNLEASHED, a brand that also reflects our values and which symbolizes, promotes and supports women’s empowerment worldwide,” said Pounds.

For more information about DIAMONDS UNLEASHED, please visit www.diamondsunleashed.org and follow our social channels Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DiamondsUnleashed Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diamondsunleashed/ and Twitter: https://twitter.com/diamondsunleash

ABOUT DIAMONDS UNLEASHED

DIAMONDS UNLEASHED is a brand with a social purpose launched by world-renowned jewelry designer Kara Ross to promote and support women’s empowerment. The mission is to engineer a great rethink about how diamonds are bought, given and perceived and then to use that shift as a platform to address issues that enable women to achieve their potential.

DIAMONDS UNLEASHED encapsulates two DIAMONDS UNLEASHED BY KARA ROSS collections, charitable partners, an education and awareness platform, robust social media campaigns and a powerful network of influential ambassadors who have signed on to support our mission.

ABOUT THE CANADAMARK™ PROGRAM

The CanadaMark diamond hallmark program is owned by Dominion Diamond Corporation. Every CanadaMark diamond is responsibly mined in the Northwest Territories, natural and untreated, tracked through audited processes at every stage from country of origin to polished stone, and polished to meet specific quality standards.

The CanadaMark program is unique in this regard. It effectively creates an unbroken and independently audited chain of origin. For more information, please visit www.canadamark.com.

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