Bringing people together to build homes, communities, and hope

If you’re looking for a way to get outside this season and get involved in activities to help your community, look no further than Habitat for Humanity. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat affiliates internationally have served more than 3 million people by building or restoring over 1,000,000 homes worldwide! 

Habitat for Humanity of New Castle in Delaware was established in 1986 and ranks among the top three Habitat Northeast affiliates in terms of housing production. Habitat is a vital organization which helps short circuit the cycle of poverty for many of their families and helps homeowners gain new confidence. 

Families who qualify for a Habitat home become equal partners in their mission, working alongside volunteers to build their homes. They also attend financial counseling and homeowner-based training and work to repair their credit. Not only do these families become first-time homeowners, but the positivity spreads through other aspects of their lives; many Habitat families are able to secure better jobs, and report improvement in their children’s school performance. 

Habitat for Humanity truly focuses on the community. Their Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative, or NRI, was designed to help U.S. affiliates as they work to transform neighborhoods using a holistic approach. Joining with residents, nonprofits, local governments, and communities of faith, NRI is creating and implementing a shared vision of revitalization. 

There are so many ways to help! Habitat for Humanity accepts donations and offers volunteer opportunities for construction and family services as well as social networking, community outreach, and event fundraising. Visit Habitat’s profile page on www.DanioConnect.com for more information and to help build up your community! Click here and volunteer today!

Contact:
Sandy Royer, Director of Marketing & Brand Management for more information.
sroyer@DanioConnect.com. 

This month, focus on self-care, managing stress, and promoting healthy routines

Your calendar is packed, your work project is overdue, you haven’t had time to get to the grocery store, your laundry is piling up, you haven’t been to the gym in months… Sound familiar? Trying to make time for all the things life throws at us can feel like a losing battle. You certainly don’t have time to take care of yourself… right? 

It’s easy to neglect taking care of ourselves, especially when we’re so overwhelmed that even a small reprieve feels like a luxury, or even selfish. Here’s the thing, though. If we never take the time to take care of ourselves, physically and mentally, we lose focus and burn out. 

August is National Wellness Month, and we want to remind you: YOU are important! Take some time this month to reflect on what you do to take care of yourself. 

What is self-care, anyway?

Self-care is any deliberate activity we do to take care of our mental, emotional, and physical health. Think about what you do in your life to refuel and feel better. These activities are touchstones of self-care, and help reduce stress and increase focus. You may be practicing some self-care without consciously recognizing it, but it’s important to think about what works for you and make space for those activities. 

How do I get started?

Actively plan. Self-care is an active choice, and should be planned. Add activities to your calendar, announce your plans to others so that you keep your commitments, and seek out opportunities to practice self-care. 

Stay conscious. Be aware of what you do, why you do it, and how it makes you feel. Keeping a conscious mind ensures that what you do as part of your self-care routine has the most positive impact on your life. 

Stick to the basics. You’ll find your own rhythm and routine. Start small. You can always incorporate activities as you identify the routines that work best for you. Some easy ways to get started can include: 

• Promote a nutritious, healthy diet, and eat consciously and slowly.

• Exercise! Choose an activity that appeals to you and get moving. Exercise is as good for our emotional health as it is for our physical health. 

• Get enough sleep; adults usually need 7-8 hours of sleep each night. 

• Learn how to say NO. You don’t have to agree to what people ask of you, even if you can make room for it in your schedule. 

• Make time for doctor’s appointments. Don’t put off well visits, and if you have a health concern, address it with your doctor as soon as you can.

• Practice meditation or relaxation exercises. There are even meditation apps for your smart phone that can help you learn how! 

• Do at least one pleasurable activity each day, whether you watch a favorite movie or cook a meal with your family. 

• Spend time with your loved ones, and look for opportunities to laugh. 

Taking care of your physical and emotional needs lays the foundation that supports us through each day, but, ironically, self-care is often the first thing to fall by the wayside when we get busy. This month, examine what it means to take care of yourself, and you can sail into the fall with renewed confidence and positivity! 

Written by Elizabeth Hornberger, Danio Connect Communications & Content Editor

Contact:
Sandy Royer, Director of Marketing & Brand Management for more information about Danio Connect email Sandy at sroyer@DanioConnect.com. 

Source:

Michael, Raphailia. “What Self-Care Is - and What It Isn't.” World of Psychology, 8 July 2018, psychcentral.com/blog/what-self-care-is-and-what-it-isnt-2/.

