Give Me Shelter

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Homelessness is not a modern phenomenon. The first cases of the homeless in America date back to the 1640s, according to Street News Service. Wars fought between the settlers and Native Americans displaced people on both sides. Back then, people would show up to a town and make a case for why they should be allowed to settle there. In most New England towns, the newcomers would sit before the town fathers and explain how they would pull their weight and not be a drain on everybody else. The people who were denied and told to move on were Catholics, people with physical disabilities, mental disabilities, alcoholics, widows, orphans and the elderly. We ended up with a transient class moving from town to town, so this new world did not offer opportunity for everyone.

When the Industrial Revolution was starting in the 1820s, people were moving from farms into cities, creating a poor urban underclass. [This] led to our first anti-panhandling ordinances, and our jails soon became our shelter system. [I]n 1830, Congress passed [the “Indian Removal Act,”] the first federal policy that caused massive homelessness; [this act] uprooted Native American tribes in the southeast and moved them to Oklahoma. [Workplace injuries during the] Industrial Revolution, [disabilities caused by] the Civil War, [and, then, large-scale displacement as a result of] disasters like the Chicago fire in 1871, the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and the massive 1927 Mississippi River flood […] created more homelessness. Then the Great Depression hit in 1929, and massive numbers of homeless people hit the streets like America had never seen before or since.

The same issues that caused homelessness 300 to 400 years ago are still haunting us today. Tragic life occurrences like the loss of loved ones, job loss, domestic violence, divorce, family disputes, depression, untreated mental illness, natural disasters, war, post-traumatic stress disorder and physical disabilities are responsible for a large portion of the homeless. In this land of plenty and this land of opportunity, over 600,000 Americans experience homelessness on any given night, with 138,000 being under the age of 18. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, the [U.S.] rate of homeless persons is 18.3 per 10,000 people, ranging from 120 in Washington, D.C., to seven in Mississippi. Veterans are at 25.5 per 10,000, with the high again in Washington, D.C., [at] 146 and the low in Virginia, at nine.

[W]e, as a society, need to focus on the homeless children in our communities. Homeless children, as defined by the federal “No Child Left Behind” program, include not just those living in shelters or transitional housing, but also those sharing the housing of other persons due to economic hardships; [those] living in cars, parks, [or] bus or train stations; [and those] awaiting foster care placement. According to NBC News, the National Center for Homeless Education reported local school districts have 2.5 million homeless children […] in public schools, [or] one in 30. […] Of [this total], 76,000 homeless students are living on their own and […] exchange sex for food, clothing, shelter and other basic needs, [and] 75% percent of [these adolescents] have either dropped out or will drop out of school. […]

America has not been able to solve the homeless problem for close to 400 years. What would make us think we can solve it now?

Throughout our history, we have learned that homelessness cannot be solved by the government alone, especially in times of government gridlock and lack of funds. This is a major issue that affects all of us, and, at this time of year, it involves the classmates of our kids. This is truly a local issue causing hardships on our […] schools.

There are many ways the average citizen can help out, either by volunteering their time or donating their money. The Covenant House opens up its doors to help homeless youth in 27 cities. Safe Horizons helps out children and families. Stand up for Kids helps get our children off the streets, and Move for Hunger helps feed them. […]

We all suffer when we allow our neighbors to go homeless, even for just one night. Our society suffers when we deny any of our children a good night’s sleep and a nourishing meal. With the limitless potential that many homeless youth have to make a lasting positive contribution to our communities, whether it is in science, humanities or sports, we cheat not only them but ourselves by not allocating dollars, either in taxes we collect or the disposable income we can spare. Every child should have a shot at attaining our American dream. This is not a political or religious issue; it is a moral issue that our entire society must embrace. With a little help from all of us, these 600,000 Americans can find shelter for another night.

Original article here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marc-joseph/give-me-shelter_b_11297282.html

5 Products That Can Reduce Your Environmental Impact

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Environmental awareness has become more prevalent in recent years as people become increasingly concerned with global warming, water scarcity and the depletion of fossil fuels. Whether out of concern for the environment or a desire to save money, decreasing your impact on the Earth offers numerous benefits. There are countless ways to ease your environmental impact and reduce monthly spending simply by switching out some common products in your home for their sustainable counterparts.

