Inspired by Her Mother, Volunteer Dedicates Life to Empowering Women

Mary Carter has always seen her mother, who immigrated to the United States with a third grade education, as her inspiration. While her life had always included volunteer work, it was eventually this inspiration that led her to dedicate her life of service to empowering and educating women.

She is currently the executive director of the Women’s Intercultural Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a place for women to learn and work together to develop their social, spiritual, economic and political potential.

The Center, located in Anthony, New Mexico, provides various services including training, workshops and alternative education. They have helped more than 3,000 women through programming focused on economic self-sufficiency and civic engagement, with a focus on helping Spanish speakers over the age of 50 becoming Naturalized U.S. Citizens.

Her duties as a volunteer include overseeing the management of the Women’s Intercultural Center, approving classes, training and recruiting volunteers, mentoring interns, meeting with participants, and coaching individuals on how to overcome barriers. Her tireless dedication to his work has even inspired her two sons – one is the technology director, and her younger son acts as a receptionist at The Center.

Mary believes it is important for others to give back because she says we are all interconnected. “If one person thrives, we all thrive,” she said. “There are many ways to contribute that don’t require money. You can share your knowledge and time. The best way for communities to blossom is to connect with others and volunteer.”

Witnessing participants evolve and move on from the Women’s Intercultural Center is the most rewarding part of her work. “Seeing women go into a better marriage, start their own business or get their education is rewarding,” she said. “Watching happiness realized brings me joy and makes it all worthwhile.”

As a volunteer, Mary says she has learned even though she can empathize with what an individual may be going through; she can’t walk in their shoes. “However, I can provide the tools and resources for them to select what is best and to be the stakeholder of their own lives,” she said.

Currently, Mary is working to design a Women’s Intercultural Center program to address the Centers for Disease Control’s adverse childhood experiences research. The program is expected to launch next year and will be a workshop to teach women how to heal from these experiences. She hopes the program will eventually be implemented statewide.

Mary wants others to realize that everything you do makes a difference. “Whether it is a smile or opening a door, you are making a difference. It doesn’t take much to impact someone’s life in a positive manner.”

Want to make a difference in your community like Mary? Visit All For Good for local volunteer opportunities.

Post written by Karen Cohen.

Baltimore Nurse Practitioner Opens Health Center and Shelter for Underserved Population

Chaplain Asma Inge-Hanif grew up poor, watching her grandmother die due to lack of access to proper healthcare. This inspired her to become a nurse practitioner and open her own health center where, she volunteers her services to the underserved and uninsured. Chaplain Hanif also provides volunteer health services in public schools.

In addition to her health services, Chaplain Hanif has cared for refugees, trafficking victims and female victims of domestic violence for more than 30 years. In 2007, she opened a home in order to shelter victims of domestic violence. 

She is known for hosting four signature volunteer events every year. The Chili Bowl Super Bowl Sunday is one where she serves hot bowls of chili and distributes toiletries to the homeless. She also participates in a local Red Nose Day where she adopts a local inner city school and distributes healthy snacks and gives small gifts to the students on the honor roll.

Chaplain Hanif also holds the annual community outreach programs, Back To School Health Fair for the homeless and uninsured, and the Love Thy Neighbor event where she distributes food pantry items and clothing to those in need.

What inspired you to volunteer?

My grandmother was a maid working for a wealthy doctor. She died of cancer because she didn’t receive the proper healthcare treatment due to her lack of status in society. My mom encouraged me to go to school to be a nurse to care for people like my grandmother who were in need.

Describe your volunteer role with Muslimat Al Nisaa Shelter and Muslimat Al Nisaa Healthy Solutions Wellness Ministry.

I am a nurse practitioner. I established my own health center and provide my health services without a salary. I do not turn away health care services to the uninsured and needy.  

I also opened a shelter for refugees, trafficking victims and female victims of domestic abuse. We help keep the women safe and provide a haven to allow them to heal until they are able to live independently. 

Why do you think it’s important for others to give back?  

I don’t know anybody who has ever accomplished anything in life when somebody didn’t help them. In this life, if you remove random acts of kindness from society, all you have left is selfish, uncaring individuals, and who wants to live in that world?

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?

During my life, if I can help somebody along the way, than my life hasn’t been in vain. I want to make a difference in the life of others. It is rewarding to pay it forward.

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?

