Philanthropy Tank Partner Highlight: VoLo Foundation
VoLo Foundation has awarded its first Green Award to a Philanthropy Tank student program that best exhibits its commitment to the climate and green initiatives. This year’s recipient is newly launched program, Green Garments, and its founder, Alexander W.Dreyfoos School of the Arts junior, Amelia Williams.
Amelia’s program will inform Palm Beach County students about alternatives to their current clothing purchase and use patterns, which are harmful to the environment, and waste energy and natural resources. The project will raise awareness of eco-friendly alternatives, and focus upon the recycling, reuse, repair, repurposing, and reselling of clothing through an online store and at program events.
“I am extremely excited to be receiving the Green Award and I am eternally grateful to VoLo Foundation as well as Philanthropy Tank for making this all possible. This award will definitely be beneficial to Green Garments and our plans for the future. I cannot wait to begin enacting change in my local community and educating the public about sustainable fashion” says Amelia.
“There is no future without environmental education and Philanthropy Tank is educating youth and helping them create projects that make the world a better place” says VoLo Foundation trustee Thais Lopez Vogel.
About VoLo Foundation VoLo Foundation (VoLo) is a private, non-operating foundation in Jupiter, Florida. VoLo believes in developing knowledge and sharing information that has the potential to create global impact. Through original research and analysis, and in collaboration with philanthropic and academic partners, VoLo aims to enrich the lives of individuals, strengthen communities, and educate future generations. Learn more and subscribe to VoLo Climate News at volofoundation.org
To celebrate Global Youth Service Day, Philanthropy Tank project, Memory Creations held a block party to present awards to Baltimore youth who have been making a difference in the West Baltimore community of Sandtown-Winchester.
Memory Creations was started to establish a memorial garden to honor the memory of loved ones who were victims of gun violence.
The block party was well attended and included speakers, dancers, and rappers. We look forward to celebrating with more projects in action next year.
Bricks Busting Boredom became one of the first programs to receive an award from Philanthropy Tank in 2016. Since its start, the program has become a registered nonprofit, impacted thousands of lives and recently reached a milestone of 4,000 pounds of Lego collected and distributed to children in need.
Bricks Busting Boredom serves as a testament to the mission of Philanthropy Tank.
For the second year in a row, Continental Realty Corporation has shown their support for Baltimore’s youth by sponsoring the Finals Event. Continental Realty is a real estate investment firm that has been family owned and operated for three generations. Their commitment to Baltimore shows in their portfolio as well as in their philanthropic efforts. We are glad to have them on board.
We are excited to have recently sat down with our corporate partner, Bernstein Private Wealth Management, to discuss how their investment in youth leaders resonates with their corporate philosophy. View why Evan Deoul, our Co-Founder and Board President, along with Aisha Ali, Bernstein Private Wealth Management Advisor, and Colleen Dibblee, Sr. Managing Director Assistant to Evan Deoul, all support Philanthropy Tank!
Having an idea is a wonderful place to begin. But bringing an idea into fruition often requires the collaboration of great minds. At Philanthropy Tank, the relationship between our mentors and students is part of what transforms the innovative ideas we receive into sustainable programs that make real impact on the community. In celebration of National Mentoring Month, we spoke with three Philanthropy Tank coaches to discuss the importance of mentoring, their process, and their tips for people who want to start mentoring youth.
Vicki Pugh, Vice President, Philanthropy Tank Palm Beach County Leadership Council
“One of the greatest mentoring experiences I’ve ever had was through Philanthropy Tank working with Ava Goldstone. Her project was to build a Boundless Dreams playground in Bob Miller Park in Delray Beach. As a volunteer for the Miracle League, which has a facility in the park, Ava saw kids with disabilities struggling to play with their siblings and friend on the playground which is adjacent to the baseball field. She had a vision to create a playground where kids of all abilities could play together.
I had helped to build and raise money for a similar playground at the Peter Blum Family YMCA of Boca Raton, so it was very appropriate for me to work with Ava. Throughout our work together, Ava had some very creative ways she wanted to present her project. She needed some framing for her budget and funding request. She took direction from me, but also led many of our conversations with her ideas.
When she got to the finals event, her presentation was flawless. She even had her mentor, a young man from the Miracle League, join her for the presentation! One of the greatest days was when the community came together to celebrate the opening of the Boundless Dreams playground! When it was over, kids of all abilities played on the equipment and had a ball!”
