I am bringing you a little different type of inspiration this Monday, one might even title it "food for thought" vs. inspiration but I hope you still feel motivated after reading it. This Monday I want to focus on organizations and groups which use beading and jewelry making as a way to give back to their communities. The individuals who make up these groups are very inspiring to me and their deeds inspire others to create, heal, and find greater happiness in life.
There are lots of organizations internationally who make/sell beads for charities and who do amazing work; however, for this post, I want to focus on groups in the US. Also, I know that money is often something we can not spare, as much as we would like to, so all the groups listed below focus more on the donation of time and talent instead of dollars and cents (although any group would love cash donations as well).
Layne's Legacy Beading For A Cure is an annual beading challenge which raises money for the National Colorectal Cancer Research Association. The program was started by a group of beading friends to honor one of their own, Layne Shilling, who lost her battle with colorectal cancer in 2002. Here's how it works: every year participants purchase a beading kit, then they create a unique piece using what is in the kit (you can add one more bead and then non-bead items), then all the finished products are auctioned off on Ebay and the proceeds are donated to charity. Make sure to check out their website and gallery page highlighting all the amazing beading artists who have participated in past events.
YMCA - lots of local branches of the YMCA offer beading and jewelry making classes to kids and teens. This is a great way to get involved hands on. If your local branch does not currently offer a beading activity, try talking to the operations director and volunteer to teach one!
The Children's Healing Art Project (CHAP) "brings the healing power of art to children in crisis and their families through a mobile team of teaching artists working in partnership with hospitals, schools, community organizations and local businesses, creating programs through which children are known for their creativity and ingenuity and not by their disease, diagnosis, or disability." If you look on their website you will see photos of volunteer artists working with the kids and their families. The pure joy shown on some of the childrens' faces is heartwarming and inspiring. This is a Portland based organization but I wanted to include it to show not only what a great program it is, but to encourage you to look in your own community for such a program - they are out there!
Dress for Success' goal "is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life." If you have jewelry projects which you want to donate, you can give them to Dress for Success and they will TRULY be appreciated by a woman who is looking to better her life. We all know that happy feeling you get when you put on a beautiful piece of jewelry and the extra confidence it gives you. Now imagine giving the gift of that feeling to someone who really needs it.
If you are inspired after reading this and would like donate your time, beading skills, jewelry, or beads in your local community - try doing a quick google search for the name of your city and the word "charity". You can see if adding "beading" into the search parameters narrows your search. Often groups which would love your beading skills will not be bead specific - such as foster care programs, community centers, YMCA, or others. In my community, I had the best luck with the local community center - just 3 blocks from my house and they have arts & crafts programs!
Happy Beading!
Julie
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