Tag Archive for: Isabella Santos Foundation

Year Round Giving. The Charlotte Women In Non Profit

Originally posted on Scoop Charlotte, by Erin Breeden

Giving Tuesday may have been last month, but that doesn’t mean giving and the work of nonprofits in the Charlotte area have stopped. Actually, it never slowed down. In honor of the fearless leaders of local nonprofits, we have put together a list of notable women in Charlotte nonprofits. Highly educated and extremely dedicated, these women are the heartbeats of our city. Some you may know and some you may not, but all are unsung heroes. We are honored to create, list, and to include these women who fight the good fight daily for those in our community who are underserved, often forgotten, and those who deserve all the chances in the world to succeed.  

Please note this list does not reflect all of the amazing women in the Charlotte nonprofit world, it is just a sampling based on reader feedback and nominations. Please do nominate yourself or your personal heroes in the COMMENTS section below, so all can see and support.

The Arts A-Team

Natalie Frazier Allen
Founder and Executive Director, The Arts Empowerment Project 

Natalie Frazier Allen, an attorney and child advocate and former Chief of the Domestic Violence Unit in Washington, D.C., founded The Arts Empowerment Project in 2011. The Arts Empowerment Project promotes art as a way for children impacted by violence to have an outlet for positive self-expression and healing. Natalie believes that through art, children can be empowered no matter their circumstance. Through art, there is hope.

Bianca Morgan
Director of Education and Outreach, Charlotte Ballet

Dancer, choreographer and teacher, Bianca oversees programs, such as Charlotte Ballet REACH, for the Charlotte Ballet. Charlotte Ballet REACH is an outreach dance scholarship program. Teachers, including Bianca, go into the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community to recreational centers to teach dance to students between the ages of 7 and 10 who may not be able to afford dance classes at a studio. Bianca is working to make dance accessible to all.

Rachel Zink
Executive Director, Arts for Life 

Rachel Zink started her journey with Arts for Life in 2009. Her roles have changed from art educator to administrative director to assistant director and, in 2013, to the role of executive director. Arts for Life is dedicated to providing an outlet of various educational art programs for children facing serious illnesses and disabilities. These programs help to ease the stress of children, and their families, during a healthcare stay and to add a little fun during a hard situation.

Other notables:
Wendy Hickey, Founder of ArtPop Street Gallery  ; Witnie A. Martinez, Director of Development at the Harvey B. Gantt Center ; Alli Celebron-Brown, President and CEO at McColl Center; Kathryn Hill, President of Levine Museum of the New South ; Kelly Finley, Founder and Executive Director of Girls Rock Charlotte ; Mary A. Deissler, President & Chief Executive Officer with the Charlotte Symphony ; Hilary Cooper, Director of Advancement & Communications at The Mint Museum; and Beth Hansen, Executive Director with Opera Carolina .

The Education Advocates

Molly Shaw
Executive Director, Communities in Schools 

The focus of Communities in Schools  is to empower at-risk students to feel supported in their education journey and to have the tools to reach his or her greatest potential. Molly Shaw is an education advocate and, when hired as executive director, took the time to go into the schools that Communities in Schools serves. She saw firsthand the needs of the community and has been able to shape how the organization serves over 6,000 students.

Jenni Gaisbauer, CFRE
Chief Community Officer and Executive Director, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation

With more than 15 years as a fundraising professional, Jenni Gaisbauer provides leadership, strategic direction, and generating awareness and financial support for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation. Prior to joining the Foundation, Gaisbauer spent nine years as the Senior Vice President of Development at the Levine Museum of the New South.

Khalia Braswell
Founder/Executive Director, INTech Foundation, Inc.

Khalia Braswell is a digital diva whose love of technology began in the fourth grade when she received her first computer. She was hooked instantly. As a result of her early interest in tech, she enrolled in Charlotte’s own Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology. Throughout her journey in the technology space, Braswell noticed that few people in her niche looked like her–a black woman. That was unacceptable to Braswell and she eventually founded INTech Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire girls, through hosting one-day camps, summer camps, and mini-camps, to fall in love with the technology industry, just like Braswell did.

