Today's Giving, Issue 2 by Lisa Jackson

Volume 1, Issue 2

Spring 2010

FirstLink:

Connecting People and Resources across ND

Body, Mind, and Soul: An Integrative Approach to Health

How to Maximize Your Volunteer Power The Healing Power of Art also… ND Teen Challenge helps Fight Addiction Enderlin Residents Thrive with HEART ND, MN Rotarians Drive Change in India Who Do You Trust? The Times are a Changin’

Simplifying the Business of Healthcare Lighthouse1 and its partners serve more than 2.5 million consumers, making Lighthouse1 the nation’s largest web-based healthcare solution that manages HSAs, HRAs, FSAs, and Transit Plans. It is the only solution available today that meets more than 1,100 unique benefit plan designs, simplifies the user experience, and satisfies workflow management needs of administration partners, employers, and consumers. It does all this on one technology platform comprised of Lighthouse1 OnDemand, the Lighthouse1 OneCard, and fully integrated web-based portals available 24/7/365. Lighthouse1 and its partners are dedicated to reducing costs and simplifying the business of healthcare. For more information visit www.lighthouse1.com or e-mail sales@lighthouse1.com

Minneapolis • Fargo • Phone: 952.908.9056 • www.lighthouse1.com

Volume 1, Issue 2

Spring 2010

To Your Health

Editorial, From the Founders

Cancer Survivors “LIVESTRONG” in Cass-Clay

Foundations for Peace Built By Local Rotarians in India

Special feature by Leann Wolff, Rotarian and Writer

FirstLink: Connecting People and Resources throughout North Dakota

How to Maximize Your Volunteer Power

Who Do You Trust?

Special feature by Holly B. Barr, nonprofit professional

Addiction:

Costly Crisis in Our Communities

Body, Mind, and Soul:

An Integrative Approach to Health

The Healing Power of Art

Art for the Elderly

Special feature by Lila Hauge-Stoeffel, professor of art education

50 52

Nonprofits & Organizations Home Is Where HEART Is

Helping Enderlin Area Residents Thrive

Faith In Action

The Times They Are A-Changin’

Special feature by Cher Helsrud, nonprofit professional

Public Policy Brief:

Health Care Initiatives & Nonprofit Organizations

Calendar of Events

Spring 2010 Today’s Giving 3

Spring 2010

Publisher

Ampian Publishing

Business Development Brian Bestge, Director

Editors In Chief

Shannon Schweigert, Founder Lisa Jackson, Founder

Managing Editor Kate Henne

Graphic Design

Mike Biewer, Creative Services Jamie Farmen, Production Design Dan Nisbet, Typography and Layout

Advertising Account Executives Lynn Hanson, Lead Sales Lin Smithwick, Associate Sales

Letters Send letters to the editor to info@todaysgiving.com. Distribution Information Today’s Giving is available free by

pick up at multiple distribution points throughout North Dakota, western Minnesota, and northeastern South Dakota. For a list of outlets that provide Today’s Giving, visit www.todaysgiving.com. If you need more information about availability in your region or wish to request an issue copy, contact distribution@ampian.com.

Subscription Services Today’s Giving is currently provided

free to the general public at distribution points. To request issues delivered to your home, business or agency, contact distribution@ampian.com. Receive four issues per year for $19.95.

Contributors Kate Mund founded Lucy Communications in March 2006 after nearly eight years with Great Plains/ Microsoft as a member of its public relations and solutions communications teams in Fargo, North Dakota. Prior to that, she looked after communications for two years for United Way of Cass-Clay, Fargo. While at Great Plains/Microsoft, Kate helped lead the company’s annual United Way campaign efforts. Kate lends her expertise to a number of area non-profit organizations. She resides on the outskirts of DeLamere, North Dakota, with her husband, Paul, their sons Robert (Bobby) and Luke, and Hubert, the family dog.

Advertising Contact sales@ampian.com or Lynn Hanson at (701) 306-8783

Article Proposals Send article proposals to info@todaysgiving.com.

“Faces of Giving” This section of each issue will recognize

those who give in unique ways. Send recommendations to info@ todaysgiving.com.

The mission of Today’s Giving is to provide insight, inspiration, and knowledgeable guidance that will help individuals, businesses, and agencies maximize their time and contributions to meet their unique giving goals. Today’s Giving is an independent organization owned by GivingPoint™ and is not affiliated with specific nonprofits. ©2010 All articles and content in this publication are under copyright and rights are reserved. Any use or reproduction of the content is prohibited without written permission from GivingPoint™. To request reprint permission, contact info@todaysgiving.com. Some articles in this magazine are submitted by independent authors and industry specialists. Therefore, their views may vary and may not be those of the publishers, Today’s Giving™ or GivingPoint™.

503 7th St N, Suite 104, Fargo, ND 58102 www.ampian.com | 701-356-7770

4 Today’s Giving Spring 2010

Writer, gardener, cyclist, skier and lifelong Dakota resident, Jay Richardson enjoys participating in, and writing about, community projects including FirstLink disaster relief coordination and Habitat for Humanity’s homebuilding efforts. Richardson believes in practicing “enlightened selfinterest” and admires the everyday heroes in our region who roll up their sleeves and pitch in when needed.

From the Founders

To Your Health By Shannon Schweigert, Co-Founder, Today’s Giving

he calendar says March 21 is the first day of spring, but those of us living in the Upper Midwest know better. For us, spring comes much later. We must first endure winter’s last stance through the March and April storms that delay our release just a few more weeks. We need to witness the winter snow that we strained to blow and shovel into orderly piles dwindle down in the spring sunshine; moving our battle with mother nature from our roadways and driveways to our rivers and streams that will ultimately usher the effects of winter away. Winter’s cold and quiet nature is part of who we are. Spring and its promise of renewal is the spirit of hope that allows us to cope and thrive even in the depths of winter’s grip. We may experience a time of “winter” in our personal lives, as well, when all seems cold and dormant. Whether through addiction, a health or faith crisis, extreme poverty, or simply through the effects of age, each of us is susceptible to the isolation that our personal trials create. Fortunately, there are those that can help us reach our spring; offering hope and renewal. This issue of Today’s Giving concentrates on health, healing, hope and renewal. It reflects the personal springs enjoyed by those

who have experienced their own debilitating storms only to find faith, hope and renewal through the undying commitment and nurturing spirit of those who take the time to care. In return, caregivers and volunteers experience a renewal in their own vitality through their kind works. Humanities gift for uncommon humane efforts. Through the pages of Today’s Giving, we are committed to sharing the work and inspiration of those whose everyday efforts make our lives better. We visited with wonderful folks from throughout the region to take a look at personal wellness practices from a variety of perspectives. You’ll meet individuals and groups successfully practicing simple, traditional methods of care, as well as some notso-traditional therapies that are making an impact on how we heal. We hope you enjoy and find guidance in our spring issue. We look forward to bringing you our summer issue which will concentrate on education in our region, as well our fall edition which will share with you amazing success stories from the human service sector and explore the philanthropy of North Dakota’s energy industry. Whether “spring” to you means the roar of a tractor, quiet time in

Shannon Schweigert Co-Founder,Today’s Giving

your garden, the perfect click of a drive that sails down the middle of the fairway, gentle waves crashing on the lakeshore, or getting back in touch with neighbors over conversation across the backyard fence—every spring ritual signals hope and a renewal of the vitality of ourselves and our region. We encourage you to seek opportunities to share your time with others—nurturing personal health, vitality and renewal in them and you. Shannon Schweigert, Co-Editor in Chief

Shannon Schweigert is a founding principal of GivingPoint (a fundraising consulting firm founded in 2007) and founder/editor in chief of Today’s Giving. He has 20 years experience as a fundraiser and financial advisor for organizations including: Jamestown College, Foster Klima & Co., EideBailly, LLP, and Impact Foundation. In addition to his professional work, Shannon serves on the board of directors for Wellspring for the World, a Fargo nonprofit that drills freshwater wells in Africa. He and his wife Holly have two children: Andrew, a freshman at the University of North Dakota, and Alison, a freshman at Fargo Shanley High School. Spring 2010 Today’s Giving 5

Cancer Survivors “LIVESTRONG” in Cass-Clay by Kate Henne, Today’s Giving

Livestrong Photos Courtesy of Ockhardt Photography 6 Today’s Giving Spring 2010

The YMCA of the USA has teamed up with the Lance Armstrong Foundation to pilot a progressive wellness program for cancer survivors Combating cancer can take the wind from the sails of even the fittest, including avid athletes. World-renown cyclist Lance Armstrong knows. By age 25, he had already won the World Championships, the Tour Du Pont and multiple Tour de France races. But within a year (in 1996) he found that his biggest challenge had become beating cancer. Armstrong took an active and competitive approach to fighting his opponent—not just for himself, but for all cancer patients and survivors. In 1997, during his own treatment, he formed the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) to inspire and empower those affected by cancer. Now, the LAF and the YMCA of the USA have connected to create “LIVESTRONG at the YMCA,” a program to support people affected by cancer reach their health and wellbeing goals. It’s a free 12-week fitness program designed for cancer survivors who have become chronically fatigued or reconditioned as a result of the disease or treatment.

treatments can help reduce fatigue, improve state of mind, and increase strength and endurance. So it’s important for cancer patients and survivors to have a supportive environment to encourage and accommodate activity appropriate to each one’s needs. In 2007, the LAF and the YMCA of the USA formed a unique and strategic partnership to provide that environment. The website www.livestrong.org states what had

Dakotans, western Minnesotans among first in program

become obvious: “The YMCA is the perfect collaborator because of its national reach, commitment to meeting the needs of all community members, and history of program innovation in support of health and wellness.”

In 2009, the YMCA of Cass and Clay Counties served more than 41,000 individuals across programs at its two facilities. Perhaps the number and breadth of those served was a factor in LAF’s selection of pilot

Over the past several years, “LIVESTRONG at the YMCA” has been launched as a pilot program in only 20 locations across the United States. Among the first locations: the YMCA of Cass and Clay Counties, based in Fargo-Moorhead. Currently, 2,686 YMCAs nationwide serve 20,916,698 members—or an average 7787 people per location.

A natural partnership “Traditionally, there hasn’t been much formal follow up for cancer patients as far as physical activity, especially after they’ve completed conventional treatment,” said Kristan Bullinger, Marketing Director at the YMCA of Cass and Clay Counties. But physical activity after cancer

Spring 2010 Today’s Giving 7

facilities. Whatever the case, the YMCA of Cass and Clay Counties is the only Y currently offering the “LIVESTRONG at the YMCA” across the Dakotas, Minnesota, Montana, and much of the upper Midwest.

she says a goal will be to keep participants at fewer than 20 people per session so groups remain intimate and resources aren’t stretched thin. Two new sessions are now underway at the YMCA of Cass and Clay Counties: a Tuesday/ Thursday 6:30“Our YMCA felt strongly about 8:30 p.m. group offering this type of programming, started April 6, especially with the possibility and a Monday/ of partnering with local cancer Wednesday 1:303:30 afternoon centers to serve survivors.” group began May -Kristan Bullinger, 10. The schedYMCA of Cass-Clay ule for summer sessions is being determined— The pilot program included 12 readers may contact the YMCA at members and was completed on (701) 364-4138 for summer program January 28, 2010. Why such a small schedules. number when the location’s memWho can participate? bership is large? “We wanted to The LIVESTRONG program at keep the first group in the program the YMCA of Cass and Clay is curat a smaller number of people so we rently open to adults who have recould give them individual attention cently completed cancer treatments as we worked out details and proand have been given approval from cedures for the program,” said Bulltheir doctors to start a mild fitness inger. Even as the program advances, 8 Today’s Giving Spring 2010

program. In addition, each participant is encouraged to invite a family member or friend to attend sessions with her or him for ongoing personal support. Because the program is new both nationally and at the YMCA of Cass and Clay, sessions have not yet been developed for children and teens. However, Bullinger says that YMCA programs, as well as residential and day camps such as YMCA Camp Cormorant, can tailor programs for children and teens with special needs due to medical conditions and physical limitations when possible. In addition, the YMCA of Cass and Clay offers a program for families in which a parent is dealing with cancer. Current program participants came to learn about the LIVESTRONG program through varying means. Some were referred by their physicians to encourage continued progress toward well being. Sarah Linberg of Fargo says she’s been a member and supporter of the Y in the past, and learned of the program through an email update when she was undergoing cancer treatment. Violet Deilke is cancer survivor who’s been recognized with statewide and national awards for her services to help cancer patients cope with physical-appearance

Program flexibility is key to success At an afternoon LIVESTRONG session, instructor Emma Lintelman leads a small group through a series of stretching and movement to enhance core strength, posture, balance, and flexibility. It quickly becomes apparent, though, that physical flexibility isn’t the most important aspect of the program. Instead, it’s the flexibility of the program itself that allows each

person to proceed at his or her own pace and current ability that makes it a perfect fit for those at different levels of recovery. “It’s more important that you challenge your current activity level than that you perfectly carry out the exercise,” Lintelman says. “Our staff is here to guide and work with each individual on proper technique.” Linberg describes the pace in one word: “Perfect.” After completing chemotherapy last fall, she wanted to build back up to regular exercise activities but just was not confident enough of her physical ability to jump back into a stringent fitness program. “The instructors adapt to the abilities and capabilities of participants. Each person can progress as fast as they want to.” Wallace and Jean Mitchell of Fargo

w w w . C u r t i s c o n s t r u c t i o n c o . c o m

changes due to cancer treatment. Deilke first heard of the LIVE STRONG program through her local cancer patient and survivor support group, Embrace. Graduates of the 12-week program may also apply to return to future LIVESTRONG group sessions as program mentors.

C C C

Curtis Construction Company 13 3 0 4 1s t S t r e e t N W F a r go , N o r t h D a k o t a P ho ne : 7 0 1 - 2 8 2- 8 6 52

Zion Lutheran Church, Franklin Lake, MN — 2004

The Region’s Premier

Church Builder Spring 2010 Today’s Giving 9

(formerly of Rolla, ND) agree enthusiastically. “We’ve been stupendously impressed with how they [the instructors] have been able to adapt to each individual’s needs,” said Jean. After Wallace retired from a life-long postal career—a few years in Fargo and many years in Rolla— the couple moved back to Fargo to be near family. And after a recent serious illness, his doctor at MeritCare referred him to the program to continue building strength. Jean has joined Wallace as his “support guest” for the program, and after 10 weeks says she sees obvious im-

provement in his balance and posture. “He walks noticeably better. And of course, he likes to come each week and see the nice girls here,” she said, alluding to the friendliness of the instructors as perhaps a bit of extra motivation. Lintelman says that the curriculum for the LIVESTRONG program is still being defined, and detailed activities might change as it evolves. “It’s based roughly on curriculum recommendations for cancer survivors from Stanford [University],” she said, referring to Stanford Medicine’s Cancer Center research. But she said that she anticipates the curriculum to remain flexible and adaptable, because the needs of participants vary widely.