“Self-Care: 12 Ways to Take Better Care of Yourself.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/click-here-happiness/201812/self-care-12-ways-take-better-care-yourself.

If you work for or run a nonprofit, you already know how crucial fundraising is. In all of its forms, fundraising is necessary for nonprofits to complete their projects and fulfill their causes. Unsurprisingly, fundraising trends have swiftly advanced over the last few decades, due in large part to the rise of technology and the growing impact of the internet. Other changes in trends are directly related to cultural and societal shifts.

Delaware nonprofits are struggling with generating and maintaining funding. The loss of statewide funding in 2017 continues to make an impact, along with a changing community landscape. With CEOs and boards of directors under pressure to maximize their bottom lines, corporate philanthropy has declined. Charitable giving by individuals in Delaware is low as well, ranking in the bottom 10 in the U.S. 

What does this mean for the future of nonprofits? They will need to think outside the box and try something new. Fundraising ideas should be not only creative but tailored to how the modern public consumes information. 

A Rockefeller Foundation study on nonprofit innovation found that diversity is key for innovation. Putting together a team of people with wide-ranging perspectives and skills introduces the conflict necessary to deliver new, effective ideas. 

In addition to a creative team, nonprofits must account for how existing and potential donors consume information. Younger generations have grown up with access to a vast amount of information at their fingers, and have learned how to quickly filter and sort through marketing “noise.” Grab their attention by mimicking existing social media platforms and using authentic visuals to tell captivating stories. 

Because of the overwhelming amount of information that comes our way these days, many people are starting to express their desire for real human contact, which can pave the way for a new way of fundraising. Nonprofits can mobilize supporters and donors in community-driven development, working together on a shared vision to achieve social change. 

Partnering with for-profit businesses is another great way to connect with a wider audience, leading to new donors and volunteers. Even donors can fundraise for the nonprofits they care about! Peer-to-peer fundraising accounts for one-third of all online donations, so nonprofits can raise significant funds through encouraging their followers to help share their message. 

Connection is the key to bringing all of this together in a meaningful way. DanioConnect.com allows nonprofits to tackle many of these ideas at once. This online platform provides built-in tools for nonprofits to broadcast services to those in need and share messaging with other businesses which can help spread their word. Nonprofits can connect with other individuals and organizations right from their desktop, opening up a world of opportunity for organizations of like mind to help each other succeed in their missions and reach their goals. 

Nearly everyone has access to the internet; Danio Connect allows nonprofits to meet donors where they already are, and provide a secure, easy, and quick way to collect donations from across the country and around the world. Join Danio Connect today to start building effective, lasting relationships within your community! 

Written by Elizabeth Hornberger
Danio Connect Communications & Content Editor

Contact:
Sandy Royer, Director of Marketing & Brand Management for more information about Danio Connect email Sandy at sroyer@DanioConnect.com. 

Source:

Vuocolo, Alex. “Delaware Nonprofits Struggle with Diversity, Tax Changes and Funding Shortfalls - DBT.” Delaware Business Times, 14 June 2019, www.delawarebusinesstimes.com/delaware-nonprofits-still-struggling/?utm_campaign=Newsletter - DBT - News&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=73701207&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8XhXTFhrK-7fTXJYYwxJy3IaWDUAMXQ-MFCB-34v0iz1VNmV5tLZyX1zvRcHXrEhlPinyKt_UT502iiKf_anBI9wunp_HcLr15qdXrbrspOC-gMN0&_hsmi=73701207.

Ibrisevic, Ilma. “8 Fundraising Trends Your Nonprofit Needs to Know for 2019 - Donorbox.” Nonprofit Blog, 28 Mar. 2019, donorbox.org/nonprofit-blog/fundraising-trends-2019/.

“How Can Delaware Sustain Its Nonprofits?” Delaware Today, www.delawaretoday.com/Delaware-Today/November-2017/How-Can-Delaware-Sustain-Its-Nonprofits/.

With Father’s Day coming up quickly, most of us have the important men in our lives already on our minds. Coincidentally, June is Men’s Health Month, a month dedicated to raising awareness of preventable health problems as well as encouraging early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.

Just like they’re less apt to ask for directions when lost, men also tend to pay less attention to their health. Not only that, they are more likely to make risky choices, drink alcohol and use tobacco, and forego regular checkups with their doctor. Men can be afflicted with diseases that can affect anyone, of course, but they also have unique issues such as prostate cancer and benign prostate enlargement.

