Thanks-Giving

by Elisa Spain Comment Closed

For me, the Thanksgiving holiday is a time to pause and consider the gifts that life has given me and ask myself how and where I can pay those gifts forward.   

More than any other year, 2020 is the year to pay it forward. More than any other disaster, the impact of COVID-19 has been unequal. And it is unequal in ways that will have a lasting effect. People are hurting like never before, and sadly the agencies that support them are devasted as well. People who had jobs, and were barely able to support their families up til now, are without a safety net and are hungry. 

As Thanks-Giving approaches, its time for all of us who have the gift of privilege to pause and ask ourselves these questions:

  • What can I do to support the businesses in my community so they too can pay it forward and continue to employ people?
  • What can I do to support my neighbors who may be struggling with housing, food insecurity, and other unmet basic needs? 
  • What can I do to support the agencies, including the arts, that fill the gaps in these unmet needs and bring hope and beauty to our community? 

Tuesday Is Giving Tuesday

by Elisa Spain Comment Closed

Tuesday is Giving Tuesday, a special day to recognize the giving part of Thanks-Giving. It is a day dedicated to giving back. On Giving Tuesday, nonprofits, families, businesses, and students around the world come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give.

Many of you know about my passion for Cara Chicago a true social innovator that helps motivate men and women, affected by homelessness and poverty, reclaim their voice and their vocation. My relationship with Cara began years ago, when a friend of mine invited me to experience Morning Motivations. Today, and for the last several years, I am proud to count Maria Kim, CEO, as a member of the Vistage CEO Peer Advisory Board, that I lead. Through my years coaching this CEO, getting to know her team and some of the Cara students, I’ve come to see Cara as not just a place where people come to get and keep good jobs, but a place where people come to reinvent, recover and discover their  unique genius.

In a way, their mission, community and culture of accountability are not dissimilar to what I have grown to love at Vistage. We’re both about untapping the leader within and inviting her  forward to be her best self. They do it through hope, jobs, and opportunity, and we do it through skill-building and peer mentorship to develop world-class CEOs.

Like all well-run Vistage companies, Cara measures their performance. They produce hundreds of jobs each year, at retention rates over 20 points higher than national norms, and with over 80% of employed participants moving onto permanent housing in which their families can thrive. They also produce a profound social return on investment, where for every dollar invested in this work, $5.97 is re-invested in society over a five year time horizon.

In this season of Thanksgiving, I realize we have so much for which to be grateful – the roof over our heads, the hearty meals we share with our families, and the occupations we have that provide for our loved ones and give us a sense of purpose. These things we may take for granted are not always available for the most vulnerable citizens among us.

This year, I have joined with  Jim and Kay Mabie, The Coleman Foundation, and members of Cara’s Board of Directors to create a Challenge Grant of $50,000.  This means we have the chance to raise $100,000 together!

Click Here to give today and your gift will go twice as far. (We are accepting donations today through Giving Tuesday).

Thank you in advance for joining us for a Giving Tuesday donation to Cara, or to the social purpose organization of your choice.

This is my last official blog of 2019. I will be back with a leadership quote on 12/29 and my regular blogs will resume on January 6th.  Meanwhile, you can read past blogs and leadership quotes here.

Thanks-Giving

by Elisa Spain Comment Closed

Thursday is Thanksgiving. It’s my favorite holiday because it is celebrated by all Americans, regardless of their backgrounds. While the “thanks” part of Thanksgiving is so meaningful, the “giving” part is equally so.

To celebrate the giving part, a delightful tradition, called Giving Tuesday, takes place on December 3rd. It is a day dedicated to giving back. On Giving Tuesday, nonprofits, families, businesses and students around the world come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give.

Many of you know about my passion for Cara Chicago a true social innovator that helps motivate men and women, affected by homelessness and poverty, reclaim their voice and their vocation. My relationship with Cara began years ago, when a friend of mine invited me to experience Morning Motivations. Today, and for the last several years, I am proud to count Maria Kim, CEO, as a member of the Vistage CEO Peer Advisory Board, that I lead. Through my years coaching this CEO, getting to know her team and some of the Cara students, I’ve come to see Cara as not just a place where people come to get and keep good jobs, but a place where people come to reinvent, recover and discover their unique genius.