Ellis Island Portraits 1905-1920 Photographs by

Augustus Frederick Sherman June 4 – September 12, 2010

Hjemkomst Center 202 1st Ave. N., Moorhead, MN 218-299-5511 • www.hcscconline.org

Museum Hours: Mon – Sat 9am – 5pm Sun Noon – 5pm Tues 9am – 8pm

Archives Hours: Mon – Fri 10am – 5pm Tues 10am – 9pm

10 Today’s Giving Spring 2010

Augustus Frederick Sherman, courtesy of Aperture Foundation and Statue of Liberty National Monument/Ellis Island Immigration Museum

Benefits reach far beyond fitness The LIVESTRONG program offers far more benefits than its physicalfitness focus. Linberg points out that as a former YMCA member, she’s now much more aware of the breadth of programs that the YMCA of Cass and Clay offers, including multiple programs and amenities for those with special needs for medical or ongoing physical conditions. Easing back into fitness at the Y also gives participants a chance to learn a bit about other YMCA classes they may wish to pursue at different stages of recovery, including yoga and aquatics. Bullinger also pointed out that the LIVESTRONG program has sharpened staffs’ awareness of

“Our program revolves around the recreational side of their recovery. It is our hope that our participants have had a chance to work with therapists or rehabilitation specialists with any serious concerns.” -Pauline Alba, YMCA of Cass-Clay small changes they could make to both the Fercho and Schlossman YMCA facilities in Fargo to accommodate members with special needs, such as placing benches or seating more frequently in longer or larger corridors. Program participant Nancy Jardine of Fargo was an avid swimmer before her illness, and wants to

incorporate aquatics in her fitness routine once again. She heard about the LIVESTRONG program when visiting with a friend and fellow survivor from Bismarck. Pauline Alba, Aquatics Director for the YMCA of Cass and Clay and champion for the LIVESTRONG program, came to speak at a support group that Jardine and her friend were attending together. The association between aquatics, the Y, and the LIVESTRONG program motivated Jardine to enlist and start working her way to new goals. Another participant, wishing to remain anonymous, said she found out about the program on the Web and was excited to see it was offered at the Fercho facility, just blocks from her home. She said she’d been interested in finding out more about the Fercho Y but was intimated by the thought of fitness levels she surmised other members held. When she found out about the LIVESTRONG program, she thought she’s “maybe try a Spring 2010 Today’s Giving 11

few classes.” She joined, and hasn’t looked back. “The sessions themselves were motivators for me, because of their pace and level. Also, I was encouraged to invite a friend to attend with me for additional support,” she said. That companion commitment, along with a prompt telephone call from the Y inquiring if she was OK after she missed a session, deterred her from missing sessions unnecessarily. Deilke agreed, adding that “getting me to focus on a fitness program with a manageable routine” was a big benefit, and also that “socialization is a big part of motivation” for cancer survivors who often look to each other for support by sharing their experiences and unique stories. The small group in the program itself provides participants with a network of other cancer survivors. A short list includes these benefits

12 Today’s Giving Spring 2010

of the LIVESTRONG program: • Build muscle strength and physical endurance • Help strengthen immunities through fitness • Create a supportive social network • Develop a reliable routine to ease into a healthy lifestyle • Form new friendships • Generate mentorships for patients and survivors

Collaboration maximizes resources The LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program is currently available in 20 cities across the US. By 2010, the goal is to expand the program to at least 150 YMCAs nationwide. The partnership between the Lance Armstrong Foundation and the YMCA is just one example of recent collaboration among nonprofit

groups to combine resources and best practices to ensure that donor dollars and time are maximized to improve lives. And the partnership isn’t limited to just the two organizations. To ensure that LIVESTRONG program at the YMCA is safe and effective, LAF and YMCA has worked with a group of expert advisors across the United States to gather best practices related to physical activity and cancer survivors. Graduates of the LIVESTRONG program can choose to continue their membership at the YMCA of Cass and Clay though an incomebased paid membership. Interested in the program and/or recommending it to cancer survivors or groups? Want to find out about those best practices that help make collaboration through powerful partnerships an effective investment of giving resources? Learn more about the LAF, YMCA and LIVESTRONG programs: • Find out about the availability of the program in your area by contacting your local YMCA. To find the nearest YMCA, visit www.ymca.net • Visit the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program Web site: www.livestrong.org • Learn more about the YMCA of Cass and Clay at www.ymcacassclay.org

College SAVE Offers Matching Grant Opportunity College SAVE, the State of North Dakota’s 529 college savings plan, expanded its popular matching grant program last year to benefit more North Dakota residents. The old adage, “there’s nothing free in life” does not necessarily hold true for some families who are saving for future college related expenses. A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged way to save for higher education. With the rising costs associated in pursuing a college degree, families are searching for ways to help their loved ones finance their educational goals. Not only does a college education help open doors, it can also mean a higher salary and better standard of living. A recent study shows that the average college graduate with a bachelor’s degree earns $1.2 million more than a student with just a high school diploma in lifetime earnings.* Enter the College SAVE matching grant. Now account owners in two income categories can apply for a free match from Bank of North Dakota. The program’s objective is to encourage people to start a College SAVE account and begin the important task of having an educational nest egg for their students, thereby reducing student loan debt in the process. The program matches up to $300 for singles earning $20,000 or less adjusted gross income (AGI); or $40,000 AGI or less if married, filing jointly. Account owners in this income group can apply for the match up to three years in a row. For account owners in a higher income bracket the program offers a one-time match of up to $300 for singles earning $40,000 AGI or less; or $80,000 AGI or less if married, filing jointly. Anyone can open a College SAVE account on behalf of a child. Grandparents, neighbors, friends or other family members may participate. The account beneficiary (future student) must be 12 years old or less at the time and the matching grant application needs to be completed no later than 13 months after the College SAVE account is established. Tax documents from the prior year are also required for income verification. For more information about how College SAVE can help you save for a future college-bound student and the matching grant opportunity, go to www.collegesave4u.com or call 1-866-SAVE-529.

one day...

i’ll become a botanist

College SAVE — for your child’s promising future Learn about the benefits of North Dakota’s own 529 college savings plan, including a matching grant for North Dakota residents.*

Visit collegesave4u.com or call 1.866.SAVE.529. * Matching grants are subject to the availability of funds and can be reduced or stopped at Bank of North Dakota’s discretion. If you are not a North Dakota taxpayer, consider before investing whether your or the designated beneficiary’s home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in such state’s qualified tuition program. For more information about North Dakota’s College SAVE Plan, call 1-866-SAVE-529 (1-866-728-3529) or visit www.collegesave4u.com to obtain a Plan Disclosure Statement. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information are included in the Plan Disclosure Statement; read and consider it carefully before investing. Upromise Investments, Inc. serves as Distributor and Underwriter. The College SAVE Plan is a 529 Plan established by the State of North Dakota. Bank of North Dakota acts as trustee of the College SAVE Trust and is responsible for administering the Plan. Upromise Investments, Inc. and Upromise Investment Advisors, LLC serve as the Plan Manager and Recordkeeping and Servicing Agent, respectively, with overall responsibility for the day-to-day operations, including effecting transactions and marketing and distribution of the Plan. The Vanguard Group, Inc. provides underlying investments for the Plan. The Plan’s Portfolios, although they invest in mutual funds, are not mutual funds. Units of the Portfolios are municipal fund securities and the value of units will vary with market conditions. ND6125 0809

See www.projectonstudentdebt.org for more information. Article sponsored by Bank of North Dakota. Spring 2010 Today’s Giving 13

Foundations for Peace Built By Local Rotarians in India

“Every vehicle drives by the horn; turn signals are a waste of technology.The constant din of taxi, car, motor scooter, bus and truck horns mix with the slight ding-ding of bicycle bells. The smells of sandalwood, jasmine, lotus and curry spices mix with the smell of diesel exhaust, wood smoke and humanity….blue jeans and cotton shirts move alongside stunningly colored saris.” Blake Crosby, Rotarian

Special feature by Leann Wolff, Rotarian and Writer

In mid-February, when the winter wind still holds a sting on the upper plains, 14 Rotarians from North Dakota, Minnesota, and Ontario boarded airplanes. Some 30 hours and 7,000 miles later, the unfamiliar sights, sounds and unique smells nearly overwhelmed them. They had arrived in India. Members of Rotary International, a service club founded by Chicago attorney Paul Harris more than 100 years ago, arrived in India to continue the legacy of its founder: Service above self. The 14 members traveling to India hail from nine of the 66 clubs that make up District 5580. The district holds two distinct honors: First, it is the only international district with members in both the USA and Canada; and second, it is the only district that supports bricks and mortar construction projects around the world. This particular mission trip was made primarily to support the District’s fourth construction project in India and Rotary International’s focus to end polio in the world. 14 Today’s Giving Spring 2010

Why India? The short answer is to help build two additional classrooms onto a village school. In a country with a tiny middle class, people live on either side of a huge and visible divide between those who have much and those who have almost nothing. Parents work multiple jobs earning less than the price of a McDonald’s Happy Meal a day so they can to give their children access to the only ticket out of poverty: An education. Like factories, public schools run two shifts to serve as many children as possible. Even so, there aren’t enough classrooms or supplies for all the children. Many districts throughout Rotary International help by bringing computers and school supplies to children in India (as well as other countries around the world). Only District 5580 helps build the actual school buildings. On this mission trip, part of their agenda included time to help with the construction, as they have on projects in Guatemala. And, indeed they did work, some: three hours on three different days. However, the construction project didn’t need their physical effort: Labor in India is so inexpensive that paying a man to chip mor-

tar from a used brick costs less than forming and baking a new brick. The true value of Rotarians’ labor was that they chose to work side-by-side with laborers who earned little more than a dollar a day. The Rotarians demonstrated the real reason for coming to India: To build good will and better friendships.

Living in community “I knew from the reception of our Rotarian hosts that we were in good hands. I also knew we would experience

India in a way that few, if any, tourists do,” said Rotarian Blake Crosby. “From that moment, I relaxed and chose to be part of India for the next 18 days.” “One thing you notice is that there is very much a class difference,” says David Manning, Rotarian and president of the FM AM Rotary Club. “The home I stayed in had three house servants. In the household, the servants kept their eyes down as they received their instructions and hurried off to do whatever needed doing. When we left the house, one of the servants followed to make sure we Spring 2010 Today’s Giving 15

Several of the traveling Rotarians visited a classroom of ninth graders. “They went around the room and told us what they want to be—they want to be doctors, lawyers, mechanical engineers, software engineers and one girl wants to be a singer,” says Wrolstad. “It is pretty impressive to hear about their plans.” “Children study from six to nine o’clock every night, six days a week. From the first graders to high school,” explains Blake Crosby. “One little boy in the first grade is learning four languages: English, Tamil, Hindi and a fourth I don’t recall. This country has already embraced the fact that they live in a global economy and they are preparing their children for it.”

Ending polio Of the 1,500 reported cases of polio worldwide, more than 700 occurred in the Agra slum the team visited. For that reason, among the many preparations for the trip, one of were okay as we walked around the neighborhood.” Manning and two of his fellow Rotarians were grateful for this guardian when they attracted the attention of children anxious to touch these unusual guests in their neighborhood.This minor disturbance gave the Rotarians the opportunity to connect with their protector. On the street, the servant responded respectfully—and nervously at first—to the questions of these foreigners who ignored traditional class differences. Eventually, he would allow himself to look at the guests as he answered their questions about his family and life in India. “The culture is changing. Young people don’t pay as much attention to traditional class differences as their parents do,” Manning observed.

Symbols of gratitude The local Rotarians take great pride in what their friends have helped them build to serve the children of their village. “Every surface that can have a sticker has the Rotary sticker,” says David Wrolstad, who is president of the Fargo West Rotary Club. “From the ceiling fans to the book shelves to individual books. You see the Rotary emblem everywhere.” 16 Today’s Giving Spring 2010

the most important is a booster shot for polio. “The world isn’t safe from polio as long as there are children who are not vaccinated against it,” says David Manning. “In our country or any other,” he adds. Getting ahead of polio is a monumental task when a child is born every few seconds. “We calculated that 1.3 million children were born in India during the 18 days of our visit,” said Wrolstad. To eradicate the risk of polio, each child needs a series of inoculations from birth to school age. With the help of UNICEF, the World Health Organization, Rotary International and other organizations, India schedules National Immunization Days (NID) when millions of children receive their inoculations against polio and other diseases that put children at risk. While the Rotarians’ visit didn’t coincide with an NID, they were invited to help with a block clinic in Agra. Each block coordinator within the city keeps a meticulous log of who lives in the area and their inoculations. The Rotarians began by giving vaccinations to walkins and then went door-to-door with flyers to see who was missed. “We wandered around for three hours, much of the time we were trying to find out way back,” says Wrolstad. “There aren’t street signs or addresses. It’s like a maze. When we finally asked for help, we followed a little girl of five or so who darted around this way and then that way until she brought us back to the clinic.” At the end of the day, the Rotarians had helped inoculate more than 160 children who had been missed during the NID in January when 200 million children were inoculated.

Travel with a purpose “Building a school with our labor is not efficient,” acknowledges Manning. “Sending money is.” But the trip isn’t just about the construction or inoculations according to Manning, Wrolstad and Crosby. “We’re changing the world. The person who travels changes—the experience changes us. We also bring change. Because we travel all this way to help by performing manual work, we validate them and their community—that they are worth our help,” says Manning.

A Rotarian in Fargo, ND, Leann Wolff lives with her husband on a farmstead near Glyndon, MN. As the principal of her own firm, Leann offers coaching and consulting to business leaders and their teams in non- and for-profit organizations. Leann grew up in the Hettinger, ND, area and graduated from Concordia College, Moorhead, MN.

Spring 2010 Today’s Giving 17

“When those children, villagers, students, family members…and Rotarian colleagues hear again about America or Canada, we will be the faces they measure against,” explains Crosby. “We brought a piece of America and Canada with us and took a piece of India back.” At the end of the mission trip, 14 Rotarians returned home to all that is familiar. But they see even the familiar differently: their perception has changed. They built more than schoolrooms; they established friendships and deepened understanding. Mission accomplished.

Editor’s Note: Service groups such as Rotary, Lions and Kiwanis come to together to make a difference in their communities and the world, often sponsoring trips to bring volunteers to locations across the globe to provide service. Mission trips require intense commitment and significant time. Before deciding if a mission trip is right for you, be sure to clearly define your goals and the type of cultural experience that’s right for you. In selecting a mission, re-

18 Today’s Giving Spring 2010

search potential mission groups or agencies thoroughly to be sure they are the best fit for your goals, have a clearlydefined mission, have mission experience, will provide you with training, and that any evangelism outreach they extend to mission beneficiaries match your beliefs and interest. If you have an interest in participating in a mission trip, talk to members of your local service groups for more information.

FirstLink: Connecting People and Resources throughout North Dakota By Jay Richardson

North Dakota and the Upper Midwest is a great place for volunteerism. A lot of people want to volunteer, and there’s no shortage of organizations that could use a helping hand. FirstLink has taken the bold step of figuring out how to put these two complementary needs together, and has created some spectacular successes along the way. “Our job is to be the ‘first link’ for volunteerism in our region,” says Cindy Miller, executive director of FirstLink. “To develop and foster that link between the people who want to volunteer, with the people who need volunteers.”

Growing along with increasing needs

Season of Hope

The organization started in 1967, with a small group called “Volunteer Community Service.” Some of its earlier services to expand to a wider area included the 1971 incorporation of the regional “HotLine” telephone help line, as well as the organization of the Holiday Clearing Bureau in Spring 2010 Today’s Giving 19

FirstLink helps organize volunteers for charitable causes such as this 2009 Walk of Hope.

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1974. The organization now known as FirstLink has been providing and expanding volunteer community services, hotline support, and coordination for emergency services ever since. Primary programs today include crisis and suicide intervention services, listening and support services, information and referral services (including volunteer resources), disaster volunteer coordination, and community emergency response team (CERT) training. FirstLink also coordinates with the Salvation Army for their Season of Hope program to help distribute holiday gifts and food baskets to children and special needs adults, which in 2009 brought a touch of holiday cheer to some 5,000 individuals and families in need. In addition to the FirstLink Hotline (701-235-SEEK) and FirstLink Suicide Line (1-800-273-TALK), the organization is also handling the North Dakota 2-1-1 hotline services, helping residents throughout the state connect to human service resources.

