“What difference does my work make?”
Have you ever asked yourself that question?
I’m guessing it’s one that many people might ask themselves from time to time.
Here at NICABM, we’re committed to making a difference in people’s lives by creating expert training programs for practitioners.
But there’s more to it than that.
From the very beginning, one of our core values has been to give back to people who are in need.
So at this time of year, I like to take some time to look back and see how well we’ve lived up to that
commitment.
And I always like to share our list of charitable donations with you, because your support of our programs makes it possible for us to give back.
So, thanks to you, here’s what we’ve given this year:
- $63,000 – Minds, Inc. (bringing mindfulness into schools)
- $17,510 – World Teacher Aid (building schools in Kenya)
- $16,000 – The Citizens Foundation (supporting schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan)
- $1,000 – NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Health to support research and programs that improve the lives of people who suffer from mental illness)
- $1,000 – Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network
- $1,000 – Human Rights Watch
- $1,000 – Windham Area Interfaith Ministry
- $1,000 – Windham No Freeze Shelter
- $1,000 – Covenant Soup Kitchen
- $1,000 – Sierra Club
- $1,000 – World Wildlife Fund
- $1,000 – Amnesty International
- $1,000 – Alzheimer’s Association
- $1,000 – Barre Center for Buddhist Studies
- $1,000 – Insight Meditation Community of Washington, DC
- $1,000 – Human Rights Campaign
- $1,000 – International Rescue Committee
- $ 500 – Taylor University
- $ 500 – Michigan State University
- $ 500 – Provincetown Art Association and Museum
- $ 500 – Benton Art Museum
- $ 500 – UCONN Foundation
- $ 250 – FUMC
- $ 200 – Mansfield Holiday Fund
- $ 100 – Good Neighbor Energy Fund
Total: $113,560
As I look over this list, I already hope to exceed this next year.
You see, very shortly we’ll be announcing our Holiday Special. This has become one of our favorite annual traditions, when we lower the price of one of our programs and also give half of the proceeds to charity.
We’ll be telling you more about that soon.
How about you? I always love to hear how folks are giving of their time, talent, or resources to others. Please tell me about your favorite ways to give in the comments below.
thank you.
Sorriy my words are changed. I’ try by mail. I Connecti to Julia Koplers comment.
Thanks for passions.
I read in e a while YouTube mails and since I am in pension non I worldwide lire to take up mi Dream of pesce. One of the critical issues is the ne ed for PTSD in a large scale. I am not a practisionar, i used to Beh in the Management of international projects. Do you have something like that. Maybe a Kind of concepì training.
Thank you for all your Word.
Best Regards
Last week I was very I’ll from a TBI I got after being hit by a NYC taxi some years ago. I couldn’t move….wanted to pack it in. Instead, I figured if I was no good for myself I could at least be good for someone else. I went down my email and donated chicks, llamas, mosquito nets, refugee $, saved dogs in Thailand and more.Also, one month ago, I hired a young woman to clean my house. The moment she came through my door, I spotted PTSD. I spoke to her over the next two weeks, learned she was an abused former foster child … skipping details…I called in a favor and got her a full college scholarship, books , treatment….the whole deal. Mms Now that I put this in writing, it doesn’t seem real, but it is. And it feels braggy….embarrassing ,almost.
How incredible for you to do this. I am glad you shared and if it is bragging, so what. People have a better life now because of you. You give inspiration to all of us.
I and my husband run a non-profit for post 9/11 veterans and active military, we donate all our time and talent as we do not compensate ourselves through our organization – this is our life mission, helping those who so selflessly who have served, and I am honored to do so. You can now see why I tune in here, I have purchased most of your trauma, neuroscience and mindfulness series – they validate and encourage our work. Thank you!
Through your selfless giving you have enhanced my life.
You keep me on track, love your work , love the collected knowledge of
of your peers.
I feel so lucky to live in this privileged time where so much can be shared
through the Internet ,
I feel like a river of knowledge and wisdom is coursing through my life and as
as result hope flows through me to others as I practice all I’ve learnt , well I think
deep down I knew but it’s cemented when I resonate with the knowledge your site
provides.
Thank you for sharing you . You make a difference and inspire . Well done.
Sheela , this comes from a small rain soaked wind blown isle just off Europe i.e. Ireland .
Ruth, you rock. Thank you for all you do.
Dear Ruth, I have been following Bessel Van Der Kolk for over 20 years now. I started out as a Massage Therapist and because I saw so much trauma on my table, I went back to school to become a psychotherapist. I work with adolescents and families that have been traumatized. I like to stay current with all new good therapies. I also chant for my happiness and the happiness of all the world.
Thank you for keeping me current.
Sincerely,
Lesly Pogrew-Terrance
Executive Director
Healing From The Heart
Adjunct Faculty also at
Colorado Community College Denver
Dear Ruth-
All you do for others is truly heartwarming. The inspiration you impart, the expansion of my knowledge base through your work, and now learning about your monetary commitments are all gifts that lift my spirit. Thank you, and may your New Year bring you the joy you so deserve.
