David Erickson is providing homeless drug- and alcohol-addicted people with a community-based recovery and housing system. Through Washington D.C.-based Samaritan Inns, individuals gain access to recovery support services and practical, affordable drug- and alcohol-free housing that fosters increasing levels of healthy independence. At the organization’s five-and-a-half-year mark, 97 percent of the alumni are drug and alcohol free. Samaritan Inns is developing partnerships in Milwaukee, Baltimore and Jacksonville, Fla.
Amy Barzach created Boundless Playgrounds in Bloomfield, Conn., because disabled children were not able to access most playgrounds and thus were excluded from interacting with kids who didn’t have physical, developmental or sensory disabilities. Boundless Playgrounds challenges cultural stereotypes and industry regulations to create a more inclusive vision of public playgrounds. By understanding the diverse needs of kids with different kinds of disabilities, Boundless Playgrounds has created play environments where children of all abilities can play together.
Via his Committee to Democratize Information Technology, Rodrigo Baggio has created a network of more than 200 self-managed schools in the urban slums of Brazil. Thus far, some 60,000 at-risk youngsters have received computer and Internet training. In bridging the so-called digital divide, the organization has opened up job opportunities for many young Brazilians. The initiative is expanding as schools are opening in Japan, Columbia, Mexico and Uruguay with partners such as AOL, Microsoft, Starmedia and the InterAmerican Bank.
Kevin Long launched Global Deaf Connection in Minneapolis. Through the group, he provides opportunities for deaf people in developing countries who have not had the education, encouragement or assistance needed to succeed. Global Deaf Connection combines multi-cultural exchange, support and mentoring programs to help ensure that deaf students do well in school. The organization then helps deaf professionals who have completed their education to obtain meaningful work, often in schools for the deaf, where they can continue the cycle of support and success.
Dianna Ortiz formed the Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition in Washington, D.C. The group helps the healing process for torture survivors so that they can regain their sense of trust and community. Survivors are empowered to lead and become powerful voices in the international campaign to end torture. Ortiz’s strategy focuses on reconnecting survivors to their communities and in doing so they can influence, through education and lobbying, the institutions and individuals that help to shape national and international policies on torture.
Ortiz, Long, Baggio, Barzach and Erickson are all Ashoka Fellows. For the past 22 years, Ashoka has provided funding and support to social entrepreneurs worldwide to develop and implement ideas that positively impact local communities.
Ashoka is the charity selected by the Cannes Do fundraising organization that was formed in October 2003 by leading members of the commercialmaking community. These include Robert Campbell, managing director of Outsider, London; James Studholme, managing director of Blink, London; and Robert Campbell, U.K. executive creative director of McCann-Erickson. Maria Carbonara, a former producer at Leo Burnett, Milan, joined the team as project coordinator.
Cannes Do’s goal is to raise money in the advertising community that will benefit a worldwide charity. The organization hopes to get each person taking part in this year’s International Advertising Festival in Cannes, France, to donate $60 or more to Cannes Do, which in turn will give the proceeds to Ashoka.
Those interested in more info about the initiative and helping to spread the word throughout the industry should log onto a newly launched Web site, www.cannesdo.org.
A number of industry people—from the agency and production house sectors—have already committed to supporting this first year program. Cannes Do would like this to be the beginning of an annual charitable fundraising effort tied to the International Advertising Festival.
For more info on Ashoka, log onto www.ashoka.org.
