Goodman JFS of Broward County’s Post

🎒 Support the "Basics and Belonging for Back to School" Campaign! 🎒 As the new school year approaches, it's crucial that teens feels confident and prepared. Making Changes Association is dedicated to ensuring that teen girls have the essentials they need to thrive through the "Basics and Belonging for Back to School" campaign. 💡 About the Campaign: Basics: Providing necessary school supplies and clothing to ensure teen girls are equipped for success. Belonging: Ensuring that students feel a sense of belonging and confidence as they start the new school year. 🌟 Double Your Impact: From now until September 28th, every contribution to this campaign will be matched by 50%. Join me in making a difference in the lives of teen girls as they head back to school. Your generosity, matched by 50% until September 28th, can help create brighter futures. #BackToSchool #MakingChanges #Donate #CommunityImpact #EmpowerKids #BasicsAndBelonging

This year, my annual free holiday gift shop is going to look a bit different. While I’ll still be bringing sweet treats (peppermint bark, toffee, fudge, macarons…) wherever I go to spread a bit of kindness, I’m keeping the gift shop food-free. Why? For those who don’t know, giving gifts is one of my favorite things to do. Four years ago, I decided to create a gift shop all about gifting—no selling allowed. In fact, I don’t sell any products I make—everything is free. The point of the gift shop has always been to help people give gifts to others without worrying about their budget. This year, I learned that Stead Children’s Hospital doesn’t have many gift or prize options for tweens and teens. They host daily bingo and other games to bring a bit of levity to their day, but the need for gifts tailored to older kids is greater than I realized. It makes sense—donating items for little kids is easier than finding things for teens. But when I hear of a need, I take action. I also know a pretty incredible teen who is deeply missed. One who spent so much time in that hospital, and with her smile forever in my mind, I put together these gift boxes. Each box is thoughtfully created with the best ingredients to meet the needs of its recipient—from soothing dry skin and lips to addressing the nauseating smells of the hospital. I’ll update you when the boxes are all done, and I hope everyone understands why this year the gift shop is a little different than in the past. #ChildrensHospital #HolidayKindness #GiftingWithPurpose #GiveBack #TeensInNeed #ActsOfKindness #HolidaySeason #CommunitySupport

🎄 The True Spirit of Giving: A Gentle Reminder for the Season 🎁 As the holiday season approaches, it's important to remember the impact gifts can have on children—both in what they receive and how they understand fairness. Consider this: The most expensive gifts—like game systems, bikes, and gadgets—are best given by parents or family members. Santa can still bring magic through thoughtful, low-cost gifts like puzzles, books, mittens, or board games. Why? Not every family can provide the same, and children don’t always understand why “Santa” gave their friend a gaming system while they received socks. The season is not about comparison but kindness, connection, and gratitude. 💡 This year, focus on experiences of giving, too. Here are simple ways children can spread joy: Donate gently used toys they no longer play with—keeping donations local to support the community. Make homemade cards for neighbors, friends, or seniors in assisted living homes. Create a “Kindness Jar” and fill it with small acts of giving like helping a sibling, sharing a snack, or helping a parent with chores. 🌟 “It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.” – Mother Teresa Let’s teach our children the reason for the season: to give, share, and care. The memories they make through kindness will last much longer than any toy or gift. Wishing you all a meaningful and joyful holiday season. 🎄✨

Supporting Growing Children Through Thrift Store Shopping and Donations As parents, we know that children's needs evolve quickly as they grow and develop. From newborns to toddlers to school-age kids, each stage brings new milestones and new requirements. As a result, we find ourselves constantly on the lookout for the right supplies and equipment to support our children's growth and development. One way to navigate the ever-changing needs of growing children is by turning to thrift stores. These treasure troves of gently used items can be a lifesaver for parents looking to save money while still providing for their children's needs. By shopping at thrift stores, you can find a wide range of children's supplies at a fraction of the cost of buying new. Not only does this help you save money, but it also allows you to reduce waste and support sustainability by giving these items a second life. But the benefits of thrift store shopping don't stop there. By donating items that your child has outgrown or no longer needs to thrift stores, you can help other parents in need access affordable children's supplies. This simple act of kindness can make a big difference for families struggling to make ends meet, ensuring that their children have what they need to thrive. When it comes to children's supplies that are only used for a short period of time, such as baby clothes, toys, or equipment, it's important to consider the environmental impact of constantly buying new. By choosing to shop at thrift stores for these items, you can reduce the demand for new production, ultimately helping to lessen the strain on our planet's resources. Supporting growing children through thrift store shopping and donations is not only a budget-friendly choice but also a sustainable one. By being mindful of our shopping habits and choosing second-hand options whenever possible, we can make a positive impact on both our wallets and the environment. So next time you're in need of children's supplies, consider a trip to the thrift store - you never know what treasures you might find!

