find your cause Joseph Smalzer

In this episode we interview Livi Kerszenbaum, Senior Director of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at Orange County United Way. Orange County United Way’s mission is to improve lives in Orange County by delivering measurable long-term solutions to complex issues in education, financial stability, health and housing. 

Orange County United Way’s unique approach comes from an understanding that the community’s most critical issues are interrelated and must be tackled in an interconnected way to provide long-term solutions that break the cycle. Orange County United Way is focused on four key initiatives: 

United to End Homelessness

United for Financial Security

United for Student Success

2-1-1 OC. 

Want to learn more, donate, or get engaged?


Donate: https://givebutter.com/orange-county-united-way 


Phone: +1 (949)660-7600


Email: https://www.unitedwayoc.org/contact-us/ 


Website: https://www.unitedwayoc.org 


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnitedWayOC/ 


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unitedwayoc/ 


LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/orange-county-united-way/ 


YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ocunitedway 



Guest Information


Guest Name: Livi Kerszenbaum


Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/livi-kerszenbaum/ 

In this episode we interview Isaac Esene, Founder/Director at GoodWorks. GoodWorks’s belief is clear: to create safer communities, we must foster a more informed and proactive generation. Beyond just witnessing, we are cultivating a generation equipped to act, ensuring fewer preventable deaths and injuries in emergencies.

Through tailored workshops, strategic partnerships, and cultural engagement, we simplify crucial life-saving concepts like bleeding control, opioid overdose response, harm reduction, and CPR.

Want to learn more, donate, or get engaged?


Donate: https://givebutter.com/iVR97h


Email: operations@goodworkshealth.org


Website: www.goodworkshealth.org


Instagram: @dagoodworks


LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/86925972/

In this episode we interview Robb Munger, Founder & President of Exodus Place. Exodus Place’s mission is to Glorify God by meeting each man where they are. We provide a hand up rather than a handout by equipping these men with physical, emotional, mental and spiritual tools for successful reintegration into the community. 

Exodus Place is the largest transitional Housing Facility for men in Michigan. Transitional Housing is a stepping stone for homeless people who need temporary residence until they can afford long term or permanent housing. Exodus place can house up to 135 men at a given time and we call our residents members. We provide our members with a hand up not a hand out. Members pay low monthly dues (not rent) to live here. These dues include access to case management, education & job training, meal program, spiritual counseling, medical care and more. Although we deal primarily with the homeless population, we are not a homeless shelter. We're different for the following reasons: 


We never put an expiration date on a member's stay.


Members pay low monthly dues to live here.


We offer programs to assist in our members' development.



At Exodus Place, we understand that problems require big solutions that's why we're different from a shelter. We don't treat the symptoms for homelessness, we provide the cure. 

Want to learn more, donate, or get engaged?


Donate: https://www.exodusplace.org/donate.html


Phone: +1 616-242-9130


Email: info@exodusplace.org


Website: http://www.robbmunger.com


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExodusPlace/


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exodus.place.gr/


LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/exodus-place/


YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMrDXQpIbWhBJbOV-dhJQZA



Guest Information


Guest Name: Robb Munger


Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbmunger/

In this episode we interview Elizabeth Cushing, CEO at Playworks. Playworks’s mission is to improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.

Playworks is the leading national nonprofit leveraging the power of play to transform children’s physical and emotional well-being. With more than 25 years of experience, the organization aims to bring out the best in every kid and hopes that one day, every child in America will get to play every day. Through direct-service coaching of youth and providing training and consultation for adults working with kids, Playworks partners with elementary schools, districts, and community-based organizations to bring games and youth development practices. With an emphasis on social, physical, and emotional skill-building, students feel included while being active and developing valuable skills needed to thrive in and out of the classroom. During the 2023-2024 school year, the nonprofit is ensuring more than 600,000 youth in over 1,300 schools and community partners experience safe and healthy play during and beyond the school day nationwide.

Want to learn more, donate, or get engaged?


Donate: https://donate.playworks.org/give/46209/#!/donation/checkout


Website: https://www.playworks.org


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MakeRecessCount


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playworksrecess/


LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/playworks


YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/playworksorg


Twitter: https://twitter.com/Playworks

In this episode we interview Diana Canant, Founder and CEO at LifeSpheres. LifeSpheres’s mission is to To build resilience that empowers people to thrive by resolving trauma in peer-communities globally.

LifeSpheres, a California 501(c)(3) Public Charity and a South African NPO, facilitates trauma healing through a community program. They create safe spaces for deep listening and mutual support, addressing trauma effectively and affordably. Their PeerCommunity CoCare Program serves diverse communities, offering workshops on deep listening skills and tailored CoCare sessions. Graduates can further support others and access resources through follow-up workshops. Operating on a commitment-based model, LifeSpheres offers free services with support from donors who share their mission.

Want to learn more, donate, or get engaged?


Donate: https://www.turningthetideoftrauma.org/contact


Phone: 1.650.275.2537


Email: info@lifespheres.org


Website: https://www.lifespheres.org/


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TurningTheTideOfTrauma/


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/turningthetideoftrauma/


LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianacanant/

Lynn Margherio, founder and CEO of Cradle to Crayons, discusses the mission of the organization to end clothing insecurity for children. She shares her personal inspiration for starting the organization and the initial activities they undertook to understand the needs of families. Lynn highlights the growth of Cradle to Crayons over the past 20 years, from supplying 2,000 packages to children in the first year to projecting a million packages this year. She emphasizes the impact of the organization through feedback from agency partners and volunteers. Lynn also addresses the ongoing need for essential items and the importance of policy changes to support families in need. She outlines the future goals of Cradle to Crayons, including raising awareness, educating the community, and distributing more packages to children across the United States.

Takeaways


Cradle to Crayons aims to end clothing insecurity for children by increasing access to affordable, appropriate, and adequate clothing.
The organization has grown from supplying 2,000 packages in the first year to projecting a million packages this year.
Feedback from agency partners and volunteers highlights the impact of Cradle to Crayons in providing essential items to children and families in need.
There is an ongoing need for essential items, and policy changes are necessary to support families in need.
Future goals of Cradle to Crayons include raising awareness, educating the community, and distributing more packages to children across the United States.

Want to learn more, donate, or get engaged?


Donate: https://www.cradlestocrayons.org/donate-now/


Website: https://www.cradlestocrayons.org/


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c2cboston/ | https://www.instagram.com/c2cphiladelphia/ | https://www.instagram.com/c2cchicago/ | https://www.instagram.com/c2cnyc/


LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cradlestocrayons/


YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/cradlestocrayons