Doctors Without Borders

Week 30: Doctors Without Borders

This week, we are supporting the life-saving work of Doctors Without Borders (MSF). Doctors Without Borders helps people worldwide where the need is greatest, delivering emergency medical aid to people affected by “conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from healthcare”.

Their mission statement: Medical aid where it is needed most. Independent. Neutral. Impartial.

Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999, Doctors Without Borders carries out their work with respect for the rules of medical ethics. They “respect patients’ autonomy, patient confidentiality, and their right to informed consent. Doctors Without Borders treats their patients with dignity, and with respect for their cultural and religious beliefs. In accordance with these principles, MSF endeavors to provide high-quality medical care to all patients.”

The work in communities in crisis. They work quickly, effectively, and act based on medical needs and not political influence. I highly recommend reading more about the individuals who volunteer with this amazing effort. I am inspired by these heroic efforts to provide the best possible care and to fight for health as a basic human right, one that everyone should have access to.

The video above does a great job at explaining their work, but I would encourage you to dig deeper into the many projects Doctors Without Borders is a part of and their rich and complicated history of working in complex and often dangerous conditions.

It is an honor to support their work this week.

Have a wonderful Monday,
Jodi

The Painted Turtle

Week 29: The Painted Turtle

A few years ago, I was in a class at UCLA called Philanthropy as Civic Engagement. We were tasked with selecting nonprofits in the Los Angeles area to receive grants of up to $100,000. It was an incredible learning experience and I was lucky to be exposed to some wonderful organizations. One in particular, The Painted Turtle, stuck out to me above the rest. I couldn’t help but smile when I heard about their mission and was blown away even more at everything they do.

The Painted Turtle is a camp. Look closer, though, and you’ll see it is actually a place that seeks to inspire children with serious medical conditions to become their greater selves and have an absolute blast! A needs assessment showed that more than 17,500 children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses in California are unable to attend summer camp due to their medical conditions. This is where The Painted Turtle comes in.

“Their mission is to provide a year-round, life-changing environment for children with life-threatening diseases and their families – one that allows children to participate in an authentic camp experience by supporting their medical needs and offers their families care, education, and respite.”

Kids with more than 73 medical conditions visit The Painted Turtle each year. They have served over 49,000 children and their families through Summer and Family Weekend camps since opening in 2004. They offer innovative programs in a camp environment that offer a “great big dose of fun and support.”

As if this isn’t already wonderful enough - there is also no billing department at The Painted Turtle! Campers and their families attend camp completely free of charge. This is something I am beyond excited to support.

Here’s to a big dose of fun.
All the best,
Jodi

A Place Called Home

Week 27: A Place Called Home

Hi! Welcome back to another week of GIVE52.

When I was at UCLA, I was lucky enough to visit A Place Called Home. I met with the amazing staff and kids and really got a feel for the place. APCH is a dynamic, non-profit youth center located in South Central.

Their primary goal is to “help kids stay in school, go on to higher education, pursue successful careers, and develop into active, contributing citizens and leaders”. An astounding 1000 dedicated volunteers log in over 40,000 hours annually, joining caring staff to provide children and teens with “love, safety, enrichment, training, and opportunities through educational programs, counseling, and mentorship”.

They offer tutoring and homework support, as well as a full spectrum of instruction in the arts, athletics, dance and music. When visiting, I was amazed by the full community garden, sports area, dance classes, and music studio. Each child is able to pursue their passion and hobbies through APCH.

Writing about it here, I realize I cannot do it justice. This week, check out A Place Called Home, or find a similar youth center in your area.

Here’s to opportunity, mentorship, and a safe space to play and learn.
Have an awesome week,
Jodi