Graduation Generation

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BackgroundInformation.
Graduation Generation is a K-12cluster-based initiative designed to better equip children, predominantly fromlow-wealth communities, succeed in school so that they graduate on time and areprepared for college and career. Graduation Generation brings Emory Universitytogether with Atlanta Public Schools and the nonprofit Communities In Schoolsas well as more than a dozen philanthropic and nonprofit organizations toachieve the following goals: 1) students achieve academically and attain highlevels of performance; 2) students graduate on time with college and careerplans in place; 3) students demonstrate self-determination and strive forpersonal development that includes leadership development; 4) students benefitfrom good health and safety necessary for academic success. Activities focus onthe students, teachers, parents, and communities served by the Coan MiddleSchool-Maynard Jackson High School Cluster in the Atlanta Public School System.Emory faculty, staff and students engage with Graduation Generation throughtheir academic courses, co-curricular programs, research projects and volunteerservice, employing both community engaged learning pedagogy and asset-basedcommunity development principles. Graduation Generation was launched with a $1million gift from Emory alumnus trustee Rick Rieder 83B and is additionallyfunded by grants and individual gifts. Visit www.oucp.emory.edu to learn more.


Formore information contact:BevinCarpenter- Graduation Generation Co-Project Manager, cell: 404-514-5511BarbaraCoble-Graduation Generation Co-Project Manager, cell: 770-598-7304

Sandy Springs Mission, Inc.

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"Transferring families through education"

 The Sandy Springs Mission is a non-profit organization serving at- risk students in Sandy Springs for the past 12 years. Our purpose is to provide academic support and community resources for students of foreign-born parents. We strive to radically improve their overall academic performance, and ultimately lay the foundation for a brighter future.

Services OfferedAfter School enrichment programsLife Skills programsSummer campsPerforming Arts


To date, fifty-two student participants haveachieved their high school diploma!Your partnership will help us impact thelives of more students.
850 Mount Vernon Highway
Sandy Springs, Georgia 30327
(404) 943-1540
www.sandyspringsmission.org

Group Volunteer Opportunities with The Salvation Army

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         Since its beginning, volunteers have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with The Salvation Army to provide help for all those in need. Often referred to as "the army behind The Army", volunteers play a crucial role in The Salvation Army's ability to provide quality social services.
We believe that you are a valuable asset to The Salvation Army’s efforts in meeting the changing needs of Metro Atlanta.
As a group, your skills will make positive and significant contributions to the communities we serve. Thank you for your interest and for thinking of our programs. We look forward to meeting you!


THANK YOU!
Since its beginning, volunteers have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with The Salvation Army to provide help for all those in need. Often referred to as "the army behind The Army", volunteers play a crucial role in The Salvation Army's ability to provide quality social services.
We believe that you are a valuable asset to The Salvation Army’s efforts in meeting the changing needs of Metro Atlanta.
As a group, your skills will make positive and significant contributions to the communities we serve. Thank you for your interest and for thinking of our programs. We look forward to meeting you!

Metro Atlanta Area Command LocationsRed Shield Services and Harbor Light Corps
400 Luckie Street NW Atlanta GA 30313

Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center
967 Dewey Street SW Atlanta GA 30310

Atlanta Temple Corps
2090 N Druid Hills Road NE Atlanta GA 30329

Atlanta International Corps
3771 Central Avenue Doraville GA 30340

Jonesboro Citadel Corps
130 Spring Street Jonesboro GA 30236

Marietta Corps
202 Waterman Street SE Marietta GA 30060

Lawrenceville Corps
3455 Sugarloaf Parkway Lawrenceville GA 30044

Atlanta Peachcrest Corps and Boys & Girls Club
3500 Sherrydale Lane Decatur GA 30032

Fuqua Boys & Girls Club
405 Lovejoy Street NW Atlanta GA 30313

Bellwood Boys & Girls Club
777 Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway NW Atlanta GA 30313

William Booth Towers
1125 Ponce de Leon Avenue NE Atlanta GA 30306

Salvation Army Warehouse
1070 White Street Atlanta GA 30310

To schedule volunteer events, contact:
Sarah Clem
Volunteer Coordinator
404-486-2961
sarah_clem@uss.salvationarmy.org

Georgia Shock Youth Basketball Organization

To contact us Click HERE


"Success is what happens when opportunity meets preparation"Georgia Shock Youth Basketball isa non profit youth organization, with the mission of improving the moral, physical,mental attitude, and spiritual well-being of young people. GA Shock Youth Basketballinstills leadership, responsibility, education, and good citizenship.  A community based organization serving at-risk youth by getting them off thestreet and on the court.