  1. Compact fluorescent lightbulbs. Compact fluorescent lightbulbs are considerably more energy efficient, and they can drastically cut down on the energy consumption of your home and office. Not only will it result in a cost savings for you—about $57 in energy expenses per bulb—but it will allow you to reduce your environmental impact, as well.
  2. Biodegradable trash bags. Each year, 5.3 million to 14 million tons of plastic enter the oceans and landfills of our planet, polluting the Earth with ecologically harmful materials that pose a danger to wildlife and aquatic ecosystems. By switching out your regular trash bags for biodegradable trash bags, you’ll be reducing landfill waste by about two to three bags per week, or 100 to 150 bag per year.
  3. Water-saving showerhead. It’s estimated that about 0.007% of all water on Earth is available to fuel and nourish the growing human population. With many areas of the world becoming increasingly arid and major droughts plaguing much of the United States, water scarcity is a pressing concern. A water-saving showerhead can reduce your water consumption considerably. On average, a person uses about 6,000 gallons of water for showering each year. With the right showerhead, you can cut that number in half, saving 3,000 gallons of freshwater annually. In addition to saving water, you’ll also be saving about $32.50 per year due to decreased water expenses.
  4. Reusable shopping bags. We’ve all heard of “plastic island,” the large conglomeration of trash that’s floating around in the ocean and has already surpassed the size of Texas. The average U.S. family uses about 1,500 plastic shopping bags a year, which, with the help of reusable bags, can be completely eliminated.
  5. Recycled paper products. The global demand [for] paper is rapidly growing, even as technology usage increases. In fact, global demand has increased by 400% in just 40 years, with 35% of the world’s trees being cut down and milled for paper. […] Deforestation impacts local ecosystems, contributes to global warming, and requires considerable energy consumption to cut, mill and manufacture the trees. By using paper products [composed of] recycled materials, you can make a dent in energy consumption and reduce your reliance on deforestation. With recycled tissues, toilet paper, stationary and more, there are countless ways to improve the energy efficiency of your home.

There has long been an emphasis on going green for people and businesses alike. Going green allows a person to considerably reduce their own environmental impact while also reducing their monthly expenses. A simple switch of your lightbulbs and showerheads can help you save a few hundred dollars per year while also promoting healthier and more sustainable lifestyle habits.

Visit DollarDays.com to explore a range of sustainable, energy-efficient and biodegradable products that will enable you to reduce your environmental impact.

Original article here: http://globalbizcircle.com/5-products-can-reduce-environmental-impact/

DollarDays & the Walmart Supply Chain

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Marc Joseph is the founder of DollarDays, the premier online wholesaler that helps small businesses compete against larger enterprises and [assists] nonprofit organizations [in finding] the products they need to support their causes. DollarDays offers more than 225,000 high-[value] products at wholesale and closeout prices.

Mr. Joseph has helped build some of America’s most known retail stores, including Federated Department Stores, Bill’s Variety Stores, Everything’s A Dollar Stores and Crown Book Stores. Most recently he started a chain of hair salons in Arizona and built it up to 11 stores before selling them to devote full-time to DollarDays. He is the author of the book, “The Secrets of Retailing…or How to Beat Walmart.”

In this interview, Marc Joseph breaks down his powerful company, DollarDays, and the Walmart supply chain.

Original video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hF2lpzYAOts&amp=&feature=youtu.be

Why America Loves Dollar Stores

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American families have tightened their belts in the current economy, and they’re looking to smart sources for products they need to run their homes. The dollar store has answered the call, and many Americans are routinely shopping at these venues for great savings—and the feeling of pride in being penny-wise.

“I routinely visit my local dollar store for everything from shampoo to paper goods to dish towels,” Carole Purcell, 52, of Baltimore, Md., told LifeZette. “I have always liked dollar stores for value on certain items. You’re not cheap—you’re smart if you shop at a dollar store. While I wouldn’t buy bath towels there, I would certainly buy many things that just two years ago I never would have.”

Dollar-store stocks are surging in response to America’s steady patronage, according to CNBC. Dollar Tree stock hit an all-time high last Wednesday, and the day before, Dollar General hit a record high for the company. Investors may look for safer stocks during a turbulent time in the stock market, and dollar-store stocks are just the right fit.

