| When you come from your heart you can't go | | | | dialogue if we could do it at our own pace with |
| wrong. That goes for speaking on behalf of your | | | | healthy boundaries? Until we get real, it's almost |
| cause and delivering on your mission. When you're | | | | impossible to move forward. |
| real with people, you'll see real results. | | | | Camp Mariposa helps children who live in |
| There's a thread of authenticity that runs through | | | | environments of drug addiction. At home, the kids |
| the Moyer Foundation... from how it got started, to | | | | often hear statements like, 'it's your fault' or some |
| the program results, and all the way through to how | | | | other demeaning statement. One of the things they |
| the business is run. That makes for a solid foundation | | | | learn at the camp is to decipher what's real and |
| and one that will keep going through strong and | | | | what's not. Yes, it's their reality that they have to go |
| weak economies. | | | | back and live in less than desirable conditions. What's |
| The Beginning | | | | not real is thinking they have to take on responsibility |
| Executive Director Gary Pollock recalls the children | | | | for the parent or that they're no good. The camp |
| who touched Jamie and Karen's hearts long before | | | | helps them find their own strength and what they're |
| their nonprofit was even formed. It was that spark | | | | good at. They discover that other kids are going |
| that initiated their desire to start a nonprofit. At the | | | | through similar situations and that they're not alone. |
| time, there were scandals with various national | | | | They realize they have support and a reference point |
| nonprofits - people questioning the motives of the | | | | of someone who really cares. They're each assigned |
| founders. It became a priority for the Moyers to | | | | a Big Buddy they know is there for them. Kids come |
| have their name associated with an ethical foundation. | | | | away from Camp Mariposa knowing the truth - that |
| They wanted to know where each dime was spent | | | | they are a good person. |
| and what it was spent on. They wanted their donors | | | | The Rise and Shine Program supports children and |
| to be involved and informed as well. From the | | | | teens affected by HIV and AIDS. It's important for |
| beginning they saw their cause as a way to bring | | | | the kids to have a place to go where it's ok to say, |
| communities together. The mission of The Moyer | | | | 'My mom is infected with HIV' or 'My dad has AIDS.' |
| Foundation is to help children in distress. The first | | | | There's no hint of shame as their peers |
| year Jamie and Karen gave over 80 heartfelt | | | | compassionately listen to something that's been hard |
| speeches. Gary feels it was because of their down | | | | for them to say out loud anywhere else. |
| to earth, transparent nature that the organization | | | | These are just three examples of many programs |
| took off and continues to grow every year. | | | | The Moyer Foundation supports. A common element |
| The Programs | | | | I see is that they're all geared toward helping kids |
| Camp Erin is a bereavement camp helping children | | | | say what's true for them. It's done in a way that's |
| express their grief in healthy ways. Gary doesn't | | | | completely transparent and comes straight from the |
| pretend that they solve everything in a weekend, | | | | heart. |
| but they do provide a place for kids to be authentic | | | | The Day-to-Day Operations |
| and share their feelings with others. Adult volunteers | | | | Not only does The Moyer Foundation fund 2 major |
| often have their own grief and wish they had a place | | | | programs, they also give a million dollars of grant |
| like this when they were kids. There's healing | | | | money to 65-70 other worthy nonprofits each year. |
| happening on many levels. Once you acknowledge | | | | While many nonprofits are concerned with keeping |
| what you really feel, it's easier to move forward. | | | | themselves going, The Moyer Foundation views |
| Isn't that true of almost anything? If there's an area | | | | donating to other nonprofits as part of their mission. |
| in your life where you feel stuck, ask yourself what | | | | It's pretty simple. They raise as much money as |
| needs to be acknowledged. | | | | possible to help as many children as they can. There's |
| The counselors at Camp Erin invite the children make | | | | an atmosphere of happiness and contentment in the |
| memory boxes in honor of the one who passed on. | | | | building. The staff is on the same page and they're |
| On the outside, they put symbols that represent | | | | aligned with each other. Gary reflects, "It's part of |
| what that person meant to them. It gives permission | | | | the reinforcement of doing good work. When you |
| to others to talk about these specific things. They | | | | help other people you get this intrinsic reward. You |
| also put symbols on the inside of the box to | | | | can't buy that. That's why we like coming to work |
| remember the person. The difference is if it's inside | | | | every day." |
| of the box, they want to keep it private. Kids reveal | | | | A simple test Gary suggests for nonprofit |
| what they want to reveal. It's totally up to them | | | | professionals is, "Look at yourself in the mirror and |
| how much they want to share. It's all about | | | | ask yourself - Are we fulfilling our mission? Are we |
| respecting the camper's pace and boundaries. With | | | | the real deal?" If so, great! If not, it's just a matter |
| this environment, it's natural for them to express | | | | of making the changes necessary so that every |
| more, deal with their grief and feel relief. | | | | effort goes toward your mission. |
| Wouldn't it be easier for all of us to have authentic | | | | |