Yoga and Charity

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By JohnPosted In: Charity Activity, ChildFund International, HealthTagged:

Maintaining emotional equilibrium is important for all people, regardless of their individual circumstances. This equilibrium can usually be achieved by a combination of positive habits and by engaging in stress-reducing activities.

The Give Back Yoga foundation is a charity that funds yoga programs to promote healing. They train instructors and provide different forms of yoga to those in need.

They offer the following innovative programs:

  • Eat Breathe Thrive uses yoga as a tool to support people struggling with eating disorders
  •  Mindful Yoga Therapy is a program that helps military veterans deal with challenges such as PTSD
  • Yoga for Cancer works with cancer patients and survivors to boost health and ease anxiety
  • Prison Yoga Project teaches yoga to prisoners
  • Yoga of 12 Step Recovery helps people struggling with addictions regain control of their lives

Practicing yoga during challenging times can help bring healing and peace.

Habitat for Humanity

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By JohnPosted In: ChildFund InternationalTagged: ,

Habitat for Humanity is an organization that builds homes for people…for free!

Habitat for Humanity builds homes by relying on manpower from volunteers, future homeowners, and professionals.  Together, this team builds a free home for homeowners, who are then responsible for an affordable mortgage.

Remarkably, Habitat for Humanity operates in 1400 communities in the US and in 70 countries around the world. Regardless of location, their mission remains the same: to provide shelter and opportunities for people.

For many people, owning a home and putting down roots is an impossible dream. Habitat for Humanity, which was founded in 1973, turns this dream into a reality. In doing so, it provides families with shelter, hope, and opportunity.

Bridle up Hope

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By JohnPosted In: ChildFund InternationalTagged:

Rachel Covey was a talented equestrian who passed away at the age of 21 after battling with severe depression for many years.

Rachel, who was Stephen Covey’s granddaughter (author of several books, including “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People”), left behind a strong legacy. Since she loved horses and often took her friends riding, Rachel’s family started a charity organization, “Bridle up Hope” to honor her memory.

“Bridle up Hope” is a 14-week program that teaches girls how to ride horses while gaining life skills such as confidence and resilience. Volunteering is built into the program; participants earn free lessons for the time they volunteer in the barn.

A similar program is offered to women, who are later given the opportunity to mentor girls. Built into both these programs are lessons on the “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,” habits that can help bolster coping skills.

“Bridle up Hope” was started in 2013 by Rachel’s parents. It is located at the foot of the alpine mountains in Alpine, Utah. The program is geared towards girls and women who are struggling with anxiety, depression or have experienced trauma.

PatriotPaws: Helping Veterans with Service Dogs

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By JohnPosted In: Animals and Nature, PatriotPaws, Service dogsTagged: , ,

PatriotPaws is a unique charity that supports veterans through the use of service dogs.

PatriotPaws trains dogs and provides them at no cost to veterans who require physical or emotional support. Veterans with mobility issues or post-traumatic-stress-disorder often find that a service dog increases their independence while simultaneously decreasing loneliness.

PatriotPaws was founded by Lori Stevens in 2006. She founded the charity with a belief in the healing power of animal therapy.

Incredibly, it’s not only the recipients of service dogs that are helped. PatriotPaws has partnered with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to allow inmates to be part of the dog training process. Three prison facilities have successfully partnered with this innovative program.

Volunteers, especially other veterans, are welcome to pitch in for this wonderful cause.