Current News for United Initiatives

RUN for Camp HAITI

SAN DIEGO Rock ‘n’ Roll MARATHON FUNDRAISER

Dear Friends,

On June 6, 2010 at 6:00 AM, UIP’s Founding Director, Diesa Seidel,
will run 26.2 miles in the San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon.

Why run a marathon, you ask? Besides the obvious reasons (which we can’t think of right now), she is running to raise funds to host a 2-week summer camp in Haiti for child-survivors of the January 12th earthquake.

In 2008, United Initiatives for Peace (UIP) was incorporated with the vision to promote higher education, offer creative recreational programs, and encourage grassroots social reform through female empowerment in communities worldwide.
[UIP is a 501©(3) tax exempt public charity organization]

UIP has since worked in 15 countries, facilitated 21 leadership programs for young women, donated over 1000 pounds of supplies to high need communities, and awarded $20,000 in college scholarship funds to inner city girls from the greater Newark (NJ) area.

On January 6th, UIP traveled to Haiti to work and facilitate programs at The Haitian Academy (12 miles north of Port-au-Prince). During our time there, we lived through the massive 7.0 earthquake which resulted in immense suffering, destruction, and chaos.

UIP is now dedicated to conducting a 2-week overnight summer camp program in efforts to bring stability and joy back into the lives of Haiti’s youth. Camp Haiti will offer a variety of sports, arts, music, dance, life skills, camp games, in addition to select field trips. Camp Haiti will be run by local and international volunteers who will offer their unique talents and special gifts as a means to enrich and diversify camp activities.

In support of this vision, Diesa will be running the San Diego Marathon in hopes to raise funds for Camp Haiti. Sure, we could just ask you to donate (without her running), but we all know people like to give more when there is a deliberate tangible act of uncalled-for self-sacrificing outrageousness attributed to their donation… and we say, give the people a little something outrageous. (Go Diesa Go!)

Please see below for donation details.

We would like to thank you in advance for your financial support and being part of our greater purpose: instilling joy and hope back in the lives of Haiti’s youth.

In Gratitude,

The UIP SWAT
(Synergy Worldwide Action Team)

SUPPORTING CAMP HAITI

Sponsoring a Child…
➢ $19.00 covers all expenses* for 1 camper for 1 day
➢ $260.00 sponsors 1 camper to attend the entire 2 week overnight camp

Overhead Costs…
➢ $300.00 covers the cost to run a generator for 24 hours
➢ $200.00 covers the cost for transportation for 1 field trip (all campers)
➢ $75.00 buys 1 tent that will sleep 5 campers
➢ $10.00 buys 1 sleeping bag that will be given to each camper (to keep!)
➢ $1.00 still helps!

*Expenses…
Food (breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner), generator, transportation for field trips (via bus), tents, sleeping bags, camp t-shirt, art supplies (paint, paper, mosaic supplies, etc.), sports equipment (volleyballs, soccer balls, basketballs, jump ropes, etc.), general toiletries (towels, soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, toilet paper), maintenance staff (security guards, cooks, bus driver).

United Initiatives for Peace is a public charity organization and is exempt from Federal income tax under section 501©3 of the Internal Revenue Code. Your contributions are deductible under section 170 of the Code to the extent allowed by law.

Donations should be made payable to “United Initiatives for Peace” and mailed to:

United Initiatives for Peace
P.O. Box 10183
Newark, New Jersey 07101
U.S.A.

Questions? Call us at (973) 220 – 5630 or visit us online at www.unitedinitiatives.org

Thank you for investing in a higher purpose!

This January, UIP facilitated a G.R.A.C.E. program and at The Haitian Academy in Titayen, Haiti (12 miles north of Port-au-Prince).

Thanks to the generous support of individuals at our Newark fund raiser, we were also able to donate over 70 pounds of school supplies and basketballs as part of our "Operation Cooperation" initiative.

On January 12th, Haiti experienced a 7.2 magnitude earthquake, resulting in 100,000’s of deaths & injuries, destroying infrastructure, and ultimately putting the country in dire distress.

UIP’s personal involvement during this catastrophe has compelled us to maintain a close partnership with The Haitian Academy. We hope to build a sustainable partnership with the school, helping to rebuild the vision and create a positive learning environment for the children of Haiti.