In a way, their mission, community and culture of accountability are not dissimilar to what I have grown to love at Vistage. We’re both about untapping the leader within and inviting her forward to be her best self. They do it through hope, jobs and opportunity; and we do it through skill-building and peer mentorship to develop world-class CEOs.

Like all well-run Vistage companies, Cara measures their performance. They produce hundreds of jobs each year, at retention rates over 20 points higher than national norms, and with over 80% of employed participants moving onto permanent housing in which their families can thrive. They also produce a profound social return on investment, where for every dollar invested in this work, $5.97 is re-invested in society over a five year time horizon.

In this season of Thanksgiving, I realize we have so much for which to be grateful – the roof over our heads, the hearty meals we share with our families, and the occupations we have that provide for our loved ones and give us a sense of purpose. These things we may take for granted are not always available for the most vulnerable citizens among us.

This year, I have joined with Jim and Kay Mabie, The Coleman Foundation, and members of Cara’s Board of Directors to create a Challenge Grant of $50,000.  This means we have the chance to raise $100,000 together!

Click Here to give today and your gift will go twice as far. (We are accepting donations today through Giving Tuesday).

Thank you in advance for joining us for a Giving Tuesday donation to Cara, or to the social purpose organization of your choice.

This is my last offiicial blog of 2019. I will be back with a leadership quote on 12/29 and my regular blogs will resume on January 6th.  Meanwhile, you can read past blogs and leadership quotes here.

 

Elisa K Spain

Today Is Giving Tuesday

by Elisa Spain Comment Closed

Today is Giving Tuesday, a day dedicated to giving back. On Giving Tuesday, nonprofits, families, businesses and students around the world come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give.

Many of you know about my passion for Cara, a true social innovator that helps motivate men and women, affected by homelessness and poverty, reclaim their voice and their vocation. My relationship with Cara began years ago, when a friend of mine invited me to experience Morning Motivations. Today, and for the last several years, I am proud to count Maria Kim, CEO, as a member of the Vistage CEO Peer Advisory Board, that I lead. Through my years coaching this CEO, getting to know her team and some of the Cara students, I’ve come to see Cara as not just a place where people come to get and keep good jobs, but a place where people come to reinvent, recover and discover their unique genius.

In a way, their mission, community and culture of accountability are not dissimilar to what I have grown to love at Vistage. We’re both about untapping the leader within and inviting her forward to be her best self. They do it through hope, jobs and opportunity; and we do it through skill-building and peer mentorship to develop world-class CEOs.

Like all well-run Vistage companies, Cara measures their performance. They produce hundreds of jobs each year, at retention rates over 20 points higher than national norms, and with over 80% of employed participants moving onto permanent housing in which their families can thrive. They also produce a profound social return on investment, where for every dollar invested in this work, $5.97 is re-invested in society over a five year time horizon.

In this season of Thanksgiving, I realize we have so much for which to be grateful – the roof over our heads, the hearty meals we share with our families, and the occupations we have that provide for our loved ones and give us a sense of purpose. These things we may take for granted are not always available for the most vulnerable citizens among us.

This year, I have once again joined with Jim and Kay Mabie, The Coleman Foundation, and a private family foundation to create a $60,000 Challenge Grant.  This means we have the chance to raise a record $120,000 together! 

Click Here to give today and your gift will go twice as far. (Don’t let the name fool you, we’re accepting donations today through November 30.) Click Here for some Giving Tuesday inspiration from Maria Kim.

Thank you in advance for joining us for a Giving Tuesday donation to Cara, or to the social purpose organization of your choice.

 

Elisa K Spain

You can read more of my blogs and leadership quotes here.

Thanks-Giving

by Elisa Spain Comment Closed

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. It’s my favorite holiday because it is celebrated by all Americans, regardless of their backgrounds. While the “thanks” part of Thanksgiving is so meaningful, the “giving” part is equally so.

