#Charity -- Lessons Learned from the #ALSicebucketchallenge

You've seen it. You've probably done it.

This summer the #ALSicebucketchallenge has swept social media. The basic concept--if you have chosen to live in a world without the internet, if that is even possible--is that a friend of yours nominates you to either dump a bucket of ice water on your head within 24 hours or donate $100 to the ALS association.

When I first heard about this "act of charity", I was appalled. The underlying tenant that has fueled this epidemic is simple:

I would rather dump freezing cold water on my head than donate to charity. 

This whole thing had me pretty worked up--and by pretty worked up, I mean spouting long lists of why I don't think this thing has worth to my husband, who very patiently nodded his head.

First Things First, There are Two Components to Charity: Awareness and Action

Those invested in service work will tell you that there are two main components to their approach. Awareness is key. People must know in order to feel empathy. Most of us live in a state of ignorance, not always because we have chosen to, but sometimes because we have not been exposed to information or become actively curious about it. NGOs and non-profit organizations spend large amounts of their time and funding to get information out, recognizing that this is essential for any change.

The second half of charity is action. Helping those in need, providing money for research or funding. This is equally essential, for what difference does it make if we all know there is a problem if no one does anything about it.

Bringing us Back to the #ALSicebucketchallenge...

The #ALSicebucketchallenge definitely did not encourage awareness in and of itself. Many who completed the challenge are unable to identify what ALS stands for (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), what the more colloquial name for it is (Lou Gehrig's Disease), or--most importantly--what happens to someone with ALS (What is ALS?).

The ice bucket challenge included an action, but the action has nothing to do with helping those with ALS.

It's not like having ALS makes you feel like you just got shocked by ice water. 

Furthermore, in order for the video to become viral, people had to do something that PREVENTED them from taking action. Dump the water so that you don't have to give money and the thing will spread.

Thankfully, there have been two lights at the end of this bucket: Human Curiosity & Social Shame

Although the challenge did not include an awareness component, some people have taken it upon themselves to learn about ALS. Since the human brain is programmed to be naturally curious, many have visited The ALS Association's Webpage. A friend of mine who is in med school posted key information about ALS when she took the challenge. Others have mentioned family members who died after years of battling ALS. These stories have led to an increase in buzz about the disease, which seems to be leading to more awareness and action.

Finally, why social media made this happen: social shame. If you are nominated for the  #ALSicebucketchallenge, everyone knows it. It is forever posted to your wall, your newsfeed and--most immortally--the cloud. If you did not complete the challenge, everyone knew it. And the pressure was on to donate.

And that worked. As of August 18th, Time reported that over $15.6 million dollars has been donated to the organization. According to the same article, the organization raised only $50,000 in the same amount of time last year (Worland, 2014).

It is clear; there is action happening.

So, Why Do I Still Fear the #ALSicebucketchallenge? 

Although there are two facets of charity, action and awareness, there is one more sublime component. One thing that governs service, separating it from mere motion, elevating it to the place where it changes us and our world.

INTENTION.

The basic framework of the #ALSicebucketchallenge creates something that is about me when it should be about them. Many will argue that giving $100 is giving $100 dollars no matter the circumstances. They will say that the researchers won't know if that money was given essentially as a lost bet or if it was given from a place of concern, compassion and selflessness.

But for the sustainability of any service, intention matters.

Because the #ALSicebucketchallenge will fizzle, the ice will melt, and our attention will wane. But ALS will continue to plague our friends, our crazy uncles, our spouses.

If we are completing our acts of charity to contend with a fad or because we have an audience, service will be dependent on those elements. And what happens when ALS research has a huge breakthrough, but no social media stunt to regenerate attention and funding?

So, for those of you who completed the challenge with the intention of actually helping stop ALS, then #youareamazing. And for those of you who didn't, it's never too late to change your approach.


References:
Worland, J. (2014) The viral ice bucket challenge has raised $15.6 million for ALS. Time. Retrieved from http://time.com/3136458/viral-als-ice-bucket-challenge-funds-raised-15-million/

Sandy Relief Blurb

The clock ticks towards 2:18. In just 2 minutes the bell will ring, and students will be done for the day. On most days this is the time where the surreptitious bag packers begin sliding the fronts of their notebooks on top of their pages. This is normally the time when the seat jumpers begin stretching their legs, ready to fly out the door.

But today's different. 

A group of 16 eighth grade students are huddled around one laptop. I think it needs a comma. Wait! That doesn't make sense yet. They call out. Their teacher stands at the front of the room, trying to type as quickly as they are speaking. 

This was the scene in my 7th period class last Thursday, as one student's piece was about to be posted on the local blog. For the past month my students have been absorbed in their Sandy Relief project, Donate 108. They have been working with several local agencies--Habitat for Humanity, The Community Soup Kitchen, The Interfaith Food Pantry and the Salvation Army--to collect goods for local residents affected by Superstorm Sandy. 

While I tried to type as quickly as my fingers would allow, I couldn't help but marvel at the dedication of my students! 

If this sounds like a project you would like to create at your school, STAY TUNED! We are currently creating a short book to help students and teachers do these types of things! 