A survey conducted by Men’s Health Network revealed that 90% of men in the U.S. want to take charge of their own health. This month, encourage the men you love to get started on their health journey!  

Give The Gift Of Health This Father's Day
Do you live in the Delaware Valley? Are you looking for a gift for Dad? Give the gift of health! Our own Danio Connect Nonprofit member, the Siegel JCC, offers programs that will help Dad stay healthy and keep active:

Personal Training:
The JCC team of certified professional trainers are available for personal, partner, or small group training.

Group Classes:
Siegel JCC holds 50 group exercise classes each week, including a new MMA-inspired workout, Core de Force! If picking up heavy stuff is more your speed, they are holding a Strength Competition fundraiser this week to benefit teen suicide prevention. The JCC even partners with Top Kick Karate to offer Tang Soo Do karate classes!

So think about treating your Dad to a JCC membership this Father’s Day! Visit the Siegel JCC page on Danio Connect to learn more about special events, activities and amenities at the Siegel JCC or visit their website at www.siegeljcc.org for more information.



Written by Elizabeth Hornberger, Danio Connect Communications & Content Editor

Contact:
Sandy Royer, Director of Marketing & Brand Management for more information.
sroyer@DanioConnect.com.

Source:

Harvard Health Publishing. “Men's Health.” Harvard Health, www.health.harvard.edu/topics/mens-health.

“The State of Men's Health.” The State of Men's Health | Mens Health Network, www.menshealthnetwork.org/node/695.

If you’re like me, it can be like pulling teeth trying to get your kids’ noses out of their phones and tablets, and finding activities that are fun AND educational can be a challenge. With summer quickly approaching, we’re all thinking about finding engaging programs for our kids while they’re out of school.

The Girl Scouts organization is about so much more than those amazing (and addictive) cookies! Girls can participate in a vast array of engaging, challenging, and fun activities, including earning badges, going on trips, exploring science, connecting with the outdoors, and joining in community service projects. Girl Scouts rests on a firm foundation of what they call the “Girl Scout Leadership Experience.” This foundation consists of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), Outdoors, Life Skills, and Entrepreneurship. Girl Scouts is focused on putting girls on a path to a lifetime of leadership, adventure, and success, learning the tools to take action to change the world.

Did you know that the Girl Scouts organization also offers camp experiences? There are options for girls from kindergarten up through adult, ranging from day camp to resident camp. For experienced girls and adult campers, the travel camping experience has participants travel from one site to another, staying at different campsites along the way. Each camp is guided by caring, trained adults, creating a safe environment for learning - and tons of fun!

Girl Scouts also offers a Girl Scout Ranger Program, giving girls the opportunity to learn about natural and cultural resources close to their homes. Troop leaders and parents work closely to arrange the activities that will best enrich each girl’s journey.

Girl Scouts helps girls do more than they ever thought they could, dream bigger than they ever imagined, and change the world for themselves and for others. This summer, consider giving your girl the gift of adventure and fun! Visit our Danio Connect Member: Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay on www.DanioConnect.com to learn more about local Girl Scout troops and how they can enrich your child’s life and help her reach her full potential.

Written By Elizabeth Hornberger
Danio Connect Communications & Content Editor

Contact:
Sandy Royer, Director of Marketing & Brand Management for more information.
sroyer@DanioConnect.com.

The brain is the most complex organ in the human body, and controls and coordinates actions and reactions. Our brains allow us to think and feel, give us the ability to form and retain memories, and play an important role in coordinating movement, posture, and balance.

An injury to this vital organ can greatly impact our lives in many ways, so it’s important to be able to spot the symptoms of injury as soon as possible. Brain injuries do not discriminate. According to the Brain Injury Association of America, 2.4 million people, including 475,000 children, sustain a traumatic brain injury (“TBI”) each year. 5.3 million individuals live with lifelong disability as a result of TBI.

Concussions, while classified as milder than TBIs, can also have lasting and devastating long-term side effects including brain disease and degenerative brain conditions. Concussions can have a severe impact on the brain over time, especially if subsequent concussions are experienced.