Other notables:

Emily Elliott, Executive Director with Heart Math Tutoring ; Jane Blount, Co-founder of Philip’s Academy ; Patsy Burkins , Executive Director of Charlotte Community Services Association; Helen Hope Kimbrough, HELPS Program Director of the Augustine Literacy Project; Sil Ganzo, Executive Director of ourBRIDGE; Susan Andersen, Founder of ANSWER ScholarshipMichelle Estrada Abels, Founder, The Key Resale Shop; Jill Bjers, Executive Director, Code for Charlotte ; Angela Gala, Co-founder and Executive Director of Youth Meditation ; Rosie Molinary, Founder of Circle De Luz ; and Kristina Cruise, Founder and Executive Director of Promising Pages.

Environmental Crusaders

Meg Fencil
Program Manager, Sustain Charlotte

Meg Fencil is first and foremost an educator. Prior to her role at Sustain Charlotte, Fencil designed and implemented original research programs as a U.S. Fulbright grant recipient and taught through Project L.I.F.T. and Ten80 Foundation. She also holds her Ph.D. in Marine Sciences from The University of Texas at Austin. In her role with Sustain Charlotte, Fencil educates, engages and unites the community through programs, fostering partnerships, and assessing program outcomes all to create a more sustainable focus in the city.

Margaret McGee Brantley
Capital Campaign Director, Catawba Land Conservancy and Carolina Thread Trail

With over 12 years experience in marketing and development, Margaret McGee Brantley understands the importance of getting your message out, fundraising, and growing organizations in rapid-paced environments. Her love of fundraising and land conservation have made her a force in nonprofit fundraising. She’s so good, she even created her own company, M. Brantley and Associates, where she successfully helped clients create and implement fundraising and marketing strategies for their organizations.

Other notables:

June Blotnick, M.ED, Executive Director of Clean of Clean Air Carolina;  and Emilee Syrewicze, JD, Exeutive Diretor with Catawba Riverkeepers .

Human Services

Raquel Lynch
Chief Program Officer, Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont 

Raquel Lynch joined Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont in 2017 and oversees all Career Services departments located at the Goodwill Opportunity Campus including the Job Resource Center, Basic Needs Fulfillment, Career Development Services, and partner relations. Prior to serving at Goodwill, Raquel managed all of the assistance programs at Crisis Assistance Ministry as their Chief Program Officer. She understands fully the impact lack of resources can have on whether or not a person can elevate themselves from poverty.

Rachel Humphries 
Co-founder and Executive Director, Refugee Support Services

As Dorothy once said, there is no place like home. Rachel Humphries is the co-founder of Refugee Support Services, a post-resettlement organization that helps newly arrived refugees make Charlotte their home. Humphries and her team empower our neighbors to thrive in their new lives through food distribution, medical clinics, ESL classes, help centers, and mentoring.

Carol Hardison
Chief Executive Director, Crisis Assistance Ministry

Carol Hardison’s job as the chief executive director of Crisis Assistance Ministry is to ensure the mission of the agency is carried out through work with the Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, and donors. Hardison joined Crisis Assistance Ministry in 2000 and is passionate about helping those in poverty receive the tools and care they need to improve their situation.

Other notables:

Dr.  Stephanie Cooper-Lewter, Executive Director of Leading on Opportunity ; Laura Belcher, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity CLT ; Fontella McKyer, Director of Workforce Development with  Dress for Success ; Shreya Mantha, Founder of Foundation for Girls ;  Meredith Dolhare, Founder of RunningWorks ; Noel Humphreys McCall, Executive Director of  Patriot’s Path ; Tammy Martin, Founder and Vice President of Programming for Young Black Leadership Alliance ;  Rebecca Wofford, Founder of The Lunch Project ;  Suzanne Yoh, Co-founder of Servants With a Heart ; Becky Santoro, Co-founder of Foster Village Charlotte ; Donna Dunlap, Chief Executive Officers of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Carolinas ; Danielle Mintz, Founder of Player EQ; Michele Dudley, Founder and Executive Director of Fashion & Compassion ;  Amanda Hollingsworth, Director of Development with Elon Homes ; Jan Kimble, Co-founder of Jamie Kimble Foundation for Courage ; and Sonja Chisolm, Co-founder and Director of  Gracious Hands Transitional Housing.

