Turn-A-Frown Around Foundation, Inc.
Rating: 5 stars 10 reviews
Issues: Mental Health
Location: 57 Notch Rd Clifton NJ 07013 USA
Mission:
The Turn-A-Frown-Around Foundation, Inc. (TAFA) is a 501-c3 non-profit organization dedicated to assisting those who have lost hope--especially those who suffer from psychiatric and physical disorders, lovelessness, isolation, and abuse. The foundation is a mission of joy, compassion, and unconditional love. It offers an abundance of attention and creates Forever Friendships for those who are hurting in nursing homes, psychiatric hospitals, group residences, children's homes, or individual shut-ins. It does this by providing an army of caregivers, Forever Friends, who bring love, laughter, and a listening ear, as well as motivational, inspirational, and therapeutic entertainment. The foundation is dedicated to developing hope in those who lack it. Finally, the foundation is a mental health advocacy group. It brings encouragement and draws widespread public awareness to many human conditions on the part of both those who suffer and those who are surrounded by this suffering.
Results:
Nine awards in ten years.
Programs:
Forever Friendship, Compassion Theater Company, Administrative Support, Smile Station Outreach
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Community Reviews
I've been working with Drew Horn and TAFA for over a year now. I initially began by working on a book project with Drew. But I quickly fell in love with the organization and its mission and now I am a advocate and help TAFA all around. Ending loneliness has an easy fix and if we all take a little time out to help someone else in need, the world would be a different place. Its absolutely beautiful to bring joy into a person's life who is in pain and I thank TAFA for showing me the way. Drew & all of TAFA's volunteers are passionate and determined to end loneliness! I'm so happy that I got involved and always will encourage others to do so as well.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
being a Forever Friend to individuals that are lonely in psychiatric wards & motivating and recruiting others to volunteer and join the movement - it's extremely rewarding for myself! the joy it brings to you is hands down amazing when you're able to simply put a smile on someone's face that is in such a difficult place. It's not only therapy and medicine people with illness (or anyone for that matter) need in life; having a friend is a huge key in recovery and happiness.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Give the organization funding! The organization is quickly getting more and more recognition and definitely needs a full time staff! With a little more employees working regularly, TAFA would have the man-power & organization it needs to make huge strides in the mental health field. It's just too simple.
I do not know anyone or anything more deserving of recognition than Drew Horn and his Turn-A-Frown-Around-Foundation. Drew’s infinite faith in the goodness of mankind and his unassuming regard for others encourages me to be the better person that he already sees in me. His undiminished and idealistic, yet completely realistic, belief in others and in the world make the purpose of living suddenly seem so clear and uncomplicated, that it is somehow both humbling and empowering at the same time. Within every individual, Drew sees the capacity to change the world. It is this kind of assurance and encouragement that any one of us might need to challenge our own vain or otherwise distorted perceptions of our capabilities, so that we might dare to exercise and explore our own unrevealed potentials, and, whereby, we might learn to live more profound lives. Drew’s passion for living and his remarkable love for humanity, despite a lifetime of overwhelming hardships that would deter and defeat the spirit of most, is extraordinary. He must have been born with an uncommon measure of heart and an inexhaustible supply of smiles. He not only still has one to wear, but enough to give to anyone who has run out. I have the highest respect for him. My prayer for TAFA is for Drew, that it may secure the means it needs to ensure the expansion it deserves. Drew believes that if he can strengthen this foundation, then it means he has changed the world. I believe, what Drew does not realize, that he already has.
“There is no great genius without some touch of madness.” -Seneca
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have made those smile who have forgotten there are reasons to.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Get every college student and person looking to make a difference in the world to join.
i love this foundation drew is such an amazing guy to work with. he really knows how to work with people and is doing so much for people who are lonely. the smile station drew started is also a good thing about TAFA. this foundation will end loneliness at some time because he does so much for people. when being apart of this you realize how many people need a friend in their life and it makes me happy to know i am apart of this now.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
being a volunteer and making friends along the way.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
make no changes at all
This is a beautiful organization. I got involved through the Active Minds chapter on my campus. As someone who has suffered with mental illness for her entire life, I can attest to the fact that one feels alone and unloved. I've never spent time in a psychiatric facility, but after a few visits, I can tell how much love is needed in those places. I've been seeing my "Forever Friend" for a few weeks and it is such a rewarding experience every time I go. TAFA is truly something that I want to stay involved with for a very long time.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
my life. I have found a friend.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
get the word out to more people. We can end lonliness.
TAFA volunteers visit the loneliest souls...individuals in hospitals, psychiatric facilities and nursing homes who tend to receive little to no visitors. I have single handedly witnessed a person's attitude completely change within a matter of minutes upon receiving a visitor from TAFA who took the time to speak with them and be their friend.