Retail analyst Joseph Feldman of the Telsey Advisory Group told CNBC, “We’re favorable on both stocks. We like dollar-store space. It’s a bit of a safer trade.”

Have the American family’s spending habits really changed that measurably in the wake of President Obama’s disastrous economy? Apparently so.

“The true underlying reason why both store segments are growing faster than retail in general is the economy and the backlash of the recession we all just experienced,” Marc Joseph, CEO of America’s Suppliers, Inc., of Scottsdale, Ariz., said. America’s Suppliers sells over 225,000 products to the nation’s discount and specialty stores.

“Middle-class America was forced to shop differently to save money, and even though we are recovering today, the experience Americans had when forced to shop the dollar-store industry was not a bad one,” Joseph said. “They learned that private-label products do perform as well as branded goods, so even though they may have a few more dollars in their pockets today, they liked getting a deal—and that is why they continue to support the dollar-store industry.”

Feldman of Telsey Advisory Group told CNBC that Dollar General has begun rolling out new store formats and more efficient single-line checkouts to their locations. They’re also expanding their refrigerated and frozen-food selection in the hopes of becoming an even more desirable shopping destination to lower- and middle-income shoppers, he said.

Dollar Tree, said Feldman, is also expanding its brand after buying Dollar General’s main competitor, Family Dollar, last year. Everything in Dollar Tree literally costs just one dollar—as opposed to Dollar General, which is a multi-price point selection of products.

“In my opinion, we’re not seeing a recovery, and people are still feeling pressure on their discretionary income, so they will continue to shop to save.”

Daniel Celia, President and CEO, Financial Issues Stewardship Ministries

“I have been unemployed for a year-and-a-half, and I routinely shop for our family at dollar stores,” a Massachusetts 52-year-old husband and father of two college-age kids said. “I don’t have pride about it—you do what you have to do, and, honestly, a lot of the products are every bit as good as the name brands.”

Despite President Obama’s words about an improving jobs picture, […] some economists think the employment situation is dire. That’s partly because of the sluggish participation rate, which actually fell 0.2% to 62.8% this past April.

Additionally, construction employment rose only a fraction, and the retail sector shed jobs for the first time since December 2014, the Labor Department said on May 6.

“One of the key factors in dollar-store stock is definitely the economy, but not how you might think,” Daniel Celia, President and CEO of Financial Issues Stewardship Ministries of Westtown, Penn., told LifeZette. “The economy has been so weak and consumer spending so cautious that discount stores such as Dollar General are doing very well based on an increasing market share and consumers wanting to shop to save.”

He added, “Right now, the stock is showing two things: consumers needing and wanting to save, which indicates a weaker economy and less consumer confidence, and, as we know, wages continue to decline. The other factor is that in this kind of environment, consumers often change their spending habits [to stores like this], and habit generally sticks well into a real recovery.”

The smart dollar-store franchise has an “a little of this, a little of that” mentality.

“These stores must turn themselves into a treasure hunt, where they carry some basic [everyday] products such as toothpaste and batteries but continue to surround these basic items with products customers don’t necessarily need but will buy because of their novelty,” explained Joseph of America’s Suppliers. “Many of these items are closeouts, which show real value.”

For Celia, the writing on the wall is obvious. “In my opinion, we’re not seeing a recovery, and people are still feeling pressure on their discretionary income, so they will continue to shop to save.”

Original article here: https://www.lifezette.com/2016/07/america-loves-dollar-stores/

Who is Helping the Kids Left Behind?

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America now has 1,571,056 tax-exempt organizations, of which 1,097,689 are public charities, according to Urban Institute. [A]nother 105,030 […] are private foundations, and 368,337 are […] chambers of commerce, fraternal organizations and civic leagues.

Nonprofits accounted for 9.2% of all wages and salaries [last year], 5.3% of U.S. GDP [and reported] $1.74 trillion in revenues. [Approximately] 25.3% of Americans over the age of 16 volunteered for a nonprofit organization [in 2015], [and our nation’s total] volunteer time translates to 8.7 billion hours, which has a value of $179.2 billion.

