Greater Need Than Ever

From the challenges of the pandemic, to a tough economy and even changes in health trends, all these factors and more have exacerbated the needs of organizations across the country to support their communities. Speak to these groups about their work, how they’ve been affected and what they’re doing to keep up with the demand for their services.

Volunteers of America is dedicated to helping those in need rebuild their lives and reach their full potential. Through their network of 30 affiliates in 46 states, VOA:

• serves more than 27,000 veterans and their families experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness nationwide

• provides hundreds of service programs, including those for seniors and people with disabilities, those experiencing homelessness, and those recovering from addiction.
  • One of the nation’s largest nonprofit providers of quality affordable housing, providing homes to nearly 25,000 people each year.
  • Is a major provider of skilled long-term nursing care and health services, as well as an operator of nursing facilities, residential assisted-living complexes, and retirement communities.

• Most recently, VOA launched ReST 4 First Responders, a free, online peer to peer support group for any first responders experiencing stress, burnout and anxiety as a result of their work.

Lazarex Cancer Foundation (LCF) is the only U.S. non profit organization reimbursing patients for up to 100% of travel costs for getting to and from their cancer clinical trials - extending life for countless patients each year.

A rising incidence of late stage cancer, like breast cancer, coupled with the steep rise in cancer care costs, are pushing more cancer patients to lean on LCF for help to get to potentially life-saving treatments. The numbers reflect the growing need: In 2021 Lazarex provided travel reimbursements to 1,142 people and by the end of June 2022, they had already surpassed those numbers - helping 1,171.

It all started 16 years ago when three sisters decided to help cancer patient find hope. Through their own family tragedy, sisters Karen, Erin and Dana learned that transportation costs keep many cancer patients from accessing clinical trials. When Erin’s husband Mike had pancreatic cancer they found ways to help him cover the costs, giving him several extra precious months with his family. After he died, they founded LCF to help others in his position access cancer clinical trials.

Since then, they’ve provided travel reimbursements helping 8,000 patients access cancer clinical trials, they’ve been instrumental in changing official guidance at the FDA and they’ve successfully advocated for legislation in six states to improve access to clinical trials.

The National Fallen Firefighter Foundation was created by Congress to lead a nationwide effort to honor America's fallen firefighters. Since 1992, the non-profit Foundation has developed and expanded programs honor America's fallen fire heroes; support their families, colleagues, and organizations; and work to reduce preventable firefighter death and injury. Thee include wellness retreats for men affected by the loss of a colleague of relative; summer camp for the kids of fallen fire heroes; support groups; remembrance programs and an annual memorial weekend to honor lives lost.

Each year, the NFFF organizes 9/11 Memorial Stair Climbs around the country — symbolizing the route taken by 343 members of the FDNY killed at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. The events, held in over 40 cities in 2022, help sustain NFFF counseling and support programs for all families of firefighters who succumb to line-of-duty deaths. 

The Trust for the National Mall is the leading nonprofit, nonpartisan philanthropic partner of the National Park Service dedicated to restoring, enriching and preserving the National Mall. The Trust brings expertise, private funding and in-kind support to time-sensitive restoration and sustainability projects, mobilizes volunteers and provides educational opportunities to ensure that the National Mall endures and evolves as a vibrant space for all. With over 36 million visits annually to the National Mall, combined with aging infrastructure and the need for better visitor amenities throughout the park, the Trust is helping the National Park Service tackle the more than $800 million needed for critical repairs and improvements.

Contact us to book an interview.