Statewide volunteer coordination FirstLink also assists dozens of charitable organizations by providing a centralized service for matching volunteer resources with opportunities throughout North Dakota. Whatever your interests, whatever your skills, and wherever you live, FirstLink most likely has a volunteer opportunity link that will fit the bill. A quick scan of the “Be the Change: story continued on page 22

Reaching Out to Volunteers and People in Need

In order to do the most good, FirstLink focuses intensely on making their services as easy to find, easy to use, and as timely and effective as they possibly can. Primary ways in which FirstLink accomplishes these goals include: • Making it easy for volunteers and volunteer groups to find FirstLink. FirstLink makes it easy for volunteers to reach them, from a variety of sources. HotLine telephone numbers, coverage and advertising in local newspapers, FirstLink’s web site, and social media networking all provide portals into FirstLink’s services. • Keeping in touch with volunteers and volunteer groups. People who volunteer once are the most likely pool for future

Student CERT training

volunteer efforts. FirstLink asks visitors to its web site to register their name and contact information, along with their preferred volunteer services they would like to provide. This gives FirstLink a ready resource when future volunteer needs arise. • Keeping volunteer opportunity lists up to date. Opportunity lists can quickly become out of date, and no one wants to learn about volunteer opportunities that have already passed. FirstLink makes sure they have a process for routinely refreshing opportunity lists with new and compelling volunteer opportunities, and removes activities that have been filled or completed. • Being creative. Chances are, most orga-

nizations need volunteer help to assist with a variety of activities, so FirstLink’s staff takes the time to think about all the ways volunteers can help out. For example, a food pantry that needs help restocking shelves might also need assistance with fundraising, community outreach, accounting, and distribution. On the flip side, when a volunteer raises his or her hand and proves to be a committed and reliable resource, Miller says it’s important to take the time to think about that individual’s talents and experience, and to ask if that person would be willing to step into a role with greater responsibility. • Connecting the dots. Every nonprofit organization struggles with stretching too-thin resources against a seemingly unending list of needs. By connecting with other organizations that deliver related services, non-profits can generate new ideas for sharing resources, coordinating services, reducing expenses and delivering a more complete, more effective service for their constituents. Spring 2010 Today’s Giving 21

“In this time of economic distress, the need for service and volunteering is more critical today than ever before, and Americans are responding,” said Stephen Goldsmith, Board Chair of the Corporation for National and Community Service. “We’re seeing a compassion boom across this country, where communities are banding together and neighbors are reaching out in service to others. It is truly the generosity of the American spirit at its best. The need is great, the momentum is strong, and potential is unlimited for ushering in a new era of service in America.” (Source: Press release, January 2010: Volunteering Up Amid Tough Economic Times, Corporation for National and Community Service) 22 Today’s Giving Spring 2010

VOLUNTEER” link on their web site displays more than 100 volunteer opportunities, from helping the ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) committee plan their fundraising walk in Grand Forks, to helping with auto repairs at the YWCA emergency shelter in Fargo, to providing nursing services at the International Peace Gardens Music Camp. Yard work, bookkeeping, wallpapering, sorting clothing and other materials for redistribution, study buddies, sewing, planting trees, foster grandparenting – the list of needs, and opportunities, is wide and deep. Using www.MyFirstLink.org, volunteers can register and indicate the charitable organizations they’re most interested in, subscribe to e-mail re-

minders of new volunteer opportunities, and even track their volunteer and financial contributions online.

FirstLink Disaster Relief Coordination Coordinating disaster relief volunteer services for Fargo, Moorhead, Cass and Clay counties has also become a significant part of FirstLink’s charter. “Last year during the 2009 flood we managed 100,000 volunteers and took 50,000 flood-related calls,” said Miller. “We learned so much. Coordinating 100,000 volunteers—it’s a little overwhelming, but also extremely rejuvenating when you see that many people coming together, the sense of energy is pretty powerful.”

Fast Facts Volunteerism in America

• In 2007, 60.8 million Americans or 26.2 percent of the adult population gave 8.1 billion hours of volunteer service worth $158 billion. • In 2009, in the midst of the greatest recession in recent history, volunteerism in America grew to 63.8 million people per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. • North Dakota ranks in the Top 10 states for percentage of residents who volunteer, at 35.6% or more than one in three persons. Minnesota, Montana and South Dakota also rank in the Top 10, and the Midwest is the #1 region in the country for volunteerism. (Source: Volunteering in America: 2008 State and City Trends and Rankings, Corporation for National and Community Service )

Creating that First Link: Connecting with Volunteers

Miller says it’s important for nonprofit organizations to make it easy for volunteers to connect with them, and lists several ways in which FirstLink provides access to their services. Volunteers can connect with FirstLink in the following ways: • Call the Hotline: The majority of FirstLink’s volunteers initially contact the organization through the volunteer hotline at 701-2357335. Volunteers are encouraged to call the hotline to find out how they can help, or to ask for help with volunteer opportunities for their organizations. • Read the Paper: Several newspapers in the region publish “You

are needed” columns featuring volunteer opportunities. • Visit the FirstLink Web Site: FirstLink keeps its web site updated with the latest volunteer opportunities and offers a wealth of information that will help volunteers find the right opportunity. Visit www.MyFirstLink. Org.

• Become a FaceBook Friend: Regular updates to FirstLink’s FaceBook site helps volunteers keep up with the latest news and volunteer needs. FirstLink can be followed on FaceBook at: www. facebook.com/myfirstlink. • Follow FirstLink on Twitter: Volunteers can get the latest updates instantly on their Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/myfirstlink.

Do You WANT Your GIVING to Have GREATER Impact? Jim and Shirley Hooge recently made a charitable contribution by setting up a donor advised fund with Vessel Christian Foundation. Through this fund, the family received the tax savings that come from giving to a registered 501(c) (3) organization. More importantly, Jim and Shirley, along with their five children, can make decisions about where to direct these funds over several years instead of when the actual gift was made.

“

This is the first donation we’ve made in this way and of this size…and we feel it has truly reignited the fun of giving for us. Vessel’s services have helped us to be efficient and purposeful in our giving while having fun with it.

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To set up your own donor advised fund or provide support to existing projects, please contact Michelle Walters, Executive Director, Vessel Christian Foundation. 701.746.8321 or michelle.walters@vesselchristianfoundation.org. 23 Today’s Giving Spring 2010

Spring 2010 Today’s Giving 23

How to Maximize Your Volunteer Power By Lisa Jackson, Co-Founder, Today’s Giving, Volunteers have always been a key component of nonprofit organizations. A variety of mission-related tasks would not be accomplished without individuals who share their time. Organizations like FirstLink, RSVP+ and VolunteerMatch have the sole charge of engaging people to volunteer by matching opportunities with individuals in North Dakota and western Minnesota. Dedicating time provides a rewarding opportunity for volunteers to further engage in their community, make new friends or business connections, and develop new or existing skills. Better yet, statistics have long shown that those who volunteer experience “lower mortality rates, greater functional ability, and lower rates of depression later in life than those who do not volunteer” according to The Health Benefits of Volunteering: A Review of Recent Research from the Corporation for National and Community Service “Volunteering makes the heart grow stronger,” said David Eisner, 24 Today’s Giving Spring 2010

CEO of the Corporation, “Americans volunteer to improve conditions for people in need and to unselfishly give of themselves. While the motivation is altruistic, it is gratifying to learn that their efforts are returning considerable health benefits.” Volunteers make it possible for organizations to fulfill their mission. Most often groups seek volunteer help to provide direct services such as delivering meals to seniors or mentoring students as well as administrative support, fundraising, and professional leadership. The impact of volunteerism in both nonprofit and for-profit sectors is incredible. The Volunteering in America 2009 report released by the Corporation for National and Community Service shows that 61.8 million Americans, 26.4 percent of the adult population, are responsible for contributing eight billion hours of service last year. Based on the value of a volunteer hour of $20.25, this is worth $162 billion. Unlike charitable giving—which

declined between 2007 and 2008 for the first time in 20 years—volunteerism has remained constant. In fact, the number of volunteers actually increased by about one million. While volunteering is on the rise amid these tough times, volunteer retention remains a crucial issue. More than 35 percent of America’s volunteers dropped out between 2007 and 2008, representing a massive loss of valuable human capital—about $30 billion a year, as well as the cost of staff time to recruit new volunteers. In consideration of the available data, Today’s Giving offers the following tips to get the most out of your personal or organizational experience. Consider these tips to optimize the societal benefits of volunteer time and to make your volunteer experience enjoyable. We have consulted various volunteer sites and spoken with trained volunteers and nonprofit volunteer agencies about the necessary planning steps and ways to help you become engaged.

Tips for the

Volunteer:

Volunteering provides a tremendous opportunity for societal impact and personal development. Think about what you have to offer, what you want to do, for what organization, and for how long—before you commit your time. Having a strategy may provide you with greater satisfaction in your experience. • Have No Fear. Many people who new website titled Serve.gov to host families in Grant County, have not volunteered tend to fear make it easier for Americans to Nature Abounds needs wildlife the time commitment of service. volunteer. Asking friends, famobservers near Fergus Falls, and Prior to volunteering, take time ily or colleagues are also helpWhite Earth Land Recover projto evaluate how many hours you ful for ideas and volunteering is ect needs help to build sustainable would want to help each week a group is a fun social activity. communities. Serve as a counselor month. Although governing or, coach, provide logistical supboards have time commitments • Research. Once you choose an orport, event planning, accounting, of two or three years of service, ganization whose mission is in line the ideas and needs are endless. there are tasks or projects which with your interests, feel free to relast shorter periods of time. quest a meeting to find out more. • Go Virtual. There are many Think of it as a job interview for needs that can be filled remotely. • Any Age, Any Range. All volunthe organization by asking about If you have a knack for setting teers share a common trait; the their programs, needs, hours or up a Facebook page, designing fact they are all different. Whether times during the year that most websites, writing or perhaps creyou are retired, with children or opportunities exist. Describe your ating excel files or databases, virwithout, in grade school or colinterests and qualifications so they tual volunteering may be for you. lege, there are so ways to get incan match you to their most approvolved, with opportunities for perpriate need. See www.serve.gov. • Don’t Give Up. If you find that your sons of every age, skill and desire. experience is not living up to ex• Don’t Limit Yourself. Don’t be pectations, speak to the volunteer • Get Connected. Visit with your afraid to step outside your comfort coordinator or director to explain local volunteer center or church zone. Consider an organization why or seek out a different role. to find new opportunities. Both that offers training or professional are friendly sources for engaging development opportunities for people with a variety of organitheir volunteers; employ skills that zations and needs. The Internet you don’t have the opportunity has excellent online volunteer reto use at work or home. For ferral services, including www. example, Big Brothers Big Sisvolunteer.gov or www.volunters needs mentors throughteermatch.org. The White House out the Midwest, Minot in conjunction with the CorAdult Literacy Program poration of National and Comneeds tutors, Aspect Founmunity Service also launched a dation Student exchange needs Spring 2010 Today’s Giving 25

Tips for the

nonprofit organizaion:

There are exceptionally compelling reasons to engage volunteers in your organization. In addition to helping complete work and providing valuable insight, volunteers are much more likely than non-volunteers to donate to a charitable cause. According to the 2009 Bank of America Study, in 2008 78.2 percent of volunteers contributed $25 or more annually compared to 38.5 percent of non-volunteers. • Set Goals. Volunteers can achieve many things for your organization and it is advantageous to think about how to engage them by setting goals for their involvement. Do you want or need new ideas, innovation, greater awareness of your cause within the community, more clients, better representation, or quotas for funding? Which objectives, once achieved, will make the greatest and most immediate impact on your mission? • Create a Handbook or “Strategic Volunteer Plan.” An organization that has fundamental volun-

teer procedures in place usually has a better time recruiting and retaining volunteers. According The New Workforce Volunteer Report, “by treating volunteers as the valuable resource they are, nonprofits get more challenging work done, reap the benefits of more volunteer hours, and incur fewer costs associated with having to replace lost volunteers each year” (Eisner, D., et al, 2009). The definition of success will be different for every organization. For some it may be having volunteers that represent a variety of ages, education-levels, economic levels

and other demographics, others may measure success by community response, people served or dollars raised or a combination of several contributing factors. • Value Time. It is difficult to quantify the value of a volunteer program since your volunteers provide many intangible benefits beyond hours served. However, calculating the value and return on investment of your program can be vital to its sustainability. The Independent Sector has calculated the dollar value of a volunteer hour nationally and by state. For South Dakota

Web sites: • VolunteerMatch is a nationally based organization that allows you to search for opportunities in your back yard to other areas across the country. They also offer a variety of online services to support nonprofit, volunteer and business leaders committed to civic engagement. See www.volunteermatch.org

26 Today’s Giving Spring 2010

• RSVP+ is based in North Dakota • Serve.gov is a comprehensive and provides volunteer opportuclearinghouse of volunteer opnities with various organizations portunities. Americans who are by regions in the state. See www. interested in volunteering can use rsvpnorthdakota.org this tool to locate opportunities to serve across the country and around Other web sites offering tips, information the world. Serve. and tools to maximize volunteer efforts: gov is managed by • www.dosomething.org the Corporation for • www.nationalserviceresources.org/via National and Com• www.volunteeringinamerica.gov munity Service. See www.serve.gov

it is $14.27, North Dakota is $14.98 and Minnesota is $20.39 per hour. • Interview. Individuals have their own set of talents. The organization and the individual will benefit most if talents are matched to an appropriate role. Get to know the interests, skills and desires of your volunteers before assigning tasks. • Be Honest. The top activity of volunteers in the Midwest is fundraising, followed closely by collecting and distributing food. Have you heard this or even said it before? “We’d like you to be on our board. No, you don’t have to fundraise.” Most if not all board members should have a role in some level of fundraising to ensure your organization’s success. Once you’ve identified projects for your volunteers, be honest about what the organization expects of them

and their role; this is particularly valuable if you expect them to assist in a fundraising capacity.

without this type of collaboration. Adopt their methods and watch your volunteer numbers grow.

• Honor Commitments. The old saying, “say what you mean and mean what you say” applies here. Be respectful of the commitment volunteers make to your organization. They are a living, breathing billboard of what your organization is all about. Keep on task, meet deadlines and celebrate with them when you succeed.

• Say Thank You. Although obvious, it’s often overlooked. Take the time to appropriately thank all of the people who support your mission by donating time. VolunteerMatch had a terrific idea. Thank your volunteers by giving an appropriate book. For example, Chicken Soup for the Volunteer’s Soul or How many people does it take to make a difference? You may also create a volunteer recognition wall (much like those for your financial contributors), recognize them at your annual dinner, or go as far as providing AAA membership discounts or supplemental insurance like RSVP+.

• Establish a Volunteer Recruitment Network. People are more likely to volunteer if they are asked by a trusted friend. Religious organizations traditionally utilize the most volunteers. Charities that partner with religious organizations are more likely to receive larger numbers of volunteers and more hours of service than those

Works Cited Giving USA. (2009) A publication of Giving USA Foundation, Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. David Eisner, D., Grimm Jr., R. T., Maynard, S., Washburn, S. (2009). The New Volunteer Workforce, Stanford Social Innovation Review

Corporation for National and

Volunteers in Police Service

Community Service, Office of

Program, “Value of Volunteer

Research and Policy Development.

Time.” March, 2009. http://www.

Volunteering in America Research

policevolunteers.org/resources/

Highlights, Washington, DC 2007.

references/?fa=value_vol_time

Corporation for National and

Ellis, S. J. (2010) From the

Community Service, Office of

Top Down: The Executive

Research and Policy Development.

Role in Successful Volunteer

The Health Benefits of Volunteering:

Involvement, 3rd ed.