All of these are big numbers, [s]o why do we still have so many Americans struggling to get by each day? […]

In New York City, there are 23,000 children between the ages of six and 13 [who] live in the city’s homeless […] shelter system. As we all know, homelessness places profound stress on a child’s life. [One] nonprofit, Homes for the Homeless, […] provide[s] a 16-day summer camp at […] Harriman State Park, […] 30 miles outside of NYC, for […] inner-city kids, [many of whom] have never left [the city, let alone] experienced nature up close. It gives these homeless children a chance to escape the stresses of everyday life and engage in healthy activities. What if every town had a program like this?

[In] Cleveland, [which] has a 58.5% poverty rate for children (compared to the national average of 21.1%), [t]he Footpath Foundation was founded by two mothers to help underprivileged and at-risk children by connecting them with positive life experiences. Like [in] NYC, these Cleveland kids are sent to local camps that temporarily help them let go of the pressures of life and begin to feel safe and at peace. […]

When schools close, millions of youths are cut off from access to education and nutritional support systems. This leads to [a] “slide,” [with] students [losing] educational achievements made during the previous year. In 2015, 46% of [students] who applied for summer jobs were turned down, so helping out our youth this summer is crucial.

[The White House has taken notice, and they’ve stepped in with several new initiatives.] The Department of Education [has issued] a grant […] to open five new achievement centers [to house] mentoring program[s] for underserved middle-school students [in Baltimore, Md.; Washington, D.C.; Pittsburgh, Penn.; and Richmond, Va.] The Corporation for National and Community Service [has] committed $15 million to launch Summer Opportunity AmeriCorps, which uses service-learning projects [to enable] 20,000 youth to gain new skills and earn money for college. The Department of Labor, [meanwhile], launched a $20 million grant competition [that provided] young people [in 10 communities] summer and year-round jobs connecting them to career pathways.

Cities are [also] stepping up to help. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced a [plan] to hire 15,000 young people in 2016 through his Hire LA Youth program. This program targets youth from low-income families, families on public assistance, foster youth, youth on probation and homeless youth. Seattle Mayor Ed Murray committed to reach out to 15,000 youth in his community with summer jobs and enrichment. The city will also serve 5,000 children over 200,000 meals and invest in 23 summer learning programs. In Charlotte, Mayor Jennifer Roberts, in a partnership with the Microsoft Charlotte Campus, is holding high-tech camps for 4,000 underprivileged kids. What is your city doing?

[At the national level, Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest and largest youth mentoring organization, serving hundreds of thousands of six- to 18-year-old kids. The Boys & Girls Club serves four million young people in 4,100 clubs throughout the country. […] The Children’s Defense Fund was formed to leave no child behind and works [to give] every child […] a healthy start [in life]. Southwest Key is [another] national nonprofit organization that is committed to keeping kids out of institutions and home with their families in their communities. […]

As much as our government and our cities are reaching out to pull the less-fortunate kids up, they are only affecting a small portion of those who need our help. We […] have a vibrant nonprofit system in place to begin to help those children in the most need, [b]ut these nonprofits need our help both financially and as volunteers. Giving is as good for your own soul as it is for the people you help. If you don’t have the cash, do what 25% of Americans do: volunteer to help a nonprofit that helps our youth. Giving your time or giving your hard-earned dollars [has] a rippling effect in our society; [a] single act of kindness can change several lives while helping to reduce the daunting statistics that [are] poverty and lost opportunity in this country.

Original article here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marc-joseph/who-is-helping-the-kids-l_b_10818040.html

15 ways to celebrate the 4th of july under $10

15 Ways to Celebrate the 4th of July Under $10

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The Fourth of July is a popular time to gather with friends and loved ones—and spend money.

In 2015, Americans spent $3.6 million on flags and $257.8 million on fireworks. Revelers spent a combined $6.6 billion on food over the weekend and drank $1 billion worth of beer. All in all, the average household spends roughly $346.50 over the July 4th weekend on food, drinks, transportation and other supplies.

Freedom isn’t free, but it doesn’t have to break the bank, either. Here are some ways to celebrate the 4th of July for less than $10.