“Following that, I nominated her for the 2018 Carter Youth in Philanthropy Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals. And, if I could not get any prouder, Ava was selected to receive that award. I joined her and her mom for the presentation at the AFP International Conference in New Orleans, LA.”
“Because I have seen how mentoring can impact both the mentor and mentee, I believe mentoring is important. The mentors I have had in my life have helped me learn and grow. They have led me on my career path, gotten me through some tough professional and personal times, and connected me to resources when needed. I really love mentoring young people who are interested in getting into the nonprofit field. It can be challenging to work for a nonprofit organization, especially in a ‘front line’ position. My hope is to support and help educate the next generation of nonprofit leaders — we need good ones!”
Vicki’s Mentoring Process
“Mentoring to me looks more like a partnership, a relationship where both parties can learn from one another. There’s really no agenda for mentoring. The magic takes place when the conversation is organic. You must be willing to share yourself in a mentoring relationship and be authentic. As a mentor and mentee, you must open yourself up to learn from one another. The experience can truly be life changing.”
Vicki’s Top Tips
“Every young person could use a mentor, so there is no shortage of opportunity! If you want to start mentoring youth, find organizations that can help you identify a young person who could use your help. Or, if you have friends or family members who could use your support, ask them to have coffee or ice cream! Don’t push the agenda with your mentee. Let them reveal how they need help. Really listen to them. Show up, be dependable, and invite them to join you for meals and events. Over time, you will see how you both will come to rely on one another!”
Julie Fisher Cummings, Philanthropy Tank Palm Beach County Leadership Council
“Last year, I was fortunate to work with Girls Help Girls, a group working to bring awareness and change policy around period poverty, the lack of access to period products by youth. It was equally and inspiring to see these young women grow! My thought partner Caitlen, a former Philanthropy Tank Alumni, worked with the students to help them start a pilot program at a local school. The students organized the funding and implementation of period product dispensers at Santaluces Community High School and worked collaboratively with students on the ground. Additionally, the students have been hosting events, collecting period products, and advocating for policy change at the state level, to ensure all students have access to these necessary products. It was amazing to so many generations of women working together to help students in their local communities.”
“Mentoring is an extremely rewarding experience that allows the mentee and mentor to grow and learn together! I seek to provide mentorship to pay tribute to the mentors I have had, inspire the next generation, and give youth the tools they need to succeed. So many of these students have gone on to create amazing careers and lives. I have been fortunate to work with them for a brief period on their journey!”
Julie’s Mentoring Process
“When I first meet with mentees, I like to get to know them as people. What are their passions and goals? Secondly, I help connect them to resources and contacts that can assist the growth of their project. I encourage collaborations with other groups and help connect them to broader initiatives that match their issue area. Lastly, I work with them to build capacity and consistency in their project by helping them grow their brand and organization through social media, events, and networks.”
Julie’s Top Tips
“1. Be prepared to be inspired and awestruck by their passion, vision, and commitment.
2. Listen to the mentees. They will let you know what resources they need!
3. Help connect them to your social and professional networks.
4. Keep in touch to see how you can be helpful.
5. Be prepared for the journey of your life. You will also be growing and learning alongside your mentees.”
Aisha Ali, Coach and Philanthropist Investor, Philanthropy Tank
“I have been fortunate throughout my upbringing and career to have more seasoned individuals take an interest in me and my passions. Mentorship is such an invaluable tool to promote interest in new ideas and concepts by providing guidance and expertise about topics that are mostly unknown. I love seeing students light up when they realize that they can achieve something that seemed almost impossible at the onset and watch the confidence grow in them.”
Aisha’s Mentoring Process
“I try to focus on being a good listener. It’s the key first step to creating a relationship of trust and confidence. Once I’m able to understand what matters to someone and how they arrived at the place they are, we can discuss ways to achieve a goal or make an idea a reality.”
Aisha’s Top Tips
“Have fun! It’s so easy to get excited and inspired by these students. They’re bright, hardworking, interested in helping others and just a joy to be around. Smile and share some jokes – it breaks the ice and makes students more comfortable. Be interested in what they say and don’t diminish their ideas or opinions just because they’re young.”
A bonus word from our co-founder and board president:
As National Mentoring Month comes to a close, we thank our team of mentors for motivating and guiding our next generation of Changemakers. To see this year’s student finalists present their community impact ideas to receive mentorship and funding, mark your calendar for our 2022 finals events.
