GTZP | A Non-Profit Podcast about Volunteering and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR‪)‬ Joseph Smalzer

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

In this episode we interview Nate Pietrini, Ed.D., Executive Director at High Jump. High Jump equalizes access to education for Chicago middle school students who have exhibited academic ambition and potential and who are of limited economic means. We provide academic enrichment, counseling and support to students of diverse backgrounds, with the goals of sending our participants to superior college preparatory schools, ensuring their success while they are there, and enhancing their ability to gain admission to highly regarded four-year colleges and universities.

High Jump empowers Chicago’s middle schoolers to become well-rounded leaders through our tuition-free programs, which offer one-of-a-kind experiences, resources, and educational support for curious and motivated 7th- and 8th-grade students who want to challenge themselves academically.

We provide a holistic learning program to help learners develop the skills they need to thrive wherever they go. The program consists of six weeks of daily instruction in the summer and an average of two Saturdays each month during the school year. Our curriculum exposes students to culturally relevant literature, themes, rigorous math instruction, and experiential learning.

What makes a student a scholar? A love of learning and a desire to seek experiences to challenge themselves socially and academically. Our students are intellectually curious and academically motivated; many are the first people in their families to attend college.

Want to learn more, donate, or get engaged?


Donate: https://highjumpchicago.org/donate


Phone: 312-582-7700


Email: ask@highjumpchicago.org


Website: https://highjumpchicago.org/


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


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


LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/high-jump/


YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@highjumpchicago



Guest Information


Guest Name: Nate Pietrini, Ed.D. 


Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate-pietrini-ed-d-70652354/

In this episode we interview Ausra Tallat-Kelpsa Di Raimondo, Board President at Blue/Yellow USA. Blue/Yellow USA's mission is to provide medical care, humanitarian, and non-lethal aid to Ukraine.

Blue Yellow USA's mission is to provide non-lethal medical aid and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. They deliver aid to high-risk areas near the front line and underserved areas. The organization was founded in 2019 and is driven by a historical connection to Ukraine and a desire to support its struggle for independence and democracy. They provide non-lethal aid such as protective gear, medical equipment, and rebuilding materials. Blue Yellow USA plans to continue fulfilling needs, rebuilding infrastructure, and maintaining support in the long term. They are seeking volunteers and support from individuals and encourage advocacy to ensure aid reaches Ukraine.

Takeaways


Blue Yellow USA provides non-lethal medical aid and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, focusing on high-risk and underserved areas.
The organization was founded in 2019 and is driven by a historical connection to Ukraine and a desire to support its struggle for independence and democracy.
They provide non-lethal aid such as protective gear, medical equipment, and rebuilding materials.
Blue Yellow USA plans to continue fulfilling needs, rebuilding infrastructure, and maintaining support in the long term.
They are seeking volunteers and support from individuals and encourage advocacy to ensure aid reaches Ukraine.

Sound Bites


"Our mission is to provide non-lethal medical aid and care and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, to its citizens, its defenders, all the way down to its animals."
"We've been very much involved in that history. I do a lot of research. I've been doing it for 30 years in on World War Two and in this area of what happened in Lithuania, the Baltics and other countries that are our neighbors."
"Short-term, we see ourselves fulfilling all these needs, including protective protection needs. Once the victory is gained, we will need less of the protection type stuff, but we will need a lot of the rebuilding materials, rebuilding medical facilities, providing them with equipment, providing them with trained personnel that now will be willing to come and work with different people."

Want to learn more, donate, or get engaged?


Donate: www.foblueyellowukraineusa.org/donate


Phone: +1 (630) 770-6551


Email: blueyellowusa@foblueyellowukraineusa.org


Website: www.foblueyellowukraineusa.org


Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/blueyellowusa/


LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-yellow-for-ukraine-usa/


YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@blueyellowukraineusa


Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlueYellowUKR



Guest Information


Guest Name: Ausra Tallat-Kelpsa Di Raimondo


Guest Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ausra.marija.desiree


Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ausra-tallat-kelpsa-di-raimondo-529180b/

In this episode we interview Vriti, Co-founder & President and Mike Peck, VP at Ed3 Dao. Ed3 DAO’s mission is to empower educators with the knowledge and tools in emerging technologies like AI & Web3, ensuring every student is equipped for the future workforce.

Ed3 DAO is a global community for educators who wish to catalyze innovation in education and reimagine learning with emerging technologies, with a focus on AI & Web3. First, we Educate. We provide free global learning events for educators both virtually & IRL, as well as partner with universities to deliver coursework for teacher development programs. Second, we Empower. We give micro-grants to members who want to facilitate peer-to-peer learning and we invite our members to take ownership of our community through a distributed governance model. Third, we Elevate. We help educators and institutions implement projects and innovations using AI & Web3, such as Learner Employment Records and virtual reality curriculum. 

Want to learn more, donate, or get engaged?


