President’s Message: A Season for Gratitude!
Date:
Thursday, December 15, 2011 7:07 AM
Author:
Carolyn Dailey
A Season for Gratitude and Focusing on What We Do Best!
What could be better than an abundance of the Christmas Spirit of gratitude? We’re fortunate at Ascend to have a unique global perspective: we know how blessed we are, and what a privilege it is to be actively engaged in the wonderful work of changing lives, both at home and abroad! We are also very grateful for you, for your efforts and support, your understanding and love, as you help lift others.
We’re grateful that this year, through focusing on what we do best, we have been able to leverage our name and become even more of a humanitarian alliance...a strong force to support other humanitarian organizations through expeditions and internships. We've created new alliances, so our outreach—and your opportunities for service—are even greater. This includes expanding expeditions to support sustainable development in India, through our collaboration with Rising Star Outreach; in Cape Verde through our collaboration with the Ashby Foundation; and in Kenya through our collaboration with the Asante Foundation, to mention a few.
In broadening our reach, we have also enabled our Ascend in-country offices in South America to operate independently…a goal we have had for several years. As a result, Ascend Ecuador is expanding operations in Guamote and Riobamba in collaboration with FECD, a partner organization in Quito. Ascend Peru is focused on humanitarian programs and projects in collaboration with rural tourism in the Cuzco Region; and Ascend Bolivia is focused on business training and mentoring in the Santa Cruz area. We are pleased to have the opportunity to continue to collaborate with these Ascend organizations on expeditions, internships and projects.
We also feel fortunate to be expanding alliances in South America. For example, we have been collaborating with the Institute for Self Reliant Agriculture in Peru and Ecuador, and so have the opportunity to plan additional expeditions and internship opportunities with them.
As we count our blessings, we recognize we are privileged to serve and to be a resource to other development organizations. We also feel fortunate to be providing life-changing humanitarian experiences for you and others: for individuals, couples, families, businesses and groups.
It’s heart-warming to see wonderful results from our internship programs and expeditions as children smile, perspectives change, individuals, teams and communities become stronger, leadership skills are enhanced and participants (as well as beneficiaries) understand the value of giving back at a whole new level.
So, as you consider your plans for 2012, we hope you will go on an expedition if you can, or help us from home: serve with us at headquarters or remotely, volunteer your time and expertise, become a sponsor of our intern program, our expeditions, or associated projects; donate frequent flyer miles, property, goods or services; participate in our spring Gala Arts Fest. Discover (or rediscover) how good it feels to serve with Ascend! Let us know how we can make 2012 a life-changing year for you!
Warmly,
Carolyn G. Dailey, President / CEO
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