I have learned to be the change you want to see in the world. There will always be people who are in need and there will always be people who can give. I have also learned that in a desire to help others you can become overwhelmed. You need to take into consideration there is only so much you can do. I have learned to admit that I can’t be all things to all people.

Are there any future partnerships, programs, or events that you are excited about?

I have learned that the money raised doesn’t always trickle down to help local inner city kids. Every year, I adopt a school and secure donations. On Red Nose day, I go to the school and distribute healthy snacks and give small gifts to kids on the honor roll as an incentive to work hard.

What do you want people to learn from your story?

A lot of times people think they can’t make a difference. I came from a very poor background. However, it doesn’t matter where you come from – you can follow your dreams. I wouldn’t have thought I could have done these things, but my parents didn’t allow me to be discouraged. It makes you feel good to help others.

Want to make a difference in your community like Asma? Visit All For Good for local volunteer opportunities.

Post written by Karen Cohen.

California Mom Involves Tiny Tots in Good Deeds

Kelly Kwan grew up the daughter of a single mom with five kids on a teacher’s salary. Times were often tight, but people in her community helped her family out. Kelly remembers a particular Christmas when a member of her community made sure her family had presents under the tree.

That type of giving made Kelly want to one day raise her own family to give to others just as she had received from others in times of need. When she had a daughter of her own, she didn’t know what the right age was to start involving her in community service. At two years old, her daughter started asking questions about why people slept in the park near their home in downtown Los Angeles. That’s when she decided the time was right.

As a way to not only expose her daughter to homelessness, but also learn the value of giving back, Kelly started contacting shelters for volunteer opportunities and found out her daughter was too young. While she understood from the shelter’s perspective, she didn’t like sending the message to her daughter that she was too young to make a difference.

Kelly decided to develop a solution. Since she couldn’t take her daughter to organizations to volunteer, she would bring community service projects to her. She founded Good SamariTots, a nonprofit providing opportunities for young children to engage in community service and age-appropriately exposing them to social issues. Projects include making cards for seniors, making care packages for deployed soldiers and the homeless, cleaning up parks, packing backpacks for families in need, making treats for animals in shelters and visiting nursing homes.

Chapter meetings typically involve reading a book on a topic that illustrates a social issue or focuses on compassion and then involving the kids in a community service project.

Currently, Good SamariTots has seven chapters; five in California, one in Arizona and one in New York. In addition to serving as the founder and executive director of the organization, Kelly is also the chapter lead of South Pasadena. She says more chapters are expected in years to come.

Kelly thinks it is important for people to get outside their own bubble and see how everyone has so much in common.

“When you help people, you realize how blessed we truly are,” Kelly said. “It is important to provide opportunities for children to help others at an early age so it becomes a normal part of life. By exposing kids to social issues and helping them develop empathy, we create a world in the next generation that is less focused on themselves.”

On a personal level, Kelly says seeing her daughter, now five, care about homelessness has been rewarding. “She understands and is thinking about homelessness and wants to help people,” Kelly said. “She has lots of service project ideas, including teething and pull toys for their babies.”

Kelly says it is also rewarding to see how many other families share her desire to get children involved in volunteering and making them socially aware at an early age. She says as a volunteer, she has learned she receives a much bigger reward than she gives.

“I want people to know kids can do a lot of things and they want to help – give them that chance.”

Want to make a difference in your community like Kelly? Visit All For Good for local volunteer opportunities.

Post written by Karen Cohen.

Firefighter Installs Free Smoke Detectors in Homes

Ever since Mario D’Ambrosio was a kid, he dreamed of being a firefighter. His dream came true on the day he volunteered to join his local Matamoras fire department. “They took me in like family,” Mario said.

Mario became highly involved because of his deep desire to help others. His first year in the fire department, Mario was appointed as fire prevention coordinator and by his second year, he was appointed as fire rescue captain.

“Volunteer work to me is something I love to do. I have a passion for making a difference, if I change one person’s life, it makes me happy,” Mario said. “I am a volunteer firefighter and would do anything to help someone.”

His volunteer role with the Matamoras Fire Department includes responding to emergency fire calls, at all hours of the day. He is also responsible for cleaning the fire trucks and fire station. In addition to his duties at the station, he is involved in community outreach, which includes running fire prevention events at schools. “My main goal at a prevention event is to teach kids not to be afraid of firefighters when they come to your home,” he said.