With just a little help and your heart in the right place, your classroom could be just as filled--if not more--with goods for any of your local residents in need!

Water We Thinking?!

This past summer, my little sister spent 3 weeks on a mission trip in Tanzania. Among other beautiful--albeit heartbreaking--stories that she told upon returning, she blurted out: "We don't even realize how lucky we are to have clean water."

My sister's water comment left me stunned. I brush my teeth in the morning, and there is clean water. I make my coffee, and there is clean water.  I take a shower, and there is clean--and hot--water.

I have never worried that this water would stop flowing out of my faucet.  Never fretted over if there would be enough water when I needed to do my laundry. And I've never had to walk farther than my kitchen sink to have water for cooking [meaning mixing water with a box of mac and cheese].

So I started exploring this concept of clean water, and I was dumbfounded. Isn't access to clean water the most basic human right??

(water.org)

Every 20 seconds, a child dies from a water related illness. 2

Girls are often forced to collect water instead of going to school. In fact, women spend 200 million hours a day collecting water. 2

Poor sanitation often causes water supplies to become contaminated with diseases. 2

This contaminated water is responsible for 80 percent of diseases in the developing world. 1

Nearly 1 in 9 people lack access to an improved water source. 2

The leading cause of human sickness and death is water-related illness. 1

Get Involved:

Appreciate what you have and don't waste your resources. 

Try using a reusable water bottle for a week. 

Become an advocate. Use your voice to spread awareness!

Conserve your water usage (a 5 minute American shower uses more water than a day's worth of water usage for an average person in a developing country slum)1

Get an inside look. Follow a community as they attempt to access safe water. 

Make a donation.

Hold a fundraiser at your school or in your community. 

Great Resources:

UNICEF

water.org

Blue Planet Network

What else can you do to help? Feel free to blog suggestions below! 

"Every $1 spent on water and sanitation generates a return of $9 in saved time, increased productivity and reduced health costs in Africa.
-- United Nations Development Program" 1

1. The Facts About the Global Drinking Water Crisis. Blue Planet Network. Web. 18 September 2012. 

2.  Water Facts: Water. Water.org. Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0. Web. 18 September 2012. 

Homelessness in America

Home--for many of us the word conjures up a slideshow of images. Sometimes we may think of our caring parents, loving siblings and warm dinners. Sometimes we may think of arguing with our parents, annoying siblings or dinners that were disgusting. Whatever the memories, good or bad, the fact is that we have memories of home.

Unfortunately, tonight in America,  over 600,000 people will not have a home to sleep in.


According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness,

"By the numbers:

-There are 643,067 people experiencing homelessness on any given night in the United States.
-Of that number, 238,110 are people in families, and
-404,957 are individuals.
-17 percent of the homeless population is considered 'chronically homeless,' and
-12 percent of the homeless population - 67,000 - are veterans." Read More

Get Involved:

Volunteer in a local shelter 

Organize a donation of supplies to a local shelter (canned food, paper goods, toiletries, books)

Volunteer at a local soup kitchen to serve the homeless

Advocate for the homeless by calling 202-46204822 or e-mailing info@nationalhomeless.org

Make posters to place around your school/community to help peers who may be homeless

Donate your used clothes and shoes to a local shelter

Get more ideas

Read More:

Read a collection of stories about homeless teens overcoming their obstacles in

       The Struggle to Be Strong: True Stories by Teens About Overcoming Tough Times 
       Edited by Al Desetta M.A. (Editor), Sybil Wolin Ph.D. (Editor)

Read about a homeless teen in NYC in

       Street Life: My Story (E-book) by Wayne Kernochan

Read about the daily lives of homeless women in the D.C. area in

       Tell Them Who I Am: The Lives of Homeless Women by Elliot Liebow

For children, read about a child living out of his car in

       A Shelter in Our Car by Monica Gunning

If you need help:

If you are under age 20, call 1-800-323-GROW

Click here to find a homeless shelter by you. 

Know that you are not alone and that there are many people willing and able to help!

Child Abuse

Childhood, [chahyld-hood]
n. a time to play, laugh, sing, dance, ask questions, explore, enjoy
n. a stage of life classified by innocence and purity


Unfortunately for an estimated 6 million children1 in America, childhood is not filled with blocks, dolls and smiles. Instead, these children are stripped of their innocence, beaten into learning the cruelest edges of humanity.


