_____________ Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MY COMPANY GIVES, A REVOLUTIONARY PROGRAM CREATED BY GATEWAY FOR GOOD, IS LAUNCHED IN THE CORNING NEW YORK AREA, IN COLLOBORATION WITH LEGACY PHILANTHROPY GROUP AND WOMEN HELPING WOMEN. The jointly launched program uses the MyCompanyGives program to instill life values and skills; to facilitate thoughtful, intelligent, and impactful giving; and to inspire the next generation of “philanthropists in training” by helping program participants enjoy the gift of giving and serving. July 2016 – Corning, N.Y. – Gateway for Good, Legacy Philanthropy Group and Women Helping Women announce the completion of a unique partnership that created a dynamic, real world experience in charitable giving and fundraising. This intentional process brings together small groups of participants typically originating from companies, families, or friends. It then pairs them with a Gateway for Good facilitator and, eventually, front line charities, all of whom benefit from this remarkable collaboration. Women Helping Women was the name taken by the group of women going through this program. They then identified local charities whose missions align with the participants’ charitable passions. The group examined these organizations’ tax returns and evaluated their effectiveness in accomplishing their charitable purposes. They interviewed staff and program directors and then the group decided which organizations had the potential to make the greatest impact. Using donated funds and money they raised themselves the group presented the charity of their choice with the funds they had collected. Spearheaded by Joy Huth, a local Corning, N.Y. resident; Yale Levey, co-founder and creator of Gateway for Good; and Jay Weisman, founder of Legacy Philanthropy Group, this effort was launched a part of a cutting-edge new program spreading throughout the country. Participants have noted its impact in their lives. Joy Huth explains, “After getting to know each other better we discovered common interest and came to the conclusion that we would like to help women. Through this process we uncovered the issues that women in our area have to endure in our community. After interviewing three local organizations we agreed that we could have the greatest impact by supporting the Getting Ahead program administered by Catholic Charities of Steuben.” Laura Opelt, Executive Director for Catholic Charities of Steuben, said, “Our mission is to build communities that care for all people by strengthening and enriching quality of life, reducing poverty, and advocating for social justice. One of the ways we accomplish this work is through our Turning Point poverty reduction services, and specifically the Getting Ahead program, which is administered by Turning Point on behalf of a coalition of agencies. However, we cannot accomplish this work without caring community members like Women Helping Women, who not only recognize but also take the initiative to invest in the critical work we do in order to create lasting change. “What was unique about this particular donation is the process that these women went through in order to arrive at choosing our agency and the Getting Ahead program,” Opelt continued. “This process brought them to a deeper understanding not only of the needs in our community but also of the agencies in our community that do the work to meet those needs. The fact that Catholic Charities of Steuben and the Getting Ahead program was ultimately chosen as the beneficiary of their generosity is a real gold star for both the agency and the program. We appreciate that they did the research and arrived at the decision that we are a good investment. I am proud that our agency and the Getting Ahead program were chosen.”
Turning Point Director Lynda Lowin explained, “The Getting Ahead program is a 45-hour, curriculum based, small group learning process that helps participants better understand how our society and the economy work. Through this program, participants build a better future story for themselves that includes stability - economic and otherwise which in turn means a better future for our community. This donation to the Getting Ahead program provides enough funding for four women in our community who are living in poverty or unstable situations to participate in the program and move the needle in their own lives to stability and a brighter future.” When asked about his innovative MyCompanyGives program, Yale Levey said, “I’m so excited about our program launch with this group of remarkable and inspiring women. The purpose of Gateway for Good is to transform participants from the inside out and society from the bottom up by helping youth and adults experience the joy of purposeful giving. We help address much of what is broken in the world today by providing a proven, turnkey, replicable process designed to produce ‘transformational philanthropy’, a process we define as enabling the giver to be as positively impacted as those they hope to serve. Gateway for Good addresses so many of the concerns that thoughtful people worry about these days, such as the experience of making a positive difference for the benefit of others, and how to instill critical life skills and values that will help participants find happiness and success for the rest of their lives.” Jay Weisman, founder of Legacy Philanthropy Group and co-facilitator of the Corning, N.Y. program added, "This collaboration is a great example of the impact that is possible when a group of caring individuals work together to bring about change in their community. I am really proud to have been able to help guide this group through a structured process that helped them clarify and articulate their philanthropic vision, and then use that clarity to connect with Catholic Charities of Steuben in pursuit of a shared mission. I believe that a shared, experiential learning experience like this is the most powerful way to unlock philanthropic potential.” This program resulted in profound transformation for all involved. Minds were opened, possibilities were explored, imaginations were ignited, hearts were touched and lives were changed – forever. About Gateway for Good Gateway for Good, inspires future generations to become passionate philanthropists. We lead small teams from companies, families, charities, or even just friends through a truly transformational experience that builds new philanthropic leaders for tomorrow. More information can be found at www.gatewayforgood.com. About Legacy Philanthropy Group At Legacy Philanthropy Group we believe that every individual, family and organization has the potential to make a positive impact on the world in which we live. What we do with that potential, when we do it, and who we do it with is what ultimately defines our legacies. We work to bridge the gap between donors and nonprofits by helping them develop the knowledge and skills required to identify, build and foster essential connections based on a shared vision and mission. For more information, we invite you to contact us at 908.484.6422 or www.legacyphilanthropygroup.com. About Women Helping Women Women Helping Women is a group of women (Julie Berman, Bonnie Carpenter, Donna Gridley, Joy Huth and Julie Reilly) in Corning, N.Y. formed to participate in the MyCompanyGives program and united to serve the community by impacting women’s lives. Our vision is to provide support and raise awareness to women who suffer silently in our community and surrounding area. About Catholic Charities of Steuben Catholic Charities of Steuben builds communities that care for all people by strengthening and enriching the quality of life for individuals, families and children; working to reduce poverty; and advocating for social justice, which helps fulfill Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rochester’s commitment to build a just and compassionate society rooted in the dignity of all people. For more information visit www.catholiccharitiessteuben.org or call 607.776.8085. Press Contacts: Yale Levey, CFP®, CAP®: 973.214.7712, yale@gatewayforgood.com Jay Weisman, CAP®: 908.484.6422, jayweisman@legacyphilanthropygroup.com Paula Smith, Fundraising/Communications Director, 607.776.8085 x2218, paulasmith@dor.org