For those that haven't heard of Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank

It's a tough climb out of poverty...

Grameen Bank began with a simple but revolutionary concept: Loan poor people money on terms that are suitable to them and encourage them to use savings and sound financial principles so they can achieve financial self-sufficiency. It was created in 1976 when Professor Muhammad Yunus, then head of the Rural Economics Program at the University of Chittagong, loaned $27 from his own pocket to 42 people. The borrowers repaid his small loans promptly and inspired Yunus to establish the Grameen Bank Project, which was transformed into an independent bank by in 1983. The bank is founded on a belief that credit is a basic human right and that borrowers are not simply borrowing from a bank, but are committed to a philosophy built upon four core principles: discipline, unity, courage and hard work.

As of June 2010, Grameen Bank has disbursed more than $9.4 billion to over 8.1 million borrowers, 97% of whom are women. There are now 141 Grameen replication projects in 38 countries. The Grameen concept has created an effective and sustainable response to world poverty and the Bank's success has advanced the concept of microcredit around the globe.

In 2006, Professor Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize "for their efforts to create economic and social development from below." In 2009, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by U.S. President Barack Obama.

"New York City is the world capital of banking. In these skyscrapers, they control world finance. What I pointed out is that they do the banking with the world but they don't do the banking with their neighbors. We are here to show that there is nothing wrong with doing banking with neighbors. So we hope we will create some confidence in them. If we change the banks' mind, the whole world will change." - Muhammad Yunus, May 17, 2010, Grand Opening of Grameen America's Manhattan branch

Grameen America opened its doors in New York City in January 2008. The nonprofit organization was founded upon the belief that the system with remarkable results in the villages of Bangladesh could work in America to serve the 40 million people who live below the poverty line and have no access to banks and mainstream financial institutions.

Grameen America has experienced considerable growth in less than 3 years, lending over $12M in micro-loans to over 5000 borrowers across 3 branches in New York City and one in Omaha, Nebraska.

For more information visit  http://grameenamerica.org/

LCU Foundation

I was ecstatic when I found out that I was a LCU grant recipient that I cannot go on without giving proper recognition. This post is dedicated to the foundation that gave me a free ride my last year as a grad student, 2012-2013.

LCU Foundation's mission is to award grants that ease the burden of New York City housing costs for promising women students preparing for careers that serve the community.It is truly remarkable that the LCU Foundation has been helping women financially for over 150 years. For an organization that was able to sustain through wars, the great depression, recessions and changes in government while aiding in women movements, it was only seen fit to research the orgins of an organization with profound longevity.

History: 

 LCU is so rich in history that is noteworthy to share. In 1858, a group of New York women led by Mrs. Marshall Orme Roberts saw the need for safe, affordable housing for young single women working New York City. They organized the Ladies' Christian Union, to meet this pressing need.  They raised money to buy brownstone buildings and convert them into housing for young working women.

They opened their first house in a rented property at what is now West 3rd Street (my neighborhood!!) and in 1860 opened its doors to "young ladies who are supporting themselves by their own exertions," charging each $3 to $3.50 a week for room and board. By the mid-twentieth century, they were managing six houses in New York City.
 
In 2000, LCU decided to sell these houses to establish an endowment fund. It was with this fund that they would be able to provide New York City educational institutions with housing grants to assist female students in financial need. In 2003, the LCU officially became known as the LCU Foundation- a secular, non-profit private foundation.

I am very much grateful for the LCU Foundation. Thank you!

Net's Star Supports Urban Dove

The Urban Dove is doing some great things.

Brooklyn Net's basketball player, Brook Lopez, is a fan of Urban Dove and Urban Dove Team Charter School! Brook visited UD Team Charter School yesterday, and together with ADIDAS, generously donated $5000 to our school!

http://www.urbandove.org/

New York Cares Day

 April 21 2012

The High School for Public Service Youth Farm provides fresh affordable food for the community, while providing educational and employment opportunities for youth and adults.
The Farm is a base for new experiential school curriculum, serving as an outdoor classroom and a catalyst for education from cooking and nutrition to migrant labor rights and trade policy.
Student farmers work during the summer on the farm, learning about sustainable agriculture and community leadership. I will be one of then rolling up my sleeves and getting dirty to help clean up the city

Actions speak louder than words!"

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Last week I went to the NYC premier of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo at the Ziegfeld Theater. Randomly I was given tickets from a guy standing in front of the independent movie theater by my house. To be honest I thought it was a scam at first, but I was so glad that I went. The movie was amazing!! It was my first time at this theater and I was blown away by how huge and beautiful it was. On top of everything there was  free popcorn and drinks!!!

Actual Movie Ticket

Inside the Ziegfeld Theater

JDRF Re-branding

I am just about coming to to an end of my internship with JDRF. I've had a great experience interning with them and plan to stay involved with the organization afterwards.

I wanted to share their new logo and their re-branding process:

For more than 40 years, JDRF has been a leader in the search for an end to type 1 diabetes, through both research funding and advocacy. During that time, we have always talked about a cure as a singular destination: a return to normal physiology.

But today, we realize that we are engaged in a process of curing type 1 diabetes - that a cure is not just a destination but also a journey along a path. And we recognize that a part of our mission must be to help those living with type 1 today to live healthier, easier, and safer lives until we arrive at the end of that path.