Main Activity: BasketballTournaments

Contact:James Parks, 678-754-8391georgiashock@gmail.com
Website:
www. GeorgiaShock.com
Volunteer Opportunities:
-         WebsiteDesign-         PublicRelations (Telemarketing, Direct Mail Campaign)-         AdministrativeAssistant (Data Entry, Record Keeping)-         Fundraising& Grant Writing

Zaban program collaboration with Georgia State University

To contact us Click HERE

Semi-Boot Camp Outdoor -An exercise program that includes  Mon. -Wed.- Fri. Times 10:00-11:00am  and 5:30-7:00pm: Ongoing long term. ( Taught by P.E. Major or Minor /Fitness background)1. Weighing in weekly and taking a blood pressure reading, this data will be kept at the Center.2. Walking laps around the park at ones on pace but timing that pace with the goal of increasing the pace.3. Stopping at a number of stations to complete a set of exercises that are given by an instructor.4. The instructor will be motivating and encouraging participants to keep increasing pace.
Basketball Drills & Skills for kids ages 8-14; Practicing the correct techniques: Tues.&Thur. 4:00-6:00pm :3months. (Taught by anyone that has played at least high school level basketball)1. Lay –ups left hand and right hand.2. Catching the basketball and pivoting.3. Setting a Pick and Roll.4. Passing ,dribbling , Shooting ect..
Tennis Lessons and Drills for Beginners and Intermediate:Mon.&Wed.4:00-6:00pm ; Ongoing long term.  (Can be taught by any student that plays at a 3.5-4.0 level)1.Teaching basic tennis strokes of serving, forehand, backhand, and volley.2. Topspin, slice and flat.3. Scoring and strategy.
Nutrition, Home Gardening and Healthy Cooking for Seniors, Adults and Teens –Fri. 11:30am -1:00pm and 5:00-7:00pm: Ongoing long term.( Taught by Health /Nutrition Major or Minor)1.Teaching and demonstrating alternative ways to cook without frying.2.Development of container gardens for the home.3.Teaching nutrition, with an emphasis on drinking more water.4.The the use of culinary herbs for health.
Tutoring, Homework help for Afterschool for ages 6-18. Mon., Tues., Wed.& Thur. Times  4:00-7 :00pm; Ongoing long term. (Taught by Education Major or Minor work study program would be perfect.)1.Tutoring for all subjects.
Chess for Kids ages 5-18.  Thursday , Time 4:00-6:0 0pm. Ongoing long term.  ( Taught by any student that is a Chess player)1.Teach how the pieces move.2.Teach chess strategy.3. Help students develop thinking skills and enjoy the game.
Soccer Skills and Drills for Youth 4:30-6:00pm. Ongoing long term. ( Taught by any student that has played at least high school soccer)1.Teach proper technique for kicking the ball.2.Teach the fundamentals of the game.
Bonsai class. (Taught by any student that has an interest in plants)1.Teach the Japanese Art of Bonsai.
Senior Program Special Trips and Events
Spanish for beginners.  ( Taught by a Spanish Language Major / Minor or Native speaker)


Contact
Debra E. Murray404-317-5012

Diana's Story: We promised not to euthanize her.

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August 2006, Day of Rescue



September 2006

In August of 2006 Amazon CARES rescued a very ill dog from the streets.  We named her Diana, in honor of donors Diane & Greg Paschell who sponsored her.

October, 2006 Photo by Molly Wald of Best Friends Animal Society

During October of 2006 I responded to an inquiry about Diana, and wrote:  Diana is still in treatment for an eye infection and anal gland infection. Her treatment has been lengthy. She still has a bit of distrust in her eyes, which is heartbreaking. She craves human companionship, and she does not live in the kennel area. She roams free, and she sleeps on this spot on the porch of my house. At night she keeps our security guard company on his rounds!

Recently somebody abandoned a dog and her 5 month puppy at our shelter in the middle of the night. The puppy escaped, and we hoped it would be lured back by his mother. I told my employees to secure the mother to an outer fence post with this hope. Later I went looking for the dog and questioned my employees. They told me Diana was guarding her. What?

Sure enough, they had the two dogs attached by two leashes, and Diana stood her ground in the most stalwart fashion.

January, 2008Diana is the most loving, playful dog -- when she has her eye medication. She can not produce natural tears. We put natural lubricant in her eyes five times a day. She requires constant monitoring, therefore she will live out her best years at the Amazon Cares no-kill shelter!