1. Host a Traditional Barbecue

According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, the classic backyard barbecue is one of the only Fourth of July ideas that is actually becoming less expensive. A 10-person cookout costs roughly $55.84, or about $5.58 per person, which is 3% cheaper than it was last year. The estimated cost of groceries includes hotdogs, burgers, buns, ribs, ketchup and mustard, chips, potato salad, chocolate milk, lemonade, and watermelon.

2. Enjoy a DIY Fireworks Display

Light up the night sky this Independence Day by setting off fireworks yourself. Retailers like OnlineFireworks.com have a large selection of buy-one-get-one-free packages that start under $10.

Fireworks injuries are at an all-time low, but it is still critical to follow all instructions and never allow children to use these devices unsupervised. It’s also important to note that fireworks laws vary from state to state and are sometimes inconsistent even among counties. Before purchasing any fireworks, check with the American Pyrotechnics Association for a directory of state laws.

3. Have Fun with Sparklers

If you’re not up to putting on a full fireworks display, opt for the slow-burning fun of sparklers. Prism Fireworks sells 72 packs of red, white and blue sparklers for $9.99.

Be warned that sparklers can and do cause injuries. Because sparklers can burn at 2,000 degrees, it’s important to hold them at arm’s length, dunk them in water before tossing them in the garbage, and always keep them separate from other fireworks.

4. Create a DIY July 4th Outfit

Start by purchasing a basic white shirt or tank top (available at Walmart for about $5), then buy or scour the house for painter’s tape, star stickers, blue and red spray paint, and cardboard. After placing 50 star stickers on the top left portion of the shirt, apply the tape in horizontal stripes on the bottom half and opposite the stars. Lay the shirt down over a piece of cardboard to protect the underlying surface, then spray paint the stripes red and the area with the stars blue. Remove the stickers and tape, and poof—you’re a patriot on a budget.

5. Fly a Patriotic Bandana Banner

Buy several bandanas in red, white and blue, and cut each one into four squares. Fold each square into a triangle and iron it to create a sharp crease. Next, attach the triangles to a long ribbon in a repeating red, white and blue pattern, and drape the finished banner loosely, like a sagging clothesline. You can get a case of 12 bandanas for $1.96 each at DollarDays.com.

6. Take a Virtual Trip to New York

A trip to New York City is expensive, but it’s free to watch America’s largest Independence Day fireworks display from the comfort of your own home. Forty thousand fireworks will light up the sky over the Hudson River during the annual Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular. NBC begins broadcasting at 9:00 p.m., and the first shell is set to ignite at roughly 9:25 p.m. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the event, and Macy’s promises it will be the best one yet.

7. Have a Red, White & Blue Water Balloon Fight

Although holding a water balloon fight on a hot summer day doesn’t require much structure, PartyGamesNow lists the rules for an organized July 4th water balloon toss that pits two teams against each other. You can pick up 10 packs of red, white and blue balloons here.

8. Fly a Flag

There is perhaps no better way to show your national pride than to fly the symbol of American freedom—the flag. Amazon sells big, heavy-duty embroidered flags with brass grommets for as low as $4.69. Visit the American Legion site for rules regarding how to fly, handle and dispose of Old Glory properly.

9. Make a Donation

There are tens of thousands of charities dedicated to serving the needs of veterans and military personnel, and many of them accept donations of just $10. Charity Navigator offers a comprehensive list of organizations. Donate to groups based on what they do, the military branches on which they focus or even their geographic locations.

10. Drop a Salami

Hobby’s Delicatessen & Restaurant in Newark, N.J., delivers its famous salamis to hungry troops overseas through a program called Operation Salami Drop. This Independence Day, you can share the holiday goodness with a soldier who is far from home. For exactly $10, you can drop a salami of your own.

11. Bake a Pie

Apple pie is so associated with the United States that people often joke about things being “as American as apple pie.” Better Homes and Gardens offers a recipe for a cheap, simple apple/berry pie in a jar that features a big red star made out of fruit. You’ll need the following ingredients, which cost less than $1 combined: sugar, flour, salt, butter and milk. The other ingredients—blueberries and apples—cost as little as $1.50 per pound and $1.77 per pound, respectively.

