Bloom Again is a local foundation whose mission is to "provide financial assistance to economically vulnerable working women when they need it most, due to personal or family medical emergencies." We're talking about people who clean homes, work in the fast food business, or part-timers who don't get sick pay. Bloom Again pays for the things a person needs when she has to miss work due to health problems, either her own or those of her family. She might be close to missing a car payment. She might be behind on the rent. She might just need groceries for her kids.
Bloom Again's strategic partners identify the person in need, notify Bloom Again, and within 48 hours the money goes directly to the landlord, the bank, or to buying a bus pass so the woman can get to the doctor's office.
Another luxurious garden will be the setting for this year's LunaFest, to benefit Bloom Again. Lunafest is nine short films by, for, and about women. This year it's at Descanso Gardens on Sunday, May 5th at 12:30 p.m. Your ticket allows you to see all the films, stroll the gardens, enjoy wine and cheese, and meet local authors. I'll be there with Camelot & Vine. A generous portion of sales go to Bloom Again.
And by the way, 90% of what Bloom Again raises goes to the people who need it.
Bloom Again sounds like a wonderful organization. Beautiful photo, too. Somehow we lost contact, but I'm adding you again to my links to visit. Saw your piece on the portal and laughed at your 'I'll never complain about a five-hour drive'. Blogging is indeed fun; I met The Chieftess through Palos Verdes Daily Photo whom I met when in LA and when I told her I was visiting a high school friend in Bishop, she said, "You have to meet The Chieftess" and I did! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is such a worthwhile cause. It saddens me that being ill can throw people into great financial difficulty. Thank goodness for the National Health Service.
ReplyDeleteNice to see you, Bibi! I'm glad I made you laugh. A five hour drive is nothing compared to how far you traveled.
ReplyDeleteWe have Medi-Cal here, too, Bellis, which is really a help. Some of these people are in financial difficulty to begin with and health problems make things even more impossible.
Ninety-percent goes to those in need? That's my kind of charity. Thanks for spreading the word, and for joining and supporting a group that doesn't eat all the proceeds in admin fees.
ReplyDeleteThey can do it because of the way they're structured, Karin. The group was founded by Dr. Lois Frankel, and she's gotten together a board of directors with the skills needed to run it. They volunteer their time, and there's no staff to pay. There's also no overhead, just things like web fees and printing costs.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great organization and worthy mission. Bloom Again is the perfect name for it.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of perfect names, Camelot & Vine is such a fun ride! I'm thoroughly absorbed in Casey's adventure.
How do women find out this organization is there for them? It is no joy to find yourself uninsured and hurting. The county waiting room so crowded that not even a chair was available to aid in comfort.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful organization! I wonder how many women in need know about it. Fortunately, I was never in that situation, but I do know what it's like to go 4 1/2 years without medical insurance. An illness would have completely wiped me out.
ReplyDeleteMedi-Cal is very difficult to qualify for, Petrea. Even when I was on unemployment, I made too much.
Candidates for help are identified by Bloom Again's strategic partners (see link). Women don't find the organization, so much as the other way around. Yes, Medi-Cal is hard to qualify for. But I get the impression that Bloom Again is for those who do.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your note on C&V, Susan, I'm so glad you're enjoying it!
Sounds like a very worthy cause. These times are very tough for those living close to the edge financially.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous garden, too!
And great that you and C&V will be part of LunaFest!
Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHeart warming to learn of such endeavors.
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