A Review of Recent Research, Washington, DC 2007. Spring 2010 Today’s Giving 27

Who Do You

Trust? Special feature by Holly B. Barr, nonprofit professional As a fundraiser, I could tell you all the reasons why you should trust a charity. I could also give you all sorts of national statistics as to why someone chooses a particular charity. But suppose I tell you what our community is saying: First of all, Midwesterners have a reputation for being very trusting, but this doesn’t mean we make decisions without knowing all the facts. Being informed about a potential charity, especially during tough economic times, has become a huge priority. We love to help each other, but most of us want to make sure we can trust charities with our gift. We live in a community filled with privately held benefits, non-profits large and small, churches, school fundraisers and the list could go on. So, where does trust come from? Being curious, I decided to ask three simple giving questions to people from various economic areas including employed, unemployed, and retired. This is what they had to say. 28 Today’s Giving Spring 2010

Question 1: What would make you trust a charity? Answer: Overwhelmingly, 71 percent of participants stated their number one reason was reputation. They defined this as the length of time the charity has been in existence, their leadership or governing board, or their history/track record. A large number of people went on to say that first-hand experience or personal knowledge of a charity was extremely helpful for them to be more trusting and supportive.

Question 2: Do you support the same charities as your parents? Interestingly, I wanted to ask this question because if our parents supported a charity they felt worthy, would we trust our parents and support it too? Answer: Surprisingly, the response was 47 percent answered “Yes,” and 53 percent “No.” However, many who trusted their parent’s charity were very clear in stating they had made their own personal choices too. Additional comments gave insight into how local charities are supported

Holly B. Barr is Director of Development and Public Relations for ShareHouse, Inc. of Fargo. Prior to coming back to the Red River Valley in 2006, Holly worked for the Michigan Opera Theatre in Detroit, MI and the HealthEast Foundation St. Paul, MN. Holly has written articles, designed planned giving materials/ workbooks, and was a Mentor Guide for the Community Foundation of SE Michigan. Shortly after 9/11, Holly traveled to Nicaragua and Panama to work as a journalist documenting the needs of the poor. She resides in Moorhead and Somerset, WI.

more frequently than out-of-state charities due to the ability to become directly involved. Others made new charity choices when they were impacted personally by an event (like cancer, diabetes, or a death), by associations (arts, education, religion, or foundations), or by catastrophic calls to action (like tsunamis, hurricanes, floods or earth quakes).

Question 3: What scares you the most about making a gift to a charity? Answer: Maybe this was too simple of a question, but the majority said it loud and clear: Contributors fear not knowing if their gift will be used for its intended purpose. This question was followed by an outpouring

of even more questions! “Will my gift be wasted?” “Will it be used for excessive administrative and hidden costs?” “Will it be used to cover overhead, or caught up in red tape?” “Will it be sent to an organization’s distant corporate office?” Who thought asking a simple question would only be followed with more questions! One thing was abundantly clear: When you finally trust a charity and make a donation, you would like to know your gift is helping. So here are some suggestions to help you ensure your contributions are used effectively. • In a time when there are so many different options in our community to give, find out all you can about the charity. Go to their website, plan a visit, volunteer, or

call for information about their history, their leadership, and don’t be afraid to ask where your donation can help. • Make sure you feel confident in their mission and vision. For most people, this relationship becomes emotional and purposeful for both you and the charity. Since our children maybe watching us, perhaps we should take the time to help them understand how making a gift can impact their lives too. This life lesson alone could be considered a precious gift for generations. • And finally, make sure your charity is communicating how your gift is making a difference. Trust is built both ways…and in today’s giving, it’s the first step!

Spring 2010 Today’s Giving 29

Addiction

by Lisa Jackson, Today’s Giving

The red and blue flashing lights of five cop cars bounced on the building’s brick walls and cement parking lot in January of 2000. Matt had been out “carhopping” that evening. Walking down city streets, with a bottle of vodka in one hand and a stolen CD player in the other, he was checking for open car doors to take anything of value that he could find, including a 22 pistol. It was in that moment he knew he was caught, but felt both scared and relieved.

Costly Crisis in Our Com

Only three years earlier, Matt had graduated from high school with honors. He was a good kid who grew up with Christian values. Now, he faced a six-year jail sentence at age 20 for multiple offenses, and a serious addiction problem that at its peak entailed consuming a fifth of INSIDE THE NUMBERS vodka and over 30 pills a day. Although the root of his problems did not lie in addiction, his situation was exasperated by it. While Matt was serving his time, his mom mentioned to him a pro000, gram called Teen Challenge (TC). At first he was not sure about the program or his willingness to make a change, but five months later he 000, checked in to Minnesota Teen Challenge (MnTC) in Minneapolis, MN. 000 Matt was still unsure about the program, but it offered the incentive to get out of jail to attend and have his sentenced reduced. “I hated God and people, really,” Matt recalled feeling after having just entered the MnTC program. “It wasn’t a cops and robbers game where The total overall financial they were about to let me get away with things. I was providing chewcosts of substance ing tobacco to residents, manipulating the situation and tearing people abuse in the United States exceeds half a down that were trying to accept treatment.” But when he was about to trillion dollars annually. get kicked out, he prayed for the first time. “I decided to let go,” said Matt. From that point he made a resolution to stop talking and listen to the counselors and program directors. The hard truths Although it has been a Many aspects of substance abuse plague our region and country. According to long road, today Matt Voor- the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, addiction is one hees is now a graduate of the of nation’s biggest health problems. It places a tremendous burden on our soMnTC program. Not only ciety in the form of health care, the economy, family life and public safety. The has he been clean and sober total overall financial costs of substance abuse in the United States exceeds half for nine years—a success it- a trillion dollars annually. This encompasses health care, crime and losses in self—but he also obtained productivity. These costs include $185 billion for alcohol, $181 billion for illicit a Bachelor of Arts in psy- drugs, and $168 billion for tobacco. These numbers, however, do not account chology and is an ordained for the loss of over 100,000 people every year from abuse of illicit drugs and pastor. Matt is also the Ex- alcohol, or the 440,000 deaths per year from tobacco. Our families and friends in the upper Midwest are not immune to these staecutive Director of North tistics. If fact, many of the “rural” states struggle with cultures of acceptance Dakota Teen Challenge.

mmunities

500,

for abuse—leading with alcohol. Alcohol is the most commonly-used abusive substance in the United States, and North Dakota ranks as the top state for alcohol use across all age groups for both consumption and binge use. Binge drinking is commonly defined as consuming five or more drinks at a time once or twice a week, and North Dakota is ranked number one in the nation for the percent of individuals aged 12 to 20 years that have engaged in binge alcoSpring 2010 Today’s Giving 31

Alcohol Use In Past Month Among Persons Aged 12 Or Older

Percentages of Persons

57.86-63.14

54.04-57.85

51.52-54.03

44.86-51.51

32.40-44.85

Annual Averages based on 2005 and 2006 NSDUHs

hol use in the past 30 days (Hughes et.al. 2008). The exact causes of such alcohol misuse aren’t clear, but studies have shown that boredom, stress, anxiety, and depression—along with generational abuse and acceptance— are all contributing factors. From a health standpoint, addiction can cause serious side effects

and even death. Both take their toll on the health care system, as well as the family and friends who love and care for those struggling with addiction. The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence notes that one-quarter of all emergencyroom admissions and one-third of all suicides are related to alcohol. Both

“North Dakota Teen Challenge is a faith based ministry that teaches those with lifelong strongholds how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. In doing so, lives are being transformed.” First Lady Mickey Hoeven.

32 Today’s Giving Spring 2010

alcohol and drug abuse can induce or facilitate medical diseases such as strokes, dementia, heart conditions and cancers. Getting in trouble with the law is another consequence of alcohol abuse. In 2007, over 38 percent of the inmates who entered the North Dakota prison system were charged with drug and alcohol offences. But while jail time addresses the offense, it does not provide a way to treat the problem.

Teen Challenge

on September 1, 2005. In 2006 NDTC began accepting adult women into the program. The program currently hosts about 50 adult residents, who all live at the facility and participate in the “Life Care” program. In addition to recovery, each individual’s courses are provided at four graduated levels throughout the course of the 12-month program. They included recovery, renewal, restoration and healing and then their transition back into life. Although addiction affects people regardless of their backgrounds, socioeconomic status, religion and culture, it’s a predominant issue for those convicted of a crime. In many cases, addiction is the cause of criminal behavior. In America, over 72 percent of persons under justice supervision— whether jail, prison, probation or parole—actually have a substance abuse disorder. At some point, these individuals will be reintroduced to society and almost 70 percent will recidivate within three years of release. Currently, many of the participants in NDTC are inmates from jails across the state. Addicts can be very manipulative and they learn to work the system to their advantage, and Voorhees points out that TC takes out the “wiggle room.” Inmates who desire to enter TC have the viable option of presenting the program to the court for alternative sentencing. The cost of the program is about 90 dollars per day, of which the North Dakota Department of Corrections reimburses 30 percent to the program. The remaining costs are covered by donor contributions and grants. Overall, the county and the state do pay less for an individual who chooses the program and the community cost is about the same.

The creation of Teen Challenge stemmed from urban gang problems in Brooklyn, New York. As told best through the book “The Cross and the Switchblade,” Rev. David Wilkerson moved to the city after reading an article in LIFE magazine about seven teenagers who were on trial for beating a man to death. It lead to his work offering youth with drug and alcohol addiction treatment as well as life skills through a networked dubbed “Teen Challenge.” Since its founding in 1958, there are now over 400 centers worldwide. In its 50 years, the core of the program has always hinged on Christian evangelism and discipleship. Providing faith-based solutions, the year-long residential drug and alcohol recovery program has a very different approach from other recovery programs, and is providing higher success rates according to a independent study, The Teen Challenge Drug Treatment Program in Comparative Perspective, conducted by Dr. Aaron T. Bicknese. In particular the results emphasized Teen Challenge’s ability to help student develop new social skills, so upon completion, they have a much higher rate than other treatment programs in being productively employed and much less of a chance to need future treatment. Teen Challenge’s belief is that “if an addict establishes a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, learns life skills, and personal accountability, there will be permanent freedom from addiction.” Although its name can be deceptive, the program’s outreach in North Dakota is geared toward adults age 18 and over. North Dakota Teen Challenge (NDTC) for Adults officially opened in June of 2004 in Williston as an alcohol and drug residential recovery center for “Simply put, the students of North Dakota Teen Challenge men. Within a year, it became are our brothers and sisters who have struggled with meth apparent that the need for addiction, depression, alcoholism or suicide attempts—every this program was growing. To stronghold imaginable—and Jesus is healing them one at a meet the increasing demand, time.” First Lady Mickey Hoeven. NDTC relocated to Mandan Spring 2010 Today’s Giving 33

As far as receiving inmates that join the program just to get out of jail, Voorhees says that’s not a primary concern because it provides a platform for recovery. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, combining criminal justice sanctions with drug treatment can be effective in decreasing drug abuse and related crime, as well as boost recovery rates. Another factor of the program’s success: Offenders with addiction issues usually have problems in other areas such as family difficulties, mental health disorders, education and employment problems or limited social skills. Treatment takes these problems into account because they can increase the risk of relapse and criminal recidivism if left unaddressed. In 2009, NDTC conducted its own study on program graduates to help determine their programs success. NDTC has a very collaborative partnership with the North Dakota Depar tment of Corrections, as well as churches of all denominations throughout the state. Voorhees and the staff spend much of their time visiting jails and parishes to provide a message of hope and heal-

ing. For example, in eastern North Dakota’s Cass County Jail, inmates are offered the opportunity through the Peace Officer/Jail Chaplains Association (POJCA) to get out of their cell to partake in bible study. Over coffee and donuts, they hear from Chaplain Mike Sonju about how God and treatment can change their lives and even hear stories firsthand from other people who were previously incarcerated. That participation is a way to open the door for treatment and recovery. Pastor Curt Frankhauser, executive director of the POJCA, established a program that allows inmates and their families to go to church together four times a week. This type of program is unheard of in other jails across America, but it’s increasing the rehabilitation of those who participate. “We treat people as more than a statistic,” states Voorhees. “There is still a lot of stigma that goes along with addiction.” Many times that stigma leads to individuals avoiding treatment. North Dakotans were in the top 20 percent of all U.S. residents for needing but not receiving alcohol treatment in all age groups. Research states the biggest reason for not receiving treatment is not feeling it is necessary, and

Of the 92 graduates contacted for the study, 61 responded. Here are the highlights:

100%

say their job situation is better than when they entered the program

70%

of graduates have maintained total sobriety

<10%

of the 92 graduates have returned to jail or prison

Overall, the respondents reported that NDTC has taught them how to live a chemical-free lifestyle, as well as how to handle life’s situations positively, improve work habits, and have healthily relationships. 34 Today’s Giving Spring 2010

when individuals do seek help there are additional barriers to completing treatment, including the cost and not being ready to quit. ADDICTION Deb Cheney, Director of Programming for NDTC, is also a gradis defined as a chronic, relapsing uate of MnTC and very passionate about her work. She spent 18 brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and years serving as a missionary in Europe, including France and Aluse, despite harmful consequencbania, prior to battling an addiction to alcohol. Sufferes. It is considered a brain disease ing from depression, she turned to wine to because drugs change brain numb her pain and cope with life. She structure and functionalis also very candid about her story, ity. These “I knew I wanted to be healthy, brain changes but I didn’t know I could be can be long worth anything,” Cheney lasting and said. Now she is helping lead to the harmful to dramatically change the behaviors lives of both female and male seen in participants and their families. people The best part of Cheney’s job is who abuse drugs. having the privilege of seeing Although lives dramatically improved people and families restored. Prior do make to her position as Program the initial decision Director, Deb Cheney to take a served from 2006drug, over 2008 as the Women’s time the Program and Famchanges to ily Center and has a person’s brain and witnessed women their behaviors due to repeated from all walks of abuse can affect the ability to take self life set free from control, make sound decisions and at the addiction to pursame time the need to for the substance may become more of an intense impulse. Each type sue healthy, fulfillof drug is different and as well as how individuals ing lives.

Facts about

addiction

How to help One of the most difficult and frustrating parts of running a program like TC is instead of working in a collaborative environment, many addiction programs are very competitive for resources such as outreach and funding. Private support goes to helping many of the addiction

respond to its affects. There is not one single factor that leads to having a problem. Risk is often influenced by a person’s biology, the environment including but not limited to abuse, stress, and parental involvement, and if used early in development it causes greater vulnerability. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) National Survey on Drug Use and Health in 2008, 23.1 million (9.6 % of the US) persons aged 12 or older needed treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol abuse problem.

programs in our region. In addition to residential programs, the federal and state governments provide a listing of resources for individual help. It’s also important to remember that treatment costs can be a barrier to participation, and community support of programs can help ease costs. But the biggest way we can help fight addiction is to support early prevention, since addiction is a preventable disease. Research by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) shows that prevention programs which start with kids at an early age and involve family, schools, our communities and the media are effective in reducing drug and alcohol dependency risks. A few highly-visible examples of raise awareness and helping prevent addiction across our region include… • “High Risk High” is a radio and web program that’s been broadcast on Prairie Public Radio discussing youth drinking in North Dakota. At www.highriskhigh.org you can find personal stories about alcohol addiction, the consequences of young people’s drinking and what people are doing to make a difference.

• North Dakota’s First Lady is a strong proponent of prevention and supports the Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free Foundation. A unique coalition of current and former governors’ spouses, federal agencies, and public and private organizations, the Foundation is an initiative to prevent the use of alcohol by children ages 9 to 15, and provides communication tools for your family to help start the discussion.