What constitutes child abuse? 
Child abuse is legally defied as an act, or failure to act, that results in the death, serious emotional or physical harm, sexual abuse, or exploitation of a child or which places the child in an immediate risk of serious danger. 2



Every 10 seconds a report of child abuse is made. 1

Shockingly, nearly 5 children die from child abuse each day in America.1 


About 80% of those children who die from abuse are under the age of 4. 1

Roughly 50%-60% of the child fatalities that occur as a result of maltreatment are not recorded on death certificates. 1

Artist: J. Sanchez

Get Involved
-Local high school students suggest:
-TALK ABOUT IT--the more people who hear about it, the more people who can help fight it
-Post/Tweet projects about stopping child abuse
-Post/Tweet shocking statistics about child abuse
-Find a charity that supports ending child abuse
-Create a club or organization that supports ending child abuse
-Report any suspicious activity to DYFS, a teacher, a police officer, a counselor, an administrator or a school nurse
-Create posters to hang around school with stats, info and pics
-Wear a blue ribbon
-Create a petition and have students pledge that if they SEE something to TELL someone
-Create a bulletin board in your classroom
-Volunteer at a shelter or home for abused children
-Hold a fundraiser to raise money or gather supplies to send to a local shelter

Scene from They Cage the Animals at Night
Artist: A. Glowka

Read more:
-Check out They Cage the Animals at Night or A Child Called It to get a first hand perspective on the topic
-Read personal stories from those who have faced abuse
-Look up more statistics about the topic




If you are being abused:
-Know that you are not alone and that there are people who can help!
-Tell a friend, teacher, administrator, police officer, counselor, nurse
-Call 1(800)4-A-CHILD the National Child Abuse Hotline
Remember: You are important, and you deserve to be safe!

Posters by: M. Ross & G. Saidian

1. http://www.childhelp.org/pages/statistics#abuse-conseq
2. definition modified from  (42 U.S.C.A. § 5106g).

Childhood Poverty in America

"Oh my God! I'm starving!" 
"If I don't eat, I'm gonna die."

How often do we spew out these words? How often do we whine and complain because our lunch plans have been delayed an hour or so? We many times proclaim that we are "starving," "ravenous," "dying of hunger."

But what does it really mean to be starving? To go to sleep hungry? To not know if the next meal will come, and if it does, what it will even be?

Ask the 19.8% of school-age American children who are living below the poverty line.

If you break that statistic down, it means that 1 in 5 American school children are considered poor. (This does not even factor in the "working poor" and those struggling to make ends meet).

Get Involved:
-Volunteer at a local soup kitchen or food bank
-Hold a food drive and collect non-perishable items
-Talk to local restaurants about collecting unused food and donating it

Read More:
-Learn about Child Hunger in your community
-Check out New Ideas to help make a difference
-Read My Mother's Car to hear one child's story of poverty
-Read Hope for Children in Poverty: Profiles and Possibilities





Phrases of Action:
What is the poverty line?
Currently in the US, it is an income of $22,314 per year for a family of four.

Bullying

Recent studies show that 13% of teens admit to bullying.
An additional 6% of teens admit to bullying and being bullied.
In all, there are about 19% of teens bullying.
19%.*


So, about 1 out of 5 students will bully another student.


Well we could stop there. 


Or we can turn to the rest. To the 81%. 
The 4 out of 5 students who know bullying is happening.
The 4 out of 5 students who are not bullied.
The 4 out of 5 students who are watching.
The 4 out of 5 who could be leaving an Active Handprint.


The number of students who can stop bullying far outweighs the number of bullies. So why are students not standing up for each other? 


Many are afraid the bully will turn on them. Many are afraid of being associated with the person being bullied. Many are afraid of what their friends will think if they stand up for another person (it takes a lot to stand up to a bully; it takes even more to stand up to your own friends). And then there are many teens who want to help but don't know how...

First ask yourself: 

How would I feel if that were me? Would I be okay with everyone walking by? Would I want someone to stand up for me? Would I want help? 

Get involved:
The number of non-bullied students outnumbers the bullies. SO DO SOMETHING!


Local students suggested:
-Tell a teacher, guidance counselor, parent, principal if you see bullying
-Inform students about reporting bullying incidents
-Have an assembly to talk about standing up for others
-Learn what it is like to be bullied 
-Challenge your friends to stand up to bullying too
-Don't use derogatory terms towards your enemies OR your friends  
-Don't joke about bullying
-Follow @StopBullying on twitter
-Write your own story about bullying
-Make a poster like the one below to bring awareness to the topic

Read More:
-Learn more about bullying 
-Read stories of those who have been there and those who want to stop it
-Read Dear Bully-- a collection of short stories where authors tell about their experiences with bullying  
    

"First They Came for the Jews" 

By Pastor Niemoller 

First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me.

http://www.rkdn.org/u-r-next.asp

Women's Education

Sophomore year. For most American high school students the year means nothing. No special attention like freshmen. No prom like the juniors and seniors. No graduation. No ring ceremony. Nothing.

So why is sophomore year so significant for women?

Greg Mortensen, author of Stones into Schools: Promoting Peace with Books, Not Bombs, in Afghanistan and Pakistan, reveals the facts:

"According to Yale economist Paul T. Schultz, an extra year of secondary school may raise [a] girl's lifetime wages by an additional 15 to 25 percent" (12). *


Who knew sophomore year was actually so important?



Get involved: 
-Visit Mortenson's site to learn more about the schools he is establishing and their benefits
-Visit the Central Asia Institute's site to learn more about their cause and contributions
-Visit Pennies for Peace a site established for school children to learn how a penny can make a difference


Read about it:
-Pick up a copy of Stones into Schools




* Mortenson, Greg. Stones into Schools: Promoting Peace with Books, Not Bombs, in Afghanistan and Pakistan. New York: Penguin Group, 2009. Print.