Business, Free News Articles, Long Term Care, NonProfit and Charities

Keep Our Seniors Safe Act Passes Senate Committee – Portantino’s SB 172

SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- Consumer Advocates for RCFE Reform (CARR) announces its collaboration and partnership with California State Senator Anthony Portantino (D, SD 25) in the drafting of Senate Bill 172 Firearms, enhancing safe storage protections for the two most vulnerable populations in our society: the elderly and children.

Testimony on the bill was received by the Senate Committee on Public Safety during a hearing on 2 April. The bill moved out of committee with a 6-0 vote (Morrell abstaining); it now moves to Senate Appropriations before being sent to the Assembly.

CARR partnered with Senator Portantino's office to draft the bill's provisions requiring secure firearm storage in assisted living facilities - the Keep Our Seniors Safe Act. An estimated 70 percent of assisted living residents are diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease or related dementias, yet California law neither defines nor mandates safe storage of firearms, ammunition or other dangerous weapons in assisted living facilities. The state's regulatory agency, Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division, also does not track the number of facilities allowing firearms. If enacted, this legislation would close these statutory gaps.

SB 172 also expands California's existing Child Access Prevention (CAP) laws creates new crimes for failures to properly secure firearms. CAP laws have been shown to be effective at reducing suicides and unintentional firearm deaths and injuries of children, citing a study of twelve states' where unintentional firearms deaths fell by 23 percent.

About CARR:
Consumer Advocates for RCFE Reform (CARR) is a San Diego-based 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization promoting transparency and accountability for consumers using assisted living services, and specializing in public document research on assisted living facilities, and the state's oversight of the industry. Learn more: https://rcfereform.org/

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Business, Fine Art and Artists, Free News Articles, NonProfit and Charities

Bank of Southern California NA Extends Loan Facility to NTC Foundation

SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- Bank of Southern California, N.A. (OTC Pink: BCAL / OTCMKTS:BCA), a community business bank headquartered in San Diego, Calif., announced today that it has extended a loan facility to the NTC Foundation, a San Diego-based non-profit organization focused on creating a destination for arts and culture at the former Naval Training Center in San Diego. The new loan facility provided funds for the rehabilitation and refinancing of commercial real estate located in ARTS DISTRICT Liberty Station.

Over a decade ago, the NTC Foundation created an unprecedented opportunity for the San Diego community by introducing ARTS DISTRICT Liberty Station. The historical district for arts, culture and creativity serves as a dynamic hub for both nonprofits and artists, showcasing the hallmarks of the San Diego region and helping fuel the local economy.

"It was important for us to work with a bank that understands our goals and supports our mission to enrich the lives of San Diegans through arts and culture," said Christopher Kiefer, Chief Financial Officer of NTC Foundation.

"We appreciate our relationship with Bank of Southern California. Our tenant mix of community serving and arts related non-profit organizations mixed with visual artists, museums, galleries and creative retail is different than what is found in most real estate projects. Bank of Southern California was able to quickly understand the nuances of our specific business mission and offered a banking package that exceeded the criteria set up by our Finance Committee. We greatly value their support and guidance," added Kiefer.

"Bank of Southern California has been serving the San Diego community for over 18 years and continues its strong commitment to businesses and organizations focused on contributing to the local economy, enriching our community, and preserving the city's culture and history," said Marie Crivello, Senior Managing Director at Bank of Southern California.

"We are excited to support the NTC Foundation in their continued efforts to create a special place that was once a shuttered Naval base," Crivello concluded.

About Bank of Southern California:

A growing community bank, established in 2001, Bank of Southern California, N.A., with headquarters in San Diego, Calif., is locally owned and managed, and offers a range of financial products to individuals, professionals and small-to-medium sized businesses. The Bank's solution-driven, relationship-based approach to banking provides accessibility to decision makers and enhances value through strong partnerships with its clients.

The Bank currently operates ten branches in San Diego County, Los Angeles County, the Coachella Valley in Riverside County, as well as production offices in West Los Angeles and Orange County.

