4Good

A movement of people who believe in changing our world and helping others step by step.

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Sustainability

People and even organizations are so quick to donate and fund projects that promise large numbers of impacted people. For example, project 1 promises that this amount of money provides 5 villages with water, while project 2 claims that the same amount of money will provide only one village with water. Wouldn't you choose to help the 5 over the one?

 BUT. The story behind project 1 is that there is no system set to ensure that the water lasts and after a year the pump breaks and the 5 villages are back to having no access to clean water.

Recently, I have seen many organizations taking up this sustainability cause, even if only in small ways. 

Here are a few I have come across:

"When the Ethiopian village of Enda Silassie worked with Water.org to install a new handpump, they also came together to choose a community water guardian."

More

Wherever the Need's new projects "store and compost the waste collected from the toilets, and sell it to generate income. This means that the programme is not just ecologically sustainable, but financially sustainable too." More

"Water For People has redefined impact from commonly used inputs (beneficiaries, numbers of projects completed) to outcomes (water flowing over time, finance available for repairs and replacement, and water and sanitation services extending as new people move into communities)." More

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The Global Launch of the US Water Partnership!

The Global Launch of the US Water Partnership! I have had the honor of working on some of the design surrounding the event.

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Coca-Cola’s Perspective on Africa

A terrific short video about the hope and opportunity of the African continent. A great snapshot of the Coke’s perspective on the continent!

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Students Unite!

I believe that what could make CreateAthon even better would be a more involved team. Informing potential volunteers more about the event and the workings of the event will make them more interested and more willing to be involved for more than just the 24 hours. Assigning teams earlier on and communicating with them weeks before that event will help draw them in and ready them for the big day. Spreading the CreateAthon excitement to the teams would make the work have greater impact. 

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A Masterpiece

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Just as an artist displays their masterpiece to the world and shows anyone willing to look, that is CreateAthon to me. A display of my experience and passion; something to be shared. Excitement is not meant to be hidden. I want anyone and everyone to hear about the fantastic experience CreateAthon was, relive my story of working with The New Community School, and see the beautiful results. I will tell my story. And they will want their own.

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"Volunteers"

To help Oro Verde, the rainforest fondation, no need of humans to raise money but only the free and principals actors: Trees.

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A common problem that non-profits have is not enough people and funds to accomplish their missions. OroVerde found a way to raise money with 'volunteers' that would work around the clock for free. Plus, these volunteers would have more impact than the regular person. The trees are speaking up! Watch the video to hear more about their campaign.

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A Plan

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I am a planner. I like things organized and I like to know what is going on. CreateAthon was no exception. Before the event, I already had a plan of how the night would go. I had arranged to take my team to TNCS, first thing in the morning. I also had an idea of who I would need to work on what. Having a plan allows me to lead a team without having to make on the spot decisions. 

There were times, even with a plan, that I began to stress out. It was not a difficult problem to solve though. Getting back on track and forming a plan was all it took to get my team and I going again. Knowing our objectives and how we were going to get there helped the night run smoothly.

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The New Community School Admissions Redesign Project

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Its All About the Client

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Different- Every team member had a different relationship with their client. Some seemed to work well together and others had some rough spots.

#1- The number one thing I learned is that the client is the most important. This does not mean that the client should have whatever they want. It’s about learning and knowing what the client needs. Listening to the client when working is so very important.

They know what they do the best. They know their mission the best. They know who they help the best

Open Mind- Having an open mind to everything they say will help the work best reflect the non-profit. Realizing that they are not criticizing your work is important. Their corrections are to modify the work to really fit with their organization.

For example, in some of the first batches of copy, we used the word dyslexic to describe the kids at The New Community School. After talking to our client we learned that:

Dyslexic (just like special needs) has negative connotations

A school for dyslexia could turn people away because they want a normal school 

Dyslexic is a term for a reading, writing, and spelling difficulty

Each child struggles with different things

Not every dyslexic child is right for TNCS

Some children who are not labeled ‘dyslexic’ are right for TNCS

This was something we had to learn from our client. Being aware that the client is a vital source of information is key to producing relevant and effective work.

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      This article in my home newspaper is about a very good friend of mine, Jonathan Hollingsworth. I started hearing rumors that he was leaving for Africa for a year so I met with him to hear the whole story.  

His Story

When I left for college, we talked and hung out less, but somehow we've both ended up with a similar passion and mission. “I think the world is tired of hearing about a Jesus they haven’t experienced,” he said. “People say, ‘Know Jesus’ love, Jesus’ peace, Jesus’ mercy.’ But before you can tell people Jesus is anything, you have to show them love, peace and mercy, and then say, ‘The way I love you is the way Jesus loves you, and he loves you even more than I can.’ ” It is weird to hear him say this because it is something I feel so strongly about.

