UPLIFTERS - RESOURCES
The Lifting Up Of Others
If you follow “the news” these days, it’s easy to feel discouraged. It’s not hard to feel lost by the facts of climate change, the pandemic, political upheaval, and the war in Ukraine. Despite the heartbreak we feel for the sufferings of countless innocent people, for the existential threat to our planet, there is reason to hope.
In the 1980s, 44% of the world’s population lived in extreme poverty. Today, that number is less than 10%. Despite the pandemic, life has become a lot more livable for millions of people. On average, every day, somewhere in the world, about 295,000 people gain electricity for the first time. Every day, 305,000 people get clean drinking water for the first time. Every day, immunizations save around 6,800 lives. More people are safer, healthier, and longer living than ever before.
Thank God for the people lifting others up: above poverty, starvation, crisis, and neglect. Many do their lifting quietly, because they’re modest and self-motivated.
Let’s acknowledge and celebrate these people working to improve the lives of all. Their intelligence, hard work, dedication, and commitment defines them as heroes. They are the true forces for good. We at Force For Good salute all uplifters who are making the world a better place.
“The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion.”—Paulo Coelho
“True strength is measured not by who you beat down. It is measured by who you lift up.”—Kamala Harris
“We know only too well that what we are doing is nothing more than a drop in the ocean. But if the drop were not there, the ocean would be missing something.”-–Mother Teresa
“In the course of history, there comes a time when humanity is called to shift to a new level of consciousness, to reach a higher moral ground. A time when we have to shed our fear and give hope to each other. That time is now.”—Wangari Maathai
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”—Helen Keller
“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”
Here are some excellent organizations working to reduce the use of single-use plastic and encourage better recycling programs.
Brother’s Brother Foundation Featured in our August 2022 FFG Newsletter, Brother’s Brother Foundation helps bridge the gap between aid and sustainability by supporting localized programs and providing essential resources in the areas of Healthcare, Infrastructure, Disaster Response, and Education. Jonathan’s Peddie high school classmate, Tom Wentling is chair of the Board of Trustees, so we can vouch for their excellence and legitimacy!
The Carter Center wages peace, fights disease, and builds hope.
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation believes all lives have equal value. They are impatient optimists working to reduce inequality.
The John Templeton Foundation has a vision to become a global catalyst for discoveries that contribute to human flourishing. Their purpose is to enable people to create lives of purpose and meaning.
The Pew Charitable Trusts is a global nongovernmental organization established in 1948 that seeks to improve public policy, inform the public, and invigorate civic life.
The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission awards the Carnegie Medal to individuals in the United States and Canada who risk their lives to an extraordinary degree saving or attempting to save the lives of others. Featured on 60 Minutes, this charitable organization is always accepting nominations of civilian heroes who saved or attempted to save a person in peril.
“The only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.”
The Obama Foundation has a mission to inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world.
Horizon Empower the Orphaned is a non-profit with operations in Guatemala, Kenya, and a mission to dramatically transform the way orphaned children are cared for. They look at each child as an individual with unique needs. They develop a unique path to rescue, restore, and empower each child to a life of self-sustainability.
The Uplifting Society offers personal growth and development for youth through classroom instructions, practical exercise, and encouragement.
“A man of humanity is one who...desiring attainment for himself, helps others to attain.”
Here are three awesome companies doing lots of uplifting:
The people at Watchtower Robotics have invented a robot that travels through water pipes detecting leaks. This company finds leaks, saves water, and protects infrastructure. “We can provide 20% more water globally just by fixing leaks” because 20% of clean water is lost to leaks across the world.
CEO Erin Rothman at Storm Sensor says storm runoff is the #1 source of urban water pollution. United States cities produce 32 trillion gallons of runoff every year. She says they can fix this now by installing hundreds of low-cost sensors, analyzing where problems are, and replacing old infrastructure.
This Fish, Inc. is a leader in seafood traceability and production software that improves business efficiency and increases trust and accuracy in supply chain data. Their mission is to improve the social, environmental, and financial sustainability of the seafood industry.
“Life’s persistent and most urgent question is “What are you doing for others?”