12. Print Coasters

Instead of a covered dish, consider bringing something special to your holiday barbecue—patriotic coasters. The other guests will appreciate the creativity, and the host will appreciate the lack of ring-shaped stains on the tables. Favors LTD sells high-quality, round cork coasters with several choices of patriotic imagery. They start at less than $1 each and become cheaper the more you buy.

13. Go Fly a Kite

With just a kite and a little bit of wind, the whole family can enjoy endless hours of fun this Fourth of July. Stay on theme with a patriotic motif. You can score an assortment of America-themed kites for under $10 on the Oriental Trading Company website. Just remember to supervise young children, as kites can present a choking hazard.

14. Eat Red, White & Blue Ice Cream

If you can’t find red, white and blue ice cream to enjoy on the Fourth of July, you can always top your favorite flavor off with patriotic sprinkles, like the Merica sprinkle mix, currently available on Etsy for $3.50.

Additionally, families can purchase a box of firecracker Popsicles, available in the classic red, white and blue pattern. Eight packs have been spotted for just $1.

15. Make a Flag Kebab

With 12 kebab sticks ($1.99 for 100), a pack of marshmallows (45 cents per ounce), frozen raspberries and blueberries, you can make dessert kebabs that come together to form an American flag. Use the blueberries in the upper-left corner in place of the stars and thread the other ingredients together to form the corresponding red and white stripes.

This article originally appeared on GoBankingRates.

Check out another blog here: https://blog.dollardays.com/2021/06/15/four-steps-to-easy-donating/

Teachers Create Our Future

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All of us have bragged about the great teachers we’ve had who have helped us along in life, but not every teacher is wonderful. Some teachers just don’t strive to improve and help kids.

According to About Education, ineffective teachers share similar characteristics:

  • They lack the ability to manage their classrooms. If they can’t control the students in their classrooms, they won’t be able to teach them effectively.
  • [They] lack real content knowledge. They will quickly lose credibility with their students if they do not know what they are teaching, making them instantly ineffective.
  • [They] lack motivation. [These] teachers do not challenge or stay engaged with their students.
  • [They] lack organizational skills, [making them] unproductive and overwhelmed.
  • [They possess] poor people skills, which affects students, parents, other staff members and administrators [and] can quickly become the downfall of a teacher.

On the other hand, greatly effective teachers:

  • [L]ove to teach and have a passion for teaching young people
  • [D]emonstrate a caring attitude
  • [R]elate to their students one on one
  • [T]hink outside the box
  • [A]re willing to be creative and adaptive to individual needs
  • [A]re proactive rather than reactive
  • [A]re excellent communicators to everyone who surrounds a student
  • [C]hallenge their students to do better

[W]hy would anyone ever want to become a teacher? The budgets for our classrooms dwindle each year, and teachers continue to take money out of their own pockets to provide their students with supplies. [S]chools are getting older, and fewer new schools are being built annually. Based on the school shootings over the last few years, teachers must now worry every day about the security of their students and themselves. […]

[Despite] these [concerns], teachers continue to inspire, and new, idealist[ic] college graduates are joining their ranks. This year, 284,000 new teachers joined public schools, compared to 222,000 a decade ago, according to the National Center for Educational Statistics. Public schools employed 3.1 million teachers this year, putting the average pupil-to-teacher ratio at 16 to 1, […] the same as it was in 2000. Public school expenditures this year were $634 billion, [or] $12,605 for each student. The […] average [percentage] of high school [students who dropped out fell to] 6.8% […] from […] 10.9% in 2000. The percentage of students enrolling in college in the fall immediately following high school […] is 65.9%; in 1976, it was 48.8%. Looking at the decline in dropouts and the increase in kids starting college, […] our current crop of teachers must be doing something right.

It does pay to stay in school. Today’s working adults age[s] 25 to 34 with a bachelor’s degree earn around $46,900 [annually], while those with an associate’s degree earn around $35,700. High school graduates earn around $30,000 [per year], and the median is $22,900 for those without a high school diploma.