Beyond visits, I think one of the most important facets of the organization is their "Forever Friend" campaign. The organization aims to pair volunteers/friends with individuals who are suffering from loneliness to visit on a regular basis. More often than not, a strong, organic friendship emerges and loneliness has subsided.
TAFA brings dignity and respect to the geriatric and mental health communities.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I became involved with TAFA nearly a decade ago and have watched this wonderful, necessary organization grow and develop. Several years ago, I was so inspired by the organization's mission to end loneliness, I picked up a camera and produced an award-winning short documentary about the organization and its passionate Co-Founder Drew Horn. I felt more people should be exposed to the kind of work TAFA does along with the great need for it.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
create a TAFA organizational chapter in every city, in every nation. Loneliness knows no discrimination and exists in every corner of this world. TAFA should too.
I first learned about TAFA through a friend little over a year ago. I was instantly inspired. Being exposed to mental health disorders for a large part of my life, I fell in love with the purpose of this organization. As I look at the past, I think we can all go back to a period in our life when the world around us began to crumble. Once we take a closer look there was a pillar, a friend, a kind and caring heart that was right beside us in our struggle. Appreciating the act of kindness has made a difference in who I am today. Understanding the impact of friendship has been my fuel to do the same for others. I am proud to be a part of a fight to end loneliness. The purpose of TAFA in its simplest form is brilliant.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Being a forever friend is a trully fullfilling experinece. Dedicating time to care, listen and bring the warm and fuzzy.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I'd help it grow. We need more volunteers. Everyone needs a friend, lets make it happen.
TAFA is a great organization that truly cares for people. I met Drew Horn at a psychology club meeting at Montclair State University this past spring and his speech blew me away. He is passionate about helping people and putting smiles on everyone's faces. He gives outstanding hugs and is dedicated to making a difference in people's lives.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
seeing the smile on my friend's face every time I visit or communicate with him. Also, every time I see Drew or have a chance to talk with him, I always always always leave the conversation with a huge smile on my face and feeling really good about myself.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I don't have anything that I would really want to change... except maybe get more attention on college campuses.. but I believe that will happen in the future.
I first met Drew Horn through my sister who struggles with Mental Illness, he was her friend. Since then he has been completely invaluable to me in helping me understand and deal with the issues that arrise with having a mentally ill sibling. When every single other person (including family support groups) told me I need to learn to "let go" of my sister and worry about myself since there's nothing I can do to help her, Drew always preached unconditional love and I can honestly say he has helped me keep my own mental sanity at times. He taught me different ways of processing what is going on with my sister and how to deal with it, always with love and understanding. I've visited my sister many times in psychiatric units with Drew and it always amazed me at how when we would show up to visit, there were always other patients peeking around the corners with such excitement to see him. You could see the longing for them to have a visitor themselves and their faces would just light up like you couldn't imagine when he would spend just 5 minutes talking to them. His crusade is nothing less than selfless and at the same time the most simple thing in the world to expect. Everyone should have a friend like Drew and he is spending his life trying to make sure that happens. I honestly don't know what I would've done without him, and I don't know where my sister would be, for without him, I might have just given up as hard as that is to admit. I just want to thank Drew from the bottom of my heart for helping me and the countless others his kind soul has touched. I've never met anyone more dedicated to a cause than Drew.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Seeing the faces of the people who's lives he's touched just by being Drew.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would love to see "smile stations" across the nation, there is such a need for volunteers/forever friends and there should be many many more which I believe if given the opportunity, Drew can create.
Drew is fantastic! Can't help but smile when around him. A.I.R. Attitudes in Reverse hired him to help out at the NAMI Walk and Concert organized by A.I.R. Attitudes in Reverse after the walk. He put smiles on everyone he encountered. Even more importantly, he help to spread the word regarding the loneliness of those in psychiatric hostiptals and retirement homes. TAFA is doing something to help them. Great mission led by a inspriational leader.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Excellent results and feedback. Would definitely hire TAFA again.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Keep the mission alive. Great work!
I began to volunteer with TAFA because I want to be a psychiatrist one day. I met Drew (the co-founder) and fell in love with his mission. It's so simple, yet so complex. Ending loneliness. Who would have thought? I was having some problems at home and talked to Drew about it. Every time I saw Drew he would ask me how things were at home. I felt loved and had a friend. I had a forever friend.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
sitting with Drew in a public place while going over the weeks schedule and having people come up to us and hug Drew and tell me the way he saved them. Its amazing.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Find more volunteers for TAFA. There aren't nearly as many as there should be.