It’s important to pay close attention to your body after any type of head injury. Symptoms of concussion include:

• Headache or “pressure” in your head

• Nausea or vomiting

• Balance problems or dizziness

• Double or blurry vision

• Sensitivity to light or noise

• Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy

• Concentration or memory problems

• Confusion

• Just not “feeling right” or “feeling down”

It’s important to contact your doctor after a head injury, and be honest about how you’re feeling both physically and emotionally. Many people don’t realize that a concussion can cause mood and behavior changes in addition to physical symptoms. It’s vital to take care of yourself while recovering from a head injury, and that includes making sure you get enough rest and using positive stress management. Victims of head trauma can even find relief in mobile apps which track moods and help manage stress with deep breathing exercises.

Written by, Elizabeth Hornberger, Danio Connect Communications & Content Editor

Visit the Brain Injury Association of America’s website at www.biausa.org for a wealth of resources about brain injuries; you can also visit www.DanioConnect.com to connect directly with experts who care.

Contact:
Sandy Royer, Director of Marketing & Brand Management for more information by email at: sroyer@DanioConnect.com.

Visit www.DanioConnect.com to learn more!

Source:

Brouhard, Rod. “The Difference Between Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries.” Verywell Health, www.verywellhealth.com/difference-between-concussions-and-traumatic-brain-injuries-4126107

What is it like to grapple with a chronic condition that others can’t see?

Amanda gets up most days feeling as though she hasn’t slept. Because of sharp, stabbing pain in her joints, she is uncomfortable at her desk and is easily exhausted. Her brain is often foggy, and she sometimes forgets the way to her regular grocery store. Some days her physical symptoms are almost nonexistent; on other days, she may have sore lymph glands, headache, and gastrointestinal distress. After visiting several doctors, three have told her that her troubles are in her head. Two others are baffled; Amanda’s blood work and imaging tests are normal.

Amanda’s job is at risk because, according to her supervisor, she has taken too many sick days. Her family, friends, and coworkers assume that she is pretending to be ill either to avoid work or to gain attention. They often comment that she looks “too good” to truly be ill.

Amanda is not alone. As we move towards National Women’s Health Week coming up on May 14th, there are many discussions to be had regarding issues women face in their health journey. While women with “visible” illnesses certainly face difficulties in their daily lives, those with “invisible” illnesses often encounter skepticism and little support from those around them. This stigma is coupled with frustrations surrounding a diagnosis, and can lead to further issues such as anxiety and depression.

Even under the umbrella of invisible illnesses, some are more widely accepted and understood than others. For instance, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis are typically well-known diagnoses both in the medical and general public communities. Other autoimmune disorders such as chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, however, tend to be less accepted and more difficult to diagnose.

Even lesser known diseases include Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia syndrome (POTS). EDS comprises a group of connective tissue disorders characterized by joint hypermobility, skin hyperextensibility, and tissue fragility, and affects approximately 1 in 2,500 people. POTS affects approximately 1-3 million Americans, mostly young women. It is a disorder of the autonomic nervous system resulting in the body’s inability to regular heart rate and blood pressure properly. Symptoms include nausea, fatigue, sweating, lightheadedness, and tremors.

Neither EDS nor POTS is curable, but their symptoms are treatable with an accurate diagnosis. Unfortunately, many doctors are still unfamiliar with these diseases, making diagnosis difficult and often time-consuming. One of the biggest hurdles faced by individuals with such invisible diseases is increasing awareness and legitimacy so that the medical community is aware of the signs and symptoms and treats them appropriately. Validation and understanding of the illness and its symptoms comprise an important first step in establishing a productive relationship between the patient and medical team.

A great way to get involved is finding a local organization which organizes events to raise money and awareness for an invisible disease. For those in the Delaware Valley, the Race to Beat POTS is taking place on June 9, 2019 at 10am in beautiful Kennett Square, PA. Participants are welcome to join in the 5K Run & Walk, the 1-Mile Walk & Roll, or simply show up to cheer on the racers and enjoy snacks, a beautiful park, playground, tennis courts, frisbee golf course, and more! If you’re out of the area or will be out of town, you can choose a team to support or give to the general donations - all donations go directly to Dysautonomia International. Visit www.racetobeatpots.weebly.com or the Race to Beat POTS profile page at www.DanioConnect.com to learn more about how you can help!

Contact:
Sandy Royer, Director of Marketing & Brand Management for more information by email at: sroyer@DanioConnect.com.

Visit www.DanioConnect.com to learn more!

Source:

“Millions of Women Are Living With ‘Invisible Illnesses’: Here's What That Means.” Health.com, www.health.com/condition/autoimmune-disease/invisible-illness.