If you would like to support our new Haiti Initiative, donations may be mailed to P.O. Box 10183, Newark, New Jersey 07101 or made online at www.unitedinitiatives.org/invest.html

On Sunday, September 6th, 2009 United Initiatives for Peace in partnership with the City of Newark Division of Recreation and Cultural Affairs, hosted the 2nd Annual "You Got Schooled" College Scholarship 3-on-3 Girls' Basketball Tournament at Central High School in Newark, New Jersey.

14 High Schools were represented from the Greater Newark Area and $7,000 in college scholarships were awarded to 17 participants.

The 2009 Champions was team "LMS2"! With players from various high schools...
Mona McKinney (University High School, Newark)
Lena Howard (Arts High School, Newark)
Shanique Graves (University High School, Newark)
Simone Rucker (Columbia High School, Maplewood)

Congrats LMS2!!!

Other scholarships were awarded to the 2nd and 3rd place teams, as well as individual competition winners (Hot Shot contest, 3-point contest, foul shooting contest), and to individuals demonstrating sportsmanship, community service, and a spirit of volunteerism.

Over the past 2 years, UIP has awarded over $20,000 in college scholarship funds to inner city girls! We plan on building on this foundation as a means to promote higher education and community activism!

Thank you to all our Sponsors!

Newark Beth Israel Medical Center (Lyons Ave, Newark, NJ)
Applebees Restaurant (383 Springfield Ave, Newark, NJ)
Urban Sports Alliance (Newark, NJ)
Newark City Council Members
Preferred Freezer Service (360 Ave P, Newark, NJ)
Dunkin Donuts (305 Springfield Ave, Newark, NJ)
The Spot Lounge (45 Commerce St., Newark, NJ)
Wells Fargo/Anthony Gangemi (Parsippany, NJ)
Paradise Nails (Montville, NJ)
Red Barn Restaurant (Montville, NJ)
Surveyor, James Deady (Parsippany, NJ)
Scott Itzkowitz, Esq., (Parsippany, NJ)
UIP's "29 on the 29th" Fundraiser
UIP's "TRI for a higher purpose" fundraiser
Design Factory (1219 Liberty Ave, Hillside, NJ)

The 3rd "You Got Schooled" tournament is scheduled for June 2010!

On Sunday, July 26th, UIP's founder completed the NYC Nautica Triathlon in 2:49:39!
[Swim 1.5k, Bike 40k, Run 10k]

The Tri was done in support of the 2nd Annual "You Got Schooled" College Scholarship High School Girls Basketball 3-on-3 Tournament, whose vision is provide a safe and positive environment, while promoting higher education, community service and sportsmanship (YGS will take place on August 29th in Newark, NJ).

Exclusive UIP Triathlon t-shirts were sold and donations collected that will go towards college scholarships for inner city girls participating in the tournament.

We applaud all our sponsors and supporters that made this effort worthy of a higher cause!

If you are interested in donating, you can still do so at: www.unitedinitiatives.org/invest.html

Thank you again and remember - don't just TRI... TRI for a higher purpose!

It's a fundraiser disguised as a birthday party!!

HOST: Scott and Alayna Itzkowitz
WHEN: Monday, June 29, 6:00PM
CONTACT PHONE: 908-343-1631
LOCATION:
Smokerise (Itzkowitz Residence)
4 Brookvale Road
Kinnelon, NJ 07405 USA

Some times you work on the weekend, some times you party during the week...

On Monday, June 29 UIP's founder (Diesa) will be turning 29... in 2009 (like whoa!) - Your suggested $29 donation (extra zeros welcomed) to United Initiatives will support various female empowerment programs, including the 2nd Annual "You Got Schooled" college scholarship 3-on-3 basketball tournament which will take place on August 29 in Newark, NJ.
[United Initiatives is a 501(c)(3) Public Charity and all donations are tax exempt]

BBQ (vegetarian friendly), food, drinks, hot tub access, music, games, and unparalled company is guaranteed or you can leave at no cost (*wink*)... although all donations are non-refundable.

BYOF (Bring Your Other Friends)!!

