JUST CAUSE - make some good news™

Should We Pour More Taxpayer Money into Faith-Based Initiatives?

Suzanne Reisman — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:08:57 -0700

While I visited my bubbe (that's Yiddish for grandmother) at a Catholic hospital where she was recovering from laproscopic surgery, the local news was airing on the TV in her room. It announced that Barack Obama promised to up the ante on George Bush's failed faith-based services initiative if he is elected president, pouring millions more dollars into religious organizations.

Are There Too Many Nonprofits?

Skye Kilaen — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 18:46:25 -0700

The nonprofit world has been abuzz lately with talk of the sheer number of nonprofit organizations. How many should we have? How many is too many? How do we get rid of some of them?

Dog Rentals?

Alex Elliot — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 18:33:19 -0700

I have always had a dog. I grew up with dogs and as an adult I now own a dog. It is my love of dogs that made me want to be a veterinarian.

Volunteer Chore Program

Volunteer Chore Coordinator — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:49:36 -0700

The Volunteer Chore Program serves seniors and adults wtih disabilities who are low-income. Volunteers assist with tasks such as housecleaning, laundry, yard work, essential transportation, and minor home repairs in order to help our clients remain living independently as long as possible.

Public or Private School? Where to send Junior?

Kurt Schwengel — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 23:12:18 -0700

You may already have your opinions on private and public schools and it probably depends on where you went and how it worked out for you.

Public Recognition

Alex Elliot — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 09:33:28 -0700

I vividly remember my younger brother's first month because it coincided with my family's move to a new state. I was 4.5 years old at the time, and my mother left him with my aunt and my 9 month-old cousin and took me to a public sprinkler pad as a special treat for being a big sister.

iKids: How to Teach them!

Kurt Schwengel — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 17:26:48 -0700

Many people, including myself, spend a lot of time knocking the American education system but let me tell you one place where I think they are doing alright or at least headed in the right direction.

Names as Equal Rights: The Lucy Stone League

Suzanne Reisman — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:50:08 -0700

Our names, something most of us were given and birth had no control over for the most part, mean a lot. A name can present a person to the outside world through a variety of overt and not-so-subtle ways. As an individual, it represents who you are and what you've achieved. For many people (myself included), a name becomes an inextricable part of his or her identity.

Living Conversations: Breast Cancer Survivors Speak Out

Debbie — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:58:36 -0700

Living Conversations is a social site where survivors can share their stories through text, photos and videos, and connect with each other. By telling their stories, survivors can inspire and educate the newly diagnosed as well as anyone touched by breast cancer.

Like Being The Boss? Join a Nonprofit Board!

Skye Kilaen — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 09:10:34 -0700

You don't have to be a power broker in a business suit to change the world. For a volunteer opportunity that can really make a difference, have you ever considered joining the board of a nonprofit organization?

Are We Openminded Enough To Change Outdated Practices So That We Can Adapt to Our New Climate?

Susan Janvrin — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 08:11:40 -0700

With today's unpredictable climate, producing an ample food supply for the world's population has become increasingly challenging, especially in developing countries. Much of the farmland in these areas have been made available by clearing rainforests, which only compounds the problem of global warming. Even after the land has been cleared, there's no guarantee that the field will produce a bountiful harvest. Often, a flood, drought, or other natural disaster will prevail, leaving farmers with little or no reward for all their hard work. If the crops do come through, they must be shipped hundreds or thousands of miles to the highest bidding consumers all around the world, and all too often, thrown in the trash where they end up in a landfill. We know our population is growing and demand for food is growing. We know weather conditions will only get worse. How will we adapt as a species to the new habitat that we've created for ourselves? What is the solution?

Sustainable Life Foundation (SLF)

New York Smoking Tax

Alex Elliot — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 17:26:21 -0700

I'll come right out and say that I've never been a smoker. I was an athlete from junior high through college and the rule each season from the coachese themselves was no smoking. More importantly I just never liked the way cigarettes smelled.

School’s Out For Summer!

Kurt Schwengel — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:33:07 -0700

I wonder how many teachers would admit that one of the reasons that they became a teacher was to have their summers off. I don’t think most people envy teachers during the 10 month school year but I have to believe that there are an awful lot of people out there in the workforce who envy teachers during the summer months.

Have You Thanked Your Reproductive Rights Worker Lately?

Suzanne Reisman — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 07:16:11 -0700

Since the anti-reproductive rights movement is intent on banning not only abortion, but also birth control (as I documented today over at BlogHer), I thought it would be nice to highlight work being done to promote reproductive health and positive sexuality.

How Changes at the United Way May Affect Your Community

Skye Kilaen — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:10:13 -0700

When I was in graduate school, one of my professors asked us which would be better: pulling drowning people out of the river as they float past, or going up the river to stop people from falling in? The United Way of America has recently announced a new 10-year campaign that essentially hopes to move upstream, addressing the root causes of social problems instead of the effects.

Pudu baby born

woodlandparkzoo — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 13:19:36 -0700

Few people have heard of this diminutive deer species hailing from South America, but once you've seen these adorable deer, you won't forget them! Southern pudu inhabit dense, temperate forests containing thick bamboo understories from sea level to 5,500 feet (1,676 m). Adult pudu weigh around 14-30 pounds and stand 14-18 inches high.

Men's Health Week

Alex Elliot — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:11:03 -0700

June is always a busy month for my family. We like to joke that our June is like a lot of families' Decembers. Today is our 7th wedding anniversary. It's also my younger son's and my husband's birthdays. It's also Father's Day; you know the holiday where you are supposed to go out and buy grills and tools. Now there's another idea that Father's Day brings: health. Today is the start

P.E.? What's the big deal?

Kurt Schwengel — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 22:55:58 -0700

When I was growing up Elementary School P.E. coaches were certified teachers with the same educational requirements and payscale as classroom teachers. At some point after 1982 P.E.

Exceptional Children’s Foundation Hires New Director of Development

carolstevenson — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 10:43:33 -0700

The Exceptional Children’s Foundation (ECF) has named Guy Shulman the new director of development to oversee all fundraising, branding, public relations and marketing activities.

Exceptional Children's Foundation

Waiting 40 Years for Hope and Change

Suzanne Reisman — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 08:14:25 -0700

Today is the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy. Clearly, I was not around at that time, but every time I read or think about this event, I sob. I weep because I believe, in my heart of hearts, that the world was robbed of someone who truly could make it a better place.