To celebrate the giving part, a delightful tradition, called Giving Tuesday, takes place on November 27th. It is a day dedicated to giving back. On Giving Tuesday, nonprofits, families, businesses and students around the world come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give.

Many of you know about my passion for Cara, a true social innovator that helps motivate men and women, affected by homelessness and poverty, reclaim their voice and their vocation. My relationship with Cara began years ago, when a friend of mine invited me to experience Morning Motivations. Today, and for the last several years, I am proud to count Maria Kim, CEO, as a member of the Vistage CEO Peer Advisory Board, that I lead. Through my years coaching this CEO, getting to know her team and some of the Cara students, I’ve come to see Cara as not just a place where people come to get and keep good jobs, but a place where people come to reinvent, recover and discover their unique genius.

In a way, their mission, community and culture of accountability are not dissimilar to what I have grown to love at Vistage. We’re both about untapping the leader within and inviting her forward to be her best self. They do it through hope, jobs and opportunity; and we do it through skill-building and peer mentorship to develop world-class CEOs.

Like all well-run Vistage companies, Cara measures their performance. They produce hundreds of jobs each year, at retention rates over 20 points higher than national norms, and with over 80% of employed participants moving onto permanent housing in which their families can thrive. They also produce a profound social return on investment, where for every dollar invested in this work, $5.97 is re-invested in society over a five year time horizon.

In this season of Thanksgiving, I realize we have so much for which to be grateful – the roof over our heads, the hearty meals we share with our families, and the occupations we have that provide for our loved ones and give us a sense of purpose. These things we may take for granted are not always available for the most vulnerable citizens among us.

This year, I have once again joined with Jim and Kay Mabie, The Coleman Foundation, and a private family foundation to create a $60,000 Challenge Grant.  This means we have the chance to raise a record $120,000 together!

Click Here to give today and your gift will go twice as far. (Don’t let the name fool you, we’re accepting donations today through November 30.)

Thank you in advance for joining us for a Giving Tuesday donation to Cara, or to the social purpose organization of your choice.

 

Elisa K Spain

You can read more of my blogs and leadership quotes here.

Today Is Giving Tuesday

by Elisa Spain Comment Closed

Today is #GivingTuesday, a day dedicated to giving back. On #GivingTuesday, nonprofits, families, businesses and students around the world come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give.

Last year, many of you made #GivingTuesday an incredible success for Cara, a mission I am passionate about. What began as a humble effort four years ago, to raise $10,000 with a $5,000 challenge grant, grew to over $60,000 last year. I am grateful for your support.

Inspired by last year’s success, we took a deep breath, asked others to join us, (myself, Kevin Krak, Vistage Member and CEO of Gallant Building Solutions, Amanda and Benjamin Wilson and The Coleman Foundation), and set our most ambitious goal ever, a $100,000 Giving Tuesday Grant. We will match nearly every dollar of the first $50,000 raised.

My relationship with Cara began several years ago when a friend invited me to experience Morning Motivations. I discovered on this day how similar Vistage’s mission, of increasing the effectiveness and enhancing the lives of CEOs and Executives, is to Cara’s mission for its students. We’re both about uncovering the leader within and inviting them to become their best selves. Cara does it by unlocking hope and opportunity. Or as I have become fond of saying “Cara not only ‘teaches a man to fish’, they provide the pole”.

In addition to coaching Maria Kim, Cara CEO, and member of Vistage, for the first time this year, I have had the opportunity to coach and mentor a Cara student named Kyle. Last month, I wrote about Kyle and one of Cara’s many successful graduates in a blog titled Perspective.  Kyle is a highly educated, Princeton undergraduate and NYU MBA, and had a stellar career until his life fell apart and he was lucky enough to find Cara.

Through my work with Kyle, I am discovering firsthand how Cara transforms lives. And the beautiful part is, Cara’s job and life skills training works for anyone who is motivated to achieve the results they want. In Kyle’s words:

“This community has changed my life, loved me and shown me I still have value to offer, despite my mistakes. I now believe the person who is on this resume is still me; and I am going out on my own, standing on the foundation that Cara built”.