For more information, please visit https://www.banksocal.com/ or call (858) 847-4780.

Tickers: OTC Pink:BCAL / OTC:BCAL / OTCMKTS: BCAL / OP: BCAL

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Business, Free News Articles, NonProfit and Charities, Real Estate

GMAR Shows their Support for Michigan Veterans by Raising Funds for Service Dogs through Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. -- The Greater Metropolitan Association of REALTORS(R) has undertaken an incredible 5-year journey called 5 Years, 5 Dogs, 5 Lives saved. In their quest to assist Michigan Veterans, struggling with disabilities such as PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, Seizure disorders, and/or mobility issues, The Greater Metropolitan Association of REALTORS [GMAR] has partnered with Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs.

This partnership began in 2016, with their initial sponsorship of Service Dog, Cobalt REALTOR(R) Blue, who is now fully trained, and assisting Michigan Resident and Veteran, Matthew, in overcoming his challenges from war.

Next up, was GMAR's sponsored dog Thor, who Guardian Angels fully trained and paired with Michigan Resident and Veteran, Dwayne. Currently, GMAR has a sweet puppy in training, named Independence, or Indy for short. Indy is at the Guardian Angels Medical Service Dog Headquarters in Williston, Florida, completing her training to serve another Michigan veteran and his or her family. Over the next two years, two additional dogs, still to be named by GMAR will be trained to help a Michigan Veteran.

The real and daily difference that the GMAR family is making by their commitment cannot be overstated. There are, tragically, 22 veterans each day that take their own lives in this country, but once paired with a Guardian Angels Medical Service Dog, not only does the rate of suicide fall to zero; the rate of divorce in combat veteran families falls to less than 1%. The Veteran's use of medication is reduced or eliminated under their Dr's care; in many instances, they return to work or school; and they are able to re-engage at last with friends, family and community.

Guardian Angels is honored to have been chosen to partner with the Greater Metropolitan Association of REALTORS(R), and inspired by their commitment to the Michigan Veteran Community. GMAR is truly saving lives, one paw at a time.

If you would like to support saving the lives of another veteran, please contact GMAR, or visit their website at: http://www.gmaronline.com

About Guardian Angels:

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Williston, Florida and has grown into a nation-wide Service Dog Organization. We rescue, raise, train and donate individually trained medical service dogs to veterans, first responders and others who suffer from disabilities including PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, seizure disorders, mobility issues and more. Guardian Angels receives up to 40 inquiries each day for one of their medical Service Dogs. There is no state or federal funding available for this critical life-saving program. Since their inception in 2010, Guardian Angels has paired more than 300 individually trained medical service dogs with those in need.

Learn more at: http://www.medicalservicedogs.org/

About GMAR:

The Greater Metropolitan Association of REALTORS(R) (GMAR) is the premier Association of REALTORS(R) in Southeast Michigan, providing services and support to the real estate profession and the communities they serve. With over 8,700 members, GMAR is the largest local REALTOR(R) association in the state. GMAR provides many benefits to its members, such as access to the MLS, over 220 quality continuing education and designation courses per year, the largest REALTOR(R) specific store in the area, the ToolShop(tm), Metropolitan Minute weekly newsletter and Metropolitan REALTOR(R) monthly electronic magazine. GMAR's mission is to educate, advocate, and care for our members and the communities they love.

Visit https://gmaronline.com/ to learn more. Like us at https://www.facebook.com/GMARonline.

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Business, Education and Schools, Entertainment, Fine Art and Artists, Free News Articles, NonProfit and Charities, Regional Events

Second Annual Young Artist Showcase at Casita Maria in NYC: Bambula Re-remember

BRONX, N.Y. -- Casita Maria Center For Arts & Education is proud to present Bambula/Re-remember, our 2nd Annual Young Artist Showcase! This multidisciplinary exhibition will include art created by participants in Casita Maria's after-school arts education program during the 2018 - 2019 academic year.