Save the Date - Keeping the Promise 2024: IMAGINE! Imagine a world where every student can thrive. It’s time to turn that vision into reality because Keeping the Promise Giving Day is back, and we need your inspiration and support to make it a success! sdccd.edu/giving-day Keeping the Promise Giving Day is a transformative 24-hour event on October 29 dedicated to supporting the San Diego Promise. This day unites San Diego Community College District faculty, classified professionals, administrators, and friends of the community to uplift our students by reducing the cost of college. Your contribution, no matter the size, will play a crucial role in opening doors of opportunity for San Diego Promise students. In fact, if all our employees sign up for a $10 monthly donation, we could provide nearly $300,000 each year to support our students. Here’s how you can help us turn dreams into reality: Make Your Gift: Donate now, or on October 29, by contributing directly to the Keeping the Promise Giving Day page. Pledge Your Support: Enroll in employee payroll deduction for ongoing support. Spread the Word: Share about Keeping the Promise Giving Day on social media and inspire others to join us. Over the years, the San Diego Promise has evolved from offering two years of free tuition for newly graduated high school students to supporting our most vulnerable students — current and former foster youth, veterans, justice-impacted individuals, and those balancing work and family commitments. This fall, we’ve seen an incredible surge in interest for the program with more than 7,000 applications received. Please mark your calendar for October 29 and join us on this inspiring day where we get to imagine a brighter future for all students. Until then, let your creativity flow and get ready for a day of impactful giving! Learn more at sdccd.edu/giving-day

🌟 Monday Motivation: Awareness is Power 🌟 Every day, countless lives are impacted by the decisions we make about the tools we carry. In urban and rural communities alike, teens are facing challenges that push them toward choices with lifelong consequences. Here’s the question: How can we better equip our teens with knowledge and opportunities that make picking up a book more appealing than picking up a gun? At Books Up Guns Down, we believe education, mentorship, and community involvement are the keys to rewriting the narrative. Guns don't solve problems; they often create more. A book, however, can open a world of possibilities and provide the tools for long-term success. This week, let's start a conversation with our teens. Let’s talk about: 📖 The power of knowledge 🛠️ Alternatives to violence 🤝 The support systems they need to thrive Books Up Guns Down is on a mission to change lives—and we need your help to do it! This holiday season, we’re raising $50,000 to support over 100 families next year through educational programs, mentorship initiatives, and community events. 📚 Donate Today: Every dollar you give helps us put books, resources, and support into the hands of teens who need them most. Together, we can rewrite their stories and create a safer, more empowered future. 👕 Join Our Team: We're also seeking brand ambassadors to represent our movement! By rocking our merch, you’ll help spread the message of hope, education, and change. Let’s make this a season of giving and growth. Click the link to donate or apply to be a brand ambassador now! Together, we can turn hope into action. https://lnkd.in/dZ4SyTqE What’s one step YOU can take today to create a safer future for the youth in your community? Share your thoughts below! Please like, share, and follow us on our FB group page BOOKS UP GUNS DOWN CAMPAIGN and Black Families Rising . Thank you for your support! #BooksUpGunsDown #GunAwareness #HolidayGiving #SupportOurYouth #BrandAmbassadors #blackfamiliesrising

