Tunefoolery Concert Ensembles (www.tunefoolery.org) from Cambridge, MA, a group of 50 musicians living with mental illness, has a simple yet powerful message: Emphasize people’s strengths and focus on abilities, not disabilities.
While most psychiatric treatment programs are focused on minimizing the effects of depression, hearing voices, etc., Tunefoolery helps its musicians to move away from the mental health patient role and embrace new identities as professional musicians and performers. This transformation is essential for women and men with long-term illnesses who often get the message that they are not “well” enough to be creative contributors to our communities. As one member puts it: “Tunefoolery is a great example of how non-traditional mental health treatment truly can change people’s lives. Music is powerful medicine! I have a tremendous feeling of belonging with Tunefoolery. I have found great friends here. It’s a job and a creative outlet at the same time.” Read more...
How can there be so much suffering in the world when we know that there is also so much goodness? It seems that there is a fundamental disconnect. The purpose of People in Need - www.peopleinneed.info - is to re-connect people who suffer because of their isolation. We help form relationships between people in desperate, life-and-death situations and people in prosperous parts of the world. These relationships include a yearlong sponsorship that provides aid. But our focus is on the relationship itself, on understanding each other and what it will take to improve our lives. Read more...
When I moved into a transitional neighborhood in 1996 in Atlanta, GA USA, I turned my home into a Peace Center so the youth could come over to create beauty with recycling and art. I supplied a free colored adhesive vinyl which Sign Shops discard, and taught the kids how to apply it to objects like trash cans, former paint buckets, filing cabinets, tables, doors, discarded plastic chairs, an automobile, boxes, pots, and more. One day a company donated cardboard cylinders which we turned into totem poles for our community gardens in bright colors and designs. In the last twelves years, we have created enough art that now we have published an Art Book to show what creative energy can achieve to improve a formerly trashy neighborhood. Check out www.PartnershipsInPeace.org, click on “Photos”, then click on “Art” to see some of our many creations. Read more...
On April 24th I posted an entry about a new forum for discussing world problems. I would like to let you know that this forum has merged with an already existing one, to concentrate the efforts on finding solutions. The new forum is called Think Tank Wiki and you can find it at: thinktank.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page, everybody is welcome to participate in the discussions. Read more...
I wish to share with you all the most amazing, ethical, committed, green, visionary company on the planet.
Organic and Natural Enterprise Group (or ONE Group) is an Australian based company who creates and manufactures the world's first Certified Organic skincare, haircare, personal care, health care and cosmetic products. ONE Group's range of products stand in a class of their own by being independently certified to international food grade standards by some of the world's most respected organic certifying organisations, namely, Australian Certified Organic (ACO), the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and IFOAM (Europe). Read more...
It's a stretch, maybe even blasphemy, to compare anyone to Mother Teresa (I was raised Catholic, I know). Still, she and Vanessa Stone have been on my mind lately as I have come to learn about the Amala Foundation. Stone is the gentle force behind this non-profit organization that has, at it's heart, the devotion and privilege to serve children around the world.
Sure, we've all heard about such philanthropy before, but allow me to explain just how this group is changing the world child by indigo child. Read more...
Recently a new forum, regarding worldwide problems and possible solutions, has started. It's a so-called "wiki", which means that it is made in the same way that the internet-encyclopedia Wikipedia is; anyone can edit in it, not only to post comments or start new topics, but also to build the forum itself or participating in discussions about how the forum should be run. The idea is to interest people worldwide and in this way let the forum grow, have contact with each other around the world and discuss on possible solutions for all the problems that threaten our world.
There are no limits to the kind of topics that can be discussed. It is possible, but not required, to become registered (which is free). The language on the forum is English. Read more...
RecycleBank (www.recyclebank.com) is a new and apparently profitable venture in recycling typical consumer waste. A barcode on the recycling bin is read by the waste truck at curbside. Based on weight, the recycled material earns homeowners shopping credits for up to $35 a month. The program is based in Pennsylvania and is looking to expand.
Source: www.worldbusiness.org Read more...
As we like to say, Earth Day is everyday. However, today is a good reminder for everyone to put the planet first in our daily actions as well as our wallets. Next time you are on the lookout for environmentally friendly products such as an LED light bulb or a compost bin, click over to the TheFindGreen.com, the web’s leading shopping search engine for the discovery of ecologically responsible lifestyle goods. Their site allows you to finds organic brands, green stores and environmentally friendly products, all in one place.
This week they will be rounding up the web's best tips for living green in honor of Earth Day 2008.
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