Kristy Vocational Visit - 3/4

Non Profit Visits

During my second day of vocational visits I had the priviledge to visit two very worthy non profit organizations here in Vitoria.

The first is called, ACACCI, which stands for Assocation Against Child Cancer (http://www.acacci.org.br/). The organization is similar to the Ronald McDonald Houses that we have in the states. Their mission is to provide housing and support services for families who have children who are being treated for cancer in the hospital in Vitoria. In addition to providing free housing and meals for the families, the program also helps with transportation to the hospital, yoga and physical therapy for the children and many services for the mothers of the children. Many of the families live far away from the hospital and the mom often has to quit her job to go with the child for treatment. The organization helps the moms makes different things that are sold in a bazaar to earn money. They also do things to help the mom with self esteem, like take them to get their hair done, etc. One of the great side benefits of the program is when the mothers go back home, they often take new found skills and better parenting, hygiene and healthy eating skills to the rest of their family.

At the facility, I spoke with staff who plan the fundraising and events for the organization. Each year the organization plans an annual ball with music and dancing. Like in the US, they sell tables for 100 reals (about $50 USD) to corporate sponsors. They also sell individual tickets and often sells out. The event takes place in May.

The second big event for the organization is through a partnership with McDonalds where they have a Happy McDonalds day. The organization sells tickets for Big Macs and the profit from the sales all goes to the organization. The event includes all 5 McDonald´s locations in Vitoria and the surrounding cities and takes many, many volunteers to coordinate. But their efforts pay off because they raise around 90,000 reals (about 45,000 dollars) during this event.

The organization and its large number of volunteers with a passion and committment to the cause is impressive! The organization has been around for 22 years and I am excited to return later this month with the rest of my group to tour the entire facility as my tour was limited to the administrive offices and the role of those employees.

In the afternoon I visited APAE which is the Association of Parents and Friends of Persons with Special Needs (http://www.apaevitoria.org.br/)

The organization is a school for all ages with disabilities. I was able to visit class rooms where the students were learning computer technology and another great class where children entergetically pounded away on drums for a congo music class. The teacher is actually in a congo band and volunteers his time teaching the children different instruments.

In addition to classes and activities at the center, there is also a clinic where families can come and have their children tested for different things like hearing problems or genetic defects.

Again, many aspects of non profit fundraising and event planning are very similar to the US. And again I was floored by the passion, dedication and graciousness of all the people I met at the organizations. It was incredible and heart warming!