Greenwich Local News

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Christmas for Everyone -- “Adopt a Family", "Support a Senior", "Help the Homeless” In Operation Holiday 2020

Hundreds of families, individuals, seniors and the homeless will benefit from the generosity of donors for the Christmas Holiday.

POWER CHANGES LIVES ("POWER"), is pleased to announce OPERATION HOLIDAY 2020. This year, POWER, through donors, will sponsor "adoptions" for over 75 families, more than 50 senior citizens, and the homeless, identified by various non-profit, community and local resources. It is the goal that all are "adopted" by donors. Operation Holiday has already launched and will end on December 11, 2020 in order to receive assistance by Christmas.Donors help families like the Johnson's who, in addition to losing close relatives due to COVID-19, struggled with battling various medical issues causing frequent hospitalizations. As a result, the family is extreme debt, while attempting to resolve medical expenses. Without donor assistance, it would be impossible to purchase their children's wish list items such as slippers, headsets for distance learning, anything "Ryan's World" or "JoJo Siwa".

Then there are families like Marcia Jacobsen, a single mother with a 6-year-old son Lathan. Diagnosed with sickle cell early in her life, she remains in chronic pain. Although in her early 30's she recently suffered a stroke, currently undergoing rehabilitation, and her condition leaves her unable to even consider purchasing Christmas gifts.Those interested in donating should visit POWER® OPERATION HOLIDAY 2020 on Eventbrite choosing a family, senior or program to "adopt". Donors are provided the family background story and wish list. After committing they are provided the family's full name, contact and shipping information. Donors can also give a cash donation through the site or directly using Donate by PayPal to support one of our many other programs such as Project Feed ® (Friends Ensuring Every Dinner), Project Warmth® (Homeless), iLearn® (Remote musical instrument with one-on-one instruction to underserved communities), iAmArt® (Remote art instruction for students), and have the option whether to remain anonymous."COVID-19 has deeply impacted families and our economy. People are struggling to provide food, secure or maintain jobs, pay medical bills and rent. They are often faced with the daunting choice "food or medicine" and "rent or gifts." Holidays for many of these families is glaring reality – Christmas may not come this year" said Penny Lopez, Chairman. "We are more than confident that our amazing banded communities across the country will step up and meet the need where no opportunity to help this year is unmet".

In addition to Christmas support, POWER is also seeking donations for their Senior Connect® program which provides Kindle Fire 7 tablet technology and training to high-risk Seniors, virtually connecting them with their physicians, houses of faith, family and community wellness checks. Without this technology, many seniors are at risk for a serious medical or health event including fatalities.POWER is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (TAX ID: 83-1855848) with focus on Health, Education, Food Insecurity, Housing and Homeless, Aging and Social Justice and Reform. To learn more about POWER, visit www.powerchangeslives.com

POWER CHANGES LIVES
operationholiday@powerchangeslives.com
(973) 866-5531

GENZ TAKES ON GREATER MENTAL HEALTH, PHYSICAL WORRIES AS 60% INCREASINGLY TURN TO SOCIAL MEDIA, NATIONAL REPORT SHOWSThe weight of COVID-19 is rearing its ugly head on GenZ, who say they are experiencing greater mental health and work worries, causing more to turn to social media and alter their living arrangements.At the same time, GenZ’s tremendous focus on social justice and activism is causing them to place racism as a top worry – something for employers to take note.While job security remains their single biggest worry – on par with 2019’s findings – the report saw a closing of the gender gap in areas that include compensation, leadership and company ownership. For example, when asked about their confidence of becoming an entrepreneur, GenZ women showed a 12 point jump – up to 55% vs 43% last year. “More than any generation, GenZ is feeling the brunt of COVID-19 – and will for the foreseeable future,” said Jennifer Openshaw, CEO of Girls With Impact. “But they realize that the only way to address and solve the enormous challenges facing our country – from racism to climate change – to be their own boss.”With a focus on COVID-19, Girls With Impact’s 4th annual report – presented by U.S. Bank and co-sponsored by Forcepoint -- compared last year’s findings to this year’s, examining their outlook, worries, confidence and workplace preferences.With this report -- What’s Inside the Minds of GenZ… during COVID-19? – “we tried to pull back the sheets and uncover the truths during what has been a tumultuous time for this generation,” she said.GenZ comprises those born in the mid-1990s and would be just entering the workforce in their early 20s. The report finds a radical shift in GenZ’s priorities due to COVID-19 and other crises, from their desire to tackle racism to college and financial plans. COVID-19 Reactions… and its TollWhile getting a job and being successful still rank among the top 5 concerns compared to 2019, Covid and the focus on race has put new pressures on this generation.Mental health worries have spiked 14% since 2019, ranking third as a top concern – perhaps the result of seeing family members lose jobs.Worries about grades also rose, up 20% over the previous year. When asked what would most increase their confidence, GenZ women placed greater focus on weight with 56% saying it would most impact their confidence vs 50% in 2019. Similar trends were found among men and their focus on acne during the pandemic.When asked about the changes they expect to make as a result of COVID-19 – from job to college changes -- a whopping 59% of GenZers say they are spending more time on social media and 49% on streaming video this year. Nearly 30% expect to live with their parents for the foreseeable future.More purpose-drivenGenZ is especially purpose driven – a fact that was reinforced amid the focus on racial justice. When asked about their single most pressing concern, racism more than doubled (133%) over 2019.“These findings reinforce why U.S, Bank is committed to developing and advancing the careers of women and professionals of color through partnerships like the one with Girls With Impact,” said Reba Dominski, executive vice president and Chief Social Responsibility Officer for U.S. Bank and president of the U.S. Bank Foundation.To a greater extent than last year, this generation wants to create something innovative or world-changing – and more of them expect to be entrepreneurs running their own companies – up from 46% in 2019 to 53% in 2020. Far fewer expect they’ll make it as leaders within established organizations with a staggering 64% saying they are unsure or unlikely of ever becoming one.“As business leaders at the forefront of innovation who are responsible for reshaping an industry, we recognize that in order to drive meaningful change, we must value diversity of thought,” said Ben Tao, Vice President, Corporate Marketing, Forcepoint, the world’s largest privately owned cybersecurity firm. “Today, more than ever, it is paramount for organizations to provide the tools and resources to prepare GenZ for bright careers of the future.Attracting GenZ – and women -- in the WorkplaceConfidence building moves – Aside from addressing image concerns, more women in 2020 say that ‘launching a business” would most improve their confidence – 35% vs 24% in 2019. Men saw just a one point increase (34% vs 33% last year).Job selection – GenZ shifted priorities from a short travel time and mentoring in 2019 to remote working and flexible hours – with greater attention to volunteer opportunities.Gender differences on the comp front -- GenZ women continue to have a lower compensation expectation – and the gender gap in earnings expectations has widened – with 39% of men expecting to earn over $100K by 40 vs 27% of women.To download the full report, sponsored by the U.S. Bank Foundation, visit girlswithimpact/GenZ-2020.