Social Impact Social Media

Six years ago Tiffany Persons a Southern California based commercial and music video casting director traveled to Sierra Leone to create a documentary on the impact of diamond mining.  She immediately was taken over by the country’s poverty and economic needs. She fell in love with Sierra Leone’s culture and its people. She founded the nonprofit Shine On Sierra Leone (SOSL) with the mission of creating sustainability programs that would aid its people and its economy while helping Sierra Leone's culture thrive. Through SOSL Tiffany's efforts have not only  rebuilt a dilapidated school in the village of Kono but also provided upgraded education for 600 children, providing 7,000 micro business loans and  further  aiding the economy by making 12,000  individuals across the country computer literate.   Partnering with Salone Microfinance Trust the nonprofit has secured over $600,000 in funds for micro loans. Working with Waves 4 Water, another nonprofit featured on this b

If you haven’t heard the inspiring story already you must find a way to see the documentary “Delicious Peace Grows in a Ugandan Coffee Bean,” directed by  Curt Fissel. The film tells a story we can all learn from. thanksgivingcoffee.com  In 2003 J.J. Keki , a Ugandan coffee farmer had a dream. To make his dream a reality he walked door to door and asked his Jewish, Christian and Muslim neighbors to put their differences aside for the benefit of all. They were all third and fourth generation coffee farmers struggling to make a living with  low local coffee prices. The farmers did put difference aside and formed the Peace Kawomera Cooperative.  With help from Laura Wetzler from the US-based organization Kulanu, and  Paul Katzeff, CEO of Thanksgiving Coffee Company in Fort Bragg, CA,  these Jewish, Christian and Muslim farmers formed a coffee cooperative that is not only sharing delicious coffee around the world but also showing by example that  differences can be put aside, a

isfoundation.org The I.S. Foundation   aims to create positive impact on   our environment, our planet and its creatures. The foundation’s mission – to educate and collaborate, globally not just USA,   with other nonprofits, people and projects with similar goals. “IS” Foundations distributes   funds and resources for use for global conservation, green energy development/deployment and educational tools. The foundation is also active in increasing awareness of global deforestation as a national and international security risk. A key focus is on mobilizing and engaging the support of global youth populations.   The organizations is also   committed to initiatives to eliminate animal cruelty include efforts towards “no-kill shelters”. Learn more about IS Foundation at www.isfoundation.com or follow them on Twitter at   https://twitter.com/#!/ISFundraisers

In 1979 three women only armed with a self-help book, a lot of determination and hard work founded this nonprofit organization. The women; Betty Ann Jansson, Barbara Burke and Marge Leighton were granted a Federal Tax ID number and nonprofit certification and began what has become a 30 year mission to empower women. The experience and observation of the three was that women, no matter what their education, often earn less than men and are under-represented in many employment fields. In recent years with the economic down-turn Women At Work has broadened its mission to provide services to both men and women seeking work. Women At Work is currently the only non-government bilingual (English/Spanish) career and job resource center serving Los Angeles County. There services include support in resume development, employer forums, career counseling, computer training and its job search resource center.They also provide services en Espanol.  To learn more,  visit http://womena

CSNO is a student/volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit based at San Diego State University. At least once every year since Hurricane Katrina they have travelled to New Orleans to rebuild the homes of hurricane victims.  They have made 11 trips since 2007. These trips cost $$$. The expenses include each student volunteer   getting to New Orleans, housing and meals while they work to help hurricane victims. The students raise funds through a variety of initiatives. Even with these efforts “Nawleanter” student volunteers pay about $500 each to go to New Orleans to help victims rebuild. You can help support their cause by purchasing some photography done by a College Students for New Orleans Nawleanter photographer at   www.flickr.com/photos/msalwasser/sets/ . Also spread the word about their blog   look at our club blog at sdsucsno.wordpress.com

The Arroyo Food co-op of Pasadena, CA has 500 members. With a newly leased space in Pasadena the co-op will provide organic, sustainable, and locally sourced products along with humanely raised meats, fair trade items and non-GMO produce. The co-op is taking over the space of a former local community market. With visions of  additional features such as   a deli, coffee bar, and community space being considered  the co-op will also be filling a local community void.  To fulfill its has launched a capital campaign. Loans from existing members will provide the bulk of the approximately $70,000 needed to refurbish and renovate the site and $251,000 for operational expenses—mostly inventory—but extra members and donors will be needed. Here's an opportunity for you for a new way to give back;  join the co-op or make a donation to help provide member families and the local community with locally produced, sustainable, fair  trade, non-GMO and organic products.  As a member yo