Nicole Biondi, Regional Marketing Director of SANParks is running to raise funds for ‘I Am Somebody!’ – a Cape Town NGO, which helps S A’s diverse youth to reach their highest potential.
“As you may know, the running bug bit me almost exactly one year ago and I’ve really being enjoying getting out there, pounding pavements and trails and reveling in the resulting endorphins,” says Nicole Biondi, Regional Marketing Director of SANParks. “Recently I decided that I’d like to run for more than just myself so…in 10 days’ time, I’ll be running my first Two Oceans Half Marathon (gulp!) to raise a minimum of R2500 for ‘I Am Somebody!’
About I Am Somebody!
The effect of inequality in South Africa falls largely on our young people. The strength of the relationships within and across families and communities determines the ability of youth to respond to the challenges they face. I Am Somebody! builds relationships across generations, cultures and classes to address this problem. We build these relationships by bringing people from different backgrounds together to support young adults in dealing with the challenges they face and in creating the lives they envision.
Registered in May 2011 and based in Cape Town, we run four programs that currently reach 10 youth, 350 community members, and 25 non-profits directly and 80 youth, 1200 community members and 80 non-profits indirectly.
“The funds I’m raising will go towards the Rites of Passage Program
The program runs from May 2012 to October 2013 and involves ten diverse participants between the ages of 18 and 25. Our project uses Rites of Passage with ten youth between the ages of 18-25 to help them make and mark a change in their lives.
A Four Shields tool is used in workshops, camps and mentorship sessions. This tool helps participants interact and learn from nature and provides participants with a chance to tell the story of what they learned to one another and the community. Further, the participants receive support from our networks, accessing 100 people, 15 non-profits and 10 local businesses for mentorship, coaching, internships, skills development and jobs in the areas they are personally passionate about.
The project thereby provides a small cohort of youth with intensive, individualized personal development and the network and opportunities to create meaningful change in their lives.
Please help by visiting her fundraising page – and simply click on the “Donate Now” button.
And please tell your friends, family and colleagues and encourage them to donate.
Story via Cape Town Green Map
