Sisters of the Road

Posted by Ana on Feb 13, 2012 in Charity Focus, Compassion | 0 comments

I’ve heard about Sisters Of The Road and the great work they do since I first moved to Oregon.  I have friends who have volunteered there.  I’ve read about their work and seen the lines out their door of the homeless and hungry individuals they serve.  The people associated with Sisters are passionate about ending poverty and homelessness.  The live out that passion through their service, their love and their mission.

We here at Focus 52 urge you to check them out this week!

Read more about them:  (taken from their website)

About Sisters Of The Road

Since 1979, Sisters Of The Road has been an essential part of the Old Town/Chinatown neighborhood. Sisters offers a space to build community, empower ourselves, learn from one another, dine with dignity and organize for justice and human rights for all.

Sisters’ Mission

Sisters Of The Road exists to build authentic relationships and alleviate the hunger of isolation in an atmosphere of nonviolence and gentle personalism that nurtures the whole individual, while seeking systemic solutions that reach the roots of homelessness and poverty to end them forever.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – AFSP

Posted by Ana on Feb 6, 2012 in Charity Focus, Compassion | 3 comments

This particular charity is close to my heart as I currently serve on the board of the Oregon Chapter. More importantly, though, I have had family members who have struggled with profound depression and at times contemplated suicide.  I even had a sister-in-law who tragically did take her own life.

Having seen this much pain in my own family and knowing the toll mental health issues can take – I believe wholeheartedly in what the AFSP stands for.

Suicide crosses all races, all economic levels, all cultures, all countries. The current number of suicides in our nation is growing – especially among those brave soldiers who have served our country.  You can help. Regardless of whether you have lost someone in your life to suicide – you most likely know someone who has.  Join in the efforts, support the AFSP, be aware of the signs.

Feed My Starving Children

Posted by Ana on Feb 1, 2012 in Charity Focus, Compassion | 8 comments

Yes, there are many organizations feeding hungry children.  Feed My Starving Children is unique in a number of ways and this week they are the one we’ve chosen to introduce you to.  I had the pleasure of attending a MobilePack event a little over a year ago and was blown away by the work they are able to do and how they are able to do it.

Started in 1987 by a businessman who felt called the help those who are hungry – FMSC has grown and adapted to the needs so well that in  2010 they produced over 124 million meals with 6 permanent packing sites, and a nationwide MobilePackTM program, and more than 515,000 volunteers.  This organization relies on volunteers to make it happen.  Churches, organizations and businesses participate in MobilePack – packing parties and agree to raise the money for the amount of meals they pack.  This, combined with other fundraising efforts have allowed FMSC to change lives every day.

The packing party I was a part of was so much fun! Orientation to teach us how to do it was great, testimonials of kids whose lives had been saved with these meals and the comraderie of those around us created such an energy!  We could have kept packing for hours upon hours.

To give you an idea of the difference these meals can make – here’s Omar.

We encourage you to check them out.  Help them provide meals by finding a MobilePack event in your area!

Visit the Feed My Starving Children Website!