Like all well run Vistage companies, Cara measures their performance. They produce hundreds of jobs each year, at retention rates over 20 points higher than national norms. They also produce a profound $6.2 million annual social impact and a 597% social return on investment.

Would you consider making a donation this year for #GivingTuesday? Your gift will be matched 100%, and you’ll be helping a motivated person get back to work.

Click Here to give today and your gift will go twice as far.

Thank you in advance for joining us for a Giving Tuesday donation to the Cara Program, or to the social purpose organization of your choice.

 

 

Thanks-Giving

by Elisa Spain Comment Closed

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I love this holiday because it is celebrated by all Americans, regardless of their backgrounds, affiliations or preferences.

While the “thanks” part of Thanksgiving is so meaningful, the “giving” part is equally so. To celebrate the giving part, a delightful tradition, called #GivingTuesday, takes place on November 28th.

Last year, many of you made #GivingTuesday an incredible success for Cara, a mission I am passionate about. What began as a humble effort four years ago, to raise $10,000 with a $5,000 challenge grant, grew to over $60,000 last year. I am grateful for your support.

Inspired by last year’s success, we took a deep breath, asked others to join us, (myself, Kevin Krak, Vistage Member and CEO of Gallant Building Solutions, Amanda and Benjamin Wilson and The Coleman Foundation), and set our most ambitious goal ever, a $100,000 Giving Tuesday Grant. We will match nearly every dollar of the first $50,000 raised.

My relationship with Cara began several years ago when a friend invited me to experience Morning Motivations. I discovered on this day how similar Vistage’s mission, of increasing the effectiveness and enhancing the lives of CEOs and Executives, is to Cara’s mission for its students. We’re both about uncovering the leader within and inviting them to become their best selves. Cara does it by unlocking hope and opportunity. Or as I have become fond of saying “Cara not only ‘teaches a man to fish’, they provide the pole”.

In addition to coaching Maria Kim, Cara CEO, and member of Vistage, for the first time this year, I have had the opportunity to coach and mentor a Cara student named Kyle. Last month, I wrote about Kyle and one of Cara’s many successful graduates in a blog titled Perspective. Kyle is a highly educated, Princeton undergraduate and NYU MBA, and had a stellar career until his life fell apart and he was lucky enough to find Cara.

Through my work with Kyle, I am discovering firsthand how Cara transforms lives. And the beautiful part is, Cara’s job and life skills training works for anyone who is motivated to achieve the results they want. In Kyle’s words:

“This community has changed my life, loved me and shown me I still have value to offer, despite my mistakes. I now believe the person who is on this resume is still me; and I am going out on my own, standing on the foundation that Cara built”.

Like all well run Vistage companies, Cara measures their performance. They produce hundreds of jobs each year, at retention rates over 20 points higher than national norms. They also produce a profound $6.2 million annual social impact and a 597% social return on investment.

Would you consider making a donation this year for #GivingTuesday? Your gift will be matched, and you’ll be helping a motivated person get back to work.

Click Here to give today and your gift will go twice as far. (Don’t let the name fool you; we’re accepting donations today through November 28th).

Thank you in advance for joining us for a Giving Tuesday donation to the Cara Program, or to the social purpose organization of your choice.

Today Is Giving Tuesday

by Elisa SpainNo Comments

Today is Giving Tuesday, a day dedicated to giving back. On Giving Tuesday, nonprofits, families, businesses and students around the world come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give.

Many of you know about my passion for CARA, a true social innovator that helps motivated men and women, affected by homelessness and poverty, reclaim their voice and their vocation. My relationship with Cara began when a friend of mine invited me to experience Morning Motivations. Soon thereafter, the immediate past CEO of Cara became a member of my Vistage CEO Peer Advisory Board, and today, I am proud to count Maria Kim, CEO, as a current member. Through my relationship with each of them, I’ve come to see Cara as not just a place where people come to get and keep good jobs, but a place where their whole selves are reinvented and recovered in the process.