North Dakota Teen Challenge Facility

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more info If your community is in need of an awareness and prevention program, information and program materials are provided through Preventing Drug Use among Children and Adolescents: A Research-Based Guide for Parents, Educators, and Community Leaders, Second Edition, or visit NIDA’s Web site at www.drugabuse.gov. Trying to locate appropriate treatment can be a difficult process—especially finding a program tailored to an individual’s particular needs. However, there are some resources currently available to help with this process.

• North Dakota Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services at www.nd.gov/ dhs/services/mentalhealth or at the following location: Div. of MH and SA Services Dept of Human Services Prairie Hills Plaza 1237 West Divide Ave, Suite 1-C Bismarck ND 58501 Phone: 701-328-8920 Fax: 701-328-8969 • Teen Challenge International, USA, a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization, provides leadership and services to the entire network of Teen Challenge ministries throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. More information is available at www.teenchallengeusa.com. • High Risk High is a radio and web project about youth drinking in North Dakota. If you are a student, a teacher, a parent, or just interested in the topic, visit www.highriskhigh.org. • The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) maintains a web site (www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov) that shows the location of residential, outpatient, and hospital inpatient treatment programs for drug addiction and alcoholism throughout the country. This information is also accessible by calling 1-800-662-HELP.

• The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK) offers more than just suicide prevention—it can also help with a host of issues, including drug and alcohol abuse, and can connect individuals with a nearby professional. • The National Alliance on Mental Illness (www.nami.org) and Mental Health America (www.mentalhealthamerica.net) are alliances of nonprofit, selfhelp support organizations for patients and families dealing with a variety of mental disorders. Both have State and local affiliates throughout the country and may be especially helpful for patients with comorbid conditions. • The American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry each have physician locator tools posted on their web sites at www.aaap.org and www.aacap.org, respectively. • For information about participating in a clinical trial testing promising substance abuse interventions, contact NIDA’s National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network at www.drugabuse.gov/CTN/Index.htm, or visit NIH’s web site at www.clinicaltrials.gov. • The mission of the National Institute on Drug Abuse is to lead the Nation in bringing the power of science to bear on drug abuse and addiction. See www.drugabuse.gov.

Works Cited Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2009). Results from the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings (Office of Applied Studies, NSDUH Series H-36, HHS Publication No. SMA 09-4434). Rockville, MD. Cakraborty, J. (November 2007) “The History of Bio-Medical Millennium,” Journal of Medico View 23, no. 5): 43. Decker-Gerard, M., Owen, G., Owen, P. (August 2007) “Following-up with graduates of Minnesota Teen Challenge: Results of telephone surveys with persons completing treatment in 2001 through 2005,” Hughes, A, Sathe, N, Spagnola, K. (2008). State Estimates of Substance Use from the 2005–2006. National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (DHHS Publication No. SMA 08-4311, NSDUH Series H-33). Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of AppliedStudies. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2009). Results from the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings (Office of Applied Studies, NSDUH Series H-36, HHS Publication No. SMA 09-4434). Rockville, MD.

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body, mind, and soul: A n I n t e g r at i v e A p p r oa c h Northwestern Minnesota center taps the healing power of peace on the Plains to complement modern medicine by Kate Henne, Today’s Giving

A yurt, which can accommodate up to 30 individuals during retreats, sits on the banks of the Red Lake River Valley on the MICAH Campus.

38 Today’s Giving Spring 2010

H e a lt h

Over the past century, American health-care practices have increasingly focused on scientific treatment and an illness- or disease-centered model. Since the mid-20th century, individual care has moved away from an intimate physician-patient relationship with a general practitioner and toward highly-specialized medicine for each separate issue. This is our current general approach to Western medicine. But there is an important movement taking place to bring an ancient approach to Western medicine: Creating health in every aspect of ourselves—including physical, mental, and spiritual—to help heal all underlying causes of illness and not just symptoms.

Back to the future: Rediscovering basic well being Fewer than 150 years ago one would have found the people of the first nations across our Great Plains regularly combining contemplation, prayer, spiritual ceremony, diet, and physical treatment in a quest to obtain optimal health. In Europe during the same years, while laying the foundation for all of professional nursing, Florence Nightingale noted the importance of “external factors associated with the patient’s surroundings”1 including physiologic as well as biological for the restoration of health. In 400 A. D., Hippocrates supported a therapeutic approach based on “the healing power of nature” (“vis medicatrix naturae”). According to this doctrine, the body contains within itself the power to re-balance the “four humours” and heal itself.2 Hippocratic therapy focused on simply easing this natural process. So the practices of holistic healing and integrated medicine are far from “new,” but instead are reemerging. According to Dr. Debra Bell, MD (Family Practice and Integrative Medicine) in Crookston, MN, “Over the last 100-200 years, as we’ve focused on learning more about scientific and biomedical treatment, we’ve let go of the spiritual.” Bell, who also serves as a lecturer and interim co-director of the Integrated Medicine department at the University of North Dakota, believes that separation of spiritually

from health care was accelerated by a study sponsored by the Carnegie Foundation and supported by the American Medical Association in 1910. The consequential “Flexner Report” rebuked medical practices that did not emphasize biomedical treatments such as vaccines. As a result, the AMA ordered schools that offered training in alternative disciplines to drop such courses from their curriculum or lose their accreditation. Bell says that beginning in the 70’s in the United States, integrated and alternative medicine has been making a comeback. “It’s not necessarily a ‘big’ movement, but gradual increasing interest in more information and more thought about it,” she said. “We are seeing ‘spirituality’ studies coming back into mediDr. Debora Bell is Medical cal school curriculums.” Director of the RiverView Family Practice and Integrative Bell suspects the moveMedicine Center in Crookston, ment is consumer driven, MN; co-founder of MICAH; and co-interim director of from dissatisfaction in the Integrated Medicine the results of biomedical Department at the University of North Dakota. practices and fragmented

Spring 2010 Today’s Giving 39

experience of specialized medicine being catalysts for the movement to bring back integrated and holistic medicine. Bell has been interested in integrated medical practices since she began her medical-school studies at the University of California. She said there have been numerous occasions in her medical career that have confirmed her belief in the importance of integrated medicine, including assisting in both “highly-medicinized” and more natural birthing experiences in which the latter tend to be a healthier and happier overall experience. For example, she worked with a patient which struggled with fibromyalgia for years while treated by modern medicines for the symptoms. Finally, pain relief came with changes in diet and acupuncture. Now, Bell’s interest and professional journey have led her and several complementary partners to create a center for integrative and holistic treatment right in our back yard.

Holistic healing on the Northern Plains Not far from the borders that juxtapose the Dakotas, Minnesota and Manitoba is the Minnesota Institute of Contemplation & Healing (MICAH), one example of a growing number of health-care alternatives in which people can discover the power of simultaneously nurturing body, mind and spirit. The Crookston-based

40 Today’s Giving Spring 2010

organization is the only one like it in the region, so it draws participants from across the Dakotas and western Minnesota. (Visit www.micahprays.org.) Daniel Wolpert, M.Div., MA—co-founder and co-director of MICAH, author and Presbyterian minister— has worked in the fields of science, contemplation, and health for over 35 years. He serves as spiritual advisor for MICAH. “It’s [MICAH] a major transformation for those that were raised during the period of separating our health and well being from our spiritual life. In some ways, MICAH is a way to crystallize a framework to help us back to that understanding of faith and spirituality as a part of our being.” Wolpert points out that we are more challenged than ever to reintegrate spirituality, reflection and contemplation into our lives. “Technological advances have created a ‘social independence’…we act more individually than ever before,” Wolpert says, “contemplation is difficult with thousands of messages streaming at us constantly.” MICAH’s offerings are three fold: • A family-practice and integrative medical center and clinic (co-located with RiverView Health) offers traditional family medicine and complementary alternative medicine, including bio-identical hormone replacement therapy, massage therapy and counseling. • A remote retreat center serves as a haven for contemplation and reflection on spiritual formation, leadership, healing and the arts for personal, group and church retreats. • Daily silent prayer and weekly bible study are options of the program. While the prayer center is supported by the First Presbyterian Church of Crookston and the spiritual direction is generally Christian, Wolpert says that MICAH’s offerings are ecumenical and individual programs or retreats are available. MICAH’s mission is to create, support and

Holy Doodles – Cartoons to Contemplate, Volume 1, Trey Everett, MA, 2009. (Trey currently serves as coordinator and prayer practice instructor for MICAH’s Health and Spirituality Program.) Spring 2010 Today’s Giving 41

develop programs and an environment for the practice and study of spiritual formation and leadership, healing and the arts. The vision: “MICAH is a place where we live out a holistic vision of being in communion with God, with others, and with the earth…a place to discover healing for body, mind and spirit…”

Unplugged: The importance (and phobia) of contemplation The Rev. Stephen Peterson is assistant to the bishop of the Northwest Minnesota Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). He leads MICAH retreats for congregational leaders and works as an informal advisor for the program for nearly five years. Peterson points out that the word “contemplation” generates frequent misconception in our region and in our time, as it evokes reactions varying from the association with eastern religions only, to being non-religious, to being too tied to a specific religion. “That can be a barrier,” he says, “but it’s critical for us to stop, look, and listen.” “And that can be threatening,” Peterson says, “because people might often be afraid of what they hear.” He says most people have an innate sense of the importance of contemplation and reflection and are often instinctively aware when they need it most; yet they avoid it. He compares the reaction to some people’s tendencies to avoid physical health checks; many people can sense there is something wrong with their body but put off going to the doctor. But contemplation is key to seeing things differently and, Peterson says, more clearly. So the MICAH program and retreat experience must be disarming, open, hospitable and safe all at the same time. “Many people are in denial [of their spirituality] and need to be in a setting where they have space and feel safe to be open and encounter God,” he said.

42 Today’s Giving Spring 2010

Patricia Salwei is executive director of The Dwelling In The Woods retreat center nested half way between Minneapolis and Duluth, MN (see www.dwellinginthewoods. org) . A native of Zeeland, ND, Salwei is a retired Air Force captain who spent more than six years working Intelligence in Texas, Guam, Germany, and Italy. She also worked as a corporate coach, is a George Mason University graduate, and holds a master’s degree in human development from Tai Sophia Institute, Bethesda MD. She knows firsthand how we can become addicted to the adrenaline of a hectic lifestyle. “The ‘hit’ of excitement masks the longing for deeper satisfaction,” Salwei says, “but removing that can reveal remarkable depth and help us find our soul.” Too often, she says, “we are thinking ‘if I had more money, a new job, a new love interest,’ life would be better. However, it creates a revolving door of personal satisfaction for a life we can’t lead. It is arbitrary and never attainable,” she says “Our Western culture—the American spirit of conquest and Midwestern work ethics—make us feel guilty for taking a break,” she says. So, after earning her master’s degree, Salwei took a much-needed time out to spend three months in a rental cottage in Emily, MN, with no car and pure seclusion. The result: self discovery. “I left behind the notion and broke the cycle of ‘I have to have something else.’ I discovered I was whole. I had depth and joy and a connection to my God.” Still not convinced that downtime is a necessity for health? Consider this: In 2008, Swedish researchers looked at 20 years of records and discovered that the number of heart attacks dipped on the Monday after clocks were set back an hour from daylight saving time to standard time. But moving clocks forward appeared to have the opposite effect. There were more heart attacks during the week after the start of daylight saving time, particularly on the first three days of the week.3

Both Peterson and Salwei point out that as financial and materialistic endeavors take priority in American lives, finding the time and courage for silent contemplation is challenging. “It might sound like a lot of work—and there is some work and struggle,” Peterson says, “but eventually it flows. The result is overwhelmingly joyful. “ “God has given us a great gift in life, and we’re free to be creative in how we act as stewards to that gift,” Peterson said, “Family, health, work—it’s all related, and there’s great joy in having the freedom to explore what the gift of life means.”

Your role: Questions for self exploration Integrative medicine treats the patient according to the functional assessment of the whole being. The first steps should include taking inventory of your history and habits across all aspects of your holistic health. Consider these questions to explore your well being: • Physical: Is your diet balanced with nutritious, whole and natural foods? How much do you exercise or engage in moderate physical activity? Do you smoke? Do you get enough sleep and rest? What is your medical history? What major medical issues are in your family? • Mental and Emotional: Do you have a positive attitude and sense of humor? Do you love yourself? Are you able to give love? Do you generally accept others despite differences? Are your relationships wholesome or dysfunctional? Is your work meaningful? • Spiritual: Do you make quiet time for yourself? Are you able to engage in contemplation or meditation? Are you connected with your God, higher self, universe and/or spirit? Next, speak with your general practitioner about your need for holistic healthcare or find a practitioner who

supports this approach. Then, be open to the experience. Resistance to change, self-doubt, and low self-esteem can be roadblocks. Finally, remember that integrated, holistic health is a lifelong commitment to taking responsibility for your lifestyle choices, making time for reflection, and being open to growth and change as your journey unfolds.

Supporting integrated healthcare Integrated healthcare usually involves multiple components such as clinical, contemplative, religious, self-reflection, stress reduction, diet, and more. It’s also individualized, so it can vary greatly from person to person. Because of this nature, different facilities and professionals involved in any integrated healthcare experience will often include a mix of both for-profit and non-profit entities. But most organizations providing healthcare services rely to some extent on public support through volunteerism and contributions to sustain and improve practices. What’s important is that you consult with a trusted physician and conduct careful research before engaging new organizations and professionals in your healthcare mix. Then, choose to use and support those that best fit you.

FOOTNOTES 1 Nightingale, Florence (1974. First published 1859). “Introduction by Joan Quixley”. in Notes on Nursing: What it is and what it is not. Glasgow & London: Blackie & Son Ltd.. ISBN 0-216-89974-5. 2 Garrison, Fielding H. (1966), History of Medicine, Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Company . 3 Dr. Imre Janszky of the Karolinska Institute and Dr. Rickard Ljung of Sweden’s National Board of Health and Welfare; “Shifts to and from Daylight Saving Time and Incidence of Myocardial Infarction’; New England Journal of Medicine, October 23, 2008. Spring 2010 Today’s Giving 43

The Healing Power of By Kate Mund

“Art is our one true global language. It knows no nation, it favors no race, and it acknowledges no class. It speaks to our need to reveal, heal, and transform. It transcends our ordinary lives and lets us imagine what is possible.” —Richard Kamler, artist, educator and curator Laura Youngbird has experienced the revealing, healing and transforming power of art first hand, both as an artist and as an art educator. She holds a Bachelor in Fine Arts degree, and a Master degree in printmaking and drawing. As an artist, the themes in her work originate from experiences that her family—particularly her grandmother—had while at boarding schools, as well as issues that surrounded their assimilation into non-Indian culture. Youngbird also explores the influences of Christianity on American Indian spiritual44 Today’s Giving Spring 2010

ity and life views. An enrolled member of the Minnesota Chippewa, Grand Portage Band, Youngbird has served as the cultural coordinator and art instructor at Circle of Nations School in Wahpeton, North Dakota since 1997.

Art as therapy for students at Circle of Nations School Circle of Nations School (CNS) is an inter-tribal, off-reservation boarding school, chartered under the SissetonWahpeton Dakota Oyate and funded

by the Bureau of Indian Education. Circle of Nations School serves American Indian youth in grades 4 through 8. The mission of the Circle of Nations School is to build academic achievement and foster healthy development of the whole child in a Native American cultural environment. An act of the U.S. Congress created the Wahpeton Indian School, now known as Circle of Nations, in 1904. Youngbird credits Joni Altringer and Kathleen Westcot, former art therapists at CNS, with establishing the art therapy program at CNS.