In 2020, Rithika Kacham, a student at Suncoast High School, applied to Philanthropy Tank with an idea very close to her heart – Access to free menstrual hygiene products.
Rithika recalls seeing firsthand the struggles of women in her parent’s home country of India.
“While I was growing up, I spent many summers in India. There I saw firsthand all the struggles many women face. This got me thinking. Why should they even have to make these workarounds in the first place? When I came back home, I noticed the lack of free products and started to wonder how the women in my community deal with this problem.”
– – Rithika Kacham, 2020 Philanthropy Tank – PBC Awardee
From that passion came Girls Help Girls!
Girls Help Girls is a student-led initiative that helps low-income individuals that menstruate receive proper hygiene products by raising awareness about the lack of access to resources.
Since receiving funding, Girls Help Girls has distributed 250+ period packs through partnerships with Clinics can Help and The Glades Initiative. Rithika has also established new partnerships with the Palm Beach County Food Bank, Place of Hope, and Renewing Dignity to expand her distribution network.
In collaboration with Megan Enriquez from Equal and Empowered (a 2016 Philanthropy Tank program), Girls Help Girls created the Coalition Against Period Poverty (CAPP).
Megan and Rithika worked to get a Period Product Dispenser installed at Santaluces High School. It dispenses FREE hygiene products.
In attendance: Rithika Kacham (Girls Help Girls) | Megan Enriquez (Equal and Empowered) | Amy Brand (Philanthropy Tank CEO) | Erica Whitfield (PBC School Board Member) | Kathryn Koerner (Suncoast High School Principal) | Tameka Robinson (Santaluces High School Principal)
The event was covered by the Education Network. District employees tell us there are students that will miss school because they can’t afford hygiene products. Organizers of both groups hope to have more dispensers installed at other Palm Beach County Schools.
If you are interested in supporting Rithika and Megan, click below to contact us.
To apply to the workshops listed below, click here:
Seven student-led charity programs earned more than $89,000 in funding thanks to their pitches made to a group of Philanthropist-Investors.
For the last four years Philanthropy Tank finalists made their presentations on a stage in front of hundreds of audience members. This year’s “Finals” event scheduled for the Kravis Center was canceled because of the coronavirus.
Last week the select group of teens finally received their opportunity to present their charity ideas virtually. Sunday afternoon Philanthropy Tank debuted the “recorded Live Finals Event program on its Facebook page and website (www.philanthropytank.org [philanthropytank.org]). A mentor was assigned to each charity and each program was eligible to be awarded up to $15,000 in funding. Video of program – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CG6_9zlKBzE [youtube.com]
This list of the programs includes what the program was awarded by the Philanthropist Investors.
Girls Help Girls – Rithika Kacham 11th grade, Suncoast High School – Awarded $15,000
Girls Help Girls is a project that aims to help women in need receive proper hygiene products such as diva cups and pads by raising awareness about the lack of access women have to proper hygiene products.
Hello Hygienics – Nishah Jaferi and Jonathan Beres 11th grade, Spanish River High School -Awarded $10,000
In Palm Beach County, the issue of homelessness is marked by limited access to basic needs such as dental care, skincare, feminine products, and more. Hello Hygienics strives to combat this barrier to proper sanitation by providing handy, on-the-go, wellness kits to prioritize health for the less fortunate.
Idea Lab – Angel Rojas, Pierce Dono, and Oliver Charles-Pierre – 8th grade, St. Vincent Ferrer School – Awarded $13,500
These students aim to start an Idea lab in the library of the Glades based Hope Rural School based on the principles we have learned in Design Thinking class. Students will have a setup where they can gather tools and materials to create, invent, tinker, and fabricate as a community through hands-on design and construction.
MoneyBuddies – Gabriel Sun and Brendan Detamore – 11th Grade, American Heritage – Awarded $14,500
MoneyBuddies is a program that intends to inspire the youth of Palm Beach County by providing them with fun, free lessons in basic principles of financial literacy and proper money management.
Stand Up; Be Counted – Anajiah Graham and I’Yunni Phillips, 11th graders, Glades Central – Awarded $10,500
Concentrating in the Glades Area, the program’s goal is to increase the numbers of individuals who first complete and return the Census documents, thereby gaining seats in the House of Representatives when new electoral district boundaries are drawn.
South Florida Tech for Seniors – Sam Friedman 10th grade, Suncoast High School – Awarded $15,000
This program will work to help local senior citizens with their technology needs while teaching them basic skills to be self-sufficient.