Families and community members are invited to our Family/Community Celebration with food and music by DJ Delaceiba on Thursday, March 28, 2019; 5:45 - 7 p.m., celebrating the opening of the exhibition, which will be on view March 28 - May 10, 2019.

Register today at: https://www.casitamaria.org/events#event=24997167

For this exhibition, the Young Artists of Casita Maria tapped into their ancestral legacies, including traditions from The Americas and Caribbean. Throughout the year, they have focused on the process of remembering these cultures and people through their artmaking.

Our word for this process originated in the Kongo, a former African kingdom located in West Central Africa, and is still heard among many of these cultures: Bambula, or re-remembering. The Young Artists have been remembering forgotten cultures by studying myths and legends as well as tapping into their rich art history.

"Bambula is a rhythm and dance in Bomba, [a traditional Puerto Rican dance form]. It's also a word found throughout the Caribbean and Latin America as well as parts of the US. The word is Kongo and it means 'to re-remember.' It's the process of reconnecting with one's collective ancestral unconscious in order to re-remember who one is in order to find peace and balance," says Alex Lasalle, Community Educator, and Musician.

Latin America and the Caribbean students are bringing back the forgotten world by focusing on art, symbolism, and culture. To re-REMEMBER where we come from and remember who we are.

"Casita Maria...teaches our kids' values, about art, about music, about drawing...these activities keep kids away from trouble and teach them to know how much more they can do through art and music - they can speak out through painting, they can find a voice through writing poems, they can express themselves through art...I feel safe when [my child is] here. [When] I am at work I know she's in good hands," says a Casita Maria Parent of Program Participant.

"For my daughter to be able to express her whole self through drawing, through writing, through poems and now with the piano, it's priceless and beautiful! She is learning and enjoying everything she does here...In here, she finds herself!" says Casita Maria Parent of Program Participant

"This exhibition is a community celebration of youth voice and youth choice," says Gail Heidel, Director of Creative Arts Programs.

"Art is healing, art inspires us, art helps us to feel resilient and alive. In this exhibit, Casita Maria Young Artists get to share what they can authentically create," says Vanessa Tricoche, Director of Programs.

Supported by NYC Department of Youth, Community Development and NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and Lily Auchincloss Foundation, Inc.

About Casita Maria:

Casita Maria Center For Arts & Education is the first and oldest Latino 501(c)(3) charity in NYC, founded in 1934. The South Bronx-based community arts and educational organization presents diverse, contemporary visual and performing arts and education programming for all ages.

Learn more at: https://www.casitamaria.org/

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Business, Education and Schools, Free News Articles, NonProfit and Charities, Software

DC Startup Sorcero Brings New Tech to Adult Learners at Byte Back

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Learning technology skills requires technology. That's why Byte Back and Sorcero recently started teaming up to integrate AI software that makes learning and retaining information easier in the tech classroom.

Byte Back, a D.C.-based nonprofit with 22 years of experience providing inclusive tech education, and Sorcero, a D.C.-based startup, are a natural fit. This is the first community-serving direct-impact nonprofit that Sorcero has partnered with to test its software, and they see it as an opportunity to enhance their product while also making a positive impact in the community.

In Byte Back's CompTIA A+ course, which started last month, students use official A+ guides with more than 1,300 pages of material. It takes time and repetition to master it all and be ready for two challenging certification exams.

With Sorcero, it's easier and quicker. Students enter questions and instantly get answers sourced directly from the curriculum, guides, and the instructors themselves.

"Unlike using a traditional search engine, where there can be too much information, Sorcero is much more focused," said Andrew Quilpa, Byte Back technical instructor, who first piloted the software in his CompTIA IT Fundamentals course in fall 2018.

"They get the answers that will help them ultimately pass the test," said Quilpa, adding that it makes studying at home easier because they can use the software on computers, through email, or even through text message. When they're ready for job interviews, they can refer back. And, when they start their first tech job, they can continue learning and get answers to help them succeed in the IT workplace.

The software also puts tech within reach for adults who may not have access to devices at home. "For Byte Back students who don't have a computer at home, Sorcero is a huge help because they can use it through SMS," Quilpa said.