Warm and loving wishes-
Gayle
Truly heart-warming, inspiring and empowering…Thanks for sharing the info. Have a project for international volunteering in the near future. Otherwise, always willing and happy to lend a hand whenever needed on a daily basis. Knowing that being of service is what I am here for, I seize any opportunity to do my best as much as possible. Best wishes for 2016. Blessings 🙂
Ruth, I love your work. I would like to contribute to educational and or mental health organizations in a slightly different way. I am a former teacher and counsellor and I have written a book called When Heaven Comes into the Classroom, how to reduce stress and increase well-being through holistic health practices. This book is a nonreligious educational application of mind body spirit awareness and details a Complementary Health course I created and taught. It was a very successful eight year pilot project.
I currently have a number of Ebook cards of my work that I will mail out for free to anyone interested in the field of health or education. Connect with me and I will send you a free Ebook copy of my holistic health work with high school students. No strings attached. If you are in education or mental health care please consider another way to reach our young people.
For more information see my websites walkingspiritink.com or juliakopala.ca.
Note: the free Ebook offer is not available through my websites. Your request must be processed via email and I will mail you a free Ebook card for When Heaven Comes… into the classroom, while quantities last.
Thank you. I am honored to be connected to such a difference maker. And yes, I do ask myself that question often. It is as humbling as it is a potentiate.
Please do not support Amnesty International or its distressing efforts to legalize prostitution around the world — a misguided idea that until recently allowed sex trafficking to flourish in Rhode Island under the mob.
portside.org/print/2015-08-22/amnesty-international’s-sex-trade-decision-not-our-name
prostitutionresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Press-Release-Petition-Amnesty-Intl-Aug-5-2015_2.pdf
NICABM and mental health practitioners should not endorse sex trafficking as acceptable under any circumstances.
Thank you for sharing. Nice to know. Heart-warming.
These are important organizations that serve people in many areas of need. Now retired, I am limited in monetary giving. However, I am in my fourth year of leading an afterschool and summer program for kids who attend a Title 1 school across the street from my church. I donate my time and resources to develop and deliver a program that incorporates experiential learning and individual/group expression in the visual and performing arts in areas no longer emphasized in public school. We also incorporate technology to level the playing field for kids in homes without it, and pursue geocaching as an alternative to organized sports for kids with their parents. That said, our mission is to provide a safe space in which our children are deeply known, loved, and experience life in abundance. In return, the children become a cohesive learning community, look forward to everything we do, and believe that they will succeed in school and in life. Our church is not wealthy by any means, but its modest financial funding is sufficient for us to make a genuine difference in the lives of these children and their parents. I am grateful for this work and being in the presence of children!
Mountain Gate sanmonjizen.org is a Buddhist practice and retreat center where we offer training, including intensive retreats, in compassion and mindfulness—both aspects of Buddhist practice. We also have a free, nonsectarian outreach program, Regaining Balance for Women Veterans with PTSD and Wives/Female Partners of Vets with Post-traumatic Stress. RegainingBalance.org Because we operate on a shoestring, these two areas are where we put our energy and our resources.
Thank you for presenting so many opportunities for expanding our knowledge in such an open and graceful manner.
Your contributions to the community are commendable!
May I suggest you consider The Empowerment Plan in Detroit. It was a brilliant idea and gives so much to those who are unsheltered homeless. One step further is their employment of homeless women and teaching them skills empowering them to move beyond in their own lives and have a richer life with their children. The designer, creator and CEO is Veronika Scott.
May your 2016 be filled with joy & peace.
Patricia
These are two organizations I vouch for:
freedomfchs.com
icaact.com
Because they are trying to help victims of torture, harassment and stalking
perpetrated by ORGANIZED CRIME.
Ruth,
You have a right to feel so grateful and blessed for your work and your dedication in bringing so much knowledge and guildance to so many professionals who count on you to lead them in the right direction to enhance their work and education.
I will share one of my favorite Rumi poems.
I slept and dreamt that
Life was joy,
I awoke and saw that life was service,
I acted and behold,
Service was joy.
Rumi
We in our field are truly blessed that we have dedicated our professional lives to service.
Another poem by Hafiz.
Even after all this time, the Sun never says to the Earth,
“You owe me.”
Look what happens to a love like that,
It lights up the whole sky.
I wish you any blessings during the holiday season and always,
Sincerely,
Andre Duchesneau, MFT, PhD
Hafiz
Amen Andre.
Dear Ruth,
Thank you for sharing how your work makes a difference it is very inspiring and I enjoy the information you send
Also want you to know that the first organization you donated to Minds, Inc I checked it is because I enjoy mindfulness and include it in my work
MINDS, Inc.
is a manufacturer of continuous and batch-process hot-mix asphalt automation and related equipment including asphalt plant vehicle telemetry …
Wonder if you meant?
mindsincorporated.org
Warm wishes for a Prosperous and Joyous New Year Raj Gil Vancouver BC
Wondwrful#