My Nonprofit Reviews
mlmicheaels
Review for Sos Az-Support Our Schools Az, Phoenix, AZ, USA
I have been a volunteer for SOSAz since its inception - and a board member for 3 years. I support his organization because the mission of "making high quality public education Arizona's top priority" is important to me. Every child deserves this opportunity and it is the responsibility of the entire community to make sure it happens. Please support this worthy organization with your time and dollars. Together, we can make a difference.
SOSAz was founded 18 years ago as a volunteer grass roots organization dedicated to ensuring a high quality public education for the 85% of Arizona students attending public district schools.
Beginning with a handful of volunteers, SOSAz now has over 8,000 general members in three school districts (60 schools) encompassing five legislative districts. There is a Board of Directors responsible for governance, a Steering Team responsible for driving the mission of SOSAz, with Project Managers facilitating community involvement. SOSAz was incorporated as a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization in 2007; your financial donation is tax-deductible.
SOSAz’s primary focus is the “average” citizen (parents & community members). The majority of citizens state they believe in a high quality public education for all students. However, when it comes to engaging in sound public education policy, most of us don’t. This creates a chasm between what the state legislature determines policy and funding will be for our public education system and what the general public at large wants them to be.
Statutes governing public education are complicated and there are myths which negatively impact the stability and quality of the system. Believing that most people, if given the opportunity to learn along with user-friendly tools to engage, would do so, SOSAz acts as a translator and messenger between legislature and voters, business and individuals, educators and parents, public education advocacy groups and citizens.
This is an organization worth supporting.
More Feedback
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
A lot
Will you tell others about this organization?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2014
Review for One Step Beyond Inc, Peoria, AZ, USA
I serve on the Board of One Step Beyond because I believe strongly in the work, and am amazed at the success. I know this because I am also the parent of an OSB participant with intellectual disabilities. My daughter has made incredible progress in this program, and she feels very much a part of the OSB family. She is loved, appreciated for who she is, and challenged to become the best version of herself possible. Never did we think that Carrie would be able to work, and bring home a paycheck - yet through this program, she does.
One Step Beyond's Vision is a world in which individuals with disability are accepted and fully
included in all areas of their community and are appreciated for the talents and service they can
contribute to their community. Thus, our Mission is to provide progressive programs that empower
people with disability to realize their dreams of optimal independence, meaningful employment,
enriching peer relationships, and full participation in their community.
To fulfill this mission, One Step Beyond opened its first life skills training and recreational program
in Glendale, in October 2003 with a beginning enrollment of 16 young adults. In January, 2004,
we established our Employment Development Program. In 2007, we established our Culinary
Program and Catering Company to prepare our participants for food service industry employment.
Ten years after opening our first program, we now serve over 170 individuals in Northwest
Maricopa County. We provide day, after school, and residential programs. We specialize in
employment training, placement, and support; life skills training; functional academic literacy
classes; recreational, fitness, and cultural arts opportunities, including Special Olympics, dance,
drama, visual arts, film, and music; and advocacy services for families. We currently operate from
two campuses, both located in Peoria. In 2014, we plan to open a campus in Surprise and
increase families served to 210. In 2015, we plan to launch a small program in California, and
grow that program in response to community need with the intention of matching in California the
outreach we have achieved in Arizona.
We are committed to having high expectations for what individuals with disability can achieve and
contribute to our Community and to providing the programs, services, and support these
individuals need to realize these expectations of personal development and achievement. We will
go One Step Beyond and One Step Beyond indefinitely until everyone with disability has the
opportunity most of us without disability simply take for granted; that is, the opportunity to
maximize their personal potential and be recognized and appreciated for the contributions they
make to our Community.
This non-profit uses it dollars wisely and values the support of volunteers and donors. This is an organization worth supporting.
More Feedback
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?
Definitely
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?
2014
Review for National Multiple Sclerois Society, Carlsbad, CA, USA
The Southern California Chapter of the National MS Society works tirelessly to support individuals and families living with MS. Although I live in Arizona, I have participated in this chapters 50 mile MS Challenge Walk for the past three years. This event is huge - with an enormous amount of preparation and support required for the participants. They do an amazing job. I love the event - and the work they do to make it inspiring and meaningful makes all the difference.
I participate in this event because my oldest son was diagnosed with MS when he was 20 years old. He is now 30 and, due to the hard work by staff and volunteers, research dollars have provided increasing disease modifying therapies - critical to those living with MS. These medications are helping to stop progression until a cure is found. There is also amazing research being done to repair myelin and reverse the effects of the disease. I attended the National Leadership Conference this year and was amazed by the number of caring people working together to stop MS in it's tracks. This is an organization worth supporting.
Thank you to all who have supported the NMSS. It is making a difference for our family, and all families living with MS.
More Feedback
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2014
Review for National Multiple Sclerosis Society, New York, NY, USA
The Airzona Chapter of the National MS Society works tirelessly to support individuals and families living with MS. The MS Walks, Bike MS, Women Against MS Luncheon, and Corks and Chords are all well-run fundraising events - raising much needed dollars to provide cutting edge research, services and programs. Volunteers are welcomed and critical to the success of their work. I started volunteering with this chapter when my son was diagnosed with MS 10 years ago. Our family participates in the Phoenix MS Walk and the WAMS Luncheon. I attended the National Leadership Conference this year and was amazed by the number of caring people working together to stop MS in it's tracks. This is an organization worth supporting. When my son was diagnosed, there were few treatment options to stop progression of the disease. Now there are many, and more being developed. Stopping progression is critical, and one step toward a cure. Thank you to all who have supported the NMSS. It is making a difference for our family, and all families living with MS.
More Feedback
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2014