Art above by Laura Youngbird

While “art therapy” is a subjective term, art therapy can be defined as the therapeutic use of art making— within a professional relationship— by people who experience illness, trauma, or challenges in living, and by people who seek personal development. Through creating art and reflecting on the art products and processes, people can increase awareness of self and others, cope with symptoms, stress, and traumatic experiences; enhance cognitive abilities; and enjoy the life-affirming pleasures of making art. “I was so fortunate to work with Joni and Kathleen and learned so much from them,” said Youngbird. “While art therapy isn’t part of our CNS curriculum any more, art education is offered, and often is therapeutic. The arts are so important because students who may not experience academic success will often experience success in the arts. Statistics have proven that the majority of

people, in general, are visual learners.” Many of the 100-plus students at CNS come from reservations across the United States that struggle with poverty, violence and substance abuse. “Some of our kids come from reservations that have the same living conditions as third-world countries,” Youngbird said. “Most people are unaware of the destitution and hopelessness that exist within our nation.”

“We just need to find that ‘thing’ in every kid; everyone has a gift.” —Laura Youngbird, artist and educator

Art as a language In her art education classes at CNS, Youngbird uses a multitude of mediums. She incorporates traditional Native American art forms and themes. With respect to the Native American culture and values, she reminds students that anything they do should be done in a positive and good way. “Art is a language and can say things that words can never come close to expressing,” she said. Youngbird believes that the arts give stu-

Laura Youngbird’s Artwork www.laurayoungbird.com Circle of Nations School www.cns.bia.edu Society for the Arts in Healthcare www.thesah.org

Spring 2010 Today’s Giving 45

White Scratch Art by Jewel High Horse

To think outside the box as related to charitable giving that promotes health, consider the importance of not only organizations that help with physical health, but also those that help improve health of the mind and spirit.

46 Today’s Giving Spring 2010

dents the opportunity to develop a voice, generate new perspectives, make connections and find meaning. The arts develop persistence, provide challenges and enhance self-esteem. Making art, Youngbird said, exercises the brain and strengthens one’s power of observation. “Not everyone will choose to become an artist, but I have seen students discover a passion and turn their life around. You never know when a little spark will ignite a blazing fire.” Case in point: when George (not the student’s real name) arrived at CNS, he was depressed and unmotivated; he was very much a loner. Bullied in the schools he came from, it wasn’t long before he was being bullied at CNS, too. While some of his teachers couldn’t get him to do much of anything, Youngbird, among others, recognized that despite the labels, he was actually very bright. She also noticed that he liked drawing cartoons as well as photography and filmmaking. With a little encouragement, he began to develop those skills. “We saw him flourish,” said Youngbird. “He stood straighter, he interacted with others and his self-worth began to soar.” George went on to a fine

arts high school and is now beginning a promising career in filmmaking. In fact, he was one of three students nationwide whose films were selected for a prestigious film festival in New York City. “We just need to find that ‘thing’ in every kid; everyone has a gift” said Youngbird. “There’s a line from the movie ‘Capote’ that sticks with me. Truman Capote was comparing himself to Perry Smith, a murderer whom he wrote about in ‘In Cold Blood.’ He said ‘It’s like we grew up in the same house, but I left out the front door, and he went out the back.’ Instead of focusing on early meaningful education, we’re building more and more prisons. Unfortunately, our nation’s prisons are filled with gifted individuals that fell through the cracks … something’s wrong with that picture.”

Colored Pencil by Detrea Lemieux

Art as inspiration Youngbird said that what inspires her both personally and professionally are beauty, justice and integrity. Certainly all those attributes can be found in art of all kinds. “The world is a mess … war, pollution, hunger, violence … it is overwhelming, and life can seem hopeless to so many of our youth,” said Youngbird. “Sadly, children are not honored in our society. In school, expectations are high, and the focus in on the test and conforming to someone else’s ‘perfect’ ideals. Learning should be fun.” Fortunately for the students at CNS, hopelessness can turn into hope. “Inspiration is everywhere,” Youngbird said. “Art is all about thinking outside the box.”

Wood Burning with Oil Pencils by Stephannie Lame

Spring 2010 Today’s Giving 47

for the Elderly This section contributed by Lila Hauge-Stoeffel, retired professor of Art Education at Minnesota State University Moorhead and consultant for developing “expressive arts for elders” programs.

“We found that when engaged in artistic endeavors in which individual choices are made, the elders were less focused on their physical pain...” —Lila Hauge-Stoeffel, retired professor of Art Education

48 Today’s Giving Spring 2010

We quickly admire the creative energy of a child but tend to overlook that creative energy as we age. In a single generation, the view of life for older adults has changed dramatically. Today’s society is shaped by unprecedented growth in the number of people living in their “golden years,” and we know that health care can promise longer, more active lives. As a result we are looking beyond sad myths and stereotypes about aging and studying the power of the emotional foundation of creativity. Hundreds of projects across the United States have been designed to enhance the quality of life for seniors through the Arts. Largely because extensive research has identified the multiple positive effects that participating in the creative arts has for older adults. Studies of creativity and aging programs point to observable improvements in both the psychological and physical quality of life. The arts help to create eldercare friendly communities in which older adults are respected and are able to thrive and function, and the arts help to create cultural development through intergenerational appreciation and participation. This was clearly evident in the Pioneer House (Fargo) Pilot project begun in 2003 with funding from the North Dakota Council on the Arts (NDCA) and the National Endowment for the Arts. As project coordinator of that pilot project, Lila Hauge-Stoffel continues to promote programming in the Arts for the elderly in both North Dakota and Minnesota. Data collected from the Pioneer House project clearly demonstrates that boredom, loneliness and feelings of helplessness can all be lessened through participation in creative arts activities. “We found that when engaged in artistic endeavors in which individual choices are made, the elders were less focused on their physical pain, used less medication, experienced elevated mood, showed an increase in the level of independent functioning, and participated in more activities, and showed a decrease in symptoms of depression and loneliness,” stated Hauge-Stoffel. To be creative is to draw on one’s life experiences and turn them into something

new. When we express ourselves though a creative process, we learn something about who we are and enhance our self-image. Through creative expression, we share ourselves and connect with others. Creative expression allows us to alter our everyday experience with pain and problems and sometimes transcend them. It makes us more resilient, better able to cope with life’s adversity, and helps us age more graciously. We need to appreciate the aging process and celebrate the life experiences of the elderly in our families and society.

Through programs such as the North Dakota Council on the Arts (NDCA) Arts for Life project, this is being achieved. Area artists; painters, weavers, mosaic artists, potters, poets, musicians, storytellers and dancers are being hired to work in elder care facilities, bringing creative expression into the lives of the residents. Arts for Life programs have been established in the North Dakota communities of Langdon, McVille, Jamestown, New Town and will be developing in New Rockford. This program is growing thanks to efforts of local agencies and the NDCA, www.nd.gov/arts.

People love a good story. We’ll help you tell yours. See our story at ampian.com/story

Spring 2010 Today’s Giving 49

Nonprofits & Organizations The following list includes most groups featured in this issue of Today’s Giving. Visit www.todaysgiving.com to view more information about nonprofits and other organizations in your region. Western Minnesota The Northwest Minnesota Foundation 4225 Technology Dr Nw, Bemidji, MN 56601 800-659-7859 | www.nwmf.org nwmf@nwmf.org

United Way of Bemidji Area

P.O. Box 27, Bemidji, MN 56619 218-444-8929 | www.liveunitedbemidji.org bjiuw@paulbunyan.net

Partners

PO Box 234, Rothsay, MN 56579 218-867-1234 | www.rothsay-partners. com | rpartners@rtelnet.net

West Central Initiative

1000 Western Ave, Fergus Falls, MN 56537-4805 218-739-2239 | www.wcif.org sheri@wcif.org

Pelican Rapids O.A.K.S. LAH/BNP PO Box 225, Pelican Rapids, MN 56572 218-863-1515 | www.elderberry.org | maggiedriscoll@ecumen.org

Neighbor to Neighbor LAH/BNP PO Box 141, Frazee, MN 56544 218-334-3559 | www.elderberry.org frazeenton@loretel.net

White Earth Land Recovery Project

MN Teen Challenge

1619 Portland Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55404 612-373-3366 | www.mntc.org

Bush Foundation

332 Minnesota Street, Suite East 900 St. Paul, MN 55101 651-227-0891 | www.bushfoundation.org info@bushfoundation.org

HealthEast Foundation

1690 University Avenue West, Suite 250 St. Paul, MN 55104 651-232-4990 | dsandqui@healtheast.org www.plan.gs/Home.do?orgId=1043

Northeast North Dakota Grand Forks Kiwanis

701-787-7878 | www.gfkiwanis.org

Salvation Army

1600 University Ave ND Grand Forks, ND 58203 www.salvationarmyusa.org

Faith in Action Health Coalition

301 Mountain St. E, Cavalier, ND 58220 701-265-8752 | ndfia.org/cavalier.html michelle.hardy@cavalierhospital.com

Elderberry Institute

St. Aloisius Medical Center Community Volunteer Center – FIA

The Dwelling in the Woods

Northwest North Dakota

475 N. Cleveland Avenue, Ste 322 St. Paul, MN 55104 651-649-0315 | www.elderberry.org elderb@elderberry.org 14044 220th St., McGrath, MN 56350 320-592-3708 | www. thedwellinginthewoods.org dwellinwoods@mlecwb.net

MICAH–Minnesota Institute of Contemplation & Healing

510 N Broadway, Crookston, MN 56716 218-281-4853 | www.micahprays.com revdoc@gvtel.com

325 Brewster St. East, Harvey, ND 58341 701-234-4700 | ndfia.org/harvey.html tammyn@staloisius.com

Minot Adult Literacy Volunteers 1609 4Th Ave Nw, Minot, ND 58703 701-852-2614 |

Dakota Boys Ranch Foundation Po Box 5007, Minot, ND 58702-5007 701-839-7888 | www.dakotaranch.org

Minot Lions

www.minotlions.5nclions.org

P.O. Box 97, Callaway, MN 56521-0097

Eastern South Dakota

Southeast North Dakota

Barnesville Area HELPERS

Challenge of the Dakotas

Faith in Action of Carrington Health Center

124 2nd Ave. SE, Barnesville, MN 56514 218-354-7090 | www.elderberry.org helpers@bvillemn.net

The ALS Association, Minnesota Chapter

333 North Washington Ave, Suite 105, Minneapolis, MN 55401 612-672-0484 | www.alsa.org info@alsmn.org

50 Today’s Giving Spring 2010

317 Third Ave, Brookings, SD 57006 605-692-9753 | www. teenchallengeofthedakotas.com tcdaks@brookings.net

Brookings Area United Way

Po Box 750, Brookings, SD 57006-0750 605-692-4979 | brookingsunitedway.org

800 North 4th St., Carrington, ND 58421 701-652-7218 | ndfia.org/carrington.html

Faith in Action of Mercy Hospital 570 Chautauqua Blvd. Valley City, ND 58072 701-845-6491 | ndfia.org/valleycity.html VickiJackson@catholichealth.net

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, Enderlin Chapter

410 Bluff St., Enderlin, ND 58027 701-437-2240 Sharon.Lindemann@sendit.nodak.edu

Future Farmers of America, Enderlin Chapter 410 Bluff St, Enderlin, ND 58027 701-437-2240 | www.ffa.org bob.moller@sendit.nodak.edu

HEART Living at Home Program

221 3rd Avenue, Enderlin, ND 58027-1304 701-437-2877 heartprogram@yahoo.com

Faith in Action of Lisbon Area Health Services

905 Main Street, Lisbon, ND 58054 701-683-6439 | www.ndfia.org/lisbon.html pattypeterson@catholichealth.net

FirstLink

4357 13TH AVE S STE 107L Fargo, ND 58107-0447 701-293-6462 | www.myfirstlink.org info@myfirstlink.org

Fargo-Moorhead Rotary Foundation

FM Area Foundation

502 1st Ave N, Ste 202, Fargo, ND 58102 701-234-0756 | www.areafoundation.org

Faith in Action Community of Care Volunteers

Dakota Medical Foundation

4152 30th Ave S Ste 102, Fargo, ND 58104-8403 701-271-0263 | www.dakmed.org

Share House Inc

AND help keep our community green!

4227 9th Avenue SW Fargo, ND 58103-2018 701-361-1018 | www.sharehouse.org hbarr@sharehouse.org

3100 12Th Ave N, Fargo, ND 58102-3070 701-232-2547 | www.ywcacassclay.org info@ywcacassclay.org

United Way Cass Clay

219 7th Street South, Fargo, ND 58107-1609 701-237-5050 | www.uwcc.net

People’s Diversity Forum

26 Roberts St N # B111 Fargo, ND 58102-5200 701-364-5600 | www.peoplesdiversity.org

REUSE

832 8th St N, Wahpeton, ND 58075-3642 701-642-3796 | www.cns.bia.edu web.manager@cns.bia.edu

North Dakota Teen Challenge

ND Community Foundation

Po Box 387, Bismarck, ND 58502-0387 701-222-8349 | www.ndcf.net kdvorak@ndcf.net

Future Business Leaders of America, North Dakota Chapter

600 E Boulevard Ave Dept 270, Bismarck, ND 58505 701-328-2286 | www.nd-fbla.org kscholl@nd.gov

ND Association of Nonprofit Organizations

REDUCE

RECYCLE

For a copy of our new DVD “Everyone’s Child” or for more info, call 1-800-344-0957 or visit www.dakotaranch.org.

Circle Of Nations School

1406 2nd St NW, Mandan, ND 58554 701-667-2131 | www.tc4hope.org info@tc4hope.org

YWCA Cass Clay

Volunteer, donate and shop at our Thrift Stores. Help children and families ...

Fargo West Rotary Club

400 1St Ave S, Fargo, ND 58103-1901 701-293-9622 | www.ymcacassclay.org

We help at-risk children and their families succeed in the name of Christ!

P.O. Box 6444, Fargo, ND 58109 701-478-5777 | www.pojca.org curtf@pojca.org

Southwest North Dakota

YMCA Of Cass And Clay Counties

EVERYONE’S CHILD.

Peace Officer / Jail Chaplains Association

Po Box 684, Fargo, ND 58107-0684 www.fmamrotary.org PO Box 9237, Fargo, ND 58106-9237 701-234-9931 | www.fargowestrotary.org bettynd@gmail.com

These are our children. They could be yours. They are

4 Langer Ave. North, Casselton, ND 58012 701-347-0032 | www.ndfia.org/casselton. html | lkingsley@communityofcarend.com

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   





Scandinavian

Scandinavian Hjemkomst Hjemkomst Festival Festival June 25-27, 2010

June 25–27, 2010

202 1st Ave N, Moorhead, MN 202 1st Ave N, Moorhead,MN Music & Entertainment ~ Troll on Stilts ~ Kids Games & Stories ~ Kids Tour & Activities ~ Ethnic Food ~ Dancing ~ Shopping ~ 5K Run/Walk

MusicTickets & Entertainment • Troll on Stilts & Information: 701-478-9150 www.NordicCultureClubs.org Kids Games & Stories • Tour & Activities

Ethnic Food • Dancing • Shopping 5K Run/Walk

1605 E. Capitol Ave, Bismarck, ND 58502 701-258-9101 | www.ndano.org | ndano@ btinet.net

*Although we try our best to provide the most current information in Today’s Giving, from time to time our records are not accurate. Please let us know at anytime if we need to change your organization’s information.