For Sorcero, testing at Byte Back is an essential part of creating a product that is useful for diverse users with an array of tech skills. "Often times, we have found that technology is not always optimized for the lives of people like the students of Byte Back - people who may not have laptops at home, who may not be able to spend as much time using tech," said Dipanwita Das, the CEO and founder of Sorcero. "We want Byte Back students to help inform the design of Sorcero from the very beginning."

The startup is donating their product to the nonprofit, looking to make an impact, with a "community of learners to make sure they don't continue to be left out," Das said.

"Providing students with a flexible learning tool they can use anywhere and anytime greatly enhances their chances of succeeding in class," said Mark Rivera, education manager at Byte Back.

ABOUT BYTE BACK:

Byte Back, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, provides a pathway of inclusive tech training that leads to living-wage careers. As a leader in digital inclusion since 1997, Byte Back has helped hundreds of graduates launch living-wage careers that use technology. In 2018, 50 graduates were hired, earning $27,599 more per year than before Byte Back training. See more at https://byteback.org/.

ABOUT SORCERO:

Sorcero is a cognitive technology company that has reimagined knowledge and learning to help people do remarkable things. Developed by MIT Media Lab veterans, Sorcero is turning chatbots, virtual assistants and search on their heads. Uniquely transparent, Sorcero supercharges performance with frictionless access to contextual answers, knowledge and learning-making people smarter and more productive. Instantly. See more at https://www.sorcero.com/.

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Business, Construction and Building, Free News Articles, NonProfit and Charities

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Inc. Chooses Pittsburgh Area to Build State-of-the-Art Service Dog Campus

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Over the course of its 9 years, Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs (GAMSD) has grown into one of the largest service dog organizations in the nation. We raise, train, advocate for, and donate these incredible medical service dogs, specifically trained to perform tasks for disabled veterans, first-responders and civilians.

"Our dogs help to mitigate the challenges of disabilities and assist them in performing tasks they are no longer able to perform for themselves, thus lessening the burden on caregivers, community services and families," says Christine Patrick, Communications Manager. "We are extremely proud of our more than 300 teams working in 22 states across the U.S., with over 30 of those currently in Pennsylvania."

Throughout the years, we have had many of our initiatives supported by various Pittsburgh individuals, philanthropic foundations, professional sports teams, corporations and other community efforts. That has produced the sponsoring of 60 current and future service dogs to date, as well as funding for our traveling trainer and rescue programs.

Some noteworthy supporters include: PNC Bank, Armstrong Cable, The Aloe Family Foundation, Ernst & Young, Highmark, DSF Charitable Foundation, The Pittsburgh Foundation, Michele & Agnese Cestone Foundation, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates, Penguins and Duquesne University, along with various schools and tremendous volunteer organizations such as Life Changing Service Dogs for Veterans. In addition, the Eat'n Park Hospitality Group Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation has stated their intention for the naming rights of the Recipient Housing portion of the campus.

For these reasons and more, we are proud to announce we have selected the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as the first location for our new campus outside of our Florida Headquarters. The airport area where the GAMSD campus will be located is within close proximity to several National Guard and Military Reserve Units, parallels the Montour Trail and is about twenty minutes from downtown Pittsburgh.

The construction of the new GAMSD Pittsburgh Regional Campus will be a 12 to 18-month project that will have a positive impact on the local and state economy. On average, 75 to 100 workers will be employed during the planning and construction stages. They will include architects, engineers, plumbers, electricians, equipment operators, landscape professionals, roofers and a variety of other skilled trades. This 102-acre site that was once strip-mined, will be restored to its full natural beauty.

We have contracted RBVetCo, a disabled veteran-owned business, with a high-quality reputation to build our new facility. Once fully operational, we will have about twenty full-time staff members from the surrounding areas employed at the Pittsburgh Regional Campus. The number of jobs on-site is not significant in quantity, but meaningful in the purpose and role they play in raising, training and donating our highly skilled dogs to those in need.

