Paris Hilton

Jimmy  Darts

Flavor Flav

SB Mowing

Kalina Silverman / @makebigtalk on Instagram

The Dogist

Patriotic Kenny Foundation

Pattie Gonia

Little Miss Flint

Carlos Eduardo Espina

Samuel Weidenhofer

Ben Saunders - Flawless Cleaning

Peter Bond

That Good News Girl

Ask Uncle Jack

Amy Jandrisevits

FowlMouthFarmer

Tess Bohne

Latonja and Taylor Richardson

Officer Richard Craig

<div>Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, I've been volunteering with PPSC's Refugee Support Program to provide psychological support for Ukrainian refugees impacted by the war.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Over time, I noticed similar themes of isolation and helplessness emerge as people were having difficulty coping with the traumatic events of the war.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>I wondered what I could do to help them adjust to the new circumstances of their lives and came up with the idea to host a pottery workshop and support group at a local ceramics studio.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>I was amazed by the feedback that I received from participants about the impact that workshop had on them. Here are a few excerpts from statements that people wrote about their experience (shared with their permission):
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>"I attended Alexander’s pottery masterclass, and it became a true turning point for me. Since the beginning of the war, I’ve gone through many difficult events that have affected my health and mental well-being. But during the class, with Alexander’s guidance, I was creating my first pieces with my own hands. We laughed, joked, and shared stories, and for the first time in a long while, I felt joy return to my life. On the way home, I felt euphoric, as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders; the tension that had gripped my throat for years was finally gone. This sense of freedom gave me the strength to make changes and enter a new chapter. "
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>"Alexander's masterclass demonstrated how art can not only inspire, but also heal. It is a powerful tool for finding inner balance, self-expression and hope in difficult times. Thanks to Alexander's master class, my husband and I had a wonderful experience and maximum pleasure."
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Hearing words like these further inspired me to create this fundraiser in order to sponsor arts scholarships for Ukrainian refugees in the greater NYC region. I believe in the transformative and healing power of art. I'm hoping these scholarships will give refugees a chance to find meaning and resilience through creative expression. I've partnered with local institutions like <a href="https://centerforbookarts.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Center for Book Arts</a> and <a href="https://www.artstudentsleague.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Art Students League</a> who are committed to expanding opportunities and building community.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>I'll be participating in a <a href="https://www.doclaynyc.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">holiday sale</a> over the weekend of 12/20 to sell my pottery and get the ball rolling on raising funds. Please stop by for a chance to get some last minute holiday gifts and support a great cause!
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>A little about me, I'm a <a href="https://seealexanderbeznes.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">psychotherapist</a> based in Flatiron and have been doing <a href="https://www.instagram.com/swampyceramics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pottery</a> on the side since 2016.
</div>

Art Scholarships for Ukrainian Refugees

<div>Help Us Provide Warmth to 6,000 Displaced People in Lebanon
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Winter is fast approaching, and temperatures are dropping rapidly across Lebanon. Thousands of families displaced by the devastating conflict are bracing for the cold without proper clothing. Many have left everything behind and are now living in harsh conditions.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>This is a critical time to support these vulnerable communities by providing essential winter clothing.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>About the Campaign
</div>
<div>The Daher Foundation and FabricAID are launching an urgent campaign to bring warmth to families in need. Together, we aim to provide winter clothing packages to 6,000 displaced individuals, starting in the Bekaa region and expanding to other areas across Lebanon.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>What We’re Doing
</div>
<div>FabricAID will prepare customized warmth packages, each containing seven essential winter clothing items. Every package costs just $5 and is tailored for men, women, and children, sorted by size, age, and gender.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Each package includes:
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Scarf
</div>
<div>Light jacket
</div>
<div>Pair of pants
</div>
<div>Sweater
</div>
<div>Long-sleeve shirt
</div>
<div>T-shirt
</div>
<div>Heavy jacket or coat
</div>
<div>The Daher Foundation will oversee the distribution of these packages in the Bekaa region, working alongside trusted charities and civil organizations to ensure aid reaches the most vulnerable families across Lebanon.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>How You Can Help
</div>
<div>For just $5, you can sponsor a person in need, providing them with a full package of winter essentials. The Daher Foundation will cover all distribution efforts and costs, ensuring that 100% of your contribution goes directly toward preparing and delivering these warmth packages.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Our Goal
</div>
<div>We are raising $30,000 to reach 6,000 individuals. Your support can make a direct impact, helping families stay warm and protected during the harsh winter months.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Stay Updated
</div>
<div>Transparency is at the heart of our mission. To stay informed about the progress of the campaign and distribution efforts, you will receive regular updates.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Your contribution will bring warmth, comfort, and hope to those facing extreme hardship. Join us in making a difference today.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/83272237_1728306547538311_r.jpeg" width="100%" />
<div><br />
</div>