See you all on the 29th

In June, UIP conducted a female empowerment program for the girls at the Belize Youth Hostel in Rockville (20 miles outside of Belize City).
The Youth Hostel is a juvenile detention center for teenagers who have committed minor offenses, have uncontrollable behavior, or have anger management issues.
During the program, the girls were guided through various goal setting, team building, and mission statements for their life.
Basketball, volleyball, and kickball were played to strengthen their sense of 'team' and help them to understand the importance of working together and maximizing each other's strengths.
On the last day the girls wrote and recorded a song based on their dreams and promise for change. The song is entitled "What I Choose" and is the second original song produced with UIP.
The program was administered by Grace Daley (a former WNBA player and musician/song writer) and Diesa Seidel (founder of United Initiatives).

United Initiatives for Peace, in partnership with Sports for Peace, hosted a 3-day empowerment program for 10 girls at the Upton Gardens Girls Center in Castries, St. Lucia on May 6th, 7th, and 8th, 2009.

The Center is a safe haven for young females (ages 13-17) who have behavioral problems, are neglected, abused, or come from dysfunctional families.

During the program, the girls learned new basketball techniques and games, participated in numerous character enriching and teambuilding activities, and wrote and recorded a song of their visions and goals for life.

The program was facilitated by Diesa Seidel, founder of United Initiatives, and Grace Daley, a pro basketball player who played 3 seasons in the WNBA and 7 seasons in Europe. Additionally, Grace is a peace activist who strives to infuse the values of Christ in young women. Grace’s expertise in basketball, music compilation, and instilling confidence in youth gave this program unprecedented value.

ONE year ago United Initiatives was officially registered as an organization in the State of New Jersey in the United States of America.

UIP now has since received its 501(c)3 tax exempt status from the IRS and is filed as a public charity.

Below is a general recap of some of our accomplishments over the past 12 months.

It was an inspiring year that went above and beyond expectations.
The bar has been raised and the foundation is set.
UIP is ready to continue to manifest our vision locally and globally in years to come...

13 COUNTRIES SERVED

USA, Guatemala, Belize, Trinidad & Tobago, Cote d’Ivoire, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Jordan, Israel, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda

“UNITED BALLERS”

18 “United Ballers” programs were completed in 11 countries, serving and empowering over 500 girls in marginalized communities

“OPERATION COOPERATION”

15 “Operation Cooperation” initiatives were fulfilled in cooperation with the students and staff of St. Virgil School (New Jersey, USA). With our partnership, we donated over 500 lbs of school supplies & clothing, and over 200 basketballs & 100 jump ropes to impoverished schools and community centers in 12 countries.

“YOU GOT SCHOOLED”

Our 1st Annual College Scholarship Girls’ Basketball 3-on-3 Tournament (Newark, NJ, USA) awarded over $13,000 in college scholarship funds to 22 inner city girls. We had 18 primary sponsors from personal contributors, local companies, and organizations.

PARTY with a PURPOSE and support our first ATLANTA fundraiser social at the Atrium in Buckhead this Thursday at 7:00 pm!

Your $30 suggested donation will support out 2nd Annual "You Got Schooled" tournament, which provides college scholarships for inner city and marginalized females.

Drinks & light refreshments will be served.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Atrium at Buckhead
360 PHARR ROAD
ON THE POOL TERRACE
[Unit 209]
ATLANTA, GA 30305

*Between Peachtree Road NW and Piedmont Road NE in Buckhead
(cross street: Grandview)

For Questions/Directions please call: (770) 310 - 4306

United Initiatives and Sports for Peace hosted a 3 day United Ballers program at the Kabuga Youth Center and Doctrina Vitae College in Kigali, Rwanda.
50 girls participated in the program, many of whom are survivors of the 1994 genocide.
Although it has been 15 years, mental, physical, and emotional pain are still evident. Often, the psychology grief of war is passed from generation to generation, thus making the healing and reconciliation process long and painful.

More than 1 million people lost their lives in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. Additionally, over 500,000 women were raped (often being infected with HIV/AIDS), two-thirds of the population was displaced resulting in over 2 million refugees, and over 300,000 children were orphaned. Sadly enough, this was not the first genocide of our time.
The aftermath of these destructive cycles of war is daunting.
Social institutions stop functioning, critical health and education systems break down, physical infrastructure is destroyed, agriculture activity is interrupted, food supplies become scarce, commerce and trade shrink, poverty increases, populations are uprooted and made homeless, epidemic diseases spread unchecked, discrimination against vulnerable populations increases, and violence and criminality become widespread.