Mario thinks it is important for others to give back because he says life is more than money, it’s about making a difference and spreading cheer. “If people knew how well it makes you feel, I think more people would do it,” Mario shares. “People need to give back more.”

After seeing a lot of homes that didn’t have smoke detectors, Mario teamed up with the American Red Cross, which offers up to three, free 10-year, no battery smoke detectors per residence.

Mario personally drives the fire truck to the homes and installs the smoke detectors. Through the program the fire department has installed more than 90 detectors. “This is rewarding to me. I feel like I am making a change doing this and I know it can save a life.”

Through his experience as a volunteer, not only has he been trained as a firefighter, but has also developed better communication skills. “I experience something new every day, and learn how to respond,” he says. “You never know what kind of call you may get as a firefighter.”

He wants other people to learn from his story to get involved and volunteer. “Go out and help people. Volunteer and take the initiative to go to your local non-profit organization and help.”

Want to make a difference in your community like Mario? Visit All For Good for local volunteer opportunities.

Post written by Karen Cohen.

Self-Taught Techie Inspires Girls to Pursue STEM Careers

Laine Powell is a self-taught techie. While her brother built her first computer when she attended the University of Florida (UF), she watched and learned, beginning to read computer science books. Her curiosity was further piqued when she met her boyfriend (now husband) in college, who was double majoring in computer science and electrical engineering. As Laine attended tech and engineering events with him, she noticed that the diversity among the women attending was severely lacking. It inspired her to find a way to motivate young girls to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers.

She founded Tech Sassy Girlz (TSG), a nonprofit organization based in Orlando, Florida. Its goal is to provide girls from grades 6 – 12 with exposure and access to the STEM fields through college preparation, career readiness, events, mentoring and hands-on learning experiences.

“With only 26 percent of women making up the computing workforce, it is imperative to cultivate young girls to aspire to be innovators, makers, entrepreneurs and pioneers of the future,” said Laine.

As the founder of Tech Sassy Girlz, Laine’s responsibilities include fundraising, grant writing, hiring staff, recruiting volunteers, mentoring girls, partnering with schools, developing industry partnerships and planning events, such as the annual hackathon and Tech Sassy Girlz Day conference.

“Technology is a great equalizer. It is in every industry and it is our responsibility to make sure girls aren’t left behind,” she said. “To date, TSG has awarded 14 scholarships totaling over $28,000 and logged more than 1,000 volunteer hours touching the lives of more than 700 middle and high school girls.”

She says the most rewarding part of her volunteer work is going into a workshop when the girls look at her nervously thinking that they can’t code or build a website, game or application and then by the time they have left, they have built something incredible — because they tried and were open to the experience. “To see their enthusiasm and excitement is icing on the cupcake for me,” Laine says.

Through her experience, Laine has learned you are never too young to learn. “If you invest time, empathy and care with these girls, you can accomplish a lot,” she said. “It is important to give back in your community and make a change.”

She is very excited about their newest program, Pearls in Tech, which will provide online classes such as digital literacy and information technology for Tech Sassy Girlz high school juniors and seniors. “We are grateful for the partnerships we have formed to make this happen and look forward to kicking off the program later this summer.”

Laine says that she hopes people learn from her story — that you don’t have to have Bill Gates money to inspire the lives of girls interested in STEM. “You need a vision, a plan and people around you to help you accomplish your goals.”

Laine says the quote by Shirley Chisholm, an educator, author and the first African-American woman elected to the United States Congress, sums up her inspiration to volunteer, “Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth.”

Want to make a difference in your community like Laine? Visit All For Good for local volunteer opportunities.

Post written by Karen Cohen.

Pennsylvania Teen Helps Raise more than $15,000 for Youth Cadet Camp

During the summer of 2015, Beth Felix attended the Cambria County Camp Cadet (CCCC) program. The camp, in Cresson, Pennsylvania, is free of charge and staffed by troopers and other volunteers with the goal to establish a positive relationship with law enforcement. The camp teaches participants about discipline, self-esteem, teamwork and addresses many other issues today’s youth are facing.

Beth’s experience was deeply impactful, and she returned from the camp with a deeper understanding of the world and wanted to make a difference in the community. As a result, she started a letter writing campaign to support the CCCC program. To date, her efforts have totaled $15,875.00 in raised funds.