He leaves May 3 for a year in Cameroon in West Central Africa, where he’ll volunteer at a health clinic and teach children to play the guitar. He’s collected 10 guitars and raised a little more than half of the $5,200 he needs to cover his expenses for the next year. You can follow his blog about his preparations for the trip and all year long at jonathanhollingsworth.tumblr.com.

My Story

I strive to be the person that loves people and really puts others first. Ditching school was not an option for me. I had to graduate and needed that foundation. I am also a creative person and love spontaneity, art, and design. Majoring in creative advertising, I knew I liked it and wanted to find a way to use it for good and to really impact people. This semester, I was completely inspired and consumed with working for The New Community School through CreateAthon. I LOVED it. I wanted to do that for a career. (but obviously I can’t just volunteer for the rest of my life. Unfortunately $$ is necessary in today’s world.) 

I applied for a random internship post online that turned out to be a full time job. What a blessing it has turned out to be. I will be working on advertising for Global Environment and Technology Foundation, an organization that seeks to shape a brighter future for communities and the environment by developing innovative strategic plans, creating high-impact partnerships, introducing new technologies and managing programs that have a lasting and positive impact on the world. I will be working specifically with their programs related to clean water in Africa and will be having the opportunity to travel there as well. 

Wow! Isnt it awesome how God works. I am excited for the future and to see how God continues to work through us and our lives. 

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Endless Opportunities

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CreateAthon gives students the opportunity to

-work in a team

-have a blast

-stay up all night

-design great things

-use their talents

-eat too much food

-help a non-profit

-make a difference

-increase their portfolio

-make friends

-get a free massage

-network

-meet professionals

...

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Women for Water

This commercial about the importance of clean water was produced by Ogilvy. The video digs deeper into the true effects of clean water. Global Water Challenge (GWC) recently launched the women for water website also designed by Ogilvy.

Global Water Challenge

GWC brings together leading organizations in the water and sanitation sector to address this fundamental issue through partnerships and innovative approaches to water and sanitation. Drawing upon the experience, expertise and assets of its members, GWC is able to create partnerships that achieve far greater results than any one organization could achieve by itself.

GETF

GWC is supported by the Global Environment and Technology Foundation, a nonprofit organization based near Washington, DC with a mission to promote sustainable development through partnerships and targeted action.  GETF seeks to shape a brighter future for communities and the environment by developing innovative strategic plans, creating high-impact partnerships, introducing new technologies and managing programs that have a lasting and positive impact on the world.

Hired!!

I have the pleasure of working for them starting in May. I can not wait to see how I can contribute to their mission.

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What an awesome way to raise money for these women in Uganda! This organization utilizes the talents these woman have and shares them with the world. You have an opportunity to purchase one of their handmade purses. This creates an emotional connection between the buyer and the women they are supporting. Taking advantage of the handmade trend in today's society, this organization has found a way to interest people while raising support to help improve the lives of these people.

Check out this wonderful brand Tukula! Read up on them and then add their products to your wardrobe. They are doing lovely things by making lovely things!

~Marie

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Although I doubt a ketchup company would team with a non-profit to do this because of the intense message, the ad, as a print ad, is incredibly effective. Thinking outside of the usual advertisements, as this campaign does, will be key to spreading non-profits' messages. 

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Postcard Ads for The New Community School

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Audrey Hepburn is one of my role models. Not only was she the epitome of a classy woman, but she also had such a kind heart. This photo is from 1988, taken in Ethiopia. This photo is a perfect representation of who Audrey was. Her smile shows true happiness caring. I will follow the example that Audrey has left us in hopes to be half the woman she is. As much as I love Audrey the actress, Audrey the humanitarian is my idol. Her quote about "how to be beautiful" is what I live by.

If only we can inspire people to be like her; a woman, although famous and beautiful, she cared and loved people for who they are. She was not above loving.

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For the Good is a service based organization offering screen printing and design with the sole purpose of working for the good of others in need. We feel called to use our gifts to help bring awareness and raise funds for organizations that are making a difference every day in the lives of others.

Our vision is simple, Print and Design for the good of those in need. Right now a portion of every dollar earned will be used to support Hope Floats - an organization dedicated to providing clean, accessible water to thousands of students in the Philippines. It is our goal to shine a light on this problem and effect some major change.

Please support them and spread the word!