We receive a generous amount of requests on how to become a part of the Joyful Heart Foundation on a daily basis. As a result we created, How to Give Back. This program welcomes community members and professionals to join Joyful Heart in raising awareness, providing prevention education and supporting groundbreaking programs for survivors. How to Give Back can help you be involved with our work and make a difference in your community through Inspiration, Education, Creation and Donation.

At the present time, direct volunteer opportunities at the Joyful Heart Foundation are not available. As our capacity and needs grow, we do hope to be able to use volunteers in the future.

Thank you for your support and interest of the Joyful Heart Foundation.

Just as Mariska was inspired to give back to sexual assault survivors through the creation of the Joyful Heart Foundation, you too can be an inspiration for others to become involved and make a difference.

The following are ideas and examples of how both community members and professionals have and can give back to Joyful Heart and their community:

• Become a sexual assault advocate for your local rape crisis program
• Volunteer your time and assistance for your local crisis centers especially for events like those held during April for Sexual Assault Awareness Month
• Professionals volunteer your services at one of our many programs like our LA or NYC Urban Retreats and our mPower Program
• Donate your space for events being held by Joyful Heart or your local crisis program
• Provide products that will be given to participants of our programs

1. an instructive or enlightening experience
2. the act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge

Raise awareness in your community by using your voice. Talking about sexual assault offers an opportunity for people to ask questions and gain knowledge such as prevention education and resources for survivors. There are many ways to raise awareness in your community about this important issue:

• As a high school or college student you can prepare presentations and papers on sexual assault for students and faculty. Provide handouts with definitions and statistics
• As a student you can also organize such events as Take Back the Night and a clothesline project on campus
• Distribute Joyful Heart materials, such as brochures, tip cards and materials to friends, family and at community events
• Display a Joyful Heart banner or logo on your myspace, friendster or facebook page
• As a professional you can not only raise awareness yet also show your support for the Joyful Heart Foundation:
• Display and distribute Joyful Heart materials, such as brochures, tip cards, or flyers for clients and coworkers
• Have Joyful Heart's website as a resource or link on your website
• Create and/or implement a curriculum in your school, workplace, and organizational setting

1. an original product of human invention or artistic imagination
2. the act of starting something for the first time; introducing something new

The process of creation can be exciting and fulfilling. Now you can create while spreading the word about Joyful Heart and providing an opportunity to talk about sexual assault.

• The following are ways to be creative in your community:
• Write a story, maybe your own or it can be fiction, and send to local papers or magazines to publish
• Make a painting or a drawing and ask to hang it where people will be able to view and it can prompt discussion, maybe even hold a group to do so
• Start a letter writing campaign of support for survivors to receive, like the women who attend Joyful Heart programs or those who receive services at your local crisis center. You can do this with classmates, church members, or with your friends and family
• Create welcome cards for the participants of the Joyful Heart Hawaii Retreats to receive when they arrive their first night

You can be creative in your profession whether it is in your work environment or using your talents:

• Create a special service specifically for Joyful Heart such as a manicure/pedicure package, that will provide services and information
• Create a product exclusively for Joyful Heart
• Organize a 30-day challenge amongst coworkers and/or clients

1. to present as a gift to a fund or cause
2. an act or instance of presenting something as a gift, grant, or contribution

Your contribution to the Joyful Heart Foundation will provide the financial resources that enable us to provide programs for sexual assault survivors, such as our Urban Retreats and Wellness Festivals, and help us to promote awareness and education to the community. The following are different ways you can assist through financial contributions as a community member:

• Host a fundraising event such as a dinner or a theatre night
• Organize an auction or a drive
• Have a bake sale or garage sale
• Hold a concert with local bands
• Make a donation that is tax deductible and every dollar goes directly towards our programs

As a professional there are various means in which you can contribute to the Joyful Heart Foundation:

• Become a Joyful Heart Gala sponsor or program partner
• Creating exclusive items for Joyful Heart where part or all of the proceeds go to our programs
• Hold fundraisers or auctions
• Make a donation that is tax deductible and every dollar goes directly towards our programs