Through our support of volunteer facilitators worldwide, GFSC helps communities build their capacity to work through their challenges and create sustainable solutions.
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December 2007


Dear Friend,

What do NASA, Red Cross, Louisiana Spirit, Department of Sustainable Environment (Victoria, Australia), the Los Angeles Mayor's Office of Emergency Preparedness, Community Health Councils, teachers, counselors, police, firefighters, social workers, emergency room technicians, psychologists, clergy have in common? Representatives of each have participated in a GFSC Disaster & Crisis Intervention (DCI) workshop this year and are sharing what they learned with their organizations and communities!

In 2007, GFSC workshops on building community resilience and self-reliance, particularly after crises, reached more than 200 people. One workshop in Los Angeles, sponsored by the Mayor's Office of Emergency Preparedness, trained 30 volunteers who each committed to train at least 10 more people in their communities. Another workshop for the Community Health Councils of Los Angeles focused on the chronic problems of decreasing health care services in certain neighborhoods.

In Melbourne, Australia GFSC conducted 3 workshops for more than 50 participants from Victoria's Department of Sustainable Environment, the Department of Human Services, local agencies and independent facilitators. All participants want to share what they learned, particularly to help communities affected by seasonal bush fires and chronic drought.

The GFSC NOLA Network led five workshops for more than 120 people, including first responders, health care workers, teachers, social workers and the business community. The trained facilitators in this network continue bringing healing and hope to those living through the ongoing challenges in New Orleans.

I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Crisis Intervention workshop for teachers and counselors, back in March…Using the GFSC DCI (Disaster & Crisis Intervention) model with first year students and with a grief/loss group, I explained how we can use crisis as an opportunity, instead of simply being "swallowed" by the danger…that the way that the way they think can have a profound impact on their physical and emotional state… Thank you for that amazing workshop and all you do. Keep up the good work!

Scott Osborn, High School Teacher, New Orleans

Building effective networks at the grassroots level is a key strategy for helping communities develop sustainable solutions - by creating "ripples" - GFSC trains facilitators who then go back to their communities and agencies to share learning and applications. In 2008, we plan to:

Your continued support will help us develop and deliver workshops, provide ongoing mentoring, build community strength, and expand local resources, resilience and self-reliance. You help GFSC say, "yes" when we are asked to help communities with limited financial resources. You can feel good about helping communities all over the world discover their strengths to address their needs now and in the future.

Please consider a contribution to further this important work.

With sincere thanks,

 

Lenny Diamond
President

P.S. We wish you, your loved ones, and your community peace and prosperity. Your donation today will help GFSC support communities in need. Thank you for your contribution.

Your contribution of $500, $250, $100, $50 or $25 will help us build resilience and self-reliance in more communities throughout the world.

You may specify particular initiatives, or you can make an unspecified donation to support GFSC. We accept credit cards on our Paypal link.


or mail your check to

GFSC
11 Sequin Road
West Hartford, CT 06117

 

GFSC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization.
Donations are tax deductible in the USA.

gfsc © 2007