Grow to Strength Inc Humanitarian Relief Organization

Every year we go in search of people who have made a difference in the lives of their local community, the community at large and Internationally We do this to honor them for the positive impact on the world around them.  They did not need to do something internationally it simply means that we put the word out internationally that we were looking for people who make a difference in a positive way simply because they could and decided to.

In 2010 we received 54 nominations world wide. This year 2011 which we are referring to "The Year of the Youth and Family" we received over 100 nominations more  are still arriving.  Receiving the nominations are the easy part we then have to begin the process of narrowing down the potential nominees, research them, interview them to see if they are even interested in being a potential nominee. conduct backgrounds on their lives and then verify what they had actually done, Then the Committee of 11 meets and votes on the nominees.

This year since we have received such a large response we are still in the process of interviewing and clearing potential nominees. So stay tuned for our announcement.

Why we recognize  people who serve others?

This is a very simple question. So that more people will see that they too can make a difference. Sometimes people think I could never do that or How did they do that? At Grow to Strength Inc.  We believe that it is what we do that counts not what we think should be done.

How many times have I been asked ....Why do you do this?  Why do you do that?  Why there?  Why not here?  I know why I do it!  I've been called to it.  I remember in fourth grade I wanted to go to on a Easter Vacation trip and dig some wells for people in America who had no running water.  My question that I ask myself today is what took me so long to do this?   I remember the moment that I knew I was going to do something then life happened and I forgot.  but I am here now  It just took me too long to get to it.  So ask yourself WHAT AM I DOING?  DO I DO ENOUGH?  Then own your answer and be true to it.

Grow to Strength Inc is a small organization that started out with an after school program and in 2010 in Brooklyn NY. Due to situations in the world we regrouped reincorporated and we Grew to an International Humanitarian relief organization just one grain of rice at a time.  We listen to people and ask how can we help?  We wait to be invited to help.  Then we did the best we can and hoped that someone's life is make just a little easier for what we do. Sadly sometimes we can't help he situation, it may be beyond our ability or it is too dangerous for our volunteers. In those cases we sadly decline  We want to celebrate lives and the people who make life just a little easier for others.  We want to stand up and say thank you to the people who gave of themselves and expected nothing in return.  We wanted to thank them for being themselves and in the process hope that others will see I CAN MAKE A DIFFERANCE TOO. So that is what we do once a year we recognize people who make a difference and say THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU AND DOING WHAT YOU DO.

Our organization is a volunteer organizations.  No one is paid and in fact when traveling on relief work it is required that each person pays their own way and expenses. Ninety-five percent of donations we receive are used on projects and the other 5% is used to under write some of out administration costs. To be on our Board or our committees you need an open heart, a willingness to do what needs to be done and your own supplies : )

We will continue to do what we can, where we can and hope that we reach people in need and fulfil that need.  That is really all it is about for us.  Where or how can we help?  Researching if we really can help then figuring out how we can then in fact do it.  We can't do everything and some days we feel as if we have not done enough..we know that the day will come or maybe it has  already come and then maybe that we  made a difference.  We do nothing without the unconditional commitment and dedication of our volunteers and the support of the people who see what we do and offer to help.

It is just that simple!  So why you ask someone why do you do what you do maybe the question should be I am doing what I see and fell needs to be done?