NORA’s Post

Learning begins at home with a child's caregiver and every caregiver benefits from strong social connections (#protectivefactors) to promote overall family well being. Early Childhood Home Visiting programs offers this support and much more. Supporting this work, supports your future! #HomeVisitingMatters #MaternalHealth #EarlyEducation #SchoolReadiness

Some of us are blessed to wake up on Christmas morning with a room full of love, laughter, and family. The call of our children early in the morning, their voices full of energy and excitement. For me, it’s my very most favorite holiday for those very same reasons. I love traditions and more than anything I love my children and seeing their smiles on Christmas morning. Not everyone has this privilege. Think about children who have been recently removed from their homes, feeling uncertainty, feeling lost and a terrible feeling of grief, not knowing what has happened, not understanding why they are suddenly in a strangers home. Not understanding why “Mom” is not there, wondering where their brother or sister went, why are they not together? Confused about how nice the people are in this new home, but sad because it’s not their home, it’s not their bed, they don’t have their favorite comforting blanket and plush toy. The smell is different, the food looks different, it’s not what “Mom” cooks. Just imagine… This is the feeling of the hundreds of children placed in Foster Care and Residential homes everyday. Its not much compared to all that they have lost, but together we can help share a little joy during the most magical time of the year. Together we can make wishes come true and hope that in someway we have touch the life of a child when they need it most, together we can make a difference! Let’s spread joy together! When participating in Secret Santa you are helping a child in need, who like other children, have wishes and “maybe” a little hope. Interested? Email SecretSanta@HelixHumanServices.org with your interest. We will do our best to match your preferred age and gender. You can help by requesting one wish list and purchasing items on the list. Each wish list is written by each child/youth. I have to say - full disclosure- its fun to see how creative children can get, but sad to see wishes you can fulfill, like “I wish I could see my dad” or “I want to be with my sister”. Other ways to help is making a monetary donation (we do the shopping for you), hosting a toy drive or giving tree, or purchasing an item (or a few) from the Secret Santa Amazon Wish List. Have any questions? Lets chat! To learn more about Helix Human Services and the children and families we serve: www.HelixHumanServices.org To make a monetary donation or learn more about Secret Santa visit: https://lnkd.in/e5MEGNST To see the Amazon Wish List visit (remember as wish lists come in the list of items increases): Link coming soon. Thank you for helping make wishes come true!

The New York Life Foundation in partnership with the National Alliance for Children's Grief is excited to announce a new pilot funding opportunity for organizations. This grant will award ten individual $10,000 grants to fund local education events that equip professionals—such as teachers, counselors, and social workers—with the skills and knowledge they need to better support bereaved children in their communities. Funding from this grant will support access to free or low-cost, high-quality training and foster collaboration in community settings. If you are planning an education event this year that you believe will broadly impact professionals serving bereaved children in your community, we encourage you to apply. Applications close January 27 at 8:00pm ET. Learn more and apply at https://lnkd.in/gcF8884N.

"Kindness has the power to transform lives, and it starts with one simple act. Today, I’m reaching out to ask for your kindness to help children who need it most. At our orphanage, we care for fifty-five incredible children, and every day brings its challenges—especially when it comes to feeding and supporting them. But with your help, we can do more than just provide for their basic needs. We can offer them hope, education, and a future full of possibilities. No act of kindness is too small. Together, we can stand as a community, united by compassion, and make a lasting impact on these children’s lives. Let’s show the world what kindness can do. 💙 #KindnessInAction #SupportTheChildren #FromStreetToHome #MakeADifference"

The New York Life Foundation in partnership with the National Alliance for Children's Grief is excited to announce a new pilot funding opportunity for organizations. This grant will award ten individual $10,000 grants to fund local education events that equip professionals—such as teachers, counselors, and social workers—with the skills and knowledge they need to better support bereaved children in their communities. Funding from this grant will support access to free or low-cost, high-quality training and foster collaboration in community settings. If you are planning an education event this year that you believe will broadly impact professionals serving bereaved children in your community, we encourage you to apply. Applications close January 27 at 8:00pm ET. Learn more and apply at https://lnkd.in/gcF8884N.