As human beings, we must realize our interconnectedness to one another and our innate responsibility to make efforts to heal and rebuild our world. Through the strife we must not only envision a world where all human rights are respected and communities thrive in peaceful co-existence, but we must take action and cultivate it.

"All this will not be finished in the first 100 days, nor will it be finished in the first 1000 days, nor in the life of this administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin." (JFK)

UIP, in partnership with COSAD/SHARE, manifested it’s first ever Court Quest initiative at Kiteyagwa Primary School in Bukoba, Tanzania. This was a historical moment for UIP and sets the foundation for many more Court Quest initiatives in Tanzania and worldwide.
Bukoba is an economically challenged small town on Lake Victoria in northwest Tanzania where recreational opportunities and facilities are rare. In November 2008, UIP met the founders of COSAD (Smart Baitani) and SHARE (Shannon and Karen McNamara) at a fundraiser and started planning their collaborative female empowerment ideas for the girls of Bukoba. COSAD (Community Solutions for Africa’s Development) is a 501©3 non-profit organization committed to providing numerous programs that serve the community of Bukoba. SHARE (SHannon’s After-school Reading Exchange), an English reading group for girls, is among one of the programs that COSAD hosts. SHARE’s vision is to create a literary environment that inspires girls in East Africa to reach their highest potential. When girls have a safe place to meet and learn they can thrive – and when they thrive, everyone around them thrives too. For more information on COSAD/SHARE please visit them online at www.cosad.org/share

UIP, in partnership with Sports for Peace, conducted a 3 day United Ballers program with 30 girls from the Kibera slums district in Nairobi, Kenya. The program was hosted at the Nairobi Baptist Church where girls engaged in various activities promoting teambuilding, self-empowerment, goal setting, and social activism. As part of our commitment to community service, the girls volunteered at several local foster care homes in Nairobi. UIP donated jump ropes, soccer balls, coloring books, and markers to the foster care homes as part of Operation Cooperation. The program concluded each day with structured basketball drills and games in efforts to promote healthy living, social development, and life skills and values learned through sports.

Following the Nairobi United Ballers program, UIP hosted a brief introductory session of UIP at the Baracka Oontoyie Secondary School, a Catholic Girls’ Boarding School 50 km outside of Nairobi in the Rift Valley. The school hosts 360 girls, many from the Maasai community who have been rescued from ‘early marriages’ in efforts to continue their secondary education despite their inability to afford tuition. For $500 USD per year, [that’s $42 USD per month or $1.35 USD per day, which is less then the price of a cup of Dunkin Donuts Coffee] you can give a high need girl a quality high school education- covering tuition, room, and board. This gift will set the foundation for her life, allowing her to unleash her potential and express her creativity. For more information on how to become a sponsor, please email us at info@unitedinitiatives.org subject “Baracka School”, or call 973-220-5630. Donations can also be made via the “Invest” link through PayPal. Again, Thank You for investing in a higher purpose!

Synlight Centers provide creative resources and solutions that serve as a unit for supplementary, continuous, and artistic learning. Synlight Centers are uniquely catered to the needs of each community, but will customarily offer computer and internet access, language centers, women’s libraries, spiritual libraries, intellectual games, music, art, dance, and more. Synlight Centers encourage individuals to discover and uncover their unique genius within through supplying a means for enriching their lives and their communities.

United Ballers is a global self-empowerment program for underserved girls. United Ballers is a multi-tiered program incorporating character and consciousness education, community service, and basketball fundamentals and games. Care packages and international player exchange programs are available in efforts to make UB more sustainable in each locale. In the final analysis, United Ballers hopes to create a global network of young women who strive to become active citizens in their communities, nations, and world.

Link: http://www.unitedinitiatives.org/got-schooled.html

College Scholarship 3-on-3 Girls Basketball Tournament

The purpose of You Got Schooled is to provide a safe and positive environment for high school girls, while encouraging higher education by providing an alternative means to earn college scholarship funds.

The 2009 You Got Schooled tournament will be hosted in Newark, New Jersey at St. Peter's Park (Lyons Ave) on Saturday, August 29th beginning at 10:00 am.

An Awards Reception is scheduled for Sunday, August 30th at 2:00 pm at Central High School (246 18th Ave, Newark, NJ) to honor all participants, sponsors, partners, and award recipients & winners.

Register today!