Gena Surphlis is a single mother from the Bronx seeking to raise funds to volunteer her time and services on a one week volunteer program in Salvador, Brazil with Cross-Cultural Solutions in January 2010.
Gena is volunteering with Cross-Cultural Solutions (CCS), a non-profit organization that operates volunteer programs from 1 to12 weeks in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Latin America. With the reinvigorated spirit of service and fresh dedication to international volunteering apparent around the world, organizations such as CCS make volunteering overseas possible for people interested in short-term experiences.
“People are looking to gain real-world experience and make a positive impact on the world,” said CCS Director of Communications Kam Santos. “Our programs connect people from different countries and cultures to meet that desire to be the change—volunteers work side-by-side with local people who provide education, health, and social services to underserved communities.”
Gena is looking to raise $1765.00 over the next 5 months for her volunteer program. This amount goes toward the coordination of her volunteer placement, education on the culture and issues facing the community, lodging at a CCS Home-Base, all meals and bottled water, in-country transportation, experienced and professional support staff, local and incoming international phone calls, a 24-hour emergency hotline, and comprehensive travel
medical insurance. ANY donation amounts are welcomed! For those who are interested, sponsoring 1 day of Gena’s travel is $252.15! Please remember that all donations are 100% tax deductible, as CCS is an independent non-profit 501(c) (3) organization in the U.S.
Founded in 1995, the mission of CCS is to operate volunteer programs around the world in partnership with sustainable community initiatives, bringing people together to work side-by-side while sharing perspectives and fostering cultural understanding. Each year, over 4,000 people volunteer abroad with CCS.
“The experience of volunteering abroad truly emphasizes our shared humanity, and the appreciation you gain for other people and cultures is profound,” Santos said. “It’s definitely a socially responsible way to travel and learn about life overseas. But it’s also an opportunity for self-reflection, to learn how we can individually take action on global issues.”
For more information on how to help sponsor Gena’s volunteer abroad experience, you can email her at genaes@gmail.com or find Gena through her CCS account here to make a secure payment. You can also make payments on the CCS website here, where you will need to enter her email address.
For more information contact:
Gena Surphlis
genaes@gmail.com
917-623-4106 C
212-277-7542 W
For more information about Cross-Cultural Solutions contact:
Kam Santos 1-914-632-0022
kam@crossculturalsolutions.org
Cross-Cultural Solutions
2 Clinton Place, New Rochelle, NY 10801
1-800-380-4777
www.crossculturalsolutions.org