Throughout the year, Beth works on letter writing campaigns to fundraise, market and raise awareness for the organization at community festivals. She also attends fundraising events, community awareness programs and community ceremonies. Before the camp begins, Beth volunteers to help prep for the annual week-long camp and during the camp she volunteers as a senior mentor to the campers.

During the summer and holidays, she also volunteers at the Winners’ Circle Basketball Academy coordinating and planning clinics and educational events at the Greater Johnstown Community YMCA for the community kids.

She thinks it is important for others to give back because she believes it is a part of building communities to have people taking responsibilities for their actions to make improvements. “No matter how small each contribution is, they all make a difference and can lead to big changes in the long run,” says Beth.

In addition to her volunteer work with the CCCC, she has co-founded two organizations with her brother, H.E.L.P. (Heroin Epidemic Lifeline Program), in partnership with Peniel Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center, and the 10,000 Bibles Campaign. “Our goal is to give 10,000 bibles to local youth organizations to reach children who might not otherwise be able to go to church.”

Beth says the most rewarding part of her work has been hearing the responses of those she has helped and seeing how small changes in a person’s life can make a huge impact. 

“I recently had a church contact me about obtaining bibles for one of their programs in Haiti,” Beth said. “It is hard to believe that a program we started such a short time ago is already going to be affecting people internationally.”

Through service, Beth says she has learned the big picture and purpose in her life. “I’ve learned that life isn’t about me, myself and I,” she said. “Instead, it is more faith first, others second, and me third.”

She hopes that others can learn from her story to listen to their heart when they are called to make a difference. “It will be the most rewarding and joyful time of your life knowing that you can make a difference in your community. If I can do it, I know anybody can.”

Want to make a difference in your community like Beth? Visit All For Good for local volunteer opportunities.

Post written by Karen Cohen.

A Saxophonist Makes ‘Music Sweet Music’ for Kids with Illnesses and Disabilities

As a professional saxophonist, Ted Wagner has always had a passion for music. In an effort to give back, 20 years ago, he became a volunteer at All Children’s hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he was paired with a music therapist. At the time, he wasn’t even sure what a music therapist did.

Together, he would enter a room with the music therapist to a bunch of nervous, quiet and very sick children, many of whom were still connected to their IV poles. As the music therapist began, Ted saw the kids light up, captivated by the experience. The encounter inspired him to learn more about music therapy. “I saw the value music therapy brought the kids in the hospital setting,” said Ted.

He conducted more in-depth research into music therapy and realized it was more than entertainment, it was actual medicine. Music therapists are certified professionals who assess emotional well-being, physical health, social functioning, communication abilities and cognitive skills through musical responses and design musical sessions based on a patient’s needs. Ted began to inquire what happened to the patients who left the hospital and still needed music therapy and learned there was no organization in the area that provided this service to children outside the hospital.

After a discussion with his wife in 2001, he founded Music Sweet Music, a nonprofit providing music therapy services to children with illnesses, disabilities and disorders. Ted’s role with the organization includes acting as president, fundraising to pay the salaries for the contracted music therapists and spreading awareness of the benefits of music therapy. Ted does not receive a salary, any money that is raised goes to hiring board certified music therapists.

Ted comes from a family of volunteers and he thinks everybody can and should give back. He says the most rewarding part of volunteer work is interacting with the kids and seeing the smiles on their faces when they are engaged in music.

“I think that if everyone got involved in their community, it would make the world a much better place,” he said. “I don’t believe you are a complete person until you have given back.”

Ted is excited about the growth and acceptance of music therapy. Music Sweet Music will be opening a music therapy studio at its offices soon. “We’ve also been contacted by other Tampa Bay area hospitals about our music therapy program.”

Ted’s passion for music has led him down a 17-year path of helping others. “I want people to learn from my story that whatever your passion is to share it with others.”

Want to make a difference in your community like Ted? Visit All For Good for local volunteer opportunities.

Post written by Karen Cohen.

Malibu Teen Outfits LA’s Homeless with New Clothes and New-found Confidence

After touring a California shelter for homeless LGBT youth when he was 14, Dillon Eisman learned that their greatest need was clothing for job interviews and school. He noticed most of the donated clothes were out of style and in poor condition. As a teenager himself, he knew how clothes helped one’s self-confidence and wanted to do something about it.

