Tag: Charities

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting program that mails free, high-quality books to children from birth until they begin school, no matter their family’s income.

After launching in 1995, the program grew quickly. First books were only distributed to children living in Sevier County, Tennessee where Dolly grew up. It became such a success that in 2000 a national replication effort was underway. By 2003, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library had mailed one million books. It would prove to be the first of many millions of books sent to children around the world.

Dolly’s home state of Tennessee pledged to pursue statewide coverage in 2004 and global expansion was on the horizon. After the United States, the program launched in Canada in 2006 followed by the United Kingdom in 2007, Australia in 2013 and the Republic of Ireland in 2019.

For More Information: Imagination Library

The Alzheimer’s Association was founded by Jerome H. Stone with the help of several family members in Chicago, Illinois and incorporated in April 10, 1980 as the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Association, Inc. and is a non-profit American volunteer health organization which focuses on care, support and research for Alzheimer’s disease. The Alzheimer’s Association is the largest non-profit funder of Alzheimer’s disease research. The organization has chapters and communities across the nation, with its national office located in Chicago and the public policy office in Washington D.C. Its mission is “to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.

I’ve known to many people who have dealt or dealing with family with Alzheimer.  I thought it would be good to bring up awareness.

For More Information: Alzheimer’s Association

Fishermen’s Mission was founded as “the National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen” by Ebenezer Joseph Mather in 1881. Mather was disturbed by the poor conditions in which fishermen worked and lived and knew something needed to be done to help alleviate their troubles. In the 19th century fishing was notoriously dangerous with high fatality rates and the occupation remains today as one of the most dangerous. In 1896 the mission was given the royal approval by Queen Victoria adding “Royal” to the missions name. The mission helped many during World War I and World War II as scores of fisherman’s trawlers were used to help merchant convoys and defence against attacks from the air and for mine sweeping.

For More Information: Fishermen’s Mission

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The ‘Boyz in the Hood’ charity we feature in Sylum (specifically scene in the Charles/Erik storylines) is based off Los Angeles based Charity Homeboy Industries, which was founded 30 years ago by Father Greg.

Homeboy Industries provides hope, training, and support to formerly gang-involved and previously incarcerated men and women allowing them to redirect their lives and become contributing members of our community. Each year over 10,000 former gang members from across Los Angeles come through Homeboy Industries’ doors in an effort to make a positive change. They are welcomed into a community of mutual kinship, love, and a wide variety of services ranging from tattoo removal to anger management and parenting classes. Full-time employment is offered for more than 200 men and women at a time through an 18-month program that helps them re-identify who they are in the world, offers job training so they can move on from Homeboy Industries and become contributing members of the community – knowing they count!

In the 1980s, the city of Los Angeles was struggling to deal with escalating gang violence and gang membership. At that time, Boyle Heights had more gang members per capita than any other place in the country. Around that time, Father Greg realized, with the help of many people in his parish, that he needed to provide jobs and education as alternatives to the gangs and the senseless violence they create. So, we started a small job program, “Jobs for a Future,” as part of Dolores Mission in 1988. We became Homeboy Industries in 2001, and have grown to become one of the largest, most comprehensive and most successful gang intervention, rehabilitation and re-entry programs in the country.

It’s a worth while charity that helps kids out of gangs and into a future.

For More Information: Homeboy Industries

Also if you have a charity that you would to be showcased on the blog – email me: sylumclan@yahoo.com

This month’s Sylum Charity is the White Feather Foundation.

Mission: For the Conservation of Life.

Dad once said to me, that should he pass away, if there was some way of letting me know he was going to be ok – that we were all going to be ok – the message would come to me in the form of a White Feather. Then something happened to me, whilst on tour with the album, Photograph Smile, in Australia. I was presented with a White Feather by an Aboriginal tribal elder, from The Mirning people, which definitely took my breath away.

The White Feather Foundation was created for the purpose of giving a voice and support to those who cannot be heard. The tribal elders asked for my help, as I could bring awareness to their plight and to others who were suffering the same. Having had the White Feather bestowed upon me, I knew this endeavour was to be part of my destiny. One thing for sure is that the White Feather has always represented peace to me, as well as communication…

~ Julian Lennon, 2009

White Feather Foundation

Keeping up with showcasing a Charity each month …

This month we’ve chosen: Ocean Conservancy

Founded in 1972, Ocean Conservancy promotes healthy and diverse ocean ecosystems and opposes practices that threaten ocean life and human life. Through research, education, and science-based advocacy, Ocean Conservancy informs, inspires, and empowers people to speak and act on behalf of the oceans. In all its work, Ocean Conservancy strives to be the world’s foremost advocate for the oceans. Ocean Conservancy’s four strategic priorities reflect the critical ocean conservation issues that will be the main focus of our efforts, including restoring sustainable American fisheries, protecting wildlife from human impacts, conserving special ocean places, and reforming government for better ocean stewardship.

Reminder: If you have an interesting charity you think we should showcase, drop us a line at sylumclan@yahoo.com

As last month was Breast Cancer Awareness Month – we figured to showcase the charity we send to each month.

Breast Cancer Research Foundation

It’s a trustworthy charity unlike a few that is all about ‘them’ and not those they are trying to help.

Reminder: If you have a charity you would like us to showcase send an email to: sylumclan@yahoo.com