Our campus will be one of the most important new establishments in the Pittsburgh area. We have a proven track record of positively changing and saving lives through our holistic approach to mitigating the challenges of permanent disabilities. With the help of our specially trained dogs, our disabled recipients begin to integrate back into their family circles, and become productive members of their communities again, even breaking the cycle of inter-generational PTSD in children. Once paired with one of our service dogs, we have countless teams that have enrolled in, or returned to college, completed degrees, become gainfully employed, started businesses, or simply left behind years of self-isolation and begun to travel.

This campus will touch the lives of countless individuals, creating both social & economic impacts. Once a recipient is paired, they begin their "New Normal". We estimate that in a family of four, each dog has the potential to positively impact the lives of 4,380 people in their community each year.

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs is honored to serve our nation's Veterans, first-responders and disabled population. With more than 2.2 million veterans facing permanent disabilities, first-responder PTSD rates at record levels and 13% of the general population burdened with a permanent disability, this new campus will allow us to better serve those in need. In fact, although the rate of suicide in our nation's veteran population is a staggering 20-22 per day, once paired with a Guardian Angels Medical Service Dog, the rate of suicide to date in our teams is Zero. Lesser known, is that the rate of divorce in combat veteran families can be 90% higher than the national average, but once paired with one of our service dogs, the rate of divorce falls to less than 1%.

Beyond training and donating these incredible dogs, Guardian Angels takes a multi-phased approach to helping our community. This includes a comprehensive college accredited apprentice program and it is also approved by the Veterans' Administration under the GI Bill.

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs is a 501(C) 3 non-profit organization founded in Williston, Florida and has grown into a nation-wide Service Dog Organization. We rescue, raise, train and donate individually trained medical service dogs to veterans, first responders and others who suffer from disabilities including PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, seizure disorders, diabetic alert, mobility issues and more. Guardian Angels receives up to 40 inquiries each day for one of their medical Service Dogs. There is very little state or federal funding available for this critical life-saving program.

If you'd like to learn more about our programs, get involved, make a contribution, or be part of supporting this life-saving project/naming a building please call 412-352-1111 or visit our website at: http://www.medicalservicedogs.org/.

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Business, Education and Schools, Free News Articles, NonProfit and Charities

City University of Seattle Offers 25 Percent Tuition Scholarship to Art Institute Students

SEATTLE, Wash. -- The private, nonprofit City University of Seattle is demonstrating its support for students impacted by the recently announced closure of Art Institute campuses. To assist students seeking options to continue their education, City University of Seattle is offering a 25 percent tuition scholarship to students transferring from any AI campus.

As a private, nonprofit university, CityU is working diligently to map out credit alignments, in addition to the tuition scholarship, to provide a seamless transition for students who wish to continue their education immediately. CityU can help students enroll for the Spring term, which starts in April.

The University has been working diligently to map out credit alignments, specifically for the B.S. in Culinary Arts Management and B.S. in Fashion Marketing & Management, which transfer into CityU's B.A. in Management program.

Representatives from CityU will be participating in information fairs being held Tuesday and Wednesday by WSAC on behalf of the affected students. The information fairs will take place at the Art Institute of Seattle campus, and offer impacted students a chance to learn more about CityU programs, the tuition scholarship and other credit alignment opportunities.

CityU has been part of the Seattle community since 1973 and has ranked in the national top 50 "Best Online Bachelor's Programs" by U.S. News & World Report from 2013-2019. The university is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities through the doctoral level and offers more than 60 online, onsite and performance-based programs.

Impacted students can work with CityU's admissions and enrollment teams to initiate courses for the Spring term, which begins in early April. To learn more, students can submit an online information request or contact us directly at 1.888.422.4898 or advising@CityU.edu.

Online information request: https://www.cityu.edu/request-information/

About City University of Seattle:

City University of Seattle is a private, nonprofit university dedicated to serving working adults and transfer students. CityU has ranked in the national top 50 "Best Online Bachelor's Programs" by U.S. News & World Report from 2013-2019. The university is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities through the doctoral level and offers more than 60 online, onsite and performance-based programs. CityU's primary campus is located in downtown Seattle, Washington, and the university has multiple sites throughout Western Washington, Canada and abroad.

