Aid Organizations

The Important Work of International Animal Rescue

Bear with IAR Logo

Image source: Sky1.sky.com

Here at Journeys for Good, we’re in the business of learning about the connections between volunteers and volunteer organizations. How do organizations find people who are willing to give their time, and their physical and emotional energy for a cause? How do people find the organizations that speak to their hearts? We are also interested in the business side of this equation: how does an aid organization get noticed? This week I was reading about a powerful international organization that manages to facilitate these connections spectacularly well: International Animal Rescue.

Fight Human Trafficking with Catalyst Foundation

A Catalyst Foundation Advertisement: Not For Sale

Image source: Getphyt.org

There are some things in this world that simply boggle the mind—things that are so terrible, so obviously wrong they seem almost unreal. How anyone can look into the eyes of another human being, then sell that human being like a piece of meat… I don’t have the words. I know desperation makes people do awful things. I absolutely have empathy for those who break the law to feed their families, for example. People who break the law to protect their loved ones are not the problem, they are victims of the problem. The traffickers, however, the people who prey on desperation… I don’t have a shred of empathy for them. What they do is horrific, criminal, and unforgivable. Catalyst Foundation recognizes the multifaceted problem of human trafficking, and they are working with communities to make a difference.

Worldwide Orphans Foundation: Using Partners and the Media to Make a Difference

Four Orphan Boys

Image source: Salsa.democracyinaction.org

When I try to imagine all of the needy people in this world—the poor, the hungry, the abused, victims of natural disasters, casualties of war—I always circle back around to the children. Children need. It’s the biological way of our species. Babies are born entirely helpless, relying on the love and protection of their parents. But what about children who don’t have parents? How do those innocent, defenseless creatures survive?

Roadmonkey Adventure Philanthropy: Our Inspiration

Roadmonkey Adventure Philanthropy

Image source: Roadmonkey.net

Once upon a time, not so very long ago, Steve and Joanie Wynn traveled to Tanzania. They were there to make a documentary about Roadmonkey Adventure Philanthropy, an organization working to refurbish classrooms at the Bibi Jann School for AIDS orphans. The Wynns were already world travelers, but this trip was special. It showed them the power of sweat equity to make a positive difference, and to connect people to each other in meaningful ways. The Wynns wanted to do more to help so they founded this site, Journeys For Good, to spread the message of volunteer travel, and to help inspire others.

Travelocity: Travel for Good

$5000 Grant for Travel for Good Winner

Image source: Wetv.com

Travelocity is one of the giants of online travel planning. Kids these days don’t go to travel agents. We don’t need third-party facilitators to book our white water rafting trips or our day hikes through the redwood forests. We do it ourselves, on the Internet. By now, most travel businesses have moved online. Those that haven’t are either catering to a very specific demographic of wealthy, typically older travelers, or they’re swiftly shooting down the out-of-business luge run. Travelocity has succeeded as a business because we all want control of our destinies. Perhaps that’s putting it dramatically but the point is made: 2012 travelers are self-possessed, savvy, and resourceful.