December 7, 2015

For Immediate Release
Contact: Tashmica Torok
Phone: (517) 242-5467

“The Firecracker Foundation was Awarded a $10,000 Grant from the Capital Region Community Foundation”

 

LANSING, MI – December 7, 2015 – The Firecracker Foundation recently won a grant award of $10,000 from the Capital Region Community Foundation.  Through this grant, The Firecracker Foundation will be able to increase the amount of child survivors of sexual assault served by the foundation’s therapy program and extend caretaker support services to parents and guardians of child survivors, and to assist in informing the community of the foundation’s services.   

Since its launch in 2013, The Firecracker Foundation has established programming to emphasize healing the mind, body, and spirit while engaging and training community members to prevent child sexual abuse and advocate for the youngest survivors in our hometown.  Currently, The Firecracker Foundation’s Caretaker Support Group is the only one of its kind in the tricounty area.  This support group provides a safe, child free space for parents and guardians of child survivors of sexual assault  to process their emotions and learn coping tools.  Treatment for child sexual trauma is offered by others in this community, but The Firecracker Foundation leads the region in care with a holistic approach at no cost to the children and families served.  

“You cannot heal children without actively engaging their parents and guardians in the process.” said Tashmica Torok, executive director of The Firecracker Foundation. “The generosity of the Capital Region Community Foundation will allow families to benefit from the holistic care they need to heal collectively and we are so very grateful.”

About The Firecracker Foundation

The Firecracker Foundation is a nonprofit organization working to honor the bravery of children who have survived sexual trauma by building a community invested in the healing of their whole being. Therapists qualified to treat pediatric sexual trauma survivors are contracted to provide services out of their current practice locations for children ages 18 and younger.  Instructors trained to provide trauma sensitive yoga therapy teach yoga classes for teen survivors between the ages of 13 and 17 years of age. Therapeutic services are provided at no cost to children whose families are unable to afford care elsewhere.  Find out more at http://thefirecrackerfoundation.org

CRCF

 

About the Capital Region Community Foundation

The Capital Region Community Foundation services the charitable needs and enhances the quality of life in Mid-Michigan.  We’re in the business of helping donors achieve their charitable dreams by building permanent endowments that address our community’s interests and changing needs.

 

 

For more information or to schedule an interview contact: Tashmica Torok, Founder & Executive Director at info@thefirecrackerfoundation.org or call 517-242-5467.

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$2,500 Grant Awarded to The Firecracker Foundation’s Teen Yoga Committee by Youth Action Committee

 

Youth Action Committee (YAC) of the Capital Region Community Foundation recently awarded The Firecracker Foundation’s Teen Yoga Committee (TYC) a $2,500 grant award to improve and increase awareness of the trauma sensitive yoga therapy program for teen survivors of sexual trauma in the tri-county area.

The Firecracker Foundation’s TYC plans to offer two community demonstrations of trauma sensitive yoga therapy classes to teens in the area that may have experienced sexual trauma, their guardians, and service providers. The first of demo will be held on Sunday, October 4th at 4 p.m. at Just B Yoga in Lansing’s REO Town.

In addition to their important advocacy work, the TYC is working to  create and build a more trauma informed peer group and challenge stigmas related to victim blaming, consent and empathy on their individual campuses.  The TYC plans to meet their goals by connecting with other local organizations serving teens, create safe zones on campus and launch a social media campaign to help reach teens in need of yoga therapy services.

The funding awarded from the YAC will increase awareness and enrollment in the yoga therapy classes and also create a trauma informed community of youth.

The Firecracker Foundation is a Lansing nonprofit organization working to honor the bravery of children who have survived sexual trauma by building a community invested in the healing of their whole being.  The foundation raises funds to provide children who have survived sexual trauma with high quality, consistent talk therapy and trauma sensitive yoga therapy where they will receive compassionate support.

The Youth Action Committee (YAC) is an advisory committee that grants money through the Capital Region Community Foundation to fund and promote programs that help the youth in the tri-county area. The mission of the Capital Region Community Foundation is to serve the charitable needs and enhance the quality of life in Ingham, Eaton and Clinton counties. [They] serve and seek out a wide range of donors to build permanent endowments that are used to meet the changing needs and interests of the community.

Contact: Tashmica Torok, 517-242-5467

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PART TIME – VOLUNTEER ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

 

The Firecracker Foundation

The Firecracker Foundation is a 501(c)3 charity with the mission of honoring the bravery of children who have survived sexual trauma by building a community invested in the healing of their whole being.

Description of Responsibilities:

The Volunteer Administrative Assistant (Admin) provides administrative support to the organization.  The Admin works directly with the Executive Director (ED) in order to support the organization’s administrative needs.

Time Commitment: This job description is a part time volunteer position for The Firecracker Foundation. Estimated time commitment 10 hours/week. Position may be shared among 2 volunteers.

Job Requirements:

The Administrative Assistant should have professional experience in the following areas:

  • Excellent communication skills in-person and on the phone
  • Excellent organizational and filing skills
  • Ability to coordinate and balance multiple projects
  • Proficiency in Word and Excel: proficient in developing and maintaining databases; ability to create and manipulate spreadsheets; perform mail merges
  • Excellent writing skills

 Executive Support

  • Provides general administrative support to the Executive Director
  • Provides support for agency meetings, programs and events.  May include securing a venue, distribution of meeting materials, purchasing food, managing the guest/RSVP list, etc.
  • Assists in the coordination and completion of the foundation’s mailings, appeals and thank you cards/letters.
  • Updates the foundation’s donor database as directed
  • Attends all fundraising events as needed

General Office

  • Answers all office phone calls and directs calls appropriately
  • Maintains general office files and files necessary paperwork accordingly
  • Follows up on all agency emails from website
  • Sorts mail and distributes appropriately
  • Manage office supply, marketing materials and mailing inventory ensuring staff/Board are able to restock in a timely fashion.

Bookkeeping (to be determined)

To apply for this position, please submit your resume and cover letter to info@thefirecrackerfoundation.org. Indicate in the subject line that you are applying for the Part Time Volunteer Admin Assistant position.

Please visit www.thefirecrackerfoundation.org for more information. DHS Clearance, background checks and participation in Darkness to Light: Stewards of Children training required.

The foundation considers itself an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer (EEO). The Foundation shall employ/engage persons and make employment/recruitment decisions without regard to an individual’s race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, citizenship status, genetic information, marital status, AIDS/HIV, height, weight, misdemeanor arrest record, individuals with disabilities, or disabled/recently separated/other protected and armed forces service medal veterans.

FASHION FOR THE FIRE TO SUPPORT LANSING COMMUNITY

CHILDHOOD SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL TRAUMA, APRIL 11, 2015

 

Fashion show/live auction to raise awareness, funds to fight sexual trauma

 

TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE

Ticket sales are link on our homepage of our website at:
http://fashionforthefire.wix.com/2015

In collaboration with the Firecracker Foundation, “Fashion for the Fire,” an avant-garde fashion show, will be held Saturday, April 11, 2015, at The Runway in Downtown Lansing to raise awareness and funds to fight against sexual trauma and support childhood survivors in the Lansing community.

The show is organized by Katie Raynard and co-directed by Anami Chan both senior Apparel and Textile Design students at Michigan State University. A live auction of fashion accessories is also planned.

“Allowing survivors a creative way to share their personal experiences with sexual trauma is an important piece of the healing process for adults and children. Each fashion design represents a story willingly shared by an adult survivor to help advocate for children in this community.” says Tashmica Torok, Firecracker Foundation founder and the event’s keynote speaker.

“I’m honored and excited to share my designs with the community as a means of advocating and supporting the fight against sexual trauma,” says Katie Raynard, creative director of Fashion for the Fire. “Proceeds from the show’s ticket sales and auction of fashion accessories will be donated to the Firecracker Foundation.”

About the Firecracker Foundation
The Firecracker Foundation is a nonprofit organization working to honor the bravery of children who have survived sexual trauma by building a community invested in the healing of their whole being. Therapists qualified to treat pediatric sexual trauma survivors are contracted to provide services out of their current practice locations for children ages 18. Instructors trained to provide trauma sensitive yoga therapy teach yoga classes for teen survivors between the ages of 13 and 17 years of age. Therapeutic services are provided at no cost to children whose families are unable to afford care elsewhere.

Contact:

fashionforthefire@gmail.com

Fashion for the Fire Logo

Logo

 

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ST. VINCENT CATHOLIC CHARITIES ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FIRECRACKER FOUNDATION.

 

 The new partnership will provide child survivors of sexual trauma with improved access to high-quality, consistent therapeutic services.

 

Lansing, MI – January 19, 2015 — Through a partnership with The Firecracker Foundation, St. Vincent Catholic Charities (STVCC) is now offering free therapeutic services to a limited number of child survivors of sexual trauma, whose families would otherwise be unable to afford high-quality, consistent care.

National statistics report that 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 6 boys will experience sexual trauma before they reach 18 years of age. Unfortanately, those same statistics report that many of those children will be one of the 25% living in poverty in the state of Michigan.

“There are so many individuals who have experienced sexual abuse and may not seek the help they need due to financial difficulties.” said Andrea E. Seyka, CEO of STVCC. “Our partnership with The Firecracker Foundation offers these individuals access to the quality counseling services they need, to begin the process of healing and moving forward with their lives.”

“We are excited to partner with a local organization that is an essential resource to so many in need.” said Tashmica Torok, Executive Director of The Firecracker Foundation. “This collaboration will help us extend treatment and prevent the consequences of untreated trauma for some of the youngest survivors in the tri-county area.”

To learn more about if you or someone you know qualifies for these services and how to apply, please call STVCC at 517.323.4734 ext. 1700 or visit The Firecracker Foundation website: http://thefirecrackerfoundation.org/individualtherapy/.
About The Firecracker Foundation

The Firecracker Foundation works to honor the bravery of children who have survived sexual trauma by building a community invested in the healing of their whole being. To learn more visit: www.thefirecrackerfoundation.org

 

About St. Vincent Catholic Charities

St. Vincent Catholic Charities (STVCC) is a non-profit dedicated to human services in the mid-Michigan area. STVCC partners with children, families and adults living in crisis, and helps them to find hope and safety so they can transform their lives. To learn more visit: www.stvcc.org

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 Contact:

Tamra M. Johnson
Community Relations & Marketing Director
St. Vincent Catholic Charities
(517)323-4734 ext. 1202
johnsot@stvcc.org

Tashmica Torok
Founder & Executive Director
The Firecracker Foundation
(517)242-5467
tashmica@thefirecrackerfoundation.org