Outreach
NYWCA is dedicated to supporting member initiatives and community organizations working to promote the health and well-being of women and children in New York City. Many NYWCA members are active volunteers and “food philanthropists” – creating positive healthy changes in the way we eat. Through its Charitable Giving Committee, NYWCA spearheads fundraising events and campaigns and uses this funding to support member initiatives and organizations recommended to it by membership. The NYWCA’s Charitable Giving Committee’s donations are small, project related grants – ranging in size from $100-$4,000 and grant recipients also benefit from in-kind contributions of NYWCA member expertise and volunteer time. NYWCA’s fundraising programs include ticket sales for special events, small raffles, silent auctions, and an ongoing online auction hosted by Charity Buzz. Our success in fundraising, with over $25,000 raised in the past 1.5 years, is due in large part to the generosity of members and the valuable contributions of companies working in the food and beverage industry. To contribute to our fundraising as a fundraising partner or event sponsor or to volunteer with a NYWCA supported program, please contact Committee co-chairs, Freya Clibansky at freyaclibansky@hotmail.com and Jennifer Beisser at jenn@chefsline.com.
Since 2008, NYWCA has dedicated significant resources to support member efforts and innovative nonprofit organizations in New York City. Our focus is to contribute toward the development and growth of community-based health and wellness programs, particularly those benefitting woman and children. Following are recent recipients of Charitable Giving donations and how NYWCA support has furthered their missions.
Hot Bread Kitchen
hotbreadkitchen.org
Hot Bread Kitchen is a non-profit social enterprise that creates better lives for low-income women and their families. Through paid work and training, immigrant women learn the skills necessary to launch food businesses and achieve management track positions in food manufacturing. Hot Bread Kitchen sells their delicious multi-ethnic breads that are inspired by their bakers and make it a priority to use local and organic ingredients. Through Hot Bread Kitchen, valuable baking and culinary traditions are preserved and New Yorkers are educated about the tasty and important contributions of immigrant communities.
NYWCA Role: NYWCA Charitable Giving supports Hot Bread Kitchen (2012) through a financial contribution to purchase equipment vital to their operations. Hot Bread Kitchen seeks mentors and volunteers from NYWCA to participate in their Baking Science curriculum. To participate and for an introduction to HBK staff, contact Charitable Giving Committee liaison Michele Di Pietro at Michele.DiPietro@wholefoods.com.
Nourishing USA
nourishingusa.org
Nourishing USA strives to achieve the mission of “Nutrition for All“ through a three-pronged approach of feed, educate and advocate. Nourishing is known nationally for its junior chefs classes, environmental advocacy, and produce programs in supermarket “deserts”. Nourishing NYC won Charity of the Year Award at the Classy Awards in 2010 and continues to innovate through its partnerships and direct action.
NYWCA Role: Gina Keatley, Nourishing USA Executive Director is a NYWCA member and active contributor to the Charitable Giving Committee. Since 2010, NYWCA has contributed financial support to seed their initiatives, including their adult outreach programs. Nourishing welcomes NYWCA members to volunteer for Earth Day and Thanksgiving Day and related events. Contact Gina at nourishinggina@gmail.com or 646-259-1332.
Spoons Across America
spoonsacrossamerica.org
Spoons Across America, the source for children’s culinary education, is dedicated to encouraging healthy eating habits for children and families. Spoons offers grade-appropriate programs which engage both students and their teachers in the process of learning where foods come from and how it can be accessed, its connection to the seasons, and how it can be prepared and enjoyed. This year, Spoons will reach nearly 5,000 children with its programs throughout New York City Schools.
NYWCA Role: NYWCA Charitable Giving has supported Spoons Across America’s Dinner Party Project since 2010 with a financial contribution. NYWCA member Stacey Ornstein is the organization’s Director of Programs and welcomes members to get involved their work. Contact Stacey Ornstein, Stacey at Stacey@SpoonsAcrossAmerica.org or Freya Clibanksy, CGC Chair at freyaclibansky@hotmail.com.
Cookies for Cancer
cookiesforcancer.org
Cookies for Kids' Cancer was founded by a mom to help fund pediatric cancer treatments and on the simple premise that no one can resist the allure of a cookie. The organization is committed to raising funds to support research for new and improved therapies for pediatric cancer, the leading cause of death by disease for children under the age of 18. Through the concept of local bake sales, Cookies for Kids' Cancer provides the inspiration and support for individuals, communities, and businesses to help fight pediatric cancer. Today the organization applies nearly 100% of money raised at individual bake sales toward research.
NYWCA Role: Since 2008, NYWCA has partnered with Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, providing direct support, encouragement and organizing members to become involved by hosting Cookies for Kids’ Cancer bake sales and events. Our first formal engagement included an enormous bake-a-thon and cookies were packaged and shipped to families at Ronald McDonald Houses across the country. With a $2,500 donation from NYWCA, Cookies for Kids’ Cancer applied needed funds toward research for pediatric cancer treatments. To get involved, contact Carrie Bachman or Terry Frishman.
GEMS-Girls Educational and Mentoring Services
gems-girls.org
Girls Educational and Mentoring Services’ (GEMS) mission is to empower girls and young women, ages 12–24, who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking to exit the commercial sex industry and develop to their full potential. GEMS provides young women with empathetic, consistent support and viable opportunities for positive change.
NYCA Role: GEMS-Girls offers numerous education, tutoring, and mentoring programs as well as housing for its participants. Introduced to NYWCA through Katie Letts, a volunteer with Gems, NYCA began developing its partnership in 2012 centered around its popular Cook Club and staff needs to grow this life-skills and therapeutic program. Nourishing USA’s Community Educators are delivering weekly cooking workshops, and individual NYWCA members are helping GEMS refine its Cook Club curriculum and budget in order to fundraise for this important program. In 2012, over 60 members of NYWCA donated gently used or new kitchen items to help GEMS outfit their residences, the Cook Club workshop kitchen, and for care packages for GEMs-Girls transitioning to their own apartments.
Family Cook Productions
familycookproductions.org
To bring people of all ages together around delicious, affordable fresh food while positively impacting their health and well-being. Since the late '90s, FamilyCook programs and curricula have reached over 60,000 families across the US. FamilyCook provides evidence-based programs/ curricula and the training to embed nutrition education through hands-on cooking in schools, community organizations, on farms and other settings around the country.
NYCA Role: Introduced to this organization and its work in 2012, NYWCA plans to provide a small grant and hopes to provide mentors for Family Cook Production’s farm 360 young adult apprenticeship program – linking our talented members to individuals hoping to start their careers in food.
