Happy Disability Pride Month!
The image shows 4 people with various disabilities, including a child wearing red and brown playing soccer with a prosthetic leg, a femme person in a teal crop top and black pants with a prosthetic arm, a femme person in a pink shirt and glasses holding a device displaying numbers and a femme person in a red shirt and shorts, who has limb differences painting with their feet. The image states "Hope. Healing. Solidarity. July is Disability Pride Month. @survivorcards"
We hope you've had a great summer so far!
Here's what we got up to in July and what's ahead for August!
Recent:
Kaleidoscope Youth Center Fulfillment
Kaleidoscope Youth Center's logo features a circle ending in an arrow, made up of the progressive pride flag stripes. In the center is a graphic of people forming a circle.
With the help of our awesome volunteers and community, we were able to send Kaleidoscope Youth Center 100 cards to distribute to the LGBTQIA+ youth they serve.
Kaleidoscope Youth Center is a drop-in center and resource for LGBTQIA+ youth based out of Columbus, OH.
They are the largest and longest-standing organization in Ohio solely dedicated to serving and supporting queer youth. One of their most amazing services is an in-person and virtual drop-in center with daily programming for queer youth ages 12-20, equipped with a kitchen with food, wi-fi for doing homework, discussion groups for peer connections and more! They also have Community-Based Wellness Programs to reduce homelessness and housing insecurity of LGBTQIA+ youth, as well as a rapid-rehousing program and supportive co-housing.
We hope that these cards can provide some hope to the kids who utilize their community-based programming.
The image shows 100 cards for Kaleidoscope Youth Center, rubber banded into 4 stacks.
501c3 Status
The image is teal, with a blue and purple abstract blob and black and white shapes. It reads: "Our 501(c)3 status? We got it! We are now a 501c3 through the IRS! Our EID is 85-2023536. You may be able to claim a deduction on your federal taxes if you donate to our organization! Donate to our Venmo @survivorcards We'll have more options for donating soon!"
If you follow us on Facebook or Instagram, you may have already heard, but we now have our 501(c)3 status!
We can now solicit donations and fundraise!
If you would like to donate to us, our Venmo is @survivorcards and we are currently working on setting up other donation options.
If you'd prefer, we also have a wish list where you can buy items we need directly.
Please include a note with your donation if you'd like it to be used in any particular ways (such as supplies, advertisement, snacks and drinks for events, etc.)
You can claim a deduction on your federal income taxes if you donate to us this calendar year and our EID is 85-2023536
Thank you for your patience while we waited for this status to finally go through.
We are working on setting up a bank account and beginning to solicit donations from corporations with locations near us.
Our scannable Venmo QR code
Scrapbook.Com Cards for Kindness
Cards for Kindness logo by Scrapbook.com features a light pink background with both script and bold print. The logo itself is an envelope with a piece of paper with a heart on it popping out.
A huge thank you to Carolina Anderson and Scrapbook.Com's Cards for Kindness Initiative for sending us over 480 handmade pieces of stationery to use for future card drives, workshops and provide to volunteers.
Scrapbook's customers create each card for this special imitative, which are then distributed to organizations to use for all kinds of purposes, care packages for deployed troops, crisis teams to provide during emergencies, ill children who are hospitalized on their birthday and more.
We are so excited to continue this partnership quarterly with Cards for Kindness to fill all our card needs.
This amazing repeat gift will help us focus our funds on things like postage for card shipments, advertisement for connecting to survivors in need, stickers, resources and goodies, and other supplies!
480 cards for our use from Scrapbook.com's Cards for Kindness Initiative. Our President's cat lays next to them. They are "cat inspected and cat approved."
Volunteer Hour Features
Senior volunteers from Sunnyview Apartments create Survivor Cards, alongside Brianna Beveridge of Creative Financial Insurance and a youth volunteer from Connections Volunteer Center.
Thank you to Connections Volunteer Center in Delaware, Ohio for organizing a volunteer hour with Sunnyview's senior residents.
From their original post: “Volunteer Happy Hour is a Connections program facilitated at Delaware County, 55+ apartment communities. This week, residents at Sunnyview Square made cards for the non-profit Survivor Cards.
The creation of Survivor Cards was inspired by the desire to provide hope, healing and solidarity to trauma survivors and the special magic that snail mail provides.
Thank you Sunnyview Residents and our special guest helpers, including Brianna Beveridge of Creative Financial Insurance!”
You can now sign up to write Survivor Cards on Connection's website and schedule times that work for you, organize a team and more!
Youth volunteers hold cards they created for Survivor Cards. They are outside in a sunny park.
We'd also like to thank Yes Means Yes in Granada Hills, California for putting on a letter writing in late June benefiting Survivor Cards! We appreciate you.
Yes Means Yes is a student-led initiative for consent culture, sexual assault and abuse prevention and inclusivity and equity for all.
Want to be featured in our newsletter and blog?
Send us pictures from your volunteer hour!
They might end up here!
Partnership with Heroes on the Water
The logo shows a gray circle with a kayak or boat paddle crossed with a fishing reel. In the middle is an American flag in the shape of a heart and water waves. A yellow banner sit behind the heart. The text reads "Heroes on the Water"
We have recently formed a partnership with Heroes on the Water's Southwest Ohio chapter.
They have chapters in many states, which you can locate here.
Heroes on the Water supports veterans, first responders and their families by creating a peaceful environment for healing.
