By Jordan Lappin As 2022 comes to a close and we head into 2023, many nonprofits look to set new goals for the new year, an important step in evolving and directing the organization's efforts. Here are some steps to consider when creating goals for your nonprofit organization for the coming year:
Happy New Year! We look forward to connecting with more volunteers and nonprofits in 2023!
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By Jordan Lappin This week, we would like to highlight one of Triangle Cares’ newest partnerships with The Flak Foundation. The Flak Foundation was created this year by Chris and Karra Athey after the passing of Bobby Flak, one of Chris Athey’s good friends and a fellow marine who served with him in Iraq and Afghanistan between 2009 - 2010. When Bobby returned home from his tour, he struggled with PTSD and addiction, and he tragically passed away in 2021. Bobby was the third marine that Chris knew that died from addiction or suicide that same week following their deployment. Chris felt that it was time for veterans to take matters into their own hands and help each other out. The reality is that only Chris and his fellow comrades really know what eachother went through on the battlefield and what it’s like to transition home to “normal life” and cope with the wounds of battle at home.
Chris and his wife Karra started the Flak Foundation to help veterans with depression, anxiety, and addiction. Their mission is to bring veterans, active service members, and families together in regions across the US to help veterans find the help and support they need. By hosting events in these areas, the Flak Foundation aims to bring as many local resources to the events. The Flak Foundation has also created a buddy system between veterans to help rescue each other in crisis and begin the conversation of these issues to truly find peace, hope, and healing. During an interview with The Ohana Homefront Organization, Chris mentioned that veterans are oftentimes “adrenaline junkies''. When they come home from a tour, they lose that adrenaline high and resort to drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism. A unique aspect of the Flak Foundation is the programming with equine, surfing, hiking, diving, and other outdoor activities so that veterans can feel the rush of adrenaline, have fun, and ultimately rediscover the beauty of life. The Flak Foundation is holding its first event January 14th at the Mordecai Historic Park in Raleigh, NC from 11:00 to 14:00. By Jordan Lappin More than 10% of the one million people living in Wake County live in poverty. That breaks out to over 106,000 people who struggle to make ends meet every day. What is even more heartbreaking, is that of those 106,000 people, ONE in four are children. According to the News and Observer’s special report, “North Carolina has one of the country’s fastest rising poverty rates. A decade ago, we were 26th – a little better than average. Now we’re 11th, speeding past the competition. We’ve also seen, over the same period, one of the steepest increases in the ranks of the uninsured.”
Now more than ever, as inflation has caused a steep increase in prices: groceries, gas, clothes, etc., families around the Triangle are struggling. And this is where A Doorway to Hope can help. A Doorway to Hope is a Christian organization that was founded in 2010 to serve working, low income families who are at a crisis point and need a helping hand. The mission of A Doorway to Hope is to provide necessary resources and links to local services to give temporary, emergency help. Rather than subsidizing income, A Doorway to Hope links working families in crisis with partner agencies to meet their immediate needs with one-time assistance returning them to a state of self-sufficiency. The organization partners with Wake County Public School social workers, churches, and other community agencies to carefully screen working families in need, many of whom do not qualify for government assistance. Since A Doorway to Hope began in 2010, they have provided financial assistance to help 500+ families from evictions, the Summer Foods Program has served more than 2,000 meals, and the Angel Tree Project has provided over 3,000 children with necessary clothing items and toys. A Doorway to Hope was started by a group of women from St. Michael’s Church in Cary. Their Executive Board consists of three individuals: Maria Young, co-founder, President and Executive Director, Vice President Laura Grelck, who also serves as the co-director of the Crisis Team, and their Treasurer and co-founder, Martina Young. Their board consists of 13 dedicated members and they have many volunteers that serve in various capacities. One of the most unique things about their organization is that they are a 100% volunteer run non-profit. They have wonderful partnerships with some of Triangle Care’s partnered organizations like a Note in the Pocket, Catholic Charities, and Dorcas Ministries to collaborate to meet all the needs a family may have. If you’re interested and would like to volunteer, A Doorway to Hope has a number of volunteer opportunities, especially during the Holiday season. Check out their website for more information! |
AuthorsJordan Hannan and Jordan Lappin Archives
January 2023
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