Venture – Benjamin Gao – 11th grade, Dreyfoos School of The Arts – Awarded $10,500
Venture is a student-led initiative based out of Dreyfoos School of the Arts. The primary goal of this project is to spread work-readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy skills to elementary and middle school students within Palm Beach County.
This is Philanthropy Tank’s fifth year of supporting future ‘changemakers’. In that time, students have created and continue to run organizations supporting music/art education, women’s empowerment, underprivileged children, pediatric cancer patients and more. Following this recent event, Philanthropy Tank has awarded more than $500,000 in funding and provided hundreds of hours of mentorship for teens who have started nearly three dozen local charities.
Philanthropy Tank’s local success has led to its recently announced expansion to Baltimore, Maryland.
Philanthropy Tank Welcomes New Executive Director Who Brings More Than 20 Years of Nonprofit Experience in South Florida
Following five years with Habitat For Humanity, Amy Brand joins charity aimed at mentoring teenage “CHANGEmakers”
West Palm Beach, Fla – Amy Brand, who has more than 20 years of nonprofit development experience in South Florida, has been named the new Executive Director of Philanthropy Tank (www.philanthropytank.org). Brand has spent the last five years as the Chief Development Officer for Habitat for Humanity of Palm Beach County. She increased revenue there by more than 500% through strategic partnerships and donor relations.
Brand has already begun her new position as Philanthropy Tank’s leader. The charity challenges and empowers young philanthropists to develop and execute high impact and sustainable community betterment projects. Palm Beach County (7th-12th grade) students have the opportunity to secure mentoring from leaders in the philanthropic community, up to $15,000 of program funding and participate in learning workshops led by local experts. Since 2015 the program has awarded $400,000 in grants to teen-led programs that have impacted more than 200,000 lives. More than 500 local students have been involved in clubs supporting Philanthropy Tank programs.
“We believe that Amy’s record of success as a leader, fundraiser, and advocate for various organizations in our community makes her the right person to lead us to new opportunities in support of more young changemakers who wish to positively impact our community,” says Evan Deoul, Philanthropy Tank’s Co-Founder.
About the position Brand adds “- “I am looking forward to this next chapter in efforts to further the mission of Philanthropy Tank. It is important to empower and engage our next generation of change leaders as they create practical solutions to impact our community.”
Nearly 500 in Attendance to Watch Local Teens Share Their Ideas During 4th Annual Philanthropy Tank Live Pitch Event Propels Local Teens Charity Ideas
West Palm Beach, Florida– Seven charities founded and operated by local teens were awarded a total of $101,000 in funding during the 4th Annual Philanthropy Tank Live Pitch Event held Sunday at the Cohen Pavilion of the Kravis Center.
Each of the charities made three-minute presentations to four philanthropist investors, who played the role of the “sharks”. Each charity had the opportunity to win up to $15,000. The event ended with the philanthropist investors, Christine Stiller, Larry Stern, Jim Karp, and John Scarpa, investing in each charity. Here is how the award money broke down among the finalists:
Art for the Soul awarded $15,000 – works with disadvantaged children, often from Latin American countries, coming from economic hardships, traumatic experiences, and difficult home lives. Students are taught by students in a variety of subjects from the basics of how to play the piano to visual arts, and tutoring in all academics. The program was proposed by Dreyfoos School For the Arts Students: 10th grader Cristina Lindner of West Palm Beach, 10th grader Mariele Sabat of Boca Raton, 12th grader Tomás Carter of Royal Palm Beach
Alex’s Free Kicks awarded $15,000 – looks to expand its program with Philanthropy Tank support. The organization currently collects soccer balls and cleats in Wellington for those in need throughout Palm Beach County. To date, the organization has collected and donated more than 550 balls and 250 cleats to the Boys and Girls Club of Palm Beach County. The goal is to collect from soccer fields across the County and get other children to become representatives and lead the local collection. The program was proposed by Alex Shnider of Wellington, a 10th grader attending Wellington Community High School.