The fact that the United States is ranked the 14th best educational country in the world according to Pearson is a real wake-up call. […] South Korea is ranked first, followed by Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Finland, the United Kingdom and Canada. Pearson found the top-ranked countries offer teachers higher status in society and have a culture emphasizing education. Society’s attitude about education and its underlying moral purpose seems to be stronger in the top-rated countries. […]

It continues to amaze me that people want to become teachers. New teachers make around $36,000 [annually] and can earn $58,000 after 20 years, so striking it rich does not seem to be the reason to pursue this noble career. These teachers have a spirit that the rest of us just don’t possess. This school year, teachers took an average of $513 out of their own pockets for classroom supplies, food for hungry kids in their classes, instructional materials and books for their student. […]

It is up to concerned citizens and parents to make a difference for our kids and give teachers more help. The National Teacher Assistance Organization gathers donations […] for professional assistance to teachers. At Donors Choose, public school teachers post classroom project requests, and you can donate to the project that most inspires you. At Class Wish, you can help fund any teacher in the country. […]

It takes an entire village to bring quality education to the next generation. Our teachers care about their students [and] their neighborhoods, and they want to mold our kids into adults who care about our community. Great teachers start to move the minds of their students along the path of knowledge, preparing them for the journey of life and propelling them into the future of adulthood. Now that teachers are finishing up this school year and preparing for the next, it is up to our legislatures, our community leaders, parents and ordinary citizens to support all of our kids before it is too late. Our teachers have the compassion and willingness to bring our kids back into the top-10-rated countries in the world, [b]ut it is up to the rest of us to realize that a highly educated society means success and prosperity for all. […]

Original article here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marc-joseph/teachers-create-our-futur_b_10325238.html

DollarDays Works with Google to Help Inspire Future Scientists Through Making

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DollarDays, the nation’s leading supplier of wholesale goods for small businesses and nonprofits, is pleased to announce today they are working with Google on the “Making & Science” initiative to inspire future scientists and makers. DollarDays is providing an arts, crafts and tool kit that can be used with the Science Journal Android App created by Google’s Making Science team. DollarDays’ kit is unique in that it provides almost every item needed to support all of the activities in the Science Journal Android app.

“We are excited to be working with Google on this initiative. Providing the supplies in the Science Journal kits aligns with DollarDays’ philosophy of supporting educational growth programs,” said Marc Joseph, CEO and president at DollarDays. “Team DollarDays is proud to be a part of inspiring the future.”

The Science Journal kits support activities developed by Google and the Exploratorium. Each kit includes the supplies for these activities which can be accessed through the Science Journal, a digital science notebook that helps kids and adults explore the world around them. The arts, crafts and tool kits include enough supplies for one facilitator and seven to eight children; available now on DollarDays’ website, it retails for $499.

“We wanted to provide these kits to be used in the classroom, in after-school programs and even at home to inspire the curiosity of our children in building, experimenting and creating with combining science and technology,” said Shelly Chaney, Vice President of Merchandising at DollarDays.

What is Making & Science?

Making & Science is an initiative from Google to inspire future scientists and makers. Learn more about Google’s programs, events, media and the new Science Journal app at makingscience.withgoogle.com.

About DollarDays
Founded in 2001, DollarDays is the leading supplier of wholesale goods for nonprofits, businesses and betterment organizations. By sourcing affordable products, backed by exceptional service and meaningful community engagement, we strive to inspire and empower our customers to accomplish their missions to improve the lives of people around the world. Recognized as the City of Phoenix Mayor’s Office “2018 Product Exporter of the Year” and Internet Retailer Magazine’s “B2B E-commerce Marketer of the Year” for 2016 and 2017, DollarDays is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. For more information, visit www.dollardays.com.

DollarDays Selected as Finalist for Internet Retailer Excellence Award

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DollarDays, the nation’s leading supplier of wholesale goods to small businesses and nonprofits, has been selected as one of three finalists for B2B E-commerce Marketer of the Year at the prestigious Internet Retailer Excellence Awards.

Internet Retailer‘s panel of judges has selected DollarDays as a contender for this award, which is given to the manufacturer, wholesaler or distributor that makes the best use of a range of online marketing channels, including social networks and blogs, to expand its reach, boost its reputation, and increase website traffic and sales.

