Make A Difference
Mental Health First Responder Toolkit
There is no harm in having a gentle reminder for yourself and your network on how to handle mental health crises. Be prepared to help when your community needs it most. You can make a positive impact any day and time, especially with the right resources in your toolbelt.
If you have any recommendations, please let me know. Happy to optimize!
Trusted Partners
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RTA
RTA helps people in prison develop critical life skills through the arts, modeling an approach to the justice system based on human dignity rather than punishment.
RTA members use their time productively in prison, and when released reconnect with their families and strengthen their communities, breaking a generational cycle. -
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Youth Justice Network
Empowers low-income, justice-impacted young people ages 16-24 with access to advocates and opportunities for personal growth and economic independence, so they can affect change in their lives, families, and communities.
Their mission is to break cycles of incarceration and build an equitable justice system by providing young people with individualized advocacy, mentorship, and opportunities to grow, thrive, and lead.
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Droste Mental Health Services
Providing affordable and accessible therapy for individuals, families, and couples in New York.
DMHS includes trained social workers, psychologists, mental health counselors, and Reiki therapists who have a variety of backgrounds and therapeutic approaches including a holistic understanding of the mind/body connection.
Donate where it counts.
Know where your dollars are going. In this section, find highlighted opportunities to make a lasting positive impact in this world.
Make a difference today by supporting Youth Justice Network’s Books to Jails program! Powered by community donations, Books to Jails sends hundreds of books each year to young people on Rikers. These stories provide needed comfort, joy, and escapism during a difficult period of their lives.
Your $35 donation will put three books of their choice in the hands of a young person in custody. Recent requests include powerful reads like Kindred by Octavia Butler, All About Love by bell hooks, and The Rose That Grew From the Concrete by Tupac Shakur.
For more infomation: tinyurl.com/books2jails
More Opportunities
There’s always more!
DMHS is looking for the following:
To fill up seats in their Associate Board
To build a marketing campaign for Instagram, LinkedIn, and for their donors
Fundraising/development work: targeting new donors
A business plan/model to look at the next few years and changing revenue sources
For more information, take a look at their impact here.
YJN Fundraiser/ Cocktail Reception
Join Youth Justice Network for their cocktail reception with City Councilman Yusef Salaam as the honoree. Yusef is a legend btw- he was one of the Central Park Five who was wrongfully convicted of raping a woman in Central Park in 1989. This will be their first fundraiser since 2017!
2024 Spring Benefit
Join Droste Mental Health Services for their 2024 Spring Benefit for an evening of intimate conversation with Holland Taylor moderated by Cynthia McFadden.
NOVUS Renewal
Come celebrate with RTA for a night of inspiration with Kenyatta Emmanuel, Darrian Bennett, Clarence Maclin, Charles Moore, Alfred Roberts, and Sherika Stewart as they share their stories through music, spoken word, and visual arts.
This is a FREE and OPEN TO PUBLIC event!
RSVP at rb.gy/1a6fzJ
Ales for Ambulances
Ukrainian Jersey City is having an annual fundraiser to raise money for one of our cornerstone initiatives, Ambulances for Ukraine, to purchase and ship ambulances/med-evacs to Ukrainian medics serving on the frontlines. To date, they have shipped 8 cars and our goal is to send 4 more this year!
Bring your friends and come join us for some deliciously crafted brews, unique souvenirs directly from Ukraine and a few fun surprises all while making a difference and supporting a worthwhile cause!
Homecoming
Join the RTA community – alumni, teaching artists, staff, board & advisory members – in welcoming home participants released in 2023-24.
Always a joyous occasion! Friends and family are welcome. Register by February 21st here.