Great Valley Publishing Company, Inc. Invisible Illness - What You Can't See Does Hurt Her, www.socialworktoday.com/archive/novdec2007p18.shtml.

“What Are the Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes?” The Ehlers Danlos Society, www.ehlers-danlos.com/what-is-eds/.

“POTS, Symptoms, Treatments I Cleveland Clinic.” Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16560-postural-orthostatic-tachycardia-syndrome-pots.

There’s no better way to build business and revenue than through the power of connection; when nonprofits and businesses work together, both parties reap the rewards. Green Line Business Group, Newark, Delaware-based company dedicated to building systems to help our communities, today announces the launch of DanioConnect.com. The Danio Connect website is a comprehensive resource where information is shared in a user-friendly environment that’s dynamic, engaging, and easy to navigate.

Nothing Brings People Together Like Helping Others

Building relationships between nonprofits and businesses can be beneficial in unanticipated ways. Danio Connect enhances these relationships, and provides an easy and direct resource for nonprofit constituents and the public to obtain vetted information about the causes they care about.

Danio Connect Helps Nonprofit Organizations

Passion for a cause and a compelling mission tell each nonprofit’s story, but awareness and fundraising provide important programs and services. Danio Connect makes it easy for nonprofits to form successful partnerships with socially minded businesses, creating new opportunities to reach financial and publicity goals.

Free for nonprofit organizations, Danio Connect facilitates more effective communication with members, donors, and supporters. Danio Connect creates a central hub for publicizing events, sharing information, and connecting with individuals and businesses who want to learn more about each nonprofit’s mission.

“It started with the realization that there was a great need for technology when it came to helping nonprofits and businesses connect with each other so that they could amplify their messages and share them with the community. Our goal is to create a large network of trusted organizations who strive to help those in need. We want to create a ripple effect of giving which spans across the globe.”  

- Anthony Wright, CEO, Green Line Business Group

Danio Connect Benefits Businesses

Customer loyalty and profitability are built upon a foundation of connection. While communication rules the universe, communication that forges connection is the key to success, no matter your business or industry.

Businesses, or “Marketplace members,” pay an annual subscription to create a public profile and leverage the power of nonprofit organizations’ existing audience, making their businesses visible to over 3 million people in the Delaware region alone,  for a fraction of the cost of traditional advertising.

The social responsibility movement is increasingly the driving force behind how and why people spend their money, with more and more consumers choosing socially responsible businesses over their competitors. Giving back aligns your business with the causes you care about while powering sales like never before. Marketplace businesses can connect with the nonprofits they care about, raising awareness while gaining traction with customers.

Danio Connect has a goal of raising 1 million dollars for local charities

A portion of each paid Marketplace membership is donated directly to the nonprofit organization of their choosing–allocating resources directly to the causes they support. It is our mission to elevate fundraising to a new level.

Follow, connect, support, and recommend trusted organizations.

Through our suite of online tools, each member organization can connect with others and keep all of their followers up-to-date. Members can endorse and support other trusted Danio Connect organizations, creating deeper, more meaningful relationships.  The Danio Connect Dashboard tracks and improves marketing and communication efforts, creating new opportunities for reaching a larger audience of engaged patrons.

Green Line Business Group

Green Line Business Group is based in Newark, Delaware and was founded in 2012 by CEO Anthony Wright, and David Hunt. GLBG is an innovative technology solutions company focused on the development of systems and tools that create and inspire care and community networks to strive toward improved or heightened social change.

Danio Connect Nonprofit membership is FREE to nonprofit organizations. Businesses can also join our Marketplace by purchasing an annual membership. Learn more and explore our website: www.DanioConnect.com.

Danio Connect Media Contact:
Sandy Borsch Royer
Director of Marketing & Brand Management
Green Line Business Group
sroyer@DanioConnect.com

Danio Connect Nonprofit Contact:
Andrew Braune
President
Danio Connect
abraune@DanioConnect.com
Call or email today or to sign up as a nonprofit organization member click here: www.DanioConnect.com

Danio Connect Marketplace Sales Contact:
Tami Sim
Vice President, Marketplace Sales
Danio Connect
tamisim@DanioConnect.com
Call or email today or click here to sign up as a Marketplace member by clicking here: www.DanioConnect.com

1 Innovation Way
Newark, DE 19711
833-204-7233