NICE Change Blog

The NICE Change blog is about getting causes noticed that are solving big social problems in America. NICE (stands for National Institute for Civic Enterprise) exists to bring visibility to citizen ideas. This blog spotlights ingenious ideas that are solving the social stress in America, Some tap ideas in business, others technology, and still others just common sense. Over the past 18 years, I've seen a big need to bring greater visibility to causes that work in new ways. Political leaders aren't always ready to embrace new ideas, but there's hope.

Innovation from citizens will solve our social challenges, I'm convinced. There's going to be a leadership deficit in the nonprofit community to the tune of 600,000 staff in this decade. How do we make sure that these successful solutions don't fall through the cracks? If the leadership fail at marketing their cause now, how will we perpetuate their successes?

Causes need our help! I want to offer them greater visibility and to acquire the support their staff and volunteers need.

I'll be offering ideas like "cause-partnering" of nonprofits with business....which differs from cause marketing. With giving so tight these days, we need to promote cost-effective ways to help people regain self-reliance and dignity.

This blog is about that kind of positive change happening behind the scenes across America. My posts are intended to offer a a "good" jolt and a reprieve from the daily less than positive press. Instead, you'll learn about what's working to resolve America's social challenges...old ones like homelessness and new ones like cybercrime... a lot is happening below the radar to change how we can tackle these issues thanks to some really creative people. If you're part of this new trend ... people coming to the rescue of one another in their communities ... launching new ideas at the grassroots... maybe even replicating them across America and the world...I really want to hear from you!

My book, The Power of One, was researched for 8 years in 30 cities across America. The project was self-funded and provided empirical evidence of citizen solutions that work. It connects the dots about an amazing trend that we only bump into occasionally in the news or maybe around Christmastime...yet it's gaining momentum. If you're a founder or an advocate that's working to change lives, we know you have challenging work ahead and others... business, donors, citizens ... need to know how to support you ...

It's possible that I'll want to feature your story to give you and your cause a blog boost. Everyone can benefit from hearing about a new idea...some inspiration...a cause to support... a unique way of helping people that delivers more compassion ... all without the big price tag of top-down social solutions

Visit the NICE website at www.NICENetwork.org to learn more. Visit the NICENetwork/NICE Causes page on Facebook and @NICECauses on Twitter. Enjoy the read and feel free to comment... Your ideas matter here! Debra Berg

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There’s Hope for the generations and special needs foster kids

In a small town, Rantoul, in Central Illinois a community of children and seniors live in a special community. The community didn’t occur naturally. It was devised out of the military housing on a retired Air Force base (Chanute). A professor who was tired of merely teaching theory at the University of Illinois felt that special needs foster children deserved more than lip service and theoretical ideas. So, Brenda took action and got creative. What do all kids need? They need a family, the one thing difficult-to-adopt foster kids don’t have. So Brenda found people who would potentially adopt them, pay the mother to stay home and be trained in how to take care of them, and build a community around them. And while she was at it, why not throw in senior volunteer-types who would enjoy having a reduced rent in this community — ”the neighborhood” — and help out once in a while.

Brenda’s idea sounded really good on paper but it took an actual fax to the White House (yes, that’s right) in desperation to get the doors of the Pentagon to open and allow her to buy some of their property. After that, it took a while to engage potential families and seniors to be part of the community. But 16 years later, that’s all just an interesting history along with some highlights like a special invitation from Oprah to be on TV and several awards including the latest $8 million Kellogg Foundation grant. Despite the grant and the attention at Generations of Hope (www.generationsofhope.org) you’ll still find Brenda innovating and fine-tuning her idea, which really works, to the rest of the country. Hundreds of special needs children have since been adopted to loving homes, blossoming beyond expectation, because of the love of those at Hope.

Brenda Eheart’s sacrifce for her cause is a living testament to what’s possible when a learned and caring academic professional walks the talk of her research. This an idea that should be replicated to more communities.

Source NICENetwork.org

Notes

  1. nicecauses posted this

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