This holiday season, we're proud to reflect on the difference SCAN has made in the community throughout 2024. By year-end, SCAN will have awarded a total of $1.3 million to support older adults across California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, and New Mexico. Here are some of the ways we're taking action as Rebels with a cause: • $1 million awarded to date to vital local services and community support for older adults, addressing nutrition, aging support, transportation, and other basic needs. • $270K to be allocated as part of SCAN's seasonal community giving program to support vulnerable older adults and strengthen communities where they live. • Funding of essential items like warm clothing, food, and hygiene products to older adults in need. • Support of local campaigns and social and specialized programs, including group and holiday-themed activities, designed to foster community connections and combat loneliness and isolation during the holidays.

Making a Positive Impact on Special Children's Lives The special children are those who need extra help to perform certain activities. It might be physical or psychological. Difficulty in speaking is one such physical disorder where the children couldn’t pronounce the words clearly. It takes a lot of effort to speak, unlike the other children who can speak clearly and smoothly. They cannot speak quickly. It takes A lot of time for them to speak clearly   Donate Us https://lnkd.in/g3iws3Bd #charityforspecialchildren, #specialchildren, #donateforspecialchildren, #speechtherapy, #specialeducation, #sponsorforspecialchildren, #healthcare, #education, #donatenow, #seruds, #kurnool https://lnkd.in/gJfTY2hP

The math is simple: $250 + #IKEA's match = TWO children off the floor forever. 1,000 children are counting on us to do that math. #WOW Thanks to your incredible generosity on GivingTuesday, we have already secured sleep kits for 420 children through our Sleep Well program 🛏️💤 supported by IKEA! But there are still families struggling with, empty housing, and every child deserves a warm, cozy place to dream. #OurGOAL- Raise funds to support 1,000 children with complete sleep solutions this year. With #IKEA matching every donation, your gift goes twice as far in making a lasting impact. Join us in getting kids off the floor and into beds! 💛 $250 - Full bed kit for ONE child 💛 $100- Bed frame 💛 $50 - Bedding and duvet for one kit 💛 $25 - Stuffed animal and pillow The floor isn't a bed. Yet 2-3% of Canadian children call it one. #YOU can create a future where no child has to sleep on the floor. https://lnkd.in/disPUy7a

When we see the lack of manners and respect for the elderly in younger generations. This is a common issue many people face today. Parents play a significant role in teaching children values like respect, empathy, and kindness. Here are some ways parents can encourage good manners and respect for the elderly: 1. Lead by example: Show respect to others, especially the elderly, in your daily interactions. 2. Teach empathy: Encourage children to put themselves in others' shoes and understand their feelings. 3. Practice good manners: Teach basic etiquette like saying "please," "thank you," and "excuse me." 4. Encourage volunteering: Engage children in activities that help the elderly, like visiting nursing homes or assisting seniors in their community. 5. Share stories: Talk to children about the experiences and challenges faced by the elderly, promoting understanding and appreciation. By instilling these values, parents can help raise respectful and compassionate children.

Ok - so you may be one of those people who saw all the #GivingTuesday posts and thought it would be good to support them but ended up not doing anything. Well, I have great news for you - today can be #Ididnotletanotheropportunitypass day! And I have even better news - you can do it and get 100% of your donation back! I am talking about supporting one of the amazing Foster Care Organizations in Georgia by making a donation through the Fostering Success Act Tax Credit. As long as you are a Georgia taxpayer, you can be approved (it just takes a few minutes) and make a donation then get 100% of the money back when you file your taxes in 2025. Below is a link to the Goshen Valley website (the Foster Care Organization I support) which has an easy to follow, step-by-step instructions on how to take advantage of this. When you go to the State of Georgia website you will see the other 38 approved FCO's if you want to find one in your area. These organizations depend on our support - and the donations from the tax credit are a GAME CHANGER for them! So there it is...will you let another opportunity go by or will you take a few minutes and change lives for the better? For those of you that support this post, please like or share and help get the word out. Let's make today #Ididnotletanotheropportunitypass day!