George Floyd’s brutal murder in 2020 shocked our country and inspired a renewed determination to promote greater equality throughout our society. For Andrew Walker it was a wake-up call that reminded him that it was the time to “not only talk the talk, but also to walk the walk.” He created Elevate to Even Plus to break this cycle of inequality for underserved students, offering them paid internships and mentoring with both nonprofit and for-profit organizations, and an opportunity for hands-on learning, making connections and setting a path for a future career. Andrew says, “These young adults are smart and motivated, only needing a chance to gain experience and confidence. Our role is to open the door to opportunities they would not get otherwise.” Participating nonprofits and businesses, meanwhile, get access to smart, motivated talent at little to no cost to them.
D-G
English B’Yachad*(English Together)-Skilled Volunteers for Israel
For many years, Marla Gamoran provided a meaningful way for people to volunteer on-site for Israeli organizations. As COVID made that work impossible, English B’Yachad was born. English language volunteers, working from their homes in the States, tutor Israeli young adults from the Ethiopian and other disadvantaged communities, to improve economic opportunity. The outcomes are profound!
Our funds are used for their minimal administrative expenses.
Fighting Online Antisemitism
Over the past 5-6 years antisemitism and cyberhate have gained even greater ground around the world. Tomer Aldubi, founder, later joined by attorney, Nir Kaplan, began Fighting Online Antisemitism (FOA) only two years ago. FOA has more than 200 trained volunteers across the globe who monitor seven leading social media platforms, reporting hateful content to those platforms and raising awareness of the phenomena of cyberhate among the general public (through educational workshops and webinars).
Our grant is used to help expand the volunteer corps, as well as for administrative expenses.
Everyday Boston
Cara Solomon is a born storyteller. Perhaps it was her earlier career as a journalist that directed her to create Everyday Boston, a powerful young program centered on the idea that “Stereotypes Divide Us and Stories Connect Us”.
Everyday Boston maintains an online multi-media library where residents share their stories. A youth program teaches kids empathy along with interviewing skills, while the Bridge Project provides formerly incarcerated people with a vehicle to tell their stories while becoming part of the community.
“More Than a Vaccine: Storytelling to Build Medical Trust” is Cara’s latest project. It amplifies the stories of Black, Indigenous and People of Color and bridges the divide between healthcare providers and BIPOC.
Our matching funds underwrite a digital media producer position.
For Good PGH
Who wouldn’t love to have Kristen Maser and Gisele Fetterman as neighbors? Their belief that in every one of us there is kindness that can be directed to helping others makes life in Braddock, PA, so much better.
This once booming steel town is now home to fewer than 2,000 residents, most living well below the poverty line. Be they struggling single mothers, or people with addiction, or families living with hunger insecurity—the two believe that inclusivity and diversity can make a better world.
For Good PGH offers hope and compassion along with tangible support. That includes food as well as Freestore 10514, a collection of converted shipping containers that offers local residents a place to shop for donated clothing, housewares and more, all free of charge.
Our funds are directed to Covid-related needs and are used to help purchase food and provide mental health support.
Food Project
It might seem to be all about food, but The Food Project (a program of UEmpower MD), housed in a former elementary school in the blight that is SW Baltimore, is so much more. Instead of the usual reading, writing and ‘rithmetic you expect to be taught there, Michelle Suazo and her small staff and volunteers with expertise in farming, behavioral therapy, public health and social work, focus on bringing hope and culinary skills to local youth who have little about which to be hopeful.
As the pandemic raged around them, programming became virtual and the organization quickly pivoted to provide food and other necessities to this poor neighborhood. The Project prepares and distributes
meals, giving participants on the job experience. They also run a weekly market and offers programs to help
young people cope with the increased emotional stress of the pandemic.
Our funds underwrite the purchase of food and administrative expenses.