He decided he would teach himself how to sew. Using a bag of clothes his Mom was donating, her sewing machine and online tutorial videos on the internet, he began to turn the old worn out clothes into stylish garments. He started delivering his new designs to the shelter and instantly saw how it uplifted the teen’s self-esteem and spirits.

Dillon’s idea has grown, and he now operates Sew Swag, Inc., his nonprofit that turns donated clothes into fashionable outfits for Los Angeles’ homeless. His one man operation collaborates with other nonprofits, churches and homeless organizations to distribute his upcycled clothes to those in need.

Dillon will often partner with another nonprofit, Project Ropa, and follow the Lava Mae mobile shower truck schedule to set up a rack of re-designed clothes next to the truck. After the homeless have had a chance to shower, they can pick a new outfit off Dillon’s rack. Dillon also brings his rack of newly embellished donated clothes to other homeless shelters, where he has developed special relationships and even created customized pieces for them.

Through Sew Swag Inc., Dillon hopes to bring attention to the growing population of homeless youth and help people transition off the streets by building confidence through fashion. 

What inspired you to volunteer?

While I was touring a LGBT youth homeless center, I noticed the lack of quality clothing necessary for job interviews and school. I was inspired to take the problem and transform it into a solution. I wanted to take the old donated clothes and upcycle them into trendy outfits that would build their self-confidence for work opportunities and school to help transition them off the streets.

Describe your volunteer role with Sew Swag Inc.  

I am the chief executive officer of Sew Swag Inc. I pre-design and sew all the clothes. I also physically distribute the clothes to the homeless on a weekly basis. I often partner with shelters, nonprofits, churches and retail companies as well.

Why do you think it’s important for others to give back?

I think it is important for others to give back because it encourages you to pursue new avenues and experiences. Volunteering helps to broaden your viewpoint on other issues facing our society. I think people can find something they are passionate about and use it to help others.  

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?

The most rewarding part has been seeing firsthand the impact my work has had on people. I have helped certain individuals for a couple of years and watched them successfully come off the street into houses and have jobs. Being able to be a part of that journey has been rewarding. Knowing that they have regained some confidence because of some of the clothes I have made is gratifying. I am proud to have been part of their successful journey.

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?

I have learned that the stereotypes of homeless are untrue. Even when I first started volunteering, I had an image in my mind of homeless people that they lacked work ethic or were mentally ill, etc. However, what I have found is many want to work and want to be in school, but they have come under unfortunate circumstances. It reminded me not to judge a book by its cover. At our core, we are all humans trying to make the most out of life.

Are there any future partnerships, programs, or events that you are excited about?

We have recently partnered with Abercrombie and Fitch. They give me store credit every quarter to spend at their outlet location in Ontario Mills, thereby providing Sew Swag, Inc. with new merchandise for donating. Having the support of such a large company is very exciting and demonstrates commitment to both sustainability and corporate social responsibility

I will be attending college at Washington University in St. Louis in the fall, where I plan on bringing Sew Swag, Inc. with me to campus and the communities in Missouri. I plan on minoring in Business of Social Impact, which will allow me to continue my exploration in social entrepreneurship.

What do you want people to learn from your story? 

I want young people to go out and use their passion to contribute to the community.

Want to make a difference in your community like Dillon? Visit All For Good for local volunteer opportunities.

Post written by Karen Cohen.

Former Banker Teaches Financial Literacy to At-Risk Girls

For more than 25 years, Liz Mockler worked as an executive in the banking industry as a change manager and certified financial planner. Now, she is leveraging her professional background to help teen moms, the homeless and trafficking survivors learn practical financial literacy skills to help them build their financial independence.

She developed core program material that was unique and relevant for their life. Topics include basic banking and borrowing information, learning about credit reports, background checks, renting, taxes, goals and budgeting. The 90-minute workshops include both hands on activities and discussions.

Liz has spent more than 2,000 hours over the past three years teaching these important life skills. She also has a team of volunteers helping to develop the content.

We recently talked to Liz to find out what inspired her to volunteer and learn about some exciting new initiatives with Foundation For Girls.

I was brought up in a household where I was taught to be a good community citizen. I volunteered as a little kid at my school and church. Once I was out of school, I volunteered as a tutor within schools for underprivileged kids. I have always been involved in community service.

Describe your volunteer role with Foundation For Girls.

I developed a financial literacy program for teen moms, homeless youths and trafficking survivors. I also lead the workshops and work on new initiatives for Foundation For Girls. This is my full-time volunteer job.