Bring Warmth to Displaced Families in Lebanon

<div>“RSP On the Move” aids Ukrainian families, particularly those who care for people with disabilities and neurodiverse individuals. In collaboration with PPSC and Galina Itskovich's (clinical social work/therapist) public initiative, we address urgent material and service gaps resulting from the Russian invasion. Our assistance includes psychological and psychoeducational support, as well as, essential dietary aid for children lacking access to vitamins and special dietary needs (gluten-, sugar-, or lactose-free).
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>There are two components to the program:
</div>
<div>1. "Ukrainian Caregivers" groups offer multimodal therapeutic support for parents of neurodiverse children displaced within Ukraine or internationally or remain sheltered in place.
</div>
<div>2. “Bowl of Hope” provides customized food packages for Ukrainian children with specific dietary needs residing within the country. (<a href="https://gofund.me/e6c508fe)" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://gofund.me/e6c508fe" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://gofund.me/e6c508fe</a>)</a>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>To date, these two initiatives supported more than 550 families.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>We are currently collecting monetary funds to continue this powerful work. The goal is to support parents experiencing increased stress levels due to the war so, in turn, they can help support their children's mental, educational, and emotional needs, as well as develop resilience and coping skills.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Money Goal:
</div>
<div>$6,000 for the summer cycle (support for three therapeutic groups)
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong><em>**This fundraiser will directly benefit therapists providing services in the Ukraine**</em></strong>
</div>

PPSC Refugee Support Program: On The Move

<div>Hi, my name is Simone, and I currently live in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. This is my family's second year here being snowbirds in paradise, skipping the snow and cold in Toronto. There are many things to love about Tamarindo, but one of the best, the absolute best, has been getting to know JR, from JR's Grill. 

</div>

<div><br />
</div>

<div><a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g309253-d23634894-Reviews-JR_s_Grill_Tamarindo_La_Parrilla_de_JR-Tamarindo_Province_of_Guanacaste.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JR's Grill Tamarindo</a> - is a small street-side portable grill that JR mans seven days a week in the parking lot next to Pico's restaurant. From this tiny little grill, under a rainbow umbrella, JR sells chicken and pork skewers for passersby, a smile always included. JR has told me many times he loves his job and takes pride in the sauces he creates, repeating (rightfully) that he has the best barbeque in Tamarindo.  

</div>

<div><br />
</div>

<div>My son Micah and I found JR last year on our walks back from Micah's tennis, exhausted and hungry - what better time for a street skewer? JR's energy and enthusiasm, his passion for his food, is evident. He takes pride in what he does, and stopping by for a skewer became routine. On occasion, we would flag him on the way to tennis to let him know we would be stopping by later, and he would always have two chicken skewers ready and waiting for us on our way back. 

</div>

<div><br />
</div>

<div>Micah couldn't wait to go back to see JR when we returned this year. JR greeted us warmly and the whole family had skewers watching the gorgeous Tamarindo sunset within the first few days of coming back. But something was different with JR. He was thinner, not as robust as last year, more tired-looking. A few weeks after returning, I noticed his ears were swollen and black. Concerned, I asked what was wrong. He brushed it off and said not to worry. 

</div>

<div><br />
</div>

<div>But two days later his ears were worse. He let me take him out for breakfast. 

</div>

<div><br />
</div>

<div>JR has lymphoma. He was diagnosed with it three years ago when he went to the doctor to complain about itchy ears. They were swelling and developing black spots, like a dalmatian, he said. Tamarindo is nowhere near a hospital. JR doesn't have a car so he would take public transit to the public hospital, a five-hour trip each way to San Jose with no ability to leave the bus or go to the bathroom. He started chemo and radiation, taking the bus to San Jose once a month. The trips were painful and cut into his business time, so he barely finished the chemo/ radiation. 

