Recipients
The Children's Hearing Institute, New York
Founded in 1983 by Dr. Simon Parisier, and his wife Elaine,The Children's Hearing Institute (CHI) "provides support to innovative research, treatment and educational programs to benefit infants, children and teens experiencing profound deafness and hearing loss." The number one birth defect in America is deafness, therefore, the need for such an Institute and services are crucial. For more information visit: www.childrenhearing.org or click on the icon.
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Songs of Love, New York
Founded in 1996 by John Beltzer, an accomplished singer/songwriter. Songs of Love is a "not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing personalized songs for chronically and terminally ill children and young adults." They have worked with over 350 artists nationwide and have collaborated efforts with over 300 healthcare institutions, hospitals, and families. It has produced thousands of original songs for children and teens. For more information visit: www.songsoflove.org or click on the icon.
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CAST - Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking, California
Founded in 1998 in Los Angeles, California in response to an infamous slave labor case involving 72 Thai garment workers, CAST is a pioneer leader in the anti-traffiking movement in America. They "serve hundreds of trafficked persons through case management, counseling, and financial support; training thousands of law enforcement, government, and community-based agencies in order to identify more victims; and effectively advocate for numerous anti-trafficking policy measures at a local, state and federal level." CAST received the 2004 California Association of Nonprofits Innovation Award. For more information visit: www.castla.org or click on the icon.
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DOMUS, Connecticut
Founded in 1972, DOMUS is a 501 nonprofit organization which serves over 600 at risk children and their families through providing residential, educational, and community programs and services. They also have established local charter schools, a community center, and summer camps. They have made an enormous impact in the fight against fear, violence, hunger, and poverty that many of Connecticut's youth must struggle with daily. As an organization, DOMUS stands as a successful practice model for future service providers nationwide. For more information visit: www.domuskids.org or click on the icon.
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World Vision - Women of Vision of Fairfield County, Connecticut
Founded in 2001, Women of Vision of Fairfield County (WoVFC) is one of 13 volunteer chapters in the United States and Bermuda who serve the needs of impoverished women and children both locally and internationally. They are part of World Vision's Christian ministry and relief organization, who address issues of poverty and oppression worldwide. WoVFC raises and donates money to St. Luke's Life Works in Stamford, Connecticut, a shelter and learning center aimed at empowering families in attaining self-sufficiency and independence. They also contribute to the vulnerable children and orphans of Rwanda to address their basic need for food, healthcare, shelter, education and spiritual nurturance. WoVFC also supports the World Vision project in Cambodia which combats child labor exploitation, "through an outreach team that provides children with assistance, access to services, and information about workplace dangers, and seek improved working conditions and enforcement of existing child protection laws." Ms. Faillace, President of The Charis Charitable Foundation, has recently joined WoVFC leadership team. For more information visit: www.worldvision.org or click on the icon.
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Healing Species
Founded in 1999 by Attorney Cheri Brown Thompson in South Carolina, Healing Species is an 11 week, school based, violence intervention/character and compassion education program. “Through the assistance of rescued dogs, we teach children a process from which to understand and overcome abuse, neglect, and grief while teaching life skills in self-esteem, conflict resolution, anger management, respect for the feelings of others, and in gaining success through acts of compassion and responsibility instead of returning ‘violence for violence.” The program continues to expand throughout the country with satellite chapters in different states. For more information visit: www.healingspecies.com or click on the icon.
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Sacred Heart University
Located in Fairfield, CT, Sacred Heart University is the second-largest Catholic University in New England and was the first in America to be led and staffed by lay people. The Princeton Review includes SHU in the top tier of Master’s Universities in the North in its annual college rankings. The University’s John F. Welch College of Business is also included in the Princeton’s Review’s 2008 Best 290 Business Schools. SHU also ranks 11th in the nation on Intel’s 2005 Most Unwired College Campuses. 40% of the Class of 2011 had a high school GPA of 3.5 or higher. Ms. Faillace is a SHU alumni. For the second year in a row, CCF has provided a $10,000 scholarship to the University to be awarded to a student of excellence in the Social Work Department. For more information visit: www.sacredheart.edu or click on the icon.
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Defender’s of Wildlife
“Founded in 1947, Defenders of Wildlife is one of the country’s leaders in science-based, results-oriented wildlife conservation. We work to protect and restore America’s native wildlife, safeguard habitat, resolve conflicts, work across international borders and educate and mobilize the public.” CCF has been particularly interested in the protection of wolves throughout the country, who have been targeted for annihilation. In Alaska, the aerial hunting season is about to resume, despite several Alaskan voters and animal rights group’s efforts to end the barbaric act. For more information visit: www.defenders.org or click on the icon.
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Westside German Shepherd Rescue of Los Angeles
“Westside German Shepherd Rescue of Los Angeles, California is a non-for-profit, no kill rescue committed to saving all types of German Shepherd Dogs from high kill shelters and adopting them into loving, qualified homes.” Donations and money from adoption fees go directly to boarding, vet bills, and care for the dogs. The organization is currently facing a time of crisis due to all the home foreclosures that have led to the abandonment of pets. Additionally, the adoption rate is down. They are also struggling to find a permanent place to shelter these poor rescued dogs and have been forced to move from facility to facility, due to financial reasons. Over the summer, Ms. Faillace had adopted a wonderful 2 year old, male shepherd to add to her family’s existing pack of dogs. He has been a joy and is currently in training with the eventual hope of becoming a Healing Species assistant in the classroom. For more information visit: www.sheprescue.org or click on the icon.
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My Friend’s Place
Located in Hollywood, CA, My Friend’s Place is a daytime drop in center for homeless youth that provides a variety of services which include emergency resources such as food, clothing and showers, health services, counseling and legal services, educational and employment workshops, and individual case management. www.myfriendsplace.org