Tickets & Information: 701-478-9150 www.NordicCultureClubs.org

Spring 2010 Today’s Giving 51

Home Is Where

HEART Is

By Shannon Schweigert, Today’s Giving

The most influential corner office in Enderlin might just be located in the Senior Citizens Center. The HEART Program (Helping Enderlin Area Residents Thrive) office is small in size but has an enormous impact on the quality of life for elders in the communities of Enderlin and Sheldon. It’s the communications hub where program director Tracy Ekeren and volunteer coordinator Debbie Taylor answer calls and organize over 100 volunteers who assist in meeting the everyday needs of seniors. It’s the epicenter of a program that has grown into a community treasure where the simple act of “neighbor helping neighbor” narrows the generation gap and helps keep the town’s most valuable resource, its elders, thriving in their own homes. 52 Today’s Giving Spring 2010

Senior Citizen’s Center, Enderlin, ND, houses the offices of the HEART program.

HEART began in 2001 as the vision of former Ransom County Nurse Lynnette Schmitz and Health Director Debbie Bergstrom. They had attended a health conference and learned of Block Nurse/Live at Home programs being sponsored throughout Minnesota by the Elderberry Institute of Minneapolis. Bergstrom and Schmitz recruited six community members to visit an Elderberry program in Rothsay, MN, where they met Roberta Ouse, a field

representative of the Elderberry Institute who became HEART’s mentor as she guided the Enderlin group through program design and implementation. Funding from the Dakota Medical Foundation and the Bush Foundation of St. Paul allowed the group to hire an executive director. HEART provided its first elder services in January of 2003. Nowadays, operating funding comes in many forms: private and corporate contributions, grants and an annual golf

Coming to work feels like I’m improving someone else’s life. And that feels great.” —Tracy Ekeren, HEART program director

tournament all serve to fiscally sustain HEART. The program’s most requested services are for transportation: medical appointments in and around the region; rides to beauty shop appointments, church, the pharmacy; weekly grocery shopping. Service calls commonly include yard work, snow removal from sidewalks and roofs, window cleaning and maintenance, and handyman home repairs that require outside assistance. During the holidays, hanging and taking down Christmas decorations become a part of HEART’s mission. “Friendly visits” are a mainstay of the program. Many elders have family members living great distances from Enderlin. Often, after not being able to reach their Spring 2010 Today’s Giving 53

Enderlin Wellness Center

loved ones, they will phone HEART and ask that a “friendly visit” be conducted to check in on mom or dad. HEART recently completed its seventh service year, logging 2,108 volunteer hours from 103 volunteers who served 72 elders. With a population of around 1,000, an extraordinary 10 percent of the population is engaged as a volunteer for HEART, a statistic Tracy Ekeren is quite proud of, but not surprised by. “This program is community built, owned and operated. It’s not surprising that it is so well supported and thought of,” says Ekeren of the organization she has led since 2004. Ekeren grew up in Enderlin and today lives with her husband and two children in rural Sheldon. During summer months, her family operates Ice Cream, Etc. Enderlin’s fast food drive-in. The passion she has for HEART is evident when she explains her inspiration. “Some things happen in your life that become passions….I guess I do this on a feeling. Coming to work 54 Today’s Giving Spring 2010

feels like I’m improving someone else’s life. And that feels great.” Some of the greatest rewards for Ekeren come when she is able to help family members from great distances check in on their loved ones. “If I had to live states or hours away from my family, I’d want to know there was a program like ours to look in on them.” At its core, HEART’s mission reflects a community effort to sustain the ability of the elderly to remain independent in their own homes longer. But, it has grown into so much

more for the community. HEART staff spearheaded the funding effort that led to the opening of the Enderlin Wellness Center in March, 2009. Over $112,000 in funding and in-kind contributions were raised to re-purpose and furnish, with modern exercise equipment, the lower level of the Enderlin Auditorium. The auditorium had undergone a half-million dollar renovation five years earlier, but had been underutilized until the Wellness Center moved in. The upper level stage and

dance floor is home today to Jazzercise classes as well as school-age and community concerts, musicals, plays and presentations. Membership has grown to 130, including a significant number of elders. Local chiropractor Dr. Maggie Peterson volunteers to do exercise orientations with elders. She notes the social benefits as well as the health that the community’s elders are enjoying. “Winter in particular can be a very isolating time. The ability to exercise in a center with others is another health benefit for members.” The beautiful facility was planned with health and socialization in mind right down to the ripe mango paint on the walls. “Sunshine lopes for the program’s annual drive. in the middle of winter,” as Dr. PeterThe program has helped narrow the son explains. generation gap as youth are enterHEART volunteers range in age tained with the tales of yesteryear from teens to the elders themselves; while lending a helping hand to their everyone’s skills and time are welelders. come. Enderlin High School’s memJack Armstrong left Enderlin in bers of Future Business Leader of 1948 to join the Navy. After his serAmerica and Future Farmers of The program has helped narrow America regularly volunteer for yard the generation gap as youth work and the reare entertained with the tales cycling program. of yesteryear while lending a Members of Famhelping hand to their elders. ily Career & Community Leaders of America volunteer to write and mail the elders Christvice he spent the next 30 years workmas letters and cards as well as take ing for Job Service North Dakota; livthe time during lunch breaks to make ing in Grand Forks, Fargo, Dickinson sure their garbage makes it to the and Bismarck. When it was time for curb on pick-up day. HEART elders him and wife Verna to retire, they volunteer too. They are often found chose Jack’s hometown. “I wouldn’t folding newsletters and stuffing envehave come back if I didn’t love the

town. It’s the most caring, laid back place in America,” explains Armstrong of his decision to return. He’s a HEART volunteer who provides transportation about three times a month. He’s also used HEART’s services and is a faithful, threetimes-a-week workout member of the Wellness Center. “You don’t really retire in a small town,” declares Armstrong of his busy days in Enderlin. In addition to his volunteer work with HEART, he writes the “Enderlines” a history column for the Enderlin Independent and played a major role in the renovation of the Enderlin Auditorium which houses the Enderlin Wellness Center. Jack, his wife Verna (an oil-paint artist) and their four daughters designed and painted the murals depicting Enderlin’s colorful history which adorn the auditorium’s walls. Elders, volunteers and board members credit the undying commitment, positive attitude and friendly dispositions of program leaders Ekeren and Debbie Taylor as the key to the success HEART has had. All Spring 2010 Today’s Giving 55

�

�randfather Thank you grandfather. even though you are gone, my children too will thank you. You taught us the quiet songs and the wisdom of the old ones. You taught us of our people and stood tall. We too stand tall. Thank you, grandfather. Even though you have gone. We will make you proud.

“Grandfather” appears in Today’s Giving compliments of Fargo poet Christine Hoper. Christine spent her childhood in small towns across Minnesota and North Dakota. For as long as she can remember, she’s had a notebook close at hand. The words shared here capture moments in time–and who knows; they might be reminiscent of things you too have seen and heard along the way. You can find more of her poetry at www.northdakotarealized.com and her current blog featuring musings about the moon at www.redrivergirl.com.

56 Today’s Giving Spring 2010

point to Ekeren and Taylor as deserving praise for the program's growth, citing their always present smiles and the personal interest they take in each individual as contributing factors in the widespread use and acceptance of HEART. Volunteers credit their work with HEART as helping to make deeper, new connections with their fellow residents. When asked what she’d like to see for the future of her program, Ekeren unselfishly replied, “I’d like to see programs like HEART in more communities. I want people to understand it’s kind of cool to be a part of something like this.” She advised those looking to start a senior assistance program to visit with local businesses to create awareness and get input on structure. Spread the word about volunteer opportunities and note any special skills that are needed. Contact local seniors to discuss the needs they have and note the opportunities when an assistance program could be utilized. Once established, constant

encouragement to use the program is needed to get the seniors accustomed to requesting assistance. Finally, with tears welling up, she shares the most important aspect of a successful senior assistance program. “People do this because they care, and as long as they continue to care the program will be successful.” The important lessons from this program are many and have sprung from the success of community groups such as Barnesville Area HELPERS, Rothsay PARTNERS, Pelican Rapids OAKS, Frazee Neighbor to Neighbor, as well as programs in the Northern Plains Collaborative of Faith in Action (See, story). The need will continue to increase as we see vast numbers from the Baby Boom Generation enter their retirement years. It is important that we look for opportunities to embrace the helping and volunteerism spirit these programs exemplify as we honor the contributions each generation makes throughout the course of our lives.

Faith in Action Northern Plains Collaborative Expands Services by Shannon Schweigert, Today’s Giving Faith in Action is a network of interfaith, volunteer caregiving service providers with hundreds of locations throughout the United States. Faith in Action’s Northern Plains Collaborative “Neighbors Caring for Neighbors” provides health referrals, friendly visits and transportation for seniors and the disabled through volunteer networks and is expanding its presence in North Dakota communities. The organization is committed to its mission of “promoting independence among the elderly and disabled” of their communities. The coalition’s original membership was made up of programs in Valley City, Cavalier, Harvey and Casselton. The groups joined efforts in 2006 and recently expanded to add programs in Carrington and Lisbon, as well as to adopt an existing program, Enderlin’s HEART. They expect to launch services in Oakes late 2010. Chair Vicki Jackson of Valley City explains the value of the collaboration in simple terms. “We share best practices, our unique ideas and pool our resources. There’s no need for any community to re-invent the wheel.” The original programs were funded

Cavalier

Harvey Carrington Casselton Valley City Enderlin Lisbon

in 2002 by Robert Wood Johnson – Faith in Action grants. When the foundation redirected its priorities in 2006 for greater collaboration between existing programs and funding to support that cooperation, the Northern Plains Collaborative was created. Each program maintains its unique identity and is led by a community board. The collaborative is governed by a board made up of representatives from each community.

Advantages of a Formal Program Jackson notes that most North Dakota communities serve their seniors informally much like her formal program does, and notes that it is an important first step for any community wishing to adopt formal services. “Our rural communities are filled

with people wanting to help. Tapping into that resource is what makes a program successful.” She goes on to distinguish advantages of a formal versus informal structure. “Volunteers are supported by structure, their time is maximized and we have an orientation to prepare them for what they can expect. They feel more valued; a part of something bigger than themselves.” She also notes the advantages for the seniors served. “People in need are more comfortable asking for help if it is part of a program. They don’t have to rely on the same friend or family member every time. Our program offers blessings that go both ways; those served are very appreciative and those who serve feel they get so much more back than they give.” Spring 2010 Today’s Giving 57

theyAre Special feature by Cher Helsrud, nonprofit professional

ob Dylan’s song The Times They Are A-Changin’ resonated when it was first released in 1964, and it’s once again an appropriate song for the times. The election of President Obama energized the country, followed by the economic downfall, followed by a very political battle for healthcare reform, and a continued presence in war torn countries. A vast majority of the states across the country are struggling to maintain state programs 58 Today’s Giving Spring 2010

and services, with dramatically reduced resources. The home mortgage fiasco has created long-term issues for urban cities and states. In the midst of all of these major shifts across the country, North Dakota’s economy has remained very strong, with energy and the conservative nature of its residents allowing the state to have a budget surplus that is the envy of the country.

Peter Hutchinson, President of the Bush Foundation, speaks and writes about the Bush Foundation’s focus on investing in “courageous and effective leadership.” At a meeting of Minnesota community foundations in January, Hutchinson spoke about the Bush Foundation research into courageous leadership. Hutchinson reported that when respondents to a Bush Foundation survey identified courageous leaders in their community, those leaders were most often affiliated with religious organizations, closely followed by nonprofit organizations. This is not surprising for North Dakota, where more than 5,000 nonprofit organizations provide programs and services. Volunteerism is the heart of the state, with rural residents serving on several boards. In many rural communities basic services are provided through community owned, nonprofit grocery stores and restaurants. We have a system that works, and has continued to work for many years, and we have not been greatly affected by the national economic crisis. That is the good news. The bad news is that the times, they are a changing. The nonprofit sector was originally created to fill gaps left by government and business. In North Dakota, the nonprofit sector is providing an amazing amount of service for minimal cost. If a community wants to bring in new business, it needs to have the workforce to fill jobs. If a community wants to keep or increase

tions exist to provide service. Unforthe working population, daycare is tunately, no matter how much volunan issue. It is a circle of issues that teerism is applied; it does take money is increasingly difficult to maintain, to operate most public charities. It is and that is increasingly addressed in this critical area that North Dathrough the nonprofit sector. kota nonprofit organizations are IRS information, as compiled by facing change. the Urban Institute indicates that The primary sources of nonprofit North Dakota’s 2008 nonprofit sector operations are: includes 5,893 nonprofit organiza• Individual donors tions. Broken down by type, the non• Federal and state grants and conprofit sector includes: tracts for service • 3,260 501(c)(3) organizations or • Foundation grants public charities • Earned income from events • 144 501(c)(3) private foundations The economy has affected the abil• 2489 other 501(c) organizations ity of organizations to raise funds – fraternal organizations, chamthrough fundraising events. There ber of commerce and other civic are many very small organizations organizations. whose operating budget is primarily Public charities have surpassed dependent upon fundraising events. other organizations, such as fraterThe economy has created more nal organizations, in that past ten years. This can be attributed to a 50 percent drop in The economy has created more fraternal organievents and limited the ability of zations and to the increase in the individuals to contribute. number of public charities. There are nearly events and limited the ability of indi1,000 more public charities in North viduals to contribute. Dakota today, than there were in A new administration is causing 1998. Some of this growth can be atthe federal government to change, tributed to the formalization of nonand reduce or redirect grant support profit groups into tax-exempt public that has been ongoing. Federal grants charities; some of it is the result of for social services are changing; state increasing need for services. grants or fees for services are beThe times are changing beyond the ing reduced or eliminated. And of increase in numbers; the times are course, policies in North Dakota and changing for how public charities opall state governments are constantly erate. While for-profit business exists subject to change. to make money, nonprofit organizaSpring 2010 Today’s Giving 59

Number of Public Charities in North Dakota in 2009 Arts, Culture and Humanities Education Environmental Quality, Protection, and Beautification Animal-Related Health Mental Health, Crisis Intervention

309 340 53 36 244 31

Diseases, Disorders, Medical Disciplines

Medical Research

3 33 18 36 78 50

Crime, Legal Related Employment, Job Related Food, Agriculture, and Nutrition Housing, Shelter Public Safety Recreation, Sports, Leisure, Athletics Youth Development

610 67

Human Services - Multipurpose and Other

315

International, Foreign Affairs, and National Security

Civil Rights, Social Action, Advocacy

Community Improvement, Capacity Building

151

Philanthropy, Voluntarism, and Grantmaking Foundations

Science and Technology Research Institutes, Services

Social Science Research Institutes, Services Public, Society Benefit Multipurpose and Other Religion Related, Spiritual Development Unknown

Total

1 56 592 41

3,254

Note: Excludes out-of-scope and approximately 900 so-called “mutual benefit” public charities. Source: IRS Business Master File 04/2009 (with modifications by the National Center for Charitable Statistics at the Urban Institute)

60 Today’s Giving Spring 2010

Foundation assets were dramatically reduced by the fall of the stock market and are just now beginning to return to the 2008 level. This has reduced, or eliminated the ongoing grants awarded within the area, both on the local and regional level. Perhaps the biggest change for this region has been the change of direction of the Bush Foundation. Their new strategic plan is focused on specific goals, initiatives, and programs. The days of receiving traditional grants from the Bush Foundation have ended. This has had a dramatic impact on a state where there are two foundations that provide grant support across the state. While local granting entities may retain a grantmaking focus, there is a wave of change within the founda-

tion world toward efforts to eliminate problems, rather than addressing need. Arguments can be made both for and against this change; however it is the current trend on a regional and national level. The final source of nonprofit support is often the weakest, yet should be the strongest. Individuals and families donate an amazing amount of time to nonprofit organizations across North Dakota, yet the National Center for Charitable Statics shows individual contributions of money are not the strongest source of support. In our region, the primary reason that nonprofit organizations lack individual donor support is that they do not ask. There is a perception that asking for contributions is somehow begging, therefore board

“Can I assume this means our projections were off a little?

members and even staff of nonprofit organizations do not like to solicit donations. This is an area where change must occur. For the North Dakota nonprofit sector to continue to provide the increasing number of services across the state, individual donors will be critical. An individual donor can become an organization’s most stable source of support, and within the current climate it will be critical to have an expanding pool of individual donors. Nonprofit organizations are created to fill a need and board members agree to serve on nonprofit boards because they want to support efforts to meet that need. A vast majority of organizations do not have a development position; however they do have board members. It will be increasingly important for nonprofit organizations to develop plans to increase their individual donor support. This can be accomplished by the development of an annual giving program, it can be accomplished through a campaign, and it can be accomplished by taking the time to remember why your organization exists; it exists to provide service to people. This is not business, this is personal.

