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shariilsen

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3 Reviews

San Francisco, CA USA

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CAMP YAVNEH
October 14, 2009

Everything they say about Jewish summer camp is true. I spent 12 summers of my life at Yavneh, first as a camper then as a counselor. It provided me with a community- my best friends, my nemeses, my crushes. More than that, it reinforced in me the value of community itself, and specifically my community, the Jewish one. My experiences at Yavneh taught me to be adventurous and try new things, to count on my friends, and to relax sometimes and go with the flow- you can't control everything! I believe that overnight summer camp is something every child should experience, and Yavneh was everything I could have hoped for.

The Great!

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

twelve amazing summers that I had, and the person that I have become today.

Ways to make it better...

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

Increase the presence of Tikkun Olam and community service- three hundred kids together for two months can do a lot of good if someone enables them. It's an important, wonderful lesson.

More feedback...

What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...

I made some lifelong friends and had some life-changing experience.

The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...

The counselors are really great- fun and responsible at the same time. Debbie, considering the job she has to shoulder, is really understanding of the necessary drama.

If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...

Hmmm... build another camp?

Ways to make it better...

I had gone the entire summer every year- often I only went for one month.

How frequently have you been involved with the organization?

About once a year

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

2004

MY ROLE:
Client Served & was a camper and counselor for many years growing up.

Yoga Bear
June 29, 2009

I participated in Yoga Bear's "Yogapalooza," the annual multi-city fundraising event, which is basically all-day yoga. Now, I'm not a yoga person. I think I MAY have taken a class once, but I don't really remember. But I know Halle and how dedicated she is to this great organizations, and I figured if I'm going to step outside my comfort zone, why not make it for a good cause? I attended the last session of the day, and it was extremely mellow, consisting mostly of meditation, reflection, and some fun partner exercises. Definitely unlike anything I'd done before. But through out it all was an unmistakable aura of support- not once did I forget that I was part of a group, that while not all of us were cancer survivors, we were all there to help each other in some way, and to help Yoga Bear. I'm thrilled at the success of Yogapalooza, and while I probably still won't do much yoga, I'm now a staunch supporter of Yoga Bear.

Ways to make it better...

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

More feedback...

What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...

They seemed to have formed a really warm, welcoming community, and it didn't matter your level of experience with yoga or with illness.

The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...

Halle's great! The amount she's done with NO budget is unbelievable. Talk about low overhead.

If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...

Enrich the lives of cancer survivors and others dealing with illness, raise awareness, and increase wellness through yoga.

Ways to make it better...

I had attended more sessions- I was nervous!

In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...

Getting the resources and support to expand to more cities.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

2009

MY ROLE:
General Member of the Public & I attended Yogapalooza to help raise funds for this great organizations.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
January 29, 2009

I have participated in TNT twice now- once for a triathlon and once for a marathon. Both experiences were really unique and really wonderful. I achieved levels of fitness and CONFIDENCE in my fitness that I never dreamed possible- this is something I will never again lose. I now know that I can. I was a participant with several loose ties to cancer, but no really strong ones. Still, training so hard for so long for such a focused, poignant cause involved me in a way I hadn't anticipated. When I was a summer camp counselor, my 14 year old camper was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, and a year later on the first day of camp I had to sit all of her friends down and tell them that she had died that morning. While training for a triathlon I read excerpts from her personal journal to my team, and their support and appreciation of her and of how I felt made me stronger and gave me a validation I didn't even know I needed. And even though I haven't adopted this cause as something I work for daily, I will always support it, because I have seen the strength that this program gives to trainees, to honorees, to family members, and the inspiration it gives to anyone who gets involved, even as a donor or friend of a participant. It is a truly life-altering experience in every possible, positive way.

Photos

The Great!

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

My achievement of true athletic ability, the strength, hope, and inspiration obtained by cancer survivors and the families of those dealing with cancer.

Ways to make it better...

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

Emphasize the social aspect a bit more. Cut down on all the little administrivia and other elements so it doesn't always feel like there are so many balls in the air.

More feedback...

What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...

The supportive, upbeat environment.

The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...

Fun, approachable, and incredibly knowledgeable about the sport, the cause, and the organization.

If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...

Cure blood cancers.

Ways to make it better...

I had had more time to devote to being a part of the team in a social aspect, and to go to more group training sessions.

In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...

Organizing the resources for all the people that want to participate.

One thing I'd also say is that...

If you are at all interested in endurance sports, at all affected by cancer, sign up for TNT- it is not to be missed!

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

2008

MY ROLE:
Client Served & I trained for a triathlon and a marathon.