Spending Christmas with Community. Organizing a toy or clothing drive is a powerful way to bring joy and hope to children and families in need during the holiday season. The holidays should be a time of warmth, togetherness, and celebration, but for many families, financial struggles can overshadow the festivities. Giving new or gently used toys and clothes, can help ensure that no child or family feels left out of the season’s magic. Start by rallying your community. Spread the word through social media, local churches, schools, and businesses to encourage people to contribute. Highlight the importance of sharing, emphasizing how their donations can brighten the lives of others. Provide clear guidelines on what items are needed—clean, gently used, or new toys and clothes are ideal—and specify drop-off points that are convenient and accessible. To make the process more personal and impactful, consider involving the recipients in some way. Partner with local shelters, orphanages, or community organizations to identify families who would benefit. Arrange a festive distribution event where the items can be shared in a dignified and joyful manner. You could also allow parents to select gifts for their children, giving them the satisfaction of choosing something special. Remember to include items for different age groups. Toys for younger kids, books for teenagers, and warm clothing for all ages ensure that the drive meets a variety of needs. Also, don’t overlook essentials like blankets, shoes, and jackets, which are especially valuable during colder months. Lastly, celebrate the success of the drive by sharing its impact. Thank your donors and volunteers with photos or stories (with consent) of how their contributions made a difference. This not only shows gratitude but also inspires others to join similar efforts in the future. Through a simple yet heartfelt initiative like a toy or clothing drive, you can foster a sense of community, generosity, and shared celebration this holiday season. #geancocommunitycenter #Christmaswithcommunity #Christmas #communitydevelopment

We are so grateful for our Board Chair and his heart for teen moms. Thank you, Robert Bly, for sharing your heart and for this message. It has been several years since I was invited to my first TMCI annual dinner. My wife and I attended through the of a friend who was on the board of directors. We had limited knowledge of TMCI and how they utilized their resources. As we went through the evening the reasons for donating became crystal clear to both my wife and I. When we left, we were blown away by the stories from the women who had been through the TMCI program and were able to continue their education, earn degrees, and become self-sufficient members of society. Many of the TMCI graduates go on to become professional women, including doctors and lawyers. At the end of the evening, it was obvious to us that we wanted to be a part of the positive generational impact the TMCI program has on these young women and their children. In nearly every metric the girls who attended outperformed their non attending counterparts. From graduation percentage to gainful employment and many other categories. When we look around our world today, there are all kinds of causes asking for our money. We have our bills that we need to pay to survive; rent, house payment, groceries, fuel for the car, unexpected expenses like medical care. We also have the things we want to do like vacations, saving for our children’s college education, retirement, etc. There are a lot of places we can choose to spend our money. You may ask yourself, why would I want to give my hard earned and much needed money to a young woman who became pregnant through no fault of mine and should have known better? Afterall, isn’t that why the government created SNAP, Welfare, Aid for Dependent Children, etc.? Let me share many reasons why your donation is a worthwhile investment. You can help change the future of the next generation. By giving, you will help a teen mom: * Finish high school * Further her education beyond high school * Stop having out of wedlock children * Become self-reliant and not reliant on the government * Find a better job/career and provide for her young family * Make a generational change that will impact her family in a positive way for years to come These are just a handful of reasons why your financial investment in TMCI would be a good idea. If you want to make a positive difference in our world, please consider donating to TMCI and the TMC programs that teach and inspire young women to make the most of their lives! By doing so you will make an investment for today and tomorrow! Every donation is tax deductible. https://lnkd.in/gAHwv5Sy To learn more about TMCI, go to www.tmcint.org.

There are a thousand ways to show love to kids through gifting, but INTENTIONALITY is needed. The best part of giving children is that you do not need to do so much to impress them. They are easily WOWED and swept off their feet without breaking the bank. Children are the mirror of the future; let's raise them well. Yesterday (May 27, 2024) was World Children's Day. We decided to come up with these slides on gifting children. We hope you find these slides helpful. Which of the slides would you be trying out? Please tell us in the comment section.👇👇 #hampersbymj #hampersinlagos #children'sday #childrendsdaygift #anniversaygift #giftstore #corporategiftsinlagos

🚨 Highlighting another impactful DonorsChoose project! 🚨 Imagine the frustration of having thoughts and ideas but lacking the means to share them. Many nonverbal students face this challenge daily. The ‘Help Students With Disabilities Learn How to Write!’ project aims to change that by providing essential communication tools. 📢 How You Can Help: Visit the project page to learn more and consider making a donation. Every contribution, no matter the size, brings these students closer to unlocking their full potential. Let’s provide these learners with the tools they need to communicate and succeed! #DonorsChoose #SpecialEducation #AssistiveTechnology #SupportClassrooms #InclusiveEducation