#philanthro

Come put on rollerskates with us on 11.11.11. All five of Philanthro’s chapters will be celebrating events in their respective cities to raise money for DonorsChoose.org.

Only $7 for entry including skate rental (100% of net proceeds will go to Seattle DonorChoose.org projects.)

BUY TICKETS AT EVENTBRITE

This is our first ALL AGES event, so invite friends and family!

VENUE Skate King 2301 140th Avenue Northeast Bellevue, WA 98005

Over 3 months, our partnership with the YMCA of Greater Seattle has finally come to a close and could not have been a bigger success. Stats from our campaign:

Volunteer Day - 20 Volunteers

Why Care? Social Mixer - 80+ Attendees and $567.05 in donations

Illuminate Fundraiser - 300+ Attendees and $5664.13 in donations

In total, we've driven around 400 young professionals to take part in philanthropy and raised just over $6,500 to boost the Young Adult Services program at the YMCA to directly improve the lives of foster youth. We are happy to announce that 100% of proceeds are going to the YMCA

Bayside Prom is coming up in 3 weeks & to get geared up for it, P*SF will be posting Saved by the Bell trivia!  Brush up on your favorite episodes and get ready to get your responses in bc those who answer trivia correctly will receive a prize at Bayside Prom!

DJ Kazan is donating his time to spin for our Illuminate event. That means instead of spending a few hundred dollars on a DJ, we can donate that money to the YMCA. Read about DJ Kazan and how philanthropy is a major piece of his life.

P*Seattle: Tell us a little about yourself and how you got into DJing DJ Kazan: Originally from India, moved to the US as a teen. My father is a pilot and my family is heavily involved in the Indian Bollywood film industry. So from a young age I was exposed to cultures, music and the arts. I picked up DJing in the early 90s. It seemed like music unified people, and gave them hope. I wanted to give that same feeling to people and produce music. DJing fulfilled that objective.

P*Seattle: Why are you interested in philanthropy? What made you want to volunteer your time for the Illuminate event? DJ Kazan: Philanthropy taps into the very essence of our humanity. Regardless of religion, race, culture, or nation, doing good for those in need is key to the survival of mankind.

I did the illuminate event for very selfish reasons. I get to do what I love with music and volunteering, and make a difference however minute or large, to help those in need. The “selfish” gratification I get from this is immeasurable. 

P*Seattle: How have you been involved in philanthropy in the past? DJ Kazan: All my life. I have witnessed first hand many atrocities and poverty all around the world. I used my status as an MTV DJ to start one of the first Aids awareness campaigns on public TV in India in the 90s. I was also a teacher for 4 yrs and gave as much as I could to the children that needed me. I’ve been heavily involved on varying levels for different causes. I started one of the first Bone Marrow awareness programs for South Asians in Washington state. Worked with the city of Seattle in establishing an ethnic arts program for kids. Donated my time as a DJ and simply as a citizen to “SWANK”, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and other organizations. 

To me ones true worth & value as an individual can be determined by what they do for others.

P*Seattle: What other organizations or causes do you think people should know about? DJ Kazan: SWANK is a great organization. I would like to see more of an effort in increasing and recruiting people for Bone Marrow programs for minorities. I would also like to see education & implementation of better nutrition for our kids & learning institutions. Any organization that helps children, teens. Even war veterans, people that go through natural disasters. People in nations that don’t have water or food or basic health necessities. 

What do you think young professionals can get out of making philanthropy a bigger part of their lives?

DJ Kazan: To each his own. I cannot speak for anyone else. 

For some it’s an affirmation of their religious beliefs. 

For others balancing a hectic career with the philanthropic events may bring them a certain harmony in life.

Others can afford to do so, monetarily, or emotionally.

Some are simply driven to do this.

Whatever the reasons, the answer will not come from what can THEY “get out” of doing this. Instead their own personal answer will come from what are others in need getting from their actions of doing this.

Philanthropy does not recognize color, race, age, sex, nationality or religion.  It only recognizes humans in need ….what each individual gets out of making philanthropy a part of their lives is up to them to discover.