For more information, visit https://www.CityU.edu.

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Business, Free News Articles, NonProfit and Charities, Transportation

Registration Now Open for First Annual Arizona Truck Pull – Fundraiser to Support Move For Hunger

PHOENIX, Ariz. -- Move For Hunger announced today that registration is now open for the first annual Arizona Truck Pull. The event, in which teams of 5-10 will compete to see who can pull a moving truck 100 feet in the fastest time, will be hosted by Beltmann Relocation Group and the Arizona Relocation Alliance at Uncle Bear's Brewery in Gilbert on Saturday, April 13 from 2 - 6 p.m.

Registration is $200 per team and can be completed at http://AZTruckPull.com. Proceeds from the event will benefit Move For Hunger, a national non-profit organization that mobilizes the relocation industry to reduce food waste and fight hunger.

"In previous years, the employees of Beltmann did most of the heavy lifting to get money and food together to make a difference, which we loved," says Beltmann Phoenix's General Manager, Steve Rinaldo. "However, the inaugural truck pull contest is a fun and engaging way to pull in community support this year, and hopefully beyond."

People tend to throw a lot of "stuff" away when they move, including perfectly good food. As a member of Move For Hunger's national network of relocation professionals, Beltmann Relocation Group provides their customers with the opportunity to donate unopened, non-perishable food during the moving process and volunteers to deliver the donations to the local food bank, free of charge.

More than 1 million people in Arizona, including 1 in 5 children, are food insecure - meaning they lack reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food. Meanwhile, 40% of all the food produced in the United States each year is wasted. Since joining Move For Hunger in 2012, Beltmann Relocation Group has delivered more than 41,000 lbs. of food to the Hope For Hunger Food Bank, which is enough to provide 34,700 meals.

About Move For Hunger:

Move For Hunger is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that mobilizes the relocation industry to fight hunger and reduce food waste. In addition to collecting food from people who are moving to new homes, Move For Hunger helps companies and individuals across the United States and Canada organize successful food drives. To date, they have collected more than 13 million pounds of food. For more information, or to find out how you can host your own food drive, visit http://www.MoveForHunger.org.

About Beltmann Relocation Group:

Beltmann Relocation Group (http://www.beltmann.com) is one of the oldest and largest agents for North American Van Lines. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company delivers relocation solutions to thousands of individuals, families and corporate clients each year. Beltmann Relocation Group has 12 strategic locations with nationwide resources allowing them to control the quality of moves from beginning to end. Owned and operated by the Battina family since 1955, Beltmann Relocation Group, with more than 60 years of consistent profitability and strong leadership, combined with one of the largest household goods hauling fleets, technological advancements and commitment to customer satisfaction is a proven leader in the moving industry.

Twitter: @MoveForHunger @beltmanngroup #ArizonaFoodDrive #ArizonaTruckPull

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Business, Free News Articles, NonProfit and Charities, Regional Events

Advocate and Author David Sheff to Speak at Local Benefit

SAN MATEO, Calif. -- Nationally-recognized advocate and best-selling author David Sheff will be the featured speaker at the 16th Annual Circle of Support Luncheon in Menlo Park on April 26, 2019. This annual benefit event, which is presented by the nonprofit organization Caminar and its Family & Children Services of Silicon Valley division, raises funds for local behavioral health and supportive services.

Annually, the organization's prevention, treatment and recovery services reach more than 20,000 people of all ages on the Peninsula and in the South Bay.

Speaker David Sheff is the author of "Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey Through His Son's Addiction," which was adapted as a feature film in 2018, and "Clean: Overcoming Addiction and Ending America's Greatest Tragedy." Among other honors, Sheff has been named to the Time 100, Time Magazine's list of the World's Most Influential People, and received a Special Tribute Award "in recognition of his voice and leadership for families who are struggling with addiction" from the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids. A U.C. Berkeley graduate, Sheff lives with his family in Northern California.