The Health Fighters

Erin Santos
Founder and Executive Director/President, Isabella Santos Foundation 

Erin Santos took the heartbreaking loss of her daughter, Isabella, and turned it into something positive. Santos founded the Isabella Santos Foundation in 2007 to help bring awareness and funding to neuroblastoma, the rare disease that cut Isabella’s life short. Since it was created, the Isabella Santos Foundation has raised over $1 million to fight against and find a cure for neuroblastoma.

Crystal Emerick 
Founder and Executive Director, Brave Step

Crystal Emerick survived childhood sexual abuse by burying the pain, but, it would be an emotional breakdown and breakthrough in her 20s where she realized surviving wasn’t enough. In 2011, the idea for Brave Step was born and it was officially incorporated in 2014. Brave Step’s mission is to strengthen men and women impacted by sexual abuse through inspiration, education and personalized care.

Elisa Chinn-Gary, Clerk of Superior Court
Co-Chair, Race Matters for Juvenile Justice

Not only is Elisa Chinn-Gary the first African American elected to hold the office of Mecklenburg County Clerk of Superior Court, but she also launched the Race Matters for Juvenile Justice initiative in 2010. The initiative includes judges, lawyers, police, and educators who are tasked with informing themselves and others on how judgments based on race, ethnicity and class still permeate the criminal justice system and in everyday life. Chinn-Gary’s goal is to make you uncomfortable and then to make you change.

Other notables:

Emily Harry, Heather Leavitt, and Cat Long, Founders of  Baby Bundles ;  Liz Winer, Trustee at the  Winer Family Foundation ; Mara Campolungo, Co-founder and Executive Director of The Sandbox ; Carrie Cook, Executive Director of GreenLight Fund Charlotte ;  Amy Cervantes, Co-Founder of Bright Blessings ; Stamie Despo, Executive Director at Susan G. Komen Charlotte ; Meg McElwain, Founder of Mitchell’s Fund ; Charlie Marquardt,  Co-founder of Adoption Support Alliance ; Alyson R. Kuroski-Mazzei, DO, MRO, FAPA, CEO and Chief Medical Officer of HopeWay ; and Kara Olsen, Co-founder of The HEARTest Yard .

For the love of animals

Cary Bernstein
Executive Director and Founder, Stand For Animals (formerly Spay Neuter Charlotte)

Cary Bernstein created Stand For Animals (formerly Spay Neuter Charlotte) to decrease the high number of animals being euthanized in Mecklenburg County. Stand for Animals has performed over 75,000 surgeries on cats and dogs and has grown to three clinics now offering low cost veterinary care. Thanks to Bernstein and her team, everyone, no matter their income, can properly care for their animals.

Community Leaders and Nonprofit Supporters

The women and organizations listed in this section have a vast history of supporting the community and multiple nonprofits in Charlotte.

Kelly Brooks and Amy Jacobs
SHARE Charlotte

SHARE Charlotte founder, Kelly Brooks, and SHARE Charlotte executive director, Amy Jacobs make giving, volunteering and overall supporting community easy and fun. SHARE Charlotte ensures that nonprofits in the Queen City receive the support and funds they need to best serve the community. They have figured out the secret sauce and are now expanding via SHARE Good into other cities to support more nonprofits.

Kim Lanphear, Lavonne McLean and Stephanie McKee
Apparo

When we received nominations for women in nonprofit, we received multiple nominations for these three women from Apparo, and rightly so. Apparo, which is Latin for ‘to provide,’ is a hub for nonprofit information technology needs. Apparo provides strategy, implementation, consulting and support services for nonprofits in the Charlotte area. Kim Lanphear (CEO), Lavonne McLean (Director of Programs and Pro Bono Partnerships) and Stephanie McKee (Director of Technology Engagement) are three power houses who ensure nonprofits are equipped with the tools they need to be successful.

KIRSTEN SIKKELEE
Chief Executive Officer, YWCA Central Carolinas 

Kirsten Sikkelee began her career at YWCA Central Carolinas in 1994. Her roles and successes have included creating Women in Transition, a housing program for unaccompanied homeless women, while she was program director, and creating a similar program, but for families called Families Together as chief program officer.  

