Jennifer Iacovelli - Simple giving: easy ways to give every day

Give what you have. To someone, it may be better than you dare to think.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I admit it. I am an idealist and want to change the world. I want to leave it in a better place than when I first visited it. I want to donate my time, money, and voice to right the wrongs of the world. I want my kids to be solid citizens who give without hesitation because its the right thing to do.

In theory, who doesnt, right?

Yet many people think that only rich people can make a real difference. They question how a small donation can make any impact at all. Or maybe they just dont know where to start when it comes to giving back. My experience in the nonprofit world has shown me that a small contribution can make a big difference in someones life. And it doesnt always have to involve money or volunteer time. Sometimes, a simple gesture or voice of support is all thats needed.

Ive worked in the behavioral health field since 2004 and in addiction treatment since 2006. Specifically, my job has been to communicate the good work that organizations do to help people overcome substance abuse and mental health struggles in order to live better lives. Its a tough sell, because society doesnt always regard people with addiction and mental health problems highly. There is stigma attached, particularly with women. Not everyone wants to support a homeless, heroin-addicted woman who is pregnant and neglecting her toddler or a wealthy lawyer who drank away her practice and her family.

A women in her most desperate momentsometimes in an orange prison suit and shackleswalking through the doors of a treatment center is the most courageous thing I have witnessed in my career, to the point where I question whether I would have the courage to do the same.

One of the most valuable gifts you can give is the gift of support. I know this because I have seen the faces of women when they walk through those doorsunsure of the road ahead of them but desperate to get off the one they are oncompletely change due to the smile from the person at the front desk. They might be flanked by prison guards or looking like they havent slept or showered in days. Some might even still be drunk or high. But that first person smiling at you and welcoming you without judgment, despite all that youve done wrong prior to coming to that building, creates a changing point in your life.

My point with this storyand with this bookis that giving is more than just donating money or volunteering time. There are so many simple ways you can give back every day.

MY PULL TO GIVE

When I first started my blog, Another Jennifer, in February 2010, I was yearning for a creative outlet. I had been working in public communications in the nonprofit sector for about six years, and I was getting burnt out. The work was rewarding, but I found myself frustrated with my perceived lack of progress. I felt like I was always asking people for money to support our work or urging legislators not to cut funding or explaining the importance of treatment in general. And I was.

I found myself questioning why people didnt care more. Why didnt they understand that there were people out there who needed help? Of course, if you work in the nonprofit sector, you are constantly reminded of the need that is out there. When you are not aware of a problem in your community, then caring or helping is not on the priority list. Helping is simply not on the radar.

Frustrated, I started to explore the topic of philanthropyamong other thingson my blog. I started with the meaning of philanthropy. In one of my first giving-related blog posts, I wrote,