| We teach understanding philanthropy and generosity and encourage the Apprentices to give and to request support from our sponsors. One of the programs that we offer is called the Honorary Godparent program, through which a community member directly impacts a woman’s life as a direct fiscal sponsor during her recovery.
Honorary Godparent Spotlight
Dr. Alan Nahum, a Neurosurgeon and expert in biomechanics in San Diego, was asked what compelled him to give to a Shakti Rising Apprentice. His response was two-fold: firstly, his first exposure to the women of Shakti was listening to their experience in the program, which impressed him, and secondly, he saw that his contribution was going to make a direct impact on them. His previous experience of giving was that he often gave to larger causes where the contribution goes to a good cause but he was not aware of the specific good that was achieved. In giving to Shakti Rising, Dr. Nahum forged a connection that allowed him to personally experience the impact he was making. His Honorary Godchild, 2005 graduate Magda Permut, shared her feelings about his donation: “I felt supported and believed in. Like the world, which I had experienced my entire life as a hostile place that was out to get me might actually be something different if this one person who didn’t know me could believe in me.”
“Giving changes you when you are connected to the result,” said Dr. Nahum in our interview. Asked how it felt watching the woman he sponsored graduate the program he responded: “It’s like having a child go to college and seeing her graduate – you invested some part of your life and sometimes making a difference in one person’s life is more important then making a small difference in many people’s lives.”
“It gave me an ease that I hadn’t ever really felt before- like a hand or a net beneath me just in case I needed a little more time/space/help – it was there,” Magda states as she now volunteers daily by being a house mom to the women living at Shakti Rising. Receiving Dr. Nahum’s assistance motivated and inspired Magda to want to do the same thing in her life, and she now gives most of her time to helping the women at Shakti Rising through their recovery.
The Honorary Godparent program is a great way for those who haven’t experienced the full joy of giving to enjoy more meaning through their philanthropic endeavors by seeing a person transform herself with the aid of their contribution.
| Alan M. Nahum, M.D., F.A.C.S., is one of the nation’s leading experts in biomechanics and medical issues relating to injuries from accidents. He is currently Professor Emeritus of Surgery at UC San Diego School of Medicine and President of Medical-Legal Consultants, Inc. For more visit http://expertwitness-biomech.com/drnahum.shtm.htm |
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