Like all well run Vistage companies, Cara measures their performance. They produce hundreds of jobs each year, at retention rates over 20 points higher than national norms, and with over 80% of employed participants moving onto permanent housing in which their families can thrive. They also produce a profound social return on investment, where for every dollar invested in this work, $5.97 is re-invested in society over a five year time horizon.

This year, once again, I have joined with Maria’s fellow Vistage member, Kevin Krak of Gallant Building Solutions, along with Eric Weinheimer, former CEO of Cara, and Jim and Kay Mabie in offering a $25,000 Challenge Grant. We will match every dollar up to $25,000 (for a total grant of $50,000)!  Click Here to give today and your gift will go twice as far.

Thank you in advance for joining us for a Giving Tuesday donation to the Cara Program, or to the social purpose organization of your choice.

Thanks-Giving

by Elisa SpainNo Comments

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. It’s my favorite holiday because it is celebrated by all Americans, regardless of their backgrounds. While the “thanks” part of Thanksgiving is so meaningful, the “giving” part is equally so.

To celebrate the giving part, a delightful tradition, called Giving Tuesday, takes place on November 29th. It is a day dedicated to giving back. On Giving Tuesday, nonprofits, families, businesses and students around the world come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give.

Many of you know about my passion for CARA, a true social innovator that helps motivated men and women, affected by homelessness and poverty, reclaim their voice and their vocation. My relationship with Cara began when a friend of mine invited me to experience Morning Motivations. Soon thereafter, the immediate past CEO of Cara became a member of my Vistage CEO Peer Advisory Board, and today, I am proud to count Maria Kim, CEO, as a current member. Through my relationship with each of them, I’ve come to see Cara as not just a place where people come to get and keep good jobs, but a place where their whole selves are reinvented and recovered in the process.

In a way, their mission, community and culture of accountability are not dissimilar to what I have grown to love at Vistage. We’re both about untapping the leader within and inviting her forward to be her best self. They do it through hope, jobs and opportunity; and we do it through skill-building and peer mentorship to develop world-class CEOs.

Like all well run Vistage companies, Cara measures their performance. They produce hundreds of jobs each year, at retention rates over 20 points higher than national norms, and with over 80% of employed participants moving onto permanent housing in which their families can thrive. They also produce a profound social return on investment, where for every dollar invested in this work, $5.97 is re-invested in society over a five year time horizon.

In this season of thanksgiving, I realize we have so much for which to be grateful – the roof over our heads, the hearty meals we share with our families, and the occupations we have that provide for our loved ones and give us a sense of purpose in the process. These things we may take for granted are not always available for the most vulnerable citizens among us.

This year, once again, I have joined with Maria’s fellow Vistage member, Kevin Krak of Gallant Building Solutions, along with Eric Weinheimer, former CEO of Cara, and Jim and Kay Mabie in offering a $25,000 Challenge Grant. We will match every dollar up to $25,000 (for a total grant of $50,000)!  Click Here to give today and your gift will go twice as far. (Don’t let the name fool you, we’re accepting donations today through November 29.)

Thank you in advance for joining us for a Giving Tuesday donation to the Cara Program, or to the social purpose organization of your choice.

Leadership Quote: We Should Try To Be The Parents Of Our Future…

by Elisa SpainNo Comments

 

This month’s leadership quote:

“We should try to be the parents of our future, rather than the offspring of our past.”

-Miguel de Unamuno

The best way I know to live Miguel’s quote is by being intentional. For some of us, it is setting goals and deciding what we want for the future. For others, it is opening ourselves to discovering the opportunities that await us and how we can best apply our geniuses and contribute to the world. Which way works best for each of us depends on who were are, and where we are, in our lives and our careers. Either way, it is up to us to be the parents of our future, rather than the offspring of our past.

P.S. One way to contribute to the world is to support social purpose organizations.  With that in mind, the four of us have extended our Cara challenge grant through the end of the year.  Click here, if you want to learn more and perhaps join the match.

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Elisa K. Spain