The charity I chose for the "Gifts That Keep On Giving" program on 1000 Markets.com is The Springboard Home for Youth in Crisis. This is one of several programs under the umbrella of Teen Challenge of Arizona. I chose this program for several reasons.
Several years ago I worked in a Substance Abuse Counseling Agency and it was here that I became aware of the effect of drugs on one's life. All employees had to go through a "drug" program which enlightened us on the effects of drugs on one's body and the ultimate effect they have on one's lifestyle. Although I was not a counselor, I was very aware of the many teens and young adults that came through these doors for help.
Then I became an Occupational Therapist and my education into the effect of illegal drugs on one's lifestyle broadened. Although I did not ultimately work in a psychiatric hospital, I did have to do an internship in one. There I saw the effect of illegal drugs, especially on those who did not understand the consequences. I also did an internship at a maximum security prison for teens. There I also saw the devastating effect of illegal drugs on these inmates; how their mindsets were altered dramatically from drug abuse, and how their lifestyles destroyed them and their families.
Now I am a volunteer E.M.T. on our local ambulance, and again, I am seeing first hand the spread of illegal drugs and how they take over one's life. From homemade meth labs to abuse of legal drugs, the havoc these drugs wreak on humanity is both astounding and heartbreaking. From pre-teen through adulthood, many of our runs involve drug abuse in some manner.
My husband's cousin and wife visited us this fall and she told me about her volunteer work at Springboard Home. What impressed me is the 86% success rate they have. Another reason I like this program is the volunteers started using beading as a means of instilling self esteem and a sense of accomplishment in these girls. The completed beaded bracelets are sold in their gift shop. This concept took me back to the very roots of Occupational Therapy and how in its infancy, crafts were used to rehab returning war veterans.
The Springboard Home for Youth in Crisis is a 90-day program for girls ages 12-17 who have experienced the effect of drugs in their lives. Some are drug addicts, some are children of addicts, and some have experienced abuse of some kind. It is a faith-based program where these girls live in a home under the care of "house parents". The underlying concept of the program is to help them understand that they can make their own choices in life and not be controlled by someone else. These girls are given the opportunity to turn their lives around, to break free of the bonds of addiction or abuse, and to begin new lives.
The Springboard Home for Youth in Crisis is funded by private donations only; no government aid is received. They do not turn away anyone needing help whether they can afford it or not.
I feel this program is very a worthy one, and given its success rate, one that really does make a difference.
The web site for this program is http://www.azteenchallenge.org/.
I am donating 10% of all sales in my shop to this charity. Go to http://www.secondsisteratmoarkjewelry.1000markets.com/ and help me Give a Gift That Keeps On Giving.
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