</div>

<div><br />
</div>

<div>He also had surgery at the public hospital in San Jose to remove multiple tumours found on his foot and shoulder as well. He said the surgery was better than the chemo and radiation because he was able to sleep at the hospital those nights - otherwise he was spending 10 hours on a bus within 24 hours. 

</div>

<div><br />
</div>

<div>Thankfully, two years ago, after completing his chemo, radiation and surgeries, the lymphoma went into remission. 

</div>

<div><br />
</div>

<div>It is now back. There was another tumour on his neck that needs to be biopsied, and he needs to return to San Jose for treatment. Riding on an unairconditioned bus for five hours from Tamarindo to San Jose and then back again would be excruciating for anyone, let alone JR who is in an immense amount of pain on a good day. His pain medicine costs USD $20 daily unless he can make it to the local hospital here to get the pain meds for free, but without a car, it would take half a day to do so, making it impossible for him to sell skewers. He is barely making ends meet. He lives just out of town, renting a room in a shared apartment, and has no family to support him. 

</div>

<div><br />
</div>

<div>The thing with Lymphoma is that it is curable if found and treated early, but at this stage, JR has to pick between making a living to survive and getting treatment to survive. 

</div>

<div><br />
</div>

<div>I asked him what would make his life easier, if anything. He said money for his pain medicine (ibuprofen often sells at $1/ pill here) and a car would permit him to go to the local hospital for pain meds and treatment in San Jose without taking public transit. It would make it easier to buy and transport the chicken and pork for his skewers, hopefully increasing his income as well. 

</div>

<div><br />
</div>

<div>So that's the ask. 10K Canadian would be life-changing for JR. Please help me reach that goal. Obviously every penny will go to him, I will see to it. 

</div>

<div><br />
</div>

<div>Thank you! 

</div>

<div><br />
</div>

<div>Simone 
</div>
<div><br />
</div>

JR, a local legend and our skewer guy

<div><strong>In light of the horrific war in the Ukraine, PPSC (Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Study Center) mobilized to form the PPSC Refugee Support Project, a group of volunteers throughout the mental health community, to provide crisis and support services to refugees and their families. We now have over 80 volunteers and have already provided direct services to over two dozen refugees and the numbers are growing! We provide direct service, support groups, resource materials and more.  Our Creative Art therapists are planning a special program for children and we are doing outreach to refugees who have come to the United States. </strong><strong>Your donations will directly subsidize this important effort! We are a 501C3 non-profit organization operating under the auspices of New York State. Please help!!</strong>
</div>

<div> 
</div>

<div><strong>Volunteers who donate 1+ hours to the PPSC RSP fall into several categories:</strong><br /><br />
</div>

<div><strong>a. Licensed Clinicians:</strong> PPSC RSP Clinical Volunteers must hold a license, be trauma trained or participate in trainings provided by PPSC and donate 1+ hours of pro bono support to referrals made to the PPSC program, other individuals or organizations with whom the PPSC RSP partners or affiliates, or referrals made within the PPSC RSP volunteer group. 
</div>

<div> 
</div>

<div><strong>b. Asylum Advocates:</strong> PPSC RSP Asylum Advocates receive asylum-specific training through the Weill Cornell Center for Human Rights. Asylum advocates must also be licensed clinicians but do not have to be licensed in psychotherapy (i.e. they can be physicians, occupational therapists, etc.)
</div>

<div> 
</div>

<div><strong>c. Translators</strong>: PPSC RSP Translators will donate 1+ hours of pro bono support to our team of clinicians and asylum advocates who are not bilingual. Translators will also participate in PPSC’s training and support groups and be required to follow all the HIPAA guidelines as our clinicians do.
</div>

<div> 
</div>

<div><strong>d. Administrative Volunteers:</strong> PPSC RSP Administrative volunteers may be licensed or unlicensed. They will assist the Coordinator and other Administrators with various tasks of communication, liaising with other individuals and organizations, collating volunteer data, research and more. 
</div>

<div> 
</div>

<div><strong>e. PPSC RSP Trauma, Crisis and Support Trainers and Supervisors</strong>: PPSC RSP Training volunteers will provide ongoing training workshops to support our volunteering clinicians. 
</div>

Alexander Beznes