From their website: "Founded in 2007, Heroes on the Water is a 501(c)3 non-profit that provides recreational wellness experiences. Our primary modality is kayak fishing which has proven cognitive and emotional benefits. These programs incorporate structured activities in a pressure-free environment creating opportunities for community building and personal healing. Our participants receive much needed camaraderie and support.
Our events are organized by a dedicated group of volunteers at no cost to participants or their families. There is no prior experience or equipment required. Recurring activities provide participants with consistent access to healing support as well as involvement in a community of people with shared experiences.
In 2018, we officially expanded our services to include first responders and their families. Heroes on the Water programs are proven to be effective in reducing symptoms of post-traumatic stress, increasing healing of traumatic brain injury, and improving overall well-being for participants. Our goal is to provide heroes with a way to positively improve their lives, enhance their family dynamic and impact their community in a healthy and lasting way."
We sat up with their local chapter at the Clermont County VSO Veterans and Family Picnic on Saturday, July 23rd and our hope is to join them at some of their future events to provide a letter writing workshop for attending veterans and first responders, and their families, as well as have ready-made Survivor Cards to distribute.
Thanks for pairing up with us!
Getting to Know You - Anderson
We've been making great efforts to expand our connections, network and get to know the local community where each of our board members live. (Hamilton County, Morrow County and Trumbull)
This month, our President & Founder, Alyson Wick met with numerous community members and committees, including Lexi Lausten, a local Anderson Township Trustee, the Anderson Art Collaborative and the Anderson Mental Health Collaborative.
We hope to increase our connections, resources and community-based trust in all the areas we have "roots" to better our impact!
Upcoming:
Fundraiser at Dewey's Pizza in Anderson
Coming soon!
We’re happy to announce that Dewey's Pizza in Anderson is hosting a Give Back Night for Survivor Cards on Monday, August 29th from 4-9 PM!
20% of all food purchase profits will go to us when you mention the fundraiser and if ordering online, add code “GBN”
Mark your calendars and order online or dine in at Dewey's!
We will have a table at the restaurant around 6 PM if you'd like to join us.
Thank you so much to Katie Taylor, Marketing Specialist and Dewey's Pizza for organization this fundraiser for us!
Tri-State Trauma Network Conference
Tristate Trauma Network's logo is a butterfly made up of 3 shapes, one is a purple loop, one is blue and one is green. There is a shape below that looks like a puddle of blue water. Green text says "Building hope through system transformation"
We are happy to announce that we'll be set up at Tristate Trauma Network's 8th Annual Trauma-Informed Care Fall Conference: Honoring Trauma Survivors' Unique Needs & Gifts.
From their website: "The Tristate Trauma Network is excited to be hosting its 8th Annual Trauma-Informed Care Fall Conference, back IN-PERSON, and back at the beautiful and hospitable Receptions Event Center! Join us to learn from INTERNATIONAL, national, and local TRAUMA EXPERTS, who will be sharing their knowledge along with innovative, trauma-specific approaches.
CEU applications are in process for OH Counselors, Social Workers, MFTs; and KY Counselors, Psychologists, MFTs and Social Workers. Aprroval is pending for these Boards. Tristate Trauma Network is an approved Category 1 provider in IN, allowing continuing education credit for Social Workers, MFTs, and Mental Health in the state of IN. Up to 6 CEUs will be offered for this event."
Tristate Trauma Network focuses on providing high-quality training to service-industry professionals on trauma-responsive care and educating the public on how trauma plays a crucial role in our emotions, behaviors, and ultimately, our futures.
In Other News:
Seeking A Laptop
The graphic has the text below, as well as an illustration of a feminine person with a bob hair and red polka dot shirt, looking at a laptop and papers.
We are currently seeking a like-new or refurbished laptop for volunteer tracking, financial reporting, basic graphic design and social media use.
Do you know of a good lead for one or know someone who would like to donate a laptop for our use?
Please email us leads to survivorcards@gmail.com
Our budget is around $100
988 Launch for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
A black square with a white circle with the number "988" in the middle
We are so excited to boost the 988 launch by the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. People experiencing a mental health crisis or suicidal thoughts have a new way to reach out for help in the U.S. as of Saturday, July 16th, 2022.
They can simply call or text the numbers 9-8-8!
Modeled after 911, the new three-digit 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is designed to be a memorable and quick number that connects people who are suicidal or in any other mental health crisis to a trained mental health professional.
Please share this information far and wide! 💚💚💚
*Please note that the National Suicide Lifeline is a mandated reporting agency. They are required by law to call first responders, sometimes including police in instances of imminent lethality. Please utilize the hotline with this in mind.
August
Due to family matters of our Founder & President, we will be utilizing the month of August as a "slow burn" month; acquiring funds, gathering cards from individuals and groups hosting volunteer hours and identifying our next steps.
We will not be available for meetings, workshop facilitation or events this month.
Thank you for understanding!
If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at survivorcards@gmail.com and we will respond as soon as possible!
If you have any leads for events for events in September or after, please let us know!
Thank you for reading and for your amazing support, as we continue to touch the lives of survivors everywhere.
Want to get our blog straight to your inbox every month?
Interested in volunteering?
Have a lead for an event we should be at?
Something else?
Email us at survivorcards@gmail.com
We will be announcing group volunteering opportunities in the near future, to be held at the Anderson branch of the Cincinnati Public Library.
Stay tuned!
- Alyson