As CEO since 2009, Sikkelee also oversees the nine YWCA Youth Learning Centers, which serve over 300 children daily with free, out-of-school programming.

Other notables:

All of the women past & present of the Women’s Impact Fund, Junior League of Charlotte, Assistance LeagueLatin Americans Working for Achievement (formerly Latin American Women’s Association, and Good Friends Charlotte; Sarah Belk Gambrell and Sally Belk Gambrell; Marcia Simon, Rabbi Judith Schindler,  Queens University; Amanda Pagliarini Howard, The Society Guide; Kathy Izard, “The Hundred Story Home”, Susan McDonough; Felicia  Gray, civic leader; Christine Edwards, MPA, Community Relations Coordinator for Mecklenburg County ; Tiffany Hemming Pratter, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. Queen City Metropolitan Chapter; Katrina Louis, Managing editor of qcitymetro.com; Judge Shirley Fulton, President/CEO at Law and Community Foundation; Jania Massey, CEO/Founder of Philanthropy Circle 365 and Stiletto Boss University

 

 

This article is one of many we plan to do to highlight the Charlotte women doing great work to make our town the vibrant, growing, exciting place we all call home. While we are focused on Women in Non Profits here, we promise, at scoop we are all about the QC women, so you’ll be hearing a lot more from us on the topic of women who work in CLT over the next months. If we missed one or more of your favorite notables here, Please share in the COMMENTS section below, so all can see and support.

The Value of Time

Written by Erin Santos, Isabella’s Mother

Isabella Santos Foundation MIBG Therapy Suite

In less than 3 weeks, a new year starts for us all.  Personally, I love the upcoming New Year because I’m all about restarting.  I look back on this last year and it seems like a blur to me.  It happened so fast but at times seemed to drag along.  We set big goals for ourselves as a foundation and boy did we learn a lot.  Construction started the Isabella Santos Foundation MIBG Suite and we watched in amazement as Levine Children’s Hospital quickly held up their end of the deal and knocked out a world-class cancer therapy suite in less than 9 months.  The monthly updates and tours energized us as we plugged along different events, reminding donors of what was happening in their hometown thanks to their donations.  Levine Children’s was holding up their end of the deal, so we had to do the same.  Each Tuesday, our team would meet and walk through the numbers, wondering if we were going to be able to present them with another $100,000 – and many months we did.

In late November, the ISF MIBG suite was nearing completion and I found myself getting extremely emotional in meetings.  Not to say we haven’t done big things before, but this was different.  This wasn’t a tree planted in her honor or a check sent to a hospital to fund a portion of a childhood cancer trial.  This was an immediate impact and I knew there were families fighting for their child and waiting for this ribbon to be cut so their child could receive this treatment.  It became so real all of a sudden.

Isabella receiving MIBG therapy in Philadelphia

This was also the first time that we did something that wasn’t promising a cure and as a team, we had to be okay with that.  I sent my entire team the journals I wrote during Isabella’s relapse that lead us to MIBG treatment in Philadelphia.  I wanted them to read what it was like from the perspective of a mother, who knew in the end – this may not cure their child.  I was realistic and knew this cancer treatment was doing… it was giving her time.  I didn’t really grasp what that meant back in 2011 because we were always hoping for more time.  We kept telling ourselves that a cure was right around the corner and if we could just keep her alive a couple of more months, some trial would open up that would be the magic we were looking for.  But for us that never happened.  Instead of bringing us to a cure – it gave us a Halloween we shouldn’t have had, a Christmas with a healthy child and a 7th birthday she never should have seen.  10 months.  It gave us 10 more months – and that time was priceless.

She was 6, going on 7 and in these years she was developing into who she was going to be.  She forged friendships and character traits that I will always remember.  Time with all those new friends and valued time with family members that they will always cherish.  In the end, it didn’t save her – but sometimes time is just as valuable as a cure.   It was for us.

