Your showing up at my events, supporting the places that sell my work, and joining me on my tours allowed me to pay it forward to the causes that are close to my heart.
Here are a few of the highlights from 2016:
1: Mayan Families does an amazing job coordinating student sponsorship and family aid. Silvia Maria, a student from Santiago Atitlan, has been able to continue her education and her family has benefited from donations such as food stuff, a water filter, and household needs.
2: WINGS, GUATEMALA works in the realm of family planning and education. This year’s efforts put a new mobile unit on line and an update of their Antigua clinic.
3: Fair trade weaver’s cooperatives in Sololá, Guatemala and Rabinal, Guatemala have increased their sales through the marketing of my designs, and benefited from technique and design consultations.
4: Womenade Boston continues to support programs that empower teen girls and women in the greater Boston area. If you are local and would like to attend one of our 4 annual meetings, please get in touch. As a member of a giving circle, I have a chance to direct where my money goes.
5: The Second Step fosters the safety, stability, and well-being of survivors of domestic violence. Their annual dinner is inspiring and critical for them to continue on their mission. Join me in 2017!
6: I have donated to a number of local cultural institutions including: MFA, ICA, DeYoung Museum, WBUR, WUMB, WGBH, and Clark University.
7: NRDC (my son’s choice for his Hanukkah giving gift this year)!
8: Southern Poverty Law Center, whose mission is more important every day - fighting hate and supporting victims. My mother, Ida Friedman, felt so strongly about their work that she left them money in her will.
9: Harambee Arts, I have known the founder, Gloria Levine, for all my life. Her work across continents in expressive arts therapy is awe inspiring. Harambee Arts is transforming and improving the lives of women and children who have suffered the devastating effects of trauma caused by violence, illness, poverty, trafficking and other crises.
10: Planned Parenthood - Again, more important now than ever.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.
Have a Happy and Healthy New Year.
Here’s to 2017!
More color, more philanthropy, more love and more life.
Best, Hetty
