My Nonprofit Reviews
Christine Style
Review for Camp Horizon Inc, Decatur, GA, USA
I was a board member of this organization for 3 years, a volunteer for 9 and fundraiser for 7.
I started my Camp Horizon experience as a summer camp counselor in 1999 - I was 38 years old! This wasn't your ordinary summer camp counselor experience - it was life changing....for me, the other volunteers and most importantly, the children served by this amazing organization. Summer camp counselors are partnered with ONE camper for an entire week - to share in the fun activities all children enjoy at camp - but one of the most important things that takes place during the weeklong camp is giving unconditional love to children who may have never experienced it. The camper/counselor relationships grow over the week and continues on for many years later; as Camp Horizon provides programs for foster youth up through age 21.
After a week with my 10 year old camper Mikita, I decided to become involved with the organization by volunteering my time doing marketing communications and then as the part time development director. I was always impressed by the passion and commitment of the camp staff, executive director, board members and volunteers.
Even though I moved to California 3+ years ago, I regularly keep in touch (via facebook) with the former campers who are in their 20's - those that I met in my early years at camp. I am so proud of the young adults they have become - for the decisions they've made in their lives, for being so resilient, for being supportive of each other.... all these many years later.
Camp Horizon has been and will continue to be a blessing to thousands of children, teens and young adults who are become part of the Camp Horizon family.
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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?
Unsure
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you tell others about this organization?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
Review for Citizen Schools, Boston, MA, USA
I became involved in Citizen Schools as an apprenticeship teacher after participating in their 6 Degrees event, which was promoted through my workplace, Cisco. I decided to become involved as an apprenticeship teacher. I taught the Campbell Creative Crew class where student learned about advertising and the skills needed to create an ad campaign resulting in their own campaign development. The apprenticeship program is a place to teach what you love to students who require and desire knowledge on how they can become anything they want to be if they stay in school and go to college. The Citizen School staff at Campbell Middle School run a tight ship - keeping students inline, engaged and aware of their own brilliance. I have a long history of volunteering, fundraising and board membership with nonprofilts supporting children over the years. Citizen Schools currently has my attention and commitment - both heart and soul. I am excited to start my 2nd semester of the Campbell Creative Crew apprenticeship this week.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
...the first hand experience of teaching an apprenticeship class, as I saw the students use some of the 21st century skills that are the cornerstones of Citizen Schools - teamwork (working together to create advertising slogans, mascots, commercials), leadership (lead the team in directing commercials, leading small work groups), oral presentation (standing up in front of 100 students to give a teachback and talking one on one with adults about their apprenticeship).
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I don't have any particular recommendation for change at this time. I feel it is a well run, well respected and results oriented organization.