STEM Lab awarded $15,000 – is an educational program that targets underrepresented elementary school children. It is a year-long after-school project designed to provide mentorship to low-performing children and ensure their academic success. Students are taught over ten subjects including engineering, robotics, and medical science by local teen volunteers. STEM Lab aims to expand its program across the county with Philanthropy Tank’s support. The program was proposed by: Andrea Castillo, a 12th grader attending Spanish River Community High School, Harry Castillo, an 8th grader attending Omni Middle School in Boca Raton, Wendy Garcia, an 11th grader attending Lake Worth Community High School
Code Autism awarded $14,000 – its mission is to develop and conduct computer coding classes for high school and college-aged students with autism. Code Autism’s goal is to facilitate an environment of social acceptance, purpose and education and, ultimately, employment for students. These courses will help combat the high rate of unemployment among those with autism. The program was proposed by Sophia Lloyd George of Palm Beach. She is an 11th grader at Oxbridge Academy.
Mayan Girls awarded $15,000 – looks to serve the Guatemalan Mayan community by translating information such as current events, weather alerts, news topics, and community events. The program wants to assist this population who miss critical information because of a high rate of illiteracy in any language. They will record, edit, and produce work to share via social media. The program proposed by Lake Worth High School Community School students: 10th grader Lorena Felipe Sebastian, 11th grader Maria Andres, and Magdalena Francisco and Daniella Domingo, who are both in 9th grade.
Alive with Music awarded $15,000 – seeks to use the art of music as a way to help restore the memories of patients that have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. The program was proposed by Mara Vaknin, an 11th grader from Lake Worth. She attends the Dreyfoos School of Arts.
Little Angels Today, Bright Minds Tomorrow awarded $12,000 – aims to set up a mentoring program at El Sol for children ages 5-13, who do not speak English as their first language. They will tutor on Saturdays while their parents attend development courses. The charity will also create a camp and technology workshops to help each child develop skills in Word, Excel, and other applications typically used in school. The charity concept was developed by American Heritage 11th grader, Adriana Flores.
Every season of Philanthropy Tank we are fortunate to welcome volunteer coaches who help guide each student through the extensive process of developing their ideas, presenting their charities and executing a strategy, among many other things. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please email info@philanthropytank.org
Scroll down and get to know this season’s Volunteer Coaches.
Coach: Edward C. Howell
Coaching: Alex’s Free Kicks
Dr. Ed Howell has always been fascinated by what makes people tick and the relationship between motivation and success in his students. Following a 25 year career as a financial executive in banking and securities with Merrill Lynch and A.G. Edwards, as well as eight years as an elected official, Ed is now a university Professor and Chair of the Economics & Finance in West Palm Beach, Florida. He received his Doctor of Education degree at Nova Southeastern University in 2013. Ed holds an Experimental Sciences degree from Aix-en-Provence, France, a B. A. from Vanderbilt University, and a Master’s in Economics and Finance from Middle Tennessee State University.
Author of What Are You Waiting For? A workbook for living your purpose, path and passion various short articles and essays, Dr. Howell’s Wheel of Motivation emphasizes his teaching focus: motivation and application. “I want to see my students wanting to learn and feeling that they can confidently handle any new situation that comes their way in life,” he says. Ed is married to Jayne who have five children together; two cats make up a family of seven. Ed and Jayne live in Jupiter, Florida.
Coach: Andrew Huber
Coaching: Art for the Soul
Andrew Huber is a managing director and wealth strategist at U.S. Trust in Palm Beach, Florida. In this role, he is responsible for developing and implementing
comprehensive strategies to assist individuals and families with complex financial needs such as preservation, transfer and management of wealth. He provides wealth management services in the areas of financial, estate, and philanthropy planning to help clients reach their goals and objectives. This includes coordinating with the client’s team of advisors and by conducting periodic reviews to help clients monitor progress. Prior to joining U.S. Trust, Andrew practiced law in Miami and Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, in the areas of wealth transfer tax, international taxation and the taxation of commercial transactions. Andrew earned his B.A. in Economics and History from Emory University, his J.D., with honors, from the University of Miami School of Law, and his LL.M in Taxation from the University of Florida College of Law. Andrew holds the Accredited Estate Planner® (AEP®) and Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®) designations. Andrew is past President of both the East Coast Estate Planning Council and Palm Beach Tax Institute. He has also been involved in the Florida Bar Tax Section since 1998 and has served in a variety of leadership roles. Andrew has contributed to various publications and is a frequent speaker on topics such as The Role of Trust Protectors; Charitable Giving Involving Art; Tax and Estate Planning for Individuals Moving to Florida; Estate Tax Portability; Roth IRA Re-characterizations; and Year-end Tax Planning. Andrew serves as a Member of the Board and of Directors andVice-Chair of the Bak Middle School of the Arts Foundation and as a Florida Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League. Andrew does not provide tax or legal advice in his role at U.S. Trust.