Registration is now open for the luncheon, which will be hosted at Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club in Menlo Park on Friday, April 26, 2019. The annual event convenes nearly 300 local guests and benefits the work of Caminar and its Family & Children Services of Silicon Valley division.

The event highlights an aspect of the nonprofit's organization mission. In recent years, guests have heard from Dr. Tina Payne Bryson, a leading voice in the world of psychotherapy and brain-based learning; Sam Quinones, author of Dreamland: The True Story of America's Opioid Epidemic; Transgender Icon Dr. Marci Bowers; and Leslie Morgan Steiner, presenter of the 1st TED Talk by a domestic violence survivor.

The 16th Annual Circle of Support Luncheon is generously underwritten by individual and corporate supporters, including Carole Middleton, El Camino Hospital, the San Francisco 49ers and Hanson Crawford Crum. This year's event is chaired by Rod Sockolov of Atherton.

For more information or to reserve tickets, please visit https://www.caminar.org/events, email events@caminar.org or call 650.513.1509.

About Caminar:

Founded in San Mateo, California, in 1964, Caminar serves more than 20,000 individuals annually in the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California. The nonprofit organization's portfolio of behavioral health and supportive services empowers and supports individuals and families to move toward resilience, wellness, and independence. The continuum of prevention, treatment and recovery services includes residential and outpatient mental health and substance use treatment services, youth development, supportive housing, vocational rehabilitation and supported education.

Family & Children Services of Silicon Valley, the originator of the Circle of Support Luncheon, became a division of Caminar through a merger in January 2017. The division was founded in 1948 and provides services throughout Santa Clara County.

Caminar is a 501(c)(3) organization. More information is available at https://www.caminar.org/.

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Business, Free News Articles, NonProfit and Charities, Product Launches

Michigan Non-profit ‘I Give a Shirt’ is Helping End Homelessness One Shirt at a Time

LINDEN, Mich. -- When Michigan non-profit I Give a Shirt, Inc. launched their cause apparel campaign on March 1, the countdown began to when their homeless awareness t-shirts would be gone forever. I Give a Shirt features a different limited-edition t-shirt design each month, with all proceeds supporting a different cause. In their newly-launched March campaign, the important cause they are taking on is homelessness.

"If you realized that on any given night in the United States, more than half a million people experience homelessness, would that inspire you to Give a Shirt?" asked Paul Schneider, founder and "Chief Shirt Giver" of I Give a Shirt, Inc.

I Give a Shirt has partnered with homeless shelters in select Michigan counties, including Genesee, Kent, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne, with all local purchases going to a homeless shelter in their county. Shirts that are purchased outside of these counties (that represent approximately 50 percent of the Michigan population) benefit HandUp, a non-profit who works with over 100 different partners in 23 States to help homeless service agencies and struggling individuals meet their basic needs. Learn more about HandUp at: https://handup.org/.

Schneider explains that not only does $18 of each shirt ordered go to directly support these shelters, the production of the shirts themselves help to create dignified jobs and have a lower impact on the environment. The shirts are made for a Living Wage in Haiti, which changes the pattern of exploitative manufacturing in the garment industry. Environmentally, the shirts require 70 percent less water to be produced than a conventional shirt and they each contain 6 recycled water bottles.

I Give a Shirt has built a network of awareness partners, which include retail stores, online Ambassadors, and other causes.

"These are the softest, most impactful shirt you'll ever wear," concluded Schneider, "Supporters can help impact the lives of our homeless neighbors by contributing to our March campaign, or choose to become a subscriber and experience the gift of giving back to an exciting cause each month."

More information: https://giveashirtshop.org.

About I Give a Shirt:

I Give a Shirt is a monthly movement that increases awareness for worthy causes and empowers a culture to wear their hearts on their sleeve. Each monthly campaign features a limited-edition, cause-driven shirt, with all proceeds helping fund the cause's mission. I Give a Shirt, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) tax exempt non-profit. To learn more visit https://giveashirtshop.org/.

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