Why do you think it’s important for others to give back?  

We are all part of a larger community. Being able to help lift people up will make a stronger community. Giving back is also personally very rewarding and it is important to look at the broader world. We all have different gifts and talents we can give. Volunteering is easy and feels good. I always say if one person benefits, it has been a good day. We can all do our own small part to help our community.

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?

I find fulfillment from creating things from scratch. Also, it is rewarding when I see my work as a volunteer make a difference with a client. Recently, I was working with a human trafficking survivor at a career workshop. She had surrendered herself to being in an unsatisfying career, because that was the only way she had ever known. After going through the skills assessment, we were able to uncover other avenues and opportunities she was excited about. It is moments like those that are great and rewarding. 

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?

I come from a fortunate background. I have learned through my experience as a volunteer that many people have ended up in their situation just by a stroke of bad luck. This has taught me not to make assumptions about people. Everyone is human and deserves to be treated with dignity and worth. When you treat someone with dignity, warmth and respect, they can do great things.

Are there any future partnerships, programs, or events that you are excited about?

We will be expanding our financial literacy program this fall to the refugee community. Currently, we offer our technology program to refugee kids and we are excited to launch financial content to their parents and offer it in English, Spanish and Hindi.

In addition, I have spent the past year working on HOURZ. This is a mobile application that connects hourly workers with employment opportunities. This will help our at-risk clients and those served by other local non-profits find employment opportunities, as well as benefit the local business community. I have been working to develop the app, build-out the operations, and get employers engaged in the app. Any profit made from HOURZ will go directly back toward funding Foundation For Girls programs. 

What do you want people to learn from your story?

Everybody has skills they can offer and share with others. Take a chance and do it.

Want to make a difference in your community like Liz? Visit All For Good for local volunteer opportunities.

This post was written by Karen Cohen.

Houston Mom Promotes Autism Spectrum Acceptance through Social Media Page

Having two children with dyslexia, Denise Schauder understands the challenges parents often face when navigating learning disabilities. She decided to start a Facebook page to illustrate children were much more than just the diagnosis of dyslexia. She asked parents to send photos of their child and list three of their strengths, and would then create a Facebook post for each child with their photo and their positive attributes. The response was encouraging.

Every day, Denise’s inbox was full of new photos, but she also had requests to start other pages to support other causes. Denise decided the next endeavor she would devote her efforts to would be autism, as she knew several students at her daughter’s school on the spectrum and knew that all parents had the same goal – for their kids to be happy.

On the Happy Faces of Autism Facebook page, Denise posts happy photos of children, teens and adults on the autism spectrum to promote autism acceptance and, most importantly, to make people smile. “It is very important to me to keep the page pure and simple, a celebration of each individual happy face,” Denise said.

Now, four years later, Happy Faces of Autism has more than 82,000 followers. During Autism Awareness Month last year, the Happy Faces of Autism posts reached more than two million people on Facebook.

For Denise, the most rewarding part of the project has been the connections she has made with the families all around the world. “It is so rewarding for me to be able to touch so many families in a positive way,” she said.

Denise believes it is important for others to give back because people are too wrapped up in their own personal lives and need to make time for others. “People are struggling and giving back makes you appreciate how lucky you are,” she shared. “Impacting someone else’s life can make you happy.”

She has learned through her experience as a volunteer that despite her best intentions, there will always be people who are negative, especially on social media. “As with all internet-based projects, there is that small percentage of haters and self-promoters that infiltrate my happy pages,” Denise says. “But since I think I am the ‘Boss of Happiness,’ I just delete and block any haters.”

Her hope is one day to have other volunteers who can help her with Happy Faces of Autism. She started two additional autism pages, Friends of Happy Faces (for family, friends and fans) and Happy Faces of Autism: Birthday Bash (for birthday posts) and could use volunteers to help her maintain the pages. She would also like to take her Happy Faces of Autism photos and add individual stories for a digital magazine or book.

For now, Denise is focused on showing kids on the autism spectrum being happy. “I want people to learn from my story that all kids and families are different — just accept them and focus on the positive. Also, the idea that social media can introduce and unite people around the world on a topic such as autism and make a positive impact seems miraculous to me.”

Want to make a difference in your community like Denise? Visit All For Good for local volunteer opportunities.

This post was written by Karen Cohen.