Email: people@ed3dao.com


Website: https://www.ed3dao.com/


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ed3dao/


LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/81369342/admin/feed/posts/


Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ed3DAO



Guest Information


Guest Name: Vriti Saraf


Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vriti-saraf/

In this episode, Joseph interviews Kerry Brodie, the Founder and Executive Director of Emma's Torch. Emma's Torch is an organization that empowers refugees and survivors of human trafficking through culinary training and workforce development. Kerry explains that she founded the organization after realizing that she had the passion and idea to create a culinary training program for refugees and survivors of human trafficking.

She was inspired by the question, "Why not me?" and decided to take on the challenge herself. Kerry highlights the mission of Emma's Torch, which is to empower refugees and survivors of human trafficking by providing culinary training and opportunities for workforce development. She explains that empowerment is important because these individuals have often been told that they are different, other, and not the same.

Emma's Torch aims to change that narrative by recognizing the inherent dignity and worth of all humans and providing them with opportunities to pursue their goals and dreams. When asked about the origin of including survivors of human trafficking in the mission statement, Kerry explains that they work with a wide range of individuals who have been forced to flee or migrate for various reasons.

They focus on tailoring their support to the needs of these individuals and have developed a range of training modules to address English language skills, conflict resolution, and employability. Joseph asks Kerry about the name "Emmas Torch" and she explains that it is a tribute to Emma Lazarus, a Jewish woman who advocated for refugee resettlement and wrote the poem that is now inscribed on the base of the Statue of Liberty.

The poem, titled "The New Colossus," speaks to the idea that welcoming refugees is what makes the United States strong and unique. Kerry shares the initial activities of Emmas Torch, which started with a minimum viable product approach. They provided three weeks of culinary training to three students and raised funds through a catering event. They then opened their doors in Red Hook, Brooklyn, and expanded their training to include employability and empowerment modules.

In terms of data and impact, Kerry mentions that Emmas Torch has worked with approximately 350 students since its inception. They have seen significant wage growth among their students, with an average earning increase of six times within the first year after graduation. Their students also have a high job retention rate of around 85%.

Overall, Emmas Torch has created over $7 million in increased wages. Kerry discusses the future of Emma's Torch, which involves expanding their presence in New York and Washington, DC. They are also exploring opportunities for replication in other cities and states with high refugee populations and a need for social services. In terms of engagement, Kerry encourages people to visit their restaurant, support their catering services, and follow them on social media.

She also welcomes partnerships with employment partners, nonprofit organizations, and anyone who wants to collaborate in supporting their mission.

Overall, Kerry is grateful for the opportunity to share the work of Emmas Torch and is inspired by the positive impact they are making in the lives of refugees and survivors of human trafficking. She hopes to continue growing and providing opportunities for individuals to build a new life and pursue their dreams.

Want to learn more, donate, or get engaged?


Donate: https://emmastorch.org/donate


Phone: (718) 243-1222


Email: Info@emmastorch.org


Website: https://emmastorch.org/


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


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


LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/emma's-torch

Lyric Amodia, Founder and Executive Director of The Movement Street, joins Joseph in this episode. The Movement Street is a nonprofit organization that redefines community service through impact and style. Lyric was inspired to start the organization after witnessing the effects of the Flint water crisis and wanting to make a difference. The organization aims to make community service more attractive and engaging for the community, with a focus on sustainability.

Lyric shares that The Movement Street initially focused on charitable giving and community give-back events, such as a back-to-school supplies giveaway and water distribution drives in Flint, Michigan. They have since expanded their activities to include educational workshops, health and wellness events, community yoga classes, and financial literacy workshops. They also host an annual gala event called the Creative Classic, which showcases black art in various locations.

When asked about the secret sauce of the Movement Street's success, Lyric emphasizes the importance of creativity, style, and personal connections. They aim to create a fun and engaging experience for volunteers and community members, making them feel like they are part of something bigger and inspiring them to continue giving back. They also prioritize treating everyone like family and fostering transparent communication.

Lyric shares stories of the impact The Movement Street has had on volunteers and community members. People have been inspired to start their own nonprofits, collaborate on initiatives, and think creatively about making a difference in their communities. The personal connections and collaborations formed through the Movement Street have left a lasting impact on individuals and businesses. Looking to the future, Lyric envisions expanding The Movement Street's reach nationally and internationally.

They hope to open community centers and hubs where programming can take place and foster connections. Lyric is also pursuing a master's in business administration to further develop their skills and run the organization full-time. To get engaged with The Movement Street, individuals can visit their website and sign up to volunteer or collaborate. They can also follow the organization on Instagram and TikTok to stay updated on events and initiatives.

The Movement Street welcomes anyone willing to serve and contribute to their mission.

Overall, Lyric emphasizes the power of creativity, socialization, and social action in creating positive and long-lasting change. They believe that together, communities can unite and make a difference through the power of creativity.