Not only can you get great ideas for your own garden (or window box), but you can take hike through a secluded, pristine, native forest...and in the Bronx, no less!
As we’ve reached the end of the year, it’s time for a huge thank you to the local non-profits who joined us for Get Connected in 2012.
Get Connected gives Lite-FM a chance to spotlight authors, artists, activists, and other dedicated people doing great work in our community.
Perhaps one of these organizations can provide assistance to you or someone you know. Or, perhaps one of them will give you the inspiration to volunteer! All of them are worthy ideas for tax-deductible donations.
Finally, if you there are any topics or organizations we should include in 2013, please let us know.
Get Connected airs every Sunday on Lite-FM from 7-7:30 a.m. Thanks for listening!
The not-for-profit Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, NJ is one of the premiere theatrical venues in the country, with popular classes for kids and adults. Visit papermill.org
The Carter Burden Center for the Aging offers resources for New Yorkers over 60 with their popular Luncheon Club, support groups for both the elderly and caregivers, and assistance for seniors in crisis. Visit carterburdencenter.org
SAGE, which opened its doors January 2012, is the nation's first full community and assistance center for GLBT older adults. Visit sageusa.org.
In addition to providing help for substance abuse, The Long Island Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence offers courses on anger management with ongoing seminars, mentoring and guided intervention. Visit LICADD.org.
Cross-Cultural Solutions is a nonprofit working to address global issues by providing meaningful short-term volunteer programs abroad. Visit crossculturalsolutions.org.
Hamilton-Madison House, based in the Two-Bridges /
All-Stars Project is a non-profit which gives poor and minority youth an opportunity to produce and perform talent shows and theatrical performances. Visit allstars.org.
Up2Us promotes sports as a way to reach youth facing critical issues and to help improve their lives. Visit Up2Us.org.
Sojourners offers counseling to United States asylum seekers in area detention centers. Once released, Sojourners offers these immigrants legal assistance, social support and temporary housing while they await work and education visas. Visit sojournersvisitorprogram.blogspot.com
The Police Athletic League of NYC offers recreational and learning programs for NYC kids, and assistance for troubled teens to help turn their lives around. Visit PALNYC.org
Lighthouse International has been helping those with vision problems for over 100 years. For more on their services, and their annual POSH sale--New York’s most fashionable fundraiser, visit lighthouse.org
AIDS Walk New York benefits GMHC, which provides prevention and care services to more than 15,000 men, women, and families that are living with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS in New York City. Visit gmhc.org or aidswalk.net/newyork.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention can help us recognize when someone is in crisis, and offers assistance for those affected by suicide. Visit afsp.org or theovernight.org
Junior Achievement of New York has ideas on how teens can stand out from their peers to find employment earlier, and how to jump-start their careers. Visit jany.org
The New York Restoration Project brings together volunteers to clean, plant trees and transform open spaces in underserved aresas of the city. Vist NYRP.org.
Through creative expression, Art Start volunteers help children in shelters and detention facilities develop confidence and problem-solving skills. Visit art-start.org.
The Stew Leonard III Water Safety Foundation teaches young children about water safety in a voice that makes sense to them, through the character “Stewie The Duck.” Visit stewietheduck.com, or look for the free app on itunes.
Project Enterprise helps entrepreneurs and small businesses in New York City by providing microloans, development services and networking opportunities. Visit projectenterprise.org.
The Center for Anti-Violence Education in Park Slope, Brooklyn, teaches skills to help prevent and counter violence for women, teens, transgender people and others especially affected by violence. Their classes include self-Defense, Tai Chi and leadership. Visit caeny.org.
City Parks Foundation organizes hundreds of free public arts events througought NYC every season. They offer free sports classes for kids, yoga for seniors and Summerstage for everyone. Visit nutsforcityparksfoundation.org.
The Fresh Air Fund sends inner city children to host families or to camp to experience country life. Currently, they are in need of host families. Visit freshair.org
Every year, Operation Backpack outfits thousands of local children living in homeless and domestic violence shelters with new backpacks filled with school supplies. Visit operationbackpacknyc.org.
The New York Urban League has been helping disadvantaged New Yorkers gain access to employment, education, health care and housing for over 90 years. Visit NYUL.org.
The Joshua Louis Animal Cancer Foundation provides financial assistance for families for pets with cancer. Visit joshualouis.org.
iMentor NYC matches high school students with college-educated mentors in a program that blends in-person meetings with e-mail. Visit imentor.org.
OUTREACH is a noted alcohol and substance abuse treatment center specializing in adolescent care. For assistance with issues including dating violence among teenage couples, visit OPINY.org
New Jersey Clean Communties is working to change public attitudes about littering through educational programs and area clean-ups. Visit njclean.org.
The Skin Cancer Foundation has physician-approved medical information on symptoms and treatments, as well as photos. Visit skincancer.org
The National Down Syndrome Society advocates, honors and celebrates people with down syndrome. Visit ndss.org, or call the NDSS helpline at
IAVA, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, is the largest non-profit, non-partisan support organization for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. Visit IAVA.org.
Girls Inc. of New York City inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold through programs that help girls interpret media messages, advocate for themselves, and realize their value in the community. Visit girlsincnyc.org
The annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk directly benefits the many programs of the American Cancer Society. Visit makingstrideswalk.org.
The Steven Siller Foundation provides assistance for wounded vets, firefighters, first-responders and children in need. Visit tunneltotowers.org.
The YWCA of the City of New York has programs for youth, job training and advocacy which impact over 5000 women and families every year. Visit ywca.org.
Everyone is Gay is a Brooklyn-based organization which gives advice to those who are confused about about sexuality, gender-identity and dating. Visit everyoneisgay.com.
The American Red Cross in Greater NY responds to, on average, 7 incidents every day in our local area. Visit nyredcross.org
The Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome Network, based in Oyster Bay, NY, provides information to families about this rare, fatal, and often misdiagnosed genetic disease. Visit hpsnetwork.org.
Greyhound Friends of New Jersey has many affectionate former racing dogs now available for adoption. To see dogs waiting for their forever home, visit greyhoundfriendsnj.org
City Harvest collects more than 40 million pounds of excess food every year and delivers it free of charge to hundreds of food programs throughout the city. Visit cityharvest.org.
The Jewish Guild for the Blind is one of the nation’s foremost not-for-profit health care agencies, with a broad range of programs including GuildNet, their long term managed care program. Visit guildhealth.org
Though both public and private programs, The Coalition for Debtor Education helps consumers understand and improve their ability to manage their own financial affairs. Visit debtoreducation.org.
