Are you feeling an urge to step into a new creative project? Do you see a need in your community? I have found that as we get closer to spring most people, including myself, start having an urge to change or improve things that are worn out or no longer working. I have noticed on Facebook and from my clients more people are contemplating starting projects that will improve their communities. Within the last 18 months, the Charleston area has three amazing projects that are helping people in the community live healthier and happier lives.
Have you heard of Reiki for Veterans, Destiny Community Café, and Barrier Island Free Medical Clinic? The people who started these nonprofit organizations had a dream to create something that would allow them to serve humanity. Reiki for Vets, was created because Allison and Will Brown who are passionate about providing enrolled disabled veterans a non-invasive option to heal old wounds. Their creative project began with learning reiki and sharing their healing abilities with others. Soon they found themselves providing a safe place where veterans can explore alternative healing practices. Allison and Will continue to build on their passion for sharing reiki healing practices and now teach and certify others in the reiki practice. Their creative project enables disabled veterans a free and drug free opportunity to move beyond their pain. Disabled veterans can receive reiki care in Goose Creek, SC VA Clinic, Ralph Johnson VA Hospital Charleston, Myrtle Beach VA Clinic, Hinesville, GA, Savannah, GA VA Clinics, and Saco, ME VA Clinic. The Reiki for Veterans is expanding every day.
Destiny Community Café recently opened in North Charleston. The Destiny Community Café is a place “Where you Pay-What-You-Can”. Their creative project was to create a place where people can feed their body and soul. It’s a great place to eat healthy homemade food, enjoy a loving community and be treated with dignity and respect. Their menu includes a variety of vegetables, main dishes with fish and chicken as well as yummy desserts. Everything is seasonal and fresh. The café volunteers to cook, cleanup, collect the food and serve the food. The café is helping the community become healthy.
But wait, there is more! The folks at Destiny Community Café listen to folks who walk in the door and will put out a call to the community for housing assistance, furniture, transportation, daycare and even employment opportunities. This creative idea is helping hundreds every month. Truly a blessing in North Charleston.
Barrier Island Free Medical Clinic is now open for business on Johns Island, SC. This clinic offers cost free care for low income uninsured adults who live or work on the Barrier Islands or serve Charleston’s downtown hospitality industry. They have an average of 450 patients per month. They educate the community on topics regarding healthy diets, prevention, and healthy lifestyles. The doctors, nurses and medical staff are certified medical professionals who volunteer. They have over 140 volunteers, doctors, nurses and support staff. The folks who created this project and who participate delivering high quality healthcare will not only meet your health needs, they will connect with you mind, body and soul. You will feel a sense of well being after spending time from these high vibe folks.
Now, back to you. Have you been thinking of creating a project or program that can change the world. What are you passionate about? Where do you see a gap in the world? All three of these creative projects started out as an idea. If you have been thinking about a project or you feel passionate about an idea, maybe it’s time to start your thoughts on paper. The best way to get start is to write about what you wish to achieve as though it is already done, already completed. Describe what the project or program looks like, feels like, and even consider who would be there to help you launch it into reality. I am sharing these nonprofits because it took dedication and teamwork to bring them into existence.
If you are daydreaming of how you would like to see the work become a better place, now is the time to act. Take time to visit a nonprofit and ask questions regarding how they made it work. Explore how they found the resources, the people and the partnerships. We are living in a time where there is a need to bring people together and create stronger healthier communities. People need people. We are meant to pull together and support one another in the weakest moments. I believe when we build strong communities we create a healthy environment for all to thrive, especially the next generation.
If you aren’t interested in creating something new on your own, consider volunteering for a nonprofit. All nonprofits needs volunteers to remain successful and to lift those with a heavy load to higher ground. We all are here with a unique set of gifts, if you have been wanting to share them without judgement from others, volunteer or start your own nonprofit. We need you, the community needs, and the world is waiting for you to shine. What is your unique gifts, creative project and how can you bring all of it into reality?
