Nonprofit Impact on Communities

 

“It takes a village to raise a child.” This well-known African proverb is often artificially limited by the American obsession with individualism. Of course, being a self-sufficient individual can be incredibly empowering, but we ultimately live in a society where we inevitably help to shape the experiences of those around us. We all benefit when our society is secure, healthy, and well-educated. 

Nonprofit Impact on Communities

Nonprofits take this reality very seriously and work hard to provide services that benefit our communities at large. Depending on their mission, nonprofits help provide food, shelter, health care, educational opportunities, and dozens of other services that improve our communities. As a result, we all benefit even if we don’t directly need those services ourselves. 

A Case Study

The Giving a Smile Foundation is one example of this phenomenon. This particular nonprofit is dedicated to providing oral health education and dental care for underprivileged children in the greater Los Angeles area. The primary focus of the foundation is to even the odds for underprivileged children who may not have access to credible oral health information. The founders and their supporters achieve this goal by providing comprehensive oral health education programs.

Currently, it is estimated that 28.3% of the children in Los Angeles are living below the poverty line. It’s a recipe for overworked parents, poor diet, and limited access to regular health care due to inadequate education and higher costs. The Giving a Smile Foundation helps to provide relief for those families by supporting parents’ efforts to teach their children about health care and offering complimentary services to children between the ages of 10 and 18. 

Analyzing Community Impact

At first glance you may not understand how helping children learn about their oral health is beneficial to you and our society. That’s perfectly normal, but the relationship begins to become clear when you start to consider the link between oral health, confidence, and future security.

Data consistently shows that children who “own their smile” are more likely to succeed academically and socially. Without needing to worry about the degraded state of their teeth or the discomfort of tooth decay these children are free to focus more on their own development. The pay-out isn’t immediate, but these children will eventually grow up with a better appreciation for their own health and become confident adults ready to give back to their communities. 

Ultimately, addressing oral health concerns and gaps in education is only partially about teeth. Children certainly benefit from improved physical health, but it is just as much about their attitude. Giving children the power of knowledge and a fresh start when needed teaches them that they can shape their own destiny. Of course, there are always challenges, but it is also possible to overcome them if you have the right tools. 

Volunteering for a Nonprofit

Volunteering or donating to a nonprofit is an excellent way to give back to your community. We each have our own favorite missions. If giving children a chance to smile again is your mission, then contact Giving a Smile to find out how you can help build-up the children in your community by helping to provide better access to education and dental care.

Nonprofits can survive thanks to the dedicated individuals who devote their time, talent, and treasure to a worthy cause. Without the support of the community, they physically cannot continue to provide services to those in need. That is why it is so important to consider reaching out to your favorite local nonprofits. Even the smallest actions can have a massive impact on a young life, and Giving a Smile provides that opportunity every day.