December 2012
Over the years Diana's eye condition got much worse.  A Veterinary Opthamologist volunteered for Amazon CARES, and we made the decision to relieve the source of so much pain and irritation.  Diana was already blind, and the Veterinarian removed both of Diane's eyes.  Diane still accompanies our security guard on his nightly rounds, and she loves to bask in the sun, and then take refuge from the heat on the hard packed dirt underneath the Director's raised home on the shelter premises.  She has never been restricted to a kennel.

We made a lifetime promise to Diana.  We promised her a life with all her necessities are met, where she is walked several times a day and receives affection.  We promised not to euthanize her.  Please help us keep this promise.  We need your support now.



Sincerely,

Molly Mednikow

The Saddest Blog I've Ever Written - Redux

To contact us Click HERE

This blog is reprinted from May 15, 2012
Our animal shelter where we cared for 50+ dogs has been completely destroyed. See video:



We relocated all animals into a treatment building that is built on stilts.   It was a very trying 2 months as the dogs were forced to live in a very crowded space.  Healthy, sick, small, large, puppies...all were forced to live together.  We always have promoted adoption, but it is not ingrained in the culture of Iquitos.  However, the flooding provided an added impetus to get the word out.  
We had a record number of adoptions in April and May, and now we are caring for just over 20 dogs.  Incidentally, we shelter cats as well, but at another facility, in-town at our Vet Clinic.  Our dog shelter is 30 minutes away by boat or land (currently only by boat, of course) from our in-town clinic.  We got an emergency grant of $4000  from the Fundación 30 Millions d'amis (30 Million Friends) of France , and our supporters stepped up also, helping us raise an additional $1200.
Last week we completed work on a new, smaller, shelter at the highest point of our property.  It is such a relief for the remaining animals to have space to roam again.  You can see these photos on Facebook.

The effort has nearly destroyed us.  We had to cancel our April Veterinary Trip.  We are currently $500 short on paying our bills this month.  Sadly, a matching grant Donor we depended on states that we misunderstood his original grant limitations.  We hope to receive the money promised to us, but that will not occur for another 6-12 months.
I have never earned a salary as the Founder or Executive Director of Amazon CARES.  I founded and supported Amazon CARES when I sold my part in my family's 125 year old jewelry business in 2005. Since 2004 I have supported CARES, but in late 2011 my money ran out.  I have enough to live on, but not enough to continue supporting CARES in the same manner.  Despite the fact that my travel to Peru will be severely curtailed, I am currently looking for full time employment to supplement my income and keep CARES alive.  Luckily, we have a wonderful Director in Peru and a wonderful, loyal staff (at least for now...if we can't pay salaries that would probably change).
We still run very active ABC programs, and thankfully, these programs and the medicines needed are paid for by the Brigitte Bardot Foundation.
It is very hard to get grant money for shelters, however.  The WSPA doesn't believe in sheltering, for instance.  They believe that long term solutions are found through active ABC campaigns and Humane Education.  We are very involved with both of these strategies as well.  I would challenge any international animal charity of our size to rival our Humane Ed program, which has continued despite recent challenges.
However, we believe sheltering is an essential component.  Many dogs are abandoned, especially litters of puppies, or dogs suffer from infections (mange, parasites) that can be treated easily.  We have seen enormous transformations from former, sickly street dogs to beautiful, healthy adoptable pets.  We are a no-kill shelter, incidentally.

As the flood waters reside we will need to continue rebuilding our shelter.  The one we constructed quickly is well built, but too small.   We may try to salvage a small part of our old shelter, but it is preferable to continue building another small shelter building on the highest land, adjacent to what we have already built.  

We recently rescued a dog found starving to death on a small patch of dry land and surrounded by water.  His owners had abandoned him.  Even as we have improved our adoption rates, there will continue to be a need for shelter for dogs such as this rescue dog.  He will heal and be adopted, but it will require months of re-hab.  We simply refuse to euthanize him, when he is a dog with a bright future as a member of somebodys family.
Funds are badly needed for reconstruction and for dog food.

I am sad to report that the survival of CARES is a matter of weeks, not months.  There is no other charity like ours in the region.  In a matter of a few years, much of the work we have done will have come undone.

Thank you for reading this blog.  I am extremely saddened to reveal this heartbreaking news.  If you can help us with a donation of any amount, we would be very grateful.  

P.S. December 16, 2012 - I can't believe we are facing such dire economic circumstances again, and I hate to use the pity card with our supporters.  Please remember that 90% of your donation goes directly to our programs helping animals.  Our outlook for 2013 is good, if we can just get past these few months before grant money comes in.  We are a tiny charity achieving BIG goals, and we are working on doing more strategic planning for the future longevity of the charity.

Molly Mednikow
Amazon CARES Founder