Here's the first of a series of interviews in preparation for our Illuminate event. Learn about the people and hear the stories surrounding our event and foster youth cause. Our first interview is with Sean Walsh (left in the photo below) of the YMCA

P*Seattle: Many people only know the YMCA as a gym. How would you describe the Y to someone now? What services does the Y provide to the greater Seattle area? SW: The Y is all about building a stronger community, so everything we do goes back to that.  We’ve evolved away from being “young men’s Christian” organization and we pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming of people from all faiths, ages, races, sexual orientations, cultures, incomes and experiences.  We still respect our roots and how we were founded, while celebrating how today we’re an organization where everyone is welcome, and where we’re building a stronger community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Y in our region is doing some amazing things.  People living with diabetes or cancer come to the Y for support and exercise.  Families can call us through a crisis hotline to get clinical support when a child or teenager is in distress.  Parents living below the poverty level can trust that their children are thriving and learning in our after-school programs.  Teenagers who grew up in foster care can come to the Y and map out a plan for success after they leave care. P*Seattle: Tell us a little about yourself and your role at the YMCA SW: I love being part of organizations that are focused on public service. The people are passionate and fun and committed to making the world a better place.  The Y in particular feels like home because it’s about community, which I think is the most important thing there is.  A lot of my role is connecting the for-profit and government sectors as partners in our work.  P*Seattle: What kind of challenges do foster youth face in Seattle? SW: I think foster youth face many of the same challenges here as in other communities.  You remove a child from her or his birth family, there is going to be trauma.  In bad situations there is terrible abuse and neglect.  Even if it’s best and safest for the child to be removed, these are complex, painful experiences for children to cope with.  When a child or teenager is then moved to new families and schools, you compound the damage and distrust of adults.  It’s not surprising when a 17 year old comes to us and says “I’m behind in school, I’ve never had a job, I don’t know where my siblings live, I don’t know how to make a budget, and I have no idea where I’m going to live when I leave foster care.” P*Seattle: What does the Young Adult Services division of the YMCA do? SW: Young people can come to the Y and feel supported, learn life skills, ask for help finding biological family, find supportive housing, get an internship or scholarship, and connect with other young adults who have had similar experiences. 

Our young adult drop-in resource center is a hub and we provide services throughout the region.  We can’t and shouldn’t replace a parent, but we can open our doors and arms and be part of that “It Takes a Village” philosophy. P*Seattle: Why did the Y choose to look to Philanthro for help? SW: There is a great “mission fit” between our organizations that we realized in our first conversation.  We both want young people to connect with each other, learn new things and step outside their comfort zones.  I really admire the work Philanthro is doing and we’re honored they chose to work with the Y. P*Seattle: How come you want to reach out to young professionals? SW: Young professionals have so much energy and vision.  They want to innovate.  They want opportunities to engage in their communities.  We want them to know that whether it’s the Y or some other cause, their voice, their time, their philanthropy makes a huge impact. P*Seattle: What do you want people to know about foster youth? SW: Foster care should not be a stigma.  It’s a life experience that—even at its best—can make the road to adulthood a steep climb.  There are some great foster parents out there and we need even more.  There is child welfare reform underway that should improve the overall “system” of foster care.  There is lots to be hopeful about.  But the research showing that 3% of former foster youth have a college diploma is just one sign that there is much work to be done and our community needs to be there to offer support and life skills and opportunities.  P*Seattle: How can people help the Y and their programs? SW: Financial gifts help us make sure youth have housing and resources after they leave foster care.  In-kind donations like bedding, hygiene supplies and other daily living items are very helpful.  There are ongoing and one-time opportunities to volunteer.  Connections to businesses and corporations that are interested in partnering as sponsors, internship hosts and others are welcome.  And letting foster youth know the Y is here as a resource and support if they need it.

Philanthro is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to engage young professionals in philanthropy, by serving as the leading platform for young professionals to connect with charitable causes through social, volunteer, and leadership activities.