“It is DollarDays’ dedication to help small businesses grow, as well as helping nonprofits stretch their dollars, that propelled us into becoming a finalist,” said Marc Joseph, CEO & President at DollarDays. “We are thrilled to be a recognized among such large players in e-commerce, like Amazon, The Home Depot, Nordstrom and Wayfair. It shows our continued efforts to expand our reach through online marketing channels and social media is really making a difference. I want to thank the entire DollarDays team for a job well done.”

The B2B E-Commerce Marketer of the Year award is one of 13 awards Internet Retailer will present to recipients of the inaugural Internet Retailer Excellence Awards on June 8, 2016, in Chicago during the Internet Retailer Conference and Exhibition, the world’s largest e-commerce event.

About DollarDays
Founded in 2001, DollarDays is the leading supplier of wholesale goods for nonprofits, businesses and betterment organizations. By sourcing affordable products, backed by exceptional service and meaningful community engagement, we strive to inspire and empower our customers to accomplish their missions to improve the lives of people around the world. Recognized as the City of Phoenix Mayor’s Office “2018 Product Exporter of the Year” and Internet Retailer Magazine’s “B2B E-commerce Marketer of the Year” for 2016 and 2017, DollarDays is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. For more information, visit www.dollardays.com.

The Poor Are Getting Poorer

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Today, 83% of people living in poverty are either children, elderly, [disabled], students, [caretakers] or [the unemployed], according to The Washington Post. There are six million families with children living in poverty right here in the United States, [considered the] wealthiest nation in history, which means one in five families are living in poverty. For the U.S.A. to ensure no children grow up in poverty-stricken households, it would cost us $57 billion a year, or $578 [annually for families not living in poverty].

So are [we] all going to pitch in to make this happen? […]

[O]n Jan. 8, 1964, President Johnson declared “an unconditional war on poverty in America.” […] He pledged better schools, better health, better homes, better training and better job opportunities, [as well as] more libraries, public transportation and food relief for the poor. […] The Food Stamp Act was passed in 1964, and the Child Nutrition Act came in 1966. Both Medicare and Medicaid were launched in 1965. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) became a cabinet department in 1965, and the HUD Act of 1965 expanded funding for existing federal housing programs, added rent subsidies for the elderly and disabled, gave housing rehabilitation grants to poor homeowners, had provisions for veterans to make low down payments to obtain mortgages, and set money aside to have community centers constructed in low-income areas. […]

Our poverty level […] in 1964 was one in five families; [o]ur poverty level today [remains] one in five families. The Heritage Foundation reports that since 1964, U.S. taxpayers have spent over $22 trillion on antipoverty programs, [or] three times the cost of all U.S. military wars since the American Revolution. Are we just spinning our wheels?

Nationally, all of these numbers are very scary, [b]ut if you look at it locally, it is even worse. In my own state of Arizona, The Arizona Daily Star reported in April that Tucson’s poorest residents are about to get poorer. Five thousand residences were just notified that the state is taking them off the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and several hundred are losing their Temporary Assistance to Needy Families benefits. [T]he Tucson City Council is [also] voting on reducing funds sent to the Community Food Bank and the Primavera Foundation, which provides pathways out of poverty through safe and affordable housing. […] Primavera reports that over the last couple of years, with their current funding, they could only service 42% of the 3,600 families that needed shelter, and half of those had children. How many more families will now have to suffer because of the city council vote?

It is a given that [the] government is under pressure to curtail their spending, so ordinary citizens and nonprofit organizations need to step in to fill the void, as our poor are getting poorer. Luckily, there are several nonprofits[…] where we can turn […] with our donations and also volunteer to help. The Children’s Defense Fund is a strong and effective independent voice for all children. The Salvation Army […] feeds, clothes and comforts those in the most need. The Gospel Rescue Missions provide social services to help the less fortunate with 300 missions serving 50 million meals and providing 20 million nights of lodging. […]

The numbers of those in need in America are staggering. Our government has no more money to allocate to additional programs. It hurts all of us when our neighbors go hungry or can’t find a place to sleep. Our total society suffers when we deny children a good night’s sleep and a nourishing meal, because they are the future of America. This is not a political or religious issue; it is a moral issue that we all need to embrace.

Original article here: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/marc-joseph/the-poor-are-getting-poor_b_9830104.html