Cartoon provided to Today’s Giving by national-award-winning editorial cartoonist Steve Stark.

Spring 2010 Today’s Giving 61

Board members are charged with the duty to ensure the financial viability of an organization. A board member should be aware of and proud of the service provided by an organization. That pride should turn the perception from that of begging to that of asking a friend to support a community need. In the times of Bob Dylan’s song, Robert Kennedy said, “Our choice is not whether change will come, but whether we can guide that change in the service of our ideals and toward a social order shaped to the needs of all our people.” The times they are changing. The one constant is the unique ability of a nonprofit organization to meet the needs of people.

DON’T MISS

Cher Hersrud is currently the Advancement Officer of the FM Area Foundation and has more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit and rural community work. In addition to working with individual organizations, she has produced publications and workshops for North Dakota nonprofits and rural communities in areas of grant seeking, board development and management, and planning. Through the North Dakota Community Foundation, she founded and directed The Resource Center, a capacity-building division of the foundation initiated in 1998. Previous work experience includes seven years with the Plains Art Museum in Fargo and three years with the NDSU Development Foundation. Hersrud was also a founder of the FM Area Attractions Association and the North Dakota Association of Nonprofit Organizations. She has served as a grant reviewer for local, state, and federal grants programs, and has received two Aspen Institute Nonprofit Sector Fellowships and a national Dove Fellowship from Indiana University.

A BEAT.

MINNESOTA IS OUR BEAT.

62 Today’s Giving Spring 2010

Public Policy Brief: Health Care Initiatives & Nonprofit Organizations Health care reform is on the minds of most Americans. New legislation will directly affect how we offer and receive care as individuals, nonprofits and for-profit businesses. It will require most of us to have health insurance, expand Medicaid, create statebased health benefit exchanges (for both individuals and their families as well as small businesses), and require employers to either pay penalties for not providing insurance to employees that receive tax credits for health insurance through an exchange program. New regulations will also help prevent the denial of coverage because of preexisting conditions or from changing higher premiums based on health status and gender. There are two pieces to the recentlypassed U.S. health care bill. The first is the $875 billion comprehensive health bill, the Patient Protection Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) (PL 111-148), signed into law on March 23. The current bill eliminates the government-run public insurance option in favor of multi-state insurance exchanges, increases the Medicare payroll tax for high-income filers, and expands the accessibility of tax credits to qualifying individuals and small busi-

nesses, including nonprofits, for purchasing health insurance. The second piece is the $940 billion Health Care Reconciliation Package (HR 4872). It makes adjustments to PPACA, and was formally adopted March 25 and signed into law by President Obama on March 30. This package will provide tax credits to qualifying individuals and small businesses, including nonprofits, for purchasing health insurance. It will also keep the proposals to establish health insurance exchanges for those who are uninsured. The package would slightly modify the Senate-proposed excise tax on high cost insurance plans. A selling point of this bill is the opportunity to reduce federal deficits by $138 billion over the first ten years. The final health care reform legislation expands the small business tax credit for business with 25 or fewer employees in order to help offer health insurance to their workforce. The bill is written to allow all 501(c) tax-exempt organizations this credit. Nonprofit hospitals will also receive standards for tax expectation for the first time. The nonprofit sector is going to

have a key role in the ongoing changes of our health care system. According to research provided by the Independent Sector, nonprofits as employers spend over $48 billion for employee health care coverage and related benefits. Nonprofits as a service industry are working with over 46 million people who do not have coverage. The new reform will also create nonprofit organizations that do research on patient-centered outcomes, provide insurance programs to administer health benefit exchanges and small business health programs. The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation provides an interactive website with full, current summaries of the new health reform law, reconciliation bill and other reform proposals. On their site, www.kff.org, you can compare the law and its provisions, including detailed information on Medicare and Medicaid. Spring 2010 Today’s Giving 63

Northeast North Dakota

Northwest North Dakota

May 22

May 15

Thunder Over the Red River: 2010 Air Show

ALS (Lou Gehrigs Disease) Walk

9:00 a.m., Grand Forks Air Force Base, Grand Forks, ND

9:00 a.m., Oak Park, Minot, ND

www.grandforks.schultzairshows.com

www.alsa.org | 701-235-2399

June 4

June 5

Grand Forks Relay For Life

Glow Ball Golf Scramble

6:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m., University Park, Grand Forks, ND

5:00 p.m., Heart River Golf Course, Dickinson, ND

www.relayforlife.org | 701-780-5400

www.westernwellness.org | 701-483-8615

June 5

June 11

2010 ND Fishing Challenge

Minot Relay for Life

6:00 a.m., Lakewood boat ramp, Devils Lake, ND

7:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m., Minot State University, Minot, ND

www.ndfishingchallenge.com | 701-667-2131

www.relayforlife.org | minotrelay@yahoo.com | 701-838-7047

June 11

July 23

Devils Lake Relay for Life

Relay for Life of Stark County

6:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m., Roosevelt Park, Devils Lake, ND

7:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m., DHS Practice Field, Dickinson, ND

www.relayforlife.org | 701-662-4903

www.relayforlife.org | 701-483-0613

June 12–13

July 23–31

Annual Grand Cities Art Fest

ND State Fair

10 a.m., Downtown, Grand Forks, ND

www.ndstatefair.com | 701-857-7620

Hosted by: 319th Air Refueling Wing

Hosted by: American Cancer Society

Hosted by: ND Teen Challenge

Hosted by: American Cancer Society

Hosted by: North Valley Arts Fest www.novac.org | 701-772-3710

Hosted by: ALS Association

Hosted by: Best Friends Mentoring Program

Hosted by: American Cancer Society

All Day, ND State Fair Center, Minot, ND

June 26

Southwest North Dakota

Blues on the Red Music Series

May 15

6:00–10:00 p.m., Town Square, Grand Forks, ND ghoover@grandforks.gov | 701-787-9436

March for Babies

Hosted by: March of Dimes 9:00 a.m., BSC Bowl, Bismarck, ND www.marchforbabies.org | 701-235-5530

64 Today’s Giving Spring 2010

May 22

June 2

Mandan Summer Fun on Main Recreation & Sport Show

Heirloom Quilt Auction “Every Stitch Tells a Story…”

Main Street, Mandan, ND www.mandanprogress.org | 701-751-2983

Hosted by: Catholic Charities North Dakota 6:15p.m. Fargo Country Club, Fargo, ND

www.catholiccharitiesnd.org | 701-235-4457

June 18–20

Dessert and Wine, Silent Auction, Live Auction.

Lewis & Clark Days

June 4–5

All Day, Washburn, ND

Special Olympics State Summer Games

www.washburnnd.com | 701-462-3430

June 25–27

Sam McQuade Sr. Budweiser Charity Softball Tournament Hosted by: McQuade Distributing Co.

All Day, Bismarck–Mandan Softball Complexes, Bismarck, ND www.mcquades.com | 701-223-6850

July 7–17

Annie

Hosted by: Sleepy Hollow Summer Theatre 8:30 p.m., Sleepy Hollow Performing Arts Park, Bismarck, ND www.shst.org | 701-319-0894

July 23–31

Jekyll and Hyde: The Musical

Hosted by: Sleepy Hollow Summer Theatre 8:30 p.m., Sleepy Hollow Performing Arts Park, Bismarck, ND www.shst.org | 701-319-0894

Southeast North Dakota

Hosted by: Special Olympics North Dakota

Fargo South High School; Fargo Park District Sports Arena, Fargo, ND www.specialolympicsnorthdakota.org sond@midconetwork.com | 800-279-4201

June 9-–3

6th Annual HERO Bash Hosted by: Fargo Air Museum 1609 19th Ave N, Fargo, ND www.fmhero.org | 218-284-6111

June 19

Tour de Cure

Hosted by: American Diabetes Association 7:30, 9:00 or 10:30 a.m., Oak Grove Park, Fargo, ND www.tour.diabetes.org | hhwang@diabetes.org | 701-234-0123

Start times as follows: 75 Miles–7:30a.m., 32 Miles–9:00a.m., 16 Miles–10:30am June 26–28

Roger Maris Celebrity Benefit Golf Tournament Hosted by: Hospice of the Red River Valley, Fargo Shanley High School and the MeritCare Roger Maris Cancer Center

May 22

Edgewood Golf Course, Fargo, ND

2010 Run MS: Fargo

www.rogermarisgolf.com | jpdartco@aol.com | 701-364-1961

8:00 a.m., FargoDome, Fargo, ND

July 9–17

Hosted by: National MS Society www.nationalmssociety.org | 701-235-2678

Red River Valley Fair West Fargo, ND

May 22

Fargo Marathon FargoDome, Fargo, ND www.fargomarathon.com | Director@Fargomarathon.com 1-888-RUN-FARGO

www.redrivervalleyfair.com | 701-282-2200

July 14–15

Annual Garden Tour

Hosted by: Soroptimist International of Fargo North Fargo gardens on Wednesday South Fargo gardens on Thursday For questions contact Judy Anderson at 701-261-3157 or Cindy Thrall at 701-361-6333

Tickets will be available starting June 15 at the following locations: all Hornbachers Stores Baker Nursery Gardens both Shotwells locations Spring 2010 Today’s Giving 65

October 19

July 9

ShareHouse–Sister’s Path Fall Fling

Relay for Life of Douglas County

5:30–9:30 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn Ballroom, Fargo, ND

6:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m., Citizen’s Field, Alexandria, MN

www.sharehouse.org | 701-478-9530

www.relayforlife.org | 320-763-6729

Western Minnesota

Eastern South Dakota

May 20

May 22

Lakes Area Start! Heart Walk

Run for Their Lives! SIDS Awareness Run

5:00 p.m., Detroit Lakes Pavilion, Detroit Lakes, MN

8:00 a.m., Sertoma Park/Sioux Falls Bike Trail, Souix Falls, SD

www.americanheart.org | Jennifer.Schultes@heart.org 701-252-5122

www.allsportcentral.com | 605-254-4967

Hosted by: ShareHouse, Inc.

Hosted by: American Heart Association

Walkers can organize teams at the companies where they work or with family and friends. Walkers ask others to support their walk effort by sponsoring them with a donation to the American Heart Association. Fee: Free event. Participants are encouraged to June 4–5

10th Annual Street Faire at the Lakes

Hosted by: Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce All Day, Downtown, Detroit Lakes, MN www.dlstreetfaire.com | 800-542-3992

Hosted by: American Cancer Society

Hosted by: Lach’s Legacy

All proceeds will benefit Lach’s Legacy, a program of the CJ Foundation for SIDS, to support bereaved families and to promote SIDS education, awareness, and research. May 29

Paws for a Cause Poker Run

Hosted by: Souix Falls Area Humane Society 11:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m., J&L Harley-Davidson, Souix Falls, SD www.sfhumanesociety.com | 605-338-4441

June 4

Relay for Life

June 12

Hosted by: American Cancer Society

Ronald McDonald House Ride

5:00 p.m.–6:00 a.m., Holum Expo Building, Aberdeen, SD

Hosted by: Ronald McDonald House

www.relayforlife.org | 605-882-2957

12:00 p.m., VFW, New York Mills, MN www.rmhride.com | rmhridelinksevents@yahoo.com |

June 5

Ride leaves at noon from the VFW in New York Mills-registration at VFW before noon.

Bikes and Babes

June 26

2010 Joshua Horn Strides for Babies Walk Hosted by: CJ Foundation 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Bemidji Hampton Inn, Bemidji, MN www.cjsids.org

Hosted by: J&L Harley-Davidson 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., J&L Harley-Davidson, Souix Falls, SD www.jl-harley.com | 605-334-2721

Rally for Miracles to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network. June 25

Relay for Life Hosted by: American Cancer Society

July 2–4

10th Annual 4th of July Beach Bash All Day, Detroit Lakes, MN www.lakesidetavern.com | 218-847-1891

6:00 p.m.–6:00 a.m., Codington County Extension Complex, Watertown, SD www.relayforlife.org

July 15–17

JazzFest

Hosted by: Sioux Falls Jazz & Blues Society Yankton Trail Park, Souix Falls, SD www.jazzfestsiouxfalls.com | 605-335-6101

66 Today’s Giving Spring 2010

Jean Neshiem of Fargo recently made a special gift that would have made her late husband Jim proud. “My husband Jim was a wheeler-dealer. I thought of him when I spotted the blankets on sale.” The blankets were down-filled, on sale at a local department store, and reminded Jean of the quilts she grew to love as a child. She negotiated with a manager and whittled the price down to $5 a piece, then Each issue of Today’s Giving will

bought the last 50 the store had. She immediately shared them with her

include “Faces of Giving” to rec-

friends at the Salvation Army. “I figured they were warm, washable, and

ognize and thank some of those

the Salvation Army could distribute them to those who would appreci-

across our region whose actions serve

ate them,” says Jean of her gift. Neshiem also assists every Monday

as both leadership and inspiration for

with breakfast duties at Fargo’s Salvation Army.

thoughtful, meaningful contributions that improve the lives of others. Do you

“Providing comfort to new Americans” is how

know of someone who fits the profile?

David Ideele describes his work as

If so, please send recommendations

executive director of the People’s Diversity

to faces@givingmag.com or mail to

Forum in Fargo. Working as a volunteer le-

Faces of Giving, 1407 1st Ave North,

gal liaison for the past seven years, Ideele has

Fargo, ND 58104.

helped members of Fargo’s various immigrant communities understand the complexities of our laws and legal system. He works directly with local law enforcement to improve relations between police and immigrant communities. Ideele recently expanded his services by offering guidance on child custody, separation and other civil issues. A native of Nigeria, Ideele feels compelled to help others transition smoothly into their new lives in America. An estimated 20 million women

Morgan Turner, 16, of Ashby,

are fighting cancer in the US.

MN and a senior at Twin Oaks School,

The Cleaning for A Reason Foundation,

organized a weeklong summer camp

started by Debbie Sardon, Lew-

on the Red Lake Indian Reservation in

isville, Texas, understands that

northern Minnesota. Morgan learned

fight is hard enough. They step in to

for 60 underprivileged children living

from a neighbor about the poverty on the

provide free professional housecleaning, and maid servic-

reservation and the plight of Native American children living

es to improve the lives of women undergoing treatment.

there. “I have a passion for children, and it grieved me to know

To do this, they partner with local cleaning services which

that many children were unable to attend a camp due to im-

donate one free cleaning a month, for four months. There

poverished circumstances,” she said. It took recruiting 19 vol-

are partners in Minnesota and South Dakota, but the need

unteers to serve as counselors, cooks, and helpers. In addition

for partners is currently greater than the requests for ser-

she collected food, clothing, artists and crafts supplies then set

vice. Major sponsors include Hoover and All-State Insur-

up training sessions, created schedules, planned meals, devel-

ance. See www.cleaningforareason.org for volunteer and

oped programming, and oversaw that operation of the camp.

contribution opportunities.

She received a Prudential Spirit of Community Award for her great work. Spring 2010 Today’s Giving 67