Charitable Partnerships

 

One of the biggest lessons from my own life-long struggle with mental illness, is just how lucky I am to have a supportive family and resources.  While incomprehensible to me, the number of young people ostracized, or forced to "deal with it" on their own is staggering.  It's not something that we can "snap out of", I can assure you.  So in an effort to raise awareness and help to de-stigmatize, I ask you to please let these young people know that they are not alone.  There is help, there are people who care...

"Born This Way looks forward, toward a future that supports the wellness of young people through an evidence-based approach that is fiercely kind, compassionate, accepting, and inclusive. We celebrate the individuality of those we serve and we revere the bravery it takes to reach out and start the conversation. Together, we’re building a community that provides approachable resources, fosters genuine connection, and drives action."

https://bornthisway.foundation/

 

 

C'mon people, we can't have hungry people - PLEASE GIVE!

"The Feeding America network is the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, working to connect people with food and end hunger. Donors, staff, and volunteers all play an important role in our efforts to end hunger in the United States."

https://www.feedingamerica.org/

 

 

 

Over the past few years, you no doubt have heard me mention Oasis, in Paterson, NJ.  I refer to it as "my happy place", that I miss terribly these days...

Oasis is truly "A Haven for Women and Children". I can't say enough about the visionary Executive Director, Jennifer Brady and the entire staff - they care that they take, the skills they teach, the lessons they provide, the warmth and encouragement they bestow and the confidence they encourage are magical to see!  While doing everything they can to maintain some sense of normalcy for their participants, Oasis has, in large part, been feeding the community of Paterson during these incredibly challenging times, in an exceptionally challenged and underserved community.

Please consider donating to Oasis - whether through us or their direct link below!

From Oasis:

"Today we focus on: 1) education and training to help women enter the workforce and 2) after-school (and Saturday) programs that help children and teens excel in school, enter post-secondary education and training, and succeed in a career. 

 We continue to offer women and children hot meals, emergency food bags, clothing and the help of three on-site social workers.  

Oasis is the only area organization offering this vital mix of anti-poverty services in a single location."

https://oasisnj.org/home

 

 

I met Paul at 21 years-old when we both worked at a restaurant in DelMar, California. Two kids from New Jersey playing the "who-do-you-know" game and bonding over a love of food, family and each other.  Our incredible friendship continued until his untimely death at age 32 from cancer, but the love never stopped.  Because of Paul, I have the gift of extended family with the Nardoni Haney and Flores families, and their amazing friends.  I'd give anything to have him back, and am eternally grateful for the relationships I've gained and the amazing work done by the Paul R. Nardoni Foundation.  I've seen first hand just how impactful their work is and I encourage you to support them in their efforts!
"The funds and programs provided by the Paul R. Nardoni Foundation have a direct and immediate impact on patients. The comfort the Foundation provides is a testament to the insight that Paul had into the very nature of the patient/family relationship -- the knowledge that with the external comfort and 
support to the patient and their family, the patient’s battle to overcome this dreaded disease can be focused without distraction."
http://www.paulrnardonifoundation.org/