Getting Involved: Philanthropic Opportunities In New York

Originally published on Tom Leydiker's website.

In the city that never sleeps, there are endless activities for you to become involved in. For many, New York is a place where individuals go to pursue their dreams or to discover new areas that can fulfill aspects of their lives they feel have been missing. To some, this could be furthering a professional endeavor or exploring a future in the arts. To others, it could simply be wanting to immerse themselves in an entirely different environment – a community that is constantly growing and filled with seemingly endless possibilities.

Not all seek fulfillment in their independent success, though. Some are captivated by New York for the world of philanthropy it opens up. There are so many organizations that have roots in New York. Not only do these organizations make a significant impact on the local community, but a number of them also make an impact on a global level as well. There is never an excess of resources available to these charities, so it is always inspiring to see the community come together to support these efforts with both their money and time.

If you’ve been wanting to give back but aren’t quite sure of where to start, here are a few charities that are very dear to my heart:

1. American Red Cross

The American Red Cross is dedicated to providing relief and even preventative services in order to aid suffering. Their services not only make a difference in the surrounding areas, but their outreach extends throughout the rest of the world as well. If you have had any relationship with the Red Cross in the past, you are already familiar with some of their services, like donating blood and safety courses. But their disaster relief services have quite an impact in helping to rebuild communities in third world countries and beyond.

2. Doctors Without Borders

With offices in twenty different countries, it’s no surprise how far the effects of this organization can reach. Doctors Without Borders revolutionized the way that victims of disasters and war received emergency assistance and were one of the first organizations who not only provided this service, but were able to grow it to such a large extent.

3. Habitat For Humanity

Another organization with roots in a variety of locations, Habitat For Humanity is one of the guiding forces responsible for improving the living situations of low-income families. Because of their vision, the resources they receive from their supporters, and the individuals who volunteer their time to help build the homes, they have been able to change the lives of thousands of families, promising them safety and security by putting a roof over their heads.

If any of these charities mirror causes that are important to you, consider donating to them or supporting their efforts. Without you, they would not be able to live out their missions.

4 Free Ways To Make A Difference In The World

Supporting a need greater than your own is one way to find meaning in your own life. Not only are you creating purpose for yourself, but your contributions have a direct impact on the lives of others.

When individuals think of ways to give back, they immediately think of putting pen to paper and writing a check for an organization they wish to support. This mentality is not only limiting, it often causes people to opt out of giving altogether due to insufficient finances. If someone is forced to decide between putting food on the table or donating money, it is a no-brainer that feeding their family is a better use of money than giving it away.

What many people fail to realize is that philanthropic efforts do not have to be monetary. You can have a similar impact on an individual, a group, or an organization by simply giving of your time and resources without spending a single penny.

Here are 5 different ways that you can change the world - for free:

1. Idealist

For the idealists of the world, there is a place where you can meet other individuals who are just as interested in you as making a difference on both a local and global scale. Idealist.org is a website that brings individuals together, no matter where you are from.

2. Volunteer Match

This website will pair you up with other volunteers and organizations that want to give of their time to help people in need. Together, you can all find an opportunity that is close to your hearts where your services can make a huge impact.

3. Elder Helpers

Sometimes volunteer opportunities arise that may seem minimal, but are just as impactful as if you were volunteering for an entire organization. Elder Helpers connects volunteers with a senior in need. These services could be anything from helping them garden to driving them to a store for groceries once a week.

4. Dress For Success

If you have a very busy schedule, sometimes volunteering opportunities get in the way of other activities and obligations. Instead, use what you already have to give back. Dress For Success encourages women to donate their gently used business clothing to women in the workplace who don’t have the financial income to buy more expensive, professional business wear.

The Children Of Tikva

Some children do not get the white-picket-fence upbringing that so many others are born into. No spacious home with a lush backyard to play in. No mother and father, happily married, to shower them with the affection, support, and warmth all growing children deserve. No consistent area of life to serve as a positive example or to promise a stable future.

But that does not mean that these children don’t have just as much potential as other children. All they require is a safe-space where there are individuals who not only recognize this potential, but are dedicated to bringing this potential out of them.

For many, this safe-space has a name: Tikva Children’s Home. With open arms, they welcome children of any age, which includes those as young as infants, who typically remain under their care until they are sixteen years of age. When these children first come to Tikva, they have already experienced more suffering than adults three times their age. These traumatic beginnings to life often leave children to suffer various complications that range from medical ailments to psychological and developmental disabilities.

The heartbreak of seeing these children when they first come to Tikva are quickly replaced with feelings of happiness and inspiration as these children grow into their roles as independent, capable adults. Through the love they received while under the care of Tikva staff members, they are now destined for a good life, just as they would have been if they would have been raised in a more stable home at the onset of their lives.

Who are the children of Tikva?

Tikva is not discriminatory in who they take in. But there are three common reasons for why a child would come into the care of Tikva.

Children who are orphans.

Children who are found living on the streets or in the surrounding state orphanages, often separated from their other siblings, are located and brought into Tikva’s home.

Children who live in abusive homes.

These children live in the home of either one parent, both parents, or another living relative. They may have a living space, but these homes are unfit to live in because their caretaker(s) are either abusive and neglectful or there are dangerous risks inside the home, like alcohol or drugs.

Children who live in poverty.

There are children that come into Tikva’s care that are lucky enough to have a parent or family member who truly cares about them, yet, due to economical circumstances, they are unable to provide the basic necessities that are needed for survival.

No matter where these children come from, one thing applies to all of them: they deserve the opportunity of a better life. That is why I have founded the Tom Leydiker Foundation and have made it my purpose to fund organizations, such as Tikva Children’s Home. They require the means and resources to provide adequate care to improve the lives of these children who have already lived through so much pain and anguish.