I would sit in these meetings at the hospital and hear about the possibility of patients coming by the end of the year to receive this therapy here in Charlotte thanks to our donation.  I knew the first couple of stories may not be the ones you want to hear, and I was afraid this room would not seem like a success to you.  I wasn’t sure if our donors were going to understand the importance of time.  Sure, there will be stories talking about moving the needle for pediatric cancer survival rates and I can’t wait for those.  But they will take time.  Both stories are valuable and I found myself being overcome with emotion about the possibility of providing this to the kids and families fighting cancer in Charlotte and beyond.  It’s absolutely incredible.  Think of what you are giving to these families.

Erin Santos giving the first tour of the Isabella Santos Foundation MIBG Therapy Suite

The night of the ribbon cutting, I wanted to give the first tour.  I took my family up to the room and found myself giddy about it.  You would think I was about to show them some masterpiece I had painted.  Kind of silly really.  These two rooms connected by a lead door and a yellow tinted piece of glass.  A room wrapped in plastic that looks kind of scary but a look up to the ceiling provided a view of stars and planets with even a shooting star they could wish upon.  A killer AV system that keeps kids entertained while the medicine blasts away their cancer and the large painting of Isabella hangs in the corner reminding us all how we got here.  All I kept saying was I hope people really “get it”.  This room will change lives for people… and I’m not really sure how many things you get the opportunity to support that does something at this magnitude, but this is big.

Erin Santos giving the first tour of the Isabella Santos Foundation MIBG Therapy Suite

So now we close up the year with the hopes of watching the first patient start receiving treatment in 2018.  I’ll say a little prayer and cross my fingers – hoping what we all did is something that changes fate for a kid fighting.  I know it will.  I just hope all our supporters understand how unreal this is and how it’s just the beginning of what we are building here in Charlotte and 2019 is in our sights.  I know for myself, this year is going to be one of the best years of my life.  I’ve surrounded myself with an amazing team, friends who support me and family who I have never been closer to.  I’m the happiest I have been in years and I’m excited to think of what you can accomplish when you have happiness, love, and support in your life.  The possibilities are endless.

Connie, Erin’s Mom, poses in front of Isabella Santos Foundation MIBG Suite

This room that we have worked so hard to build is open, and when one door closes – another one opens.  We have a 5-year, 5 million-dollar commitment to Levine Children’s and kids fighting cancer staring us in the face on January 1st.  The first Rare and Solid Tumor Program of its kind in the country will start forming as we fund a new team of top doctors, researchers, nurses and more.  Our goal is to take this last month of the year and push ourselves to make the first $100,000 installment towards this commitment.  Here at ISF, we like to exceed expectations and we hope that after watching what we did with your help in 2018, you will want to be along for the ride for years to come as we make history here in Charlotte.

Every single donation makes a difference… and we hope this last year showed you how very true this is.

Click here to make your year-end donation and help us kick off our first $100,000 installment towards the Isabella Santos Foundation Rare and Solid Tumor Program at Levine Children’s Hospital. Be part of changing childhood cancer care in Charlotte and beyond.

Thank you for being part of the Isabella Santos Foundation family. We look forward to achieving even bigger things for kids fighting cancer in 2019!

Isabella Santos Foundation: (L-R Top) Rachel Wood, Karen Murphy, Kerry Winslow (L-R Bottom) Erin Santos, Tia Wackenhagen, Maitland Danner

Our Kind of Charity Event. Designer Heels, Handbags & Mimosas.

Handbags, Heels, and Horsepower is just a couple days away… Thursday, November 15th.  Hang with your girlfriends with mimosas in hand… while surrounded by 30 beautiful designer handbags and heels that will be up for raffle to help raise money for rare pediatric cancer research.

The Charlotte Auto Show and Isabella Santos Foundation have partnered together for the Handbags, Heels and Horsepower event Thursday, November 15 at the Charlotte Convention Center.

Jenn Jackson and Erin Santos stopped by WCCB Rising this morning to talk about the event.

Tickets include: 

  • Admission
  • One raffle ticket
  • Free parking at the NASCAR Hall of Fame (arrive early, parking will be based on availability)
  • Beverages & breakfast.  

But make sure to increase your odds of winning that coveted handbag or heel and purchase additional raffle tickets.  If purchased prior to November 15th, raffle tickets will be available for pick up during check-in of Handbags, Heels & Horsepower with your name/number already written on them. Believe us… that will be a huge time saver for you!