In addition, we understand that the word "juvenile" is no longer descriptive of the disease or those burdened with it. JDRF market research tells us that, today, 85 percent of those in the U.S with type 1 diabetes are adults. We must communicate that JDRF is an organization for ALL ages, and ALL stages of this disease.

The JDRF identity was created with these key considerations in mind. We have dropped the formal name "Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation" from our identity and will be known simply as JDRF. This better reflects our commitment to work for ALL those with type 1 diabetes.

An essential graphic element in the logo design is the inclusion of the "T1D" symbol. Intentionally subordinate to the JDRF name, the symbol reinforces our focus on type 1 diabetes, and moves us toward establishing T1D as identifiable shorthand for this disease.

Another unique and recognizable element is the "momentum lines" that frame the JDRF name on top and bottom. This element helps to communicate the energy and urgency with which we are pursuing our mission. Most important, it is reflective of both the progress we've made and the accelerated progress we aim for.

The logo works in conjunction with the brand tagline to succinctly communicate who we are: the leader of the type 1 diabetes community, improving lives and curing type 1 diabetes.

Take a close look at the new logo and see if you can spot the 'T1D' symbol incorporated in JDRF. At first glanced I missed it, but take a closer look and you will see i.

Old Logo

New Logo

MBA or MPA what's right for YOU?

Is there a difference? YES

Although MBAs and MPAs have a lot of shared ground: they are both professional degrees that provide management training by way of policy, economics, statistics, and finance. While each degree can be used to attain similar goals of better pay and advancement, there are differences. One of the major differences between a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) is the sector one intends to work in upon graduation. MPA degree programs are for potential public, government, and non-profit sector individuals whereas those planning to work in the private sector.

Some feel the foundation and martial covered is relativity the same, just geared towards different sectors with distinctive specializations. Even though there is a wide variation in types of specializations, there are some concentrations like health care, international management, human resource management, or even an entrepreneurial track that is shared between both degrees, depending on the school. An MBA may be more mainstream when compared to an MPA, but that shouldn't mean it is more prestigious.

If you are indecisive about which degree to obtain, I pose the question: what are your interests and what are you passionate about? If your answer is philanthropic work, non-profits, policy, government etc., I would say an MPA is better suited for you. If you are more interested in the for-profit  private industry, marketing, accounting, finance, economics etc., than an MBA is more appropriate.

What are your thoughts? Are you best suited for a MBA or MPA? Or would you consider a dual MBA/MPA degree? Both Colombia and NYU have joint programs.

JDRF Promise Ball

Hi all,

A few entries back I mentioned I am interning at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) as a special events and fundrasing intern. Thursday November 17th was the annual Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's (JDRF) Promise Ball! I was very excited to be there and stunned by how beautiful everything was.

The Promise Ball took place at Cipriani Wall Street. The venue was stunning, picturesque and lavish. I felt like I was attending a star studded wedding.

When I arrived at 5:30, my first task was to make sure each table had the correct number of chairs according to the table floor plan my manger handed to me. Around 7:00 is when the majority of the people started showing up for the cocktail reception. During this time, the silent auction was happening and I was helping to answer any questions people had about the items. There were so many amazing items from vacation trips to tickets to the Grammys and everything in-between.

As a former Mets employee I was excited that the master of ceremonies for the evening was Ron Darling, former Mets pitcher and currently a sport commentator. It was nice to see that the master of ceremonies had a personal connection to diabetes. His son has type 1 diabetes and in 2009 Ron started the Ron Darling Foundation to raise money to finding a cure. 

Ron introduced the entrainment of the night, which was Four Stars from the Original Cast of Jersey Boys. They sang us into our appetizer and throughout entree. On that note, dinner and desert was exceptionally delicious!

 There is still so much to tell you guys!!!! The night also had the 2011 Award of Distinction Recipient, an emotional video of kids, adults and teenagers talking about their type 1 story, a live auction and lastly a bid to cure diabetes finale. For the finale they brought out adorable children who are diagnosed with the disease, and as each child came out they were holding a sign with a different amount for bidders to bid on. The first child came out showcasing a $50,000 sign and there was one bidder for that amount! The next levels followed $25,000, $10,000, $5,000, $2,500, $1,000 and lastly $500. More and more bidders participated as the levels went down. The total amount raised for the finale was just shy of half a million dollars!!!!!

One side of the dinning area

Four Stars from the Original Cast of Jersey Boys

Silent Auction

New York Cares Day

This year was the 20th anniversary of New York Care day and I'm proud to be a part of that. I volunteered at Crispus Attucks (PS. 21) elementary school in Bed Stuy! Collectively we painted murals, fences and touched up basketball courts!    

7,000 New Yorkers volunteered for New York City public school students. With just a little effort and a whole lot of heart, we painted school hallways, classrooms and murals; organized libraries and storage rooms; and improved playgrounds at more than 100 public schools citywide.

The RESULT.. 66,000 public school students and teachers will benefit from cleaner, brighter schools. In just one day, we’ll deliver $1 million in service at a time when public schools desperately need every New Yorkers’ support. It’s a big job, but we can do it with your help.

Learn more http://www.newyorkcares.org/

 

You can also attend an orientation session that will introduce you to New York Cares' year-round volunteer opportunities  

Attend an orientation