Some human traits are universal — like our yearnings for love, hope, healing and to be better organized. So is our inclination to make choices that help others as well as ourselves when it is easy to do so. Therefore, in some of our recent content highlighted here, we showcase programs and advice that evoke love and hope, facilitate healing, create transformative connections, and help you to get better organized, while sparking joy for others as well as yourself through donations of items you no longer need.
Since winning our Philanthropy Award in 2012, A Safe Haven keeps growing, innovating, collaborating wisely. Please enjoy the love and hope highlighted in this story about their new Behavioral Health Center, now a premier location for medical support and behavioral health for residents on the West Side of Chicago.
The Go Campaign identifies “Local Heroes” who are deeply embedded in the communities their donors want to support, then listens well before implementing the thoughtful programs that have transformed the lives of over 200,000 children worldwide. Of course, by helping those kids, Go Campaign also helps and gives hope to the families and local communities of those children too. Founder Scott Fifer deserves “International Hero” acclimation for inspiring the enthusiastic celebrity support, as well as building a board of doers like Rami Ghandour, Founder and CEO of Industry Intelligence, who authored this You Said It article, earning Go Campaign a $1000 grant and the opportunity for far greater support from the Make It Better Foundation in the future.
Mental Health erupted as one of the USA’s most challenging issues during Covid. Who doesn’t yearn for better mental health in general too? This collaboration between Joffrey Ballet and RUSH now serves serving over 1000 dancers and staff and can be a model for growth across the country.
And speaking of mental health — too much stuff and poor organization can clutter our psyches, as well as our homes. Now is the time for a good spring cleaning that can spark joy, not just for you, but for the recipients of items you donate. We make this easy with our guide to getting organized, with tips and advice including where to donate everything from clothing and household items to beauty products.
At the same time, don’t let the pressure of being organized get to you. Acceptance of imperfection and focusing on what sparks joy beyond physical tidiness is just as important. Even Marie Kondo, known for her KonMari method of tidying up, recently shared that following the birth of her third child, she has “kind of given up” on keeping her home perfectly tidy.
Kondo explained to The Washington Post that what brings her joy now is different from before. “My home is messy, but the way I am spending my time is the right way for me at this time at this stage of my life,” Kondo said. Her priorities have shifted towards spending quality time with her family rather than maintaining a meticulously clean home.
We hope to spark more love, hope, healing, organization and better mental health in your life too. Please send us your comments, ideas, and suggestions for outstanding nonprofits to support and easy ways to make a difference to editorial@better.net. Because we are all #BetterTogether.