PURCHASE TICKETS & PRE-PURCHASE RAFFLE TICKETS

Isabella Santos Foundation 5K and 10K for Kids Cancer Raises $225,000

The Isabella Santos Foundation announced that its 11th Annual 5K/10K for Kids Cancer and 1-Mile Fun Run has raised $225,000.

Three thousand people participated in this year’s race that took place on Sept. 29 in Ballantyne Corporate Park. The family-friendly event also featured a post-race festival that included: a Kids Fun Zone with games, face painting, slides, jump house and photo booth; food and refreshments; activity booths; and a silent auction and raffle. Brighthouse Financial served as the presenting sponsor. The following is a link to additional event sponsors.

“Huge thanks to all who joined us for our annual 5K and 10K for Kids Cancer! The event was a big success and a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Isabella’s life and raise funds for pediatric cancer research,” said Erin Santos, Executive Director and President of the Isabella Santos Foundation. “We appreciate our generous sponsors and dedicated staff, volunteers, participants and spectators for supporting Isabella’s dream of a world with no more cancer.”

About Isabella Santos Foundation

The Isabella Santos Foundation (ISF) is a 501(c)3 childhood cancer foundation dedicated to raising funds for research for neuroblastoma, other rare pediatric cancers, and charities that directly impact the lives of children with cancer. ISF was founded in honor of Isabella Santos from Charlotte, N.C. who lost her battle against neuroblastoma. ISF works to improve rare pediatric cancer treatment options in an effort to improve the survival rate of kids with cancer. For more information, visit www.isabellasantosfoundation.org  or follow ISF on Facebook (www.facebook.com/IsabellaSantosFoundation), Instagram (www.instagram.com/theisfoundation) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/TheISFoundation)

Levine Children’s Hospital Receives $100,000 Check from Isabella Santos Foundation

The ISF team gets decked out in costumes to kick off October and to present another $100,000 check to Levine Children’s Hospital

The Isabella Santos Foundation helped Atrium Health’s Levine Children’s Hospital kick off October by getting decked out in Halloween costumes and by presenting another $100,000 check to the hospital.

The Isabella Santos Foundation’s $1 million commitment to Levine Children’s Hospital started with MIBG therapy and grew to the vision of building the ISF Rare & Solid Tumor Program at the hospital. The program will oversee care for all solid tumors, rare tumors, MIBG therapy and all related clinical and scientific research at the hospital.

“As we get closer to the opening of the Isabella Santos Foundation MIBG Therapy Suite at Levine Children’s Hospital, the impact of our donations is getting real,” said Erin Santos, Executive Director and President of the Isabella Santos Foundation. “We value our partnership with Levine Children’s Hospital and appreciate our incredible supporters for making this donation possible. It’s very rewarding to know we are making a huge difference for kids with cancer in our surrounding communities.”

About Atrium Health
Atrium Health, previously Carolinas HealthCare System, one of the nation’s leading and most innovative healthcare organizations, provides a full spectrum of healthcare and wellness programs throughout the Southeast region. Its diverse network of care locations includes academic medical centers, hospitals, freestanding emergency departments, physician practices, surgical and rehabilitation centers, home health agencies, nursing homes and behavioral health centers, as well as hospice and palliative care services. Atrium Health works to enhance the overall health and well-being of its communities through high-quality patient care, education and research programs, and numerous collaborative partnerships and initiatives.

About Isabella Santos Foundation

The Isabella Santos Foundation (ISF) is a 501(c)3 childhood cancer foundation dedicated to raising funds for research for neuroblastoma, other rare pediatric cancers, and charities that directly impact the lives of children with cancer. ISF was founded in honor of Isabella Santos from Charlotte, N.C. who lost her battle against neuroblastoma. ISF works to improve rare pediatric cancer treatment options in an effort to improve the survival rate of kids with cancer. For more information, visit www.isabellasantosfoundation.org  or follow ISF on Facebook (www.facebook.com/IsabellaSantosFoundation), Instagram (www.instagram.com/theisfoundation) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/TheISFoundation).

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