Coach: Takeata King Pang
Coaching: Alive With Music
Takeata King Pang specializes in Communications, Campaigns, and Community Organizing. She has worked on numerous candidate and issue campaigns across the country. She also spent three years at Planned Parenthood of South, East, and North Florida working in communications, community organizing, and governmental affairs. She then served as Chief of Staff to Florida State Representative Kevin Rader for three years. Most recently, Takeata worked in Corporate Communications at TBC Corporation with a focus on internal/external communications and corporate giving events. In 2011, Takeata earned a Masters in Campaign Management from The George Washington University; and completed her Bachelor of Art degrees in Political Science and Communication Studies from Stetson University in 2004. Currently, Takeata is a partner in Blue Ocean, a campaign consulting firm specializing in local and municipal elections and is the Chief Program Officer for the Women’s Foundation of Florida focusing on developing and managing the organization’s programming while expanding efforts statewide to empower women and girls to change the world.
Coach: Richard T. Tripp
Coaching: STEM Lab
Upon graduating from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, I began my career in corporate banking working for the National Bank of Georgia and First Georgia Bank. When I wasn’t lending money to small and midsize companies I was teaching financial statement analysis to junior executives and graduate students. Inspired by Monty Python, my efforts to interject humor into spreadsheet preparation and liquidity analysis caught the attention of my supervisors and I was quickly smitten with the desire to teach.
Over the course of the last twenty-five years, I have had the unique opportunity to be one of the founding directors of Oxbridge Academy and American Heritage of Delray Beach and the founder of the Academy at Middle Earth. I have served on the Board of Directors for a local film production high school, a regional bank and occupied a number of teaching and administrative positions at some of the finest schools in South Florida and Bethesda Maryland. Instead of crunching numbers my students have learned how to design and construct submersible ROVs, assemble one of the most unique tarantula research programs in South Florida, spend an afternoon swimming with dolphins or braving the crystal clear springs of winter while rubbing the stomachs of endangered manatees. Guiding and inspiring students in their preparation for life’s challenges has ultimately been the most gratifying component in my life.
Coach: Amber Warren
Coaching: Code Autism
Amber Warren is the Programs Manager for JustWorld International, a nonprofit organization that unites the global equestrian community to provide basic needs programs to children around the world. She manages JustWorld’s partners in Honduras, Guatemala, Cambodia, and the United States; the volunteer program; and supports her colleagues with fundraising and events. Amber graduated from the University at Buffalo with a B.S. in Business Administration and an M.A. in International Events Management from London Metropolitan University. She enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, and dessert.
Philanthropy Tank Executive Director Carolyn Kost has the honor of coaching Little Angels Today, Bright Minds Tomorrow Coach this season
Coach: Daniel Morgan
Coaching: Mayan Girls
Daniel Morgan recently moved down to Florida from the Fabulous city of Las Vegas, Nevada. Having spent his whole life in the sun-dried desserts of Sonora and the Mojave, he is accustomed to both high temperatures and the absence of seasons. Although, nothing could have prepared him for the strangling like sensation he got as he took his first steps out of Palm Beach International and into the thick Florida humidity. His next shock came when he found himself estranged from his longtime career in “hospitality” and in the extremely lucrative field of social work. The crowded waiting room at 430 N G Street, Lake Worth, Fl, where between the hours of 8am and 5pm, Monday through Friday, you can find a multitude of children running, playing, laughing, crying,adults conversing, phones ringing, doors closing,doors opening; among all this noise, is where Daniel Morgan heard his call to action.
The Guatemalan Maya Center is a non-profit organization committed to accompanying the exiled Mayan people as they begin the process of transitioning into American society. The Center recognizes that the indigenous Maya face a particularly difficult set of challenges as they seek to make a life for themselves, in a world that is unfamiliar with their unique heritage. For this reason, the Outreach Department at the Guatemalan Maya Center has been tasked with unveiling and exploiting any and all opportunities that will help to ensure a future for the exiled people of Guatemala, the preservation of the Mayan Languages, and the continuation of Mayan Pride.
presentations to four philanthropist investors, who played the role of the “sharks”. Each charity had the opportunity to win up to $15,000. The event ended with the philanthropist investors, Christine Stiller, Larry Stern, Jim Karp, and John Scarpa, investing in each charity. Here is how the award money broke down among the finalists: