Getting Help
Compiled by Jan Yager, Ph.D.
Copyright © 2019 by Jan Yager, Ph.D. All rights reserved.
This section of the Resources part of drjanyager.com, “Getting Help,” includes a sample of the associations, agencies, or companies that are excerpted from my forthcoming book, Help Yourself Now: A Practical Guide to Finding the Information and Assistance You Need, to be published in Summer 2019 by Allworth Press, an imprint of Skyhorse Publishers. It’s a follow-up to my previous popular title, The Help Book (Scribner, 1979). Help Yourself Now consists of thirty chapters covering everything from Addiction and Education to Health, Legal Services, Relationships, Veterans, and Volunteerism. (See the complete Contents at the end of “Getting Help.”)
This Resource section highlights just some of the hundreds of listings that you will find in Help Yourself Now. Some resources, such as the American Heart Association (AHA), are well-known, although you might not know that, through their local chapters, AHA also offers CPR and first aid classes. Other organizations maybe new to you, like Do Something, which has mobilized more than 6 million teenagers throughout the U.S. and in 131 countries to join social action campaigns, like donating jeans to more than a million homeless youth.
Please note: The selected listings that follow are for information only. Inclusion does not indicate an endorsement of a resource nor should anything be inferred if an organization, agency, or company is excluded. Any of these listings is not a substitute for professional help if that is what is needed. If professional legal, medical, or psychological assistance is required, please seek out that help. If you or a loved one are in crisis, please immediately dial 911.
Furthermore, listings may change without notice at any moment so accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Finally, I welcome hearing from you about your favorite resources! I may already know about your suggestion but go ahead and share anyway, just in case. You can fill out the Contact form at this website to share or you may complete my confidential questionnaire for those providing, or seeking, help posted at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/D7S6F6H
Selected Sources of Help
(in alphabetical order)
Compiled by Jan Yager, Ph.D.
Copyright © by Jan Yager, Ph.D. All rights reserved.
(Excerpted, with permission, from the forthcoming HELP YOURSELF NOW: A Practical Guide to Finding the Information and Assistance You Need, Allworth Press, an imprint of Skyhorse Publishing, to be published in Summer 2019. All rights reserved. Reposting or publishing needs to be cleared by receiving written permission from the publisher.)
Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation
Many know the story of Alex who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a form of childhood cancer, before her first birthday. But at the age of only four years old, she started fund-raising by setting up a lemonade stand to use the money to find a cure for neuroblastoma and other childhood cancers. By the time Alex passed away in 2004 at the age of eight, she had raised more than $1 million. Alex’s family, through the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, to date, through products and donations, has raised $150 million. The money has been donated to 800 cancer research projects as well as a travel program helping families with children in cancer treatment.
American Heart Association (AHA)
Conducts research into heart-related health issues and provides information on healthy eating, exercise. and quitting smoking Through its local chapters, AHA sponsors walk, runs, and other events related to heart health, as well as offering volunteer opportunities. Some local AHA chapters also offer CPR and first aid training including classes geared to infant care.
BCAN (Bladder Cancer Awareness Network)
Founded in 2005 by Diane and her husband John Quale, who was diagnosed with bladder cancer at the age of 53. BCAN raises money to fund bladder cancer research as well as providing support services for those with bladder cancer. Since 2011, annual fundraising walks have been organized by local BCAN teams throughout the US.
Books for Treats
Started in 2001 by Rebecca Morgan to distribute thousands of books at Halloween as an alternative to candy. Contact the organization about participating local programs for the next Halloween as well as how to donate books which can be new or slightly used.
Do Something
This organization has gotten 6 million+ teenagers throughout the US and in 131 countries to join campaigns concerned with changing the world such as donating previously-worn prom dresses to disadvantaged teens.
Financial Therapy Association
A membership association for financial coaches and psychotherapists who deal with individuals or couples experiencing money problems. At their website you will find a list of members who offer paid help by phone or in person.
Girls Who Code
Founded by Reshma Saujani who seeks to eliminate the gender gap in technology. In the Summer of 2019, 80 free seven-week coding courses are being offered at locations throughout the US. The programs last from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Girls entering 11th or 12th grade in high school are eligible to apply. Check out their website for the list of the course locations and complete application information.
HireMyMom
Unique job search site especially for those seeking part-time or home-based work, founded by Lesley Pyle in 2007, an outgrowth of her original Home-Based Working Moms 1996 website.
Idealist
Started in 1995 and headquartered in New York City, this site has free listings for paid jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities in the area of social action throughout the US and internationally. On a monthly basis, Idealist’s site gets an estimated 800,000 to 1.2 million visitors.
The Judith A. Lese Breast Cancer Foundation
This grassroots not-for-profit educational organization was founded in 2003 by Judith A. Lese, a cancer survivor. Among their many activities are publishing an annual newsletter and hosting a yearly fundraising walk and dinner with a guest speaker. The organization uses contributions to support the work of cancer researchers as well as donating to related institutions such as the Sullivan Center for Breast Health.
Free international database of registered members that includes business and creative individuals and companies who agree to be connected to each other for networking and other business purposes. An increasing number of job recruiters are visiting LinkedIn to review user the LinkedIn profiles of potential candidates. There are an estimated 500 million LinkedIn members.
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
National Institute of Health
Provides free useful information related to widowhood, dealing with Alzheimer’s, caregiver issues, exercise, and other aging concerns.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Call 1-800-273-8255
The hotline, staffed by counselors at local affiliates, is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Volunteer counselors are dedicated to listening to those in distress to prevent suicide. Remember, however, if this is a life-and-death emergency, call 911.
RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network)
National Sexual Assault Hotline
1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
Twenty-four hour a day, seven day a week, this hotline is part of RAINN, which was founded in 1994. It is affiliated with 1,000 anti-sexual assault organizations throughout the US that provide a range of services, from self-help support groups to victim advocates to help victims to deal with the criminal justice system.
PAL (Police Athletic League)
This is a designated charity of the New York Police Department supported by private and public funding. It was started in 1914 by Police Commissioner Arthur Woods. PAL offers teen programs for ages 13 to 19 and covers life skills as well as helping teens to find summer employment. PAL also offers after-school activities throughout the school year, usually three to five days a week, from 6:30–9:30 p.m., including an acting program and other specialized activities such as short summer trips. There are PAL programs in each of New York City’s five boroughs.
SAMHSA National Helpline
1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Seven day a week, 24 hours a day, this is the government-run helpline for referrals for treatment as well as information on mental and substance abuse issues. (SAMHSA stands for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a branch of the US Department of Health and Human Services.)
Share the Care
Nonprofit organization started by Shelia Warnock to help those who are dealing with the seriously ill to best handle the caregiving responsibilities. It all started in 1988, when Shelia became part of a group of 12 women who for the next three and a half years cared for their friend Susan, who was terminally ill.Warnock is also coauthor, with the late Cappy Caposella, of Share the Care: How to Organize a Group to Care for Someone Who Is Seriously Ill, a self-help book for caregivers.
Stop Bullying Now
This federal government site, managed by the US Department of Health and Human Services, provides information about how to handle face-to-face bullying as well as cyberbullying.
Student Safety Month
Founded by Carole Copeland Thomas, a professional speaker, event organizer, and author, following the June 14, 1997 death of her son, Mickarl D. Thomas, Jr. (known as Mickey), in a single occupancy car accident. Within that year, three other mothers that Carole knew lost teenagers because of accidents. Since that time, Carole has sponsored Student Safety Month. (Go to the website, or see Help Yourself Now, for an expanded listing of available resources related to Student Safety Month, which is usually held in June because of school proms but it could apply to any month.)
TalkSpace
Started in 2012, TalkSpace provides teens and adults with direct help through the more than 2,000 licensed therapists affiliated with the company. Their counseling services range from unlimited text, video, and audio messaging therapy, a departure from traditional one-on-one in-person therapy.
Together We Can Change the World
Founded in 2008 by speaker/singer Jana Stanfield and speaker/author Scott Friedman. Their group of volunteers travels to South East Asia several times a year to work together on various projects that help disadvantaged children, especially orphans, and women so they have a better basic necessities as well as educational opportunities.
World Health Organization
Founded in 1948, the WHO employs 7,000 healthcare professionals around the world to offer leadership in the health field. The organization also gathers, and disseminates, information about health globally, tracking trends in a wide range of physical and mental health concerns, from asbestos, cancer, and depression to hypertension and immunization coverage.
For hundreds of additional annotated resources, as well as overviews that highlight each chapter’s concerns, I invite you to pre-order Help Yourself Now: A Practical Guide to Finding the Information and Assistance You Need, to be published by Allworth Press, an imprint of Skyhorse Publishing, distributed by Simon & Schuster, Inc., to be published in Summer 2019 in both e-book ($12.99) and print ($16.99) formats.
Contents
Introduction: A Guide to Getting Help
1. Addiction: Alcohol, Drugs, and Gambling
2. Adoption and Foster Care
3. Aging
4. Animal Rights and Care
5. Arts
6. Business/Entrepreneurs and Employment
7. Children and Teens
8. Consumer Affairs and Safety
9. Counseling, Depression, and Mental Health
10. Courts and Dispute Resolution
11. Crime, Victims, Witnesses, and Crime Prevention
12. Criminal Justice Law Enforcement, Corrections (Prisons), and Alternatives to Prison
13. Disabilities: Developmental, Intellectual, and Physical
14. Dying, Death, and Dealing with Grief
15. Education
16. Emergencies, Disasters, and Preparedness
17. Financial Assistance
18. Food, Hunger, Nutrition, and Eating Disorders
19. Health and Wellness
20. Housing and Homelessness
21. Legal Services
22. LGBTQ
23. Offenders, Inmates, and Formerly Incarcerated
24. Parenting, Step parenting, Grandparenting, and Family
25. Pregnancy and Childbearing
26. Relationships: Dating, Singleness, Marriage, Friendship, and Work
27. Suicide: Prevention and Related Issues
28. Transportation, Travel, and Recreation
29. Veterans
30. Volunteerism
How I Went About Researching the Book
Permissions
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Index
Survey link and/or suggestion for entry
To be considered for Help Yourself Now or this Resources section, please fill out the Contact form at this website you complete my confidential questionnaire for those providing, or seeking, help: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/D7S6F6H