Volunteer Vacations

Travel hungry? You want to see new places but may be challenged by
• no companion
• little money
• fear of the unknown

Here is your answer: volunteering vacations. The popularity of giving back and helping others has grown in the last few years. Think about the devastation of New Orleans and the ongoing havoc in Haiti. Connect your interest with a location and pack those bags!

Here are 9 good reasons to consider traveling with purpose.

1. Help out others in need
2. Get away but still feel productive
3. Stay close to home or travel to the farthest corners
4. Applauded for the service you donate
5. Save money while still seeing a new area
6. Network with a different community
7. Create new friendships with like-minded travelers

8. Enjoy the security of being in a group
9. Build your resume

If you are looking to do something a bit more philanthropic with those vacation days, a volunteer vacation is a great opportunity to get away while still giving back. Additionally, many of these trips (particularly domestically) are reasonably priced. Some vacations offer stipends, but the majority of trips are financed by the volunteer. However, other benefits can include free (or discounted) lodging or food. There are volunteer opportunities all over the US and worldwide – find a location that appeals to you and research volunteer projects in that area.

Here are a few websites that can take you to places with purpose & passion:

http://charityguide.org/volunteer/vacations.htm
http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/work/volunteer/index.shtml

Happy travels!

Eighth Event of 2010 for Women of the World

Learn about a new way you change your life and make a positive change in the world.

Volunteers:
“Service to Others is the Rent you pay for Your Room Here on Earth”

Wednesday, August 18, 2010
8:00 am – 9:30 am
Mid-America Club

Featuring:

Patricia Vile: Volunteer Expeditions
Mary Gomez: Coordinator External Relations, Transport Team, Children’s Memorial Hospital
Additional speaker to be announced


“What in the world can I do to make a difference?” Help build a home, tutor a child, clean up a local park, and assist in natural disaster recovery. Whatever your interest, there is a need for your time, passion and skills. Volunteering changes lives, especially your own. These speakers will take us to the work in progress and desperately needed assistance in both Haiti and New Orleans. “There is no ‘I’ in Team but there is a ‘U’ in Volunteer!”

Striving For an End to Domestic Violence

Women of the World’s “Violence Against Women- Shout it Out & Stop it Now” panel is July 21, just days away. We wanted to put the spotlight on another organization that stands up for the rights of women through advocacy, education and awareness in order to decrease domestic violence - Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women’s Network. With the vision of “working toward a future where domestic violence and oppression are eradicated and where women and children are safe in their homes,” the Network’s goals are closely aligned with Women of the World. We enthusiastically applaud their efforts as they raise awareness and create programs to eliminate violence against women.

Begun in 1980 by a modest group of women, the organization has grown rapidly. Their impact allows for CMBWN to touch a variety of issues in need of social change and support. They strongly “believe in a woman’s right to determination in all aspects of her life, and that living free from violence is a basic human right.” This conviction creates momentum - CMBWN continues to increase the number of volunteers, programs, members and sponsors. A variety of committees serve specific issues and groups such as the Children & Teen Issues Committee, Women of Color Committee and Legal & Legislative Issues Committee. As part of advocacy and education, the Network provides statistics and information on domestic violence locally and globally. CMBWN gives Chicagoans a chance to give back and assist in ending a frightening epidemic of marginalizing women through violence.

CMBWN offers a Centralized Training Institute where they “prepare participants to effectively respond and deliver quality services to victims of domestic violence and their children.” This training speaks to the long-term mission of the Network to eradicate violence, since the ability of people to respond and assist effectively helps to reduce and end domestic violence as it occurs. The Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women’s Network is a place where advocates, victims, organizations, and government affiliates can all unite under a common goal. We are proud to financially support the Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women’s Network at Fashion Face Forward on Oct 14, 2010 at the Mid-America Club in Chicago.

Violence Against Women: A Pervasive Pandemic

Trekking the city streets of Chicago, one can easily get lost in the world of fast-paced business. Day in day out, the illusion of safety prevails. It is easy to forget that not every woman is so lucky as to be living and working in a life free from violence. In fact, 1 in 5 women are touched by some sort of domestic violence.

Violence against women affects millions each year and oftentimes is inflicted by a family member, friend, or close acquaintance. While there are instances of violent acts being reported, publicized, tried, or stopped, far too many women are paralyzed by fear and shame to speak up. Only half the acts of domestic violence are reported to the police.

In a 10-country study on women's health and domestic violence conducted by the World Health Organization,
o Between 15% and 71% of women reported physical or sexual violence by a husband or partner.
o Many women said that their first sexual experience was not consensual. (24% in rural Peru, 28% in Tanzania, 30% in rural Bangladesh, and 40% in South Africa).
o Between 4% and 12% of women reported being physically abused during pregnancy.

Other statistics include the following alarming facts:
• Every year, family members in the name of honor murder about 5,000 women each year worldwide.
• Trafficking of women and girls for forced labor and sex is widespread and often affects the most vulnerable. The United Nations estimates that 4 million women and girls are trafficked annually.
• Forced marriages and child marriages violate the human rights of women and girls, yet they are widely practiced in many countries in Asia, the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa.
• Up to one in five women and one in 10 men report experiencing sexual abuse as children. Children subjected to sexual abuse are much more likely to encounter other forms of abuse later in life.

While much of the study conducted by the World Health Organization highlights the abuses endured by women in poor countries or countries in war, it is crucial to remember that this problem exists worldwide. Even in first world countries such as the United States, gender violence is epidemic. According to the Family Violence Interventions for the Justice System, boys who witness their fathers' violence are 10 times more likely to engage in spousal abuse in later adulthood than boys from non-violent homes.

If you are interested in learning more about this global pandemic, consider attending Women of the World’s next event “Violence Against Women- Shout it Out & Stop it Now.” Our esteemed panelists will present an overview on violence as a cultural legacy, the short and long term health ramifications, the legal rights of violated women and the educational awareness programs. Support the prevention and awareness of violence against women and register today: http://womenwotw.org/events.php