Memorable Service Experience by Ariel Allen

I loved the culture within the small community of Jechvo, Chiapas. 

Their beautiful, handmade clothing with all its vibrant colors and floral designs, I knew it took the women countless hours of dedicated devotion and concentration to create them. 

The men, women, and children all wore these unique articles of clothing with pride and beaming, smiling faces. 

I was mesmerized when we arrived at the village that first day. Every person was there waiting to welcome our team of volunteers. Some were holding signs with handwritten words of welcome to each individual in our group. 

As we headed further into the village, we were seated in the kindergarten courtyard as little children performed number after number of dances they had prepared for our arrival. 

Each dance was associated with an outfit, no doubt handmade by their mothers, that was unique to each performance. It warmed my heart and I felt so blessed to be in that moment, experiencing their culture and acceptance of our group. 

I loved when we gathered all the small children together and taught them colors and numbers in English. It was so endearing, and hilarious, to see them spout off broken English as they repeated  the words "blue" and "brown" while color-cards flashed before them. I went around from child to child and, in my own broken Spanish, tried to help them learn basic words in my native language. 

The children were so full of energy, and you could tell they were ecstatic that we were there in their village to teach them. I felt we were all learning from each other.

I learned and experienced so many things, from listening to an archaeologist about recent Mayan findings, to visiting actual Mayan ruins, to singing a made-up song about numbers in English to the little children while they waited to see a local dentist. It was a trip I will never forget and will hold dear in my heart forever.

xxoo,

Ariel 

Muyu Juntasqua Project in Amaru, Peru

Hey, it's Brenda and Ashley here from expeditions at Ascend Alliance! 

We are excited to share today  about one of the projects we are working on for this summer! Were heading to Cusco,  Peru where we will be working in a small community called Amaru.  

Amaru is located on a beautiful hill near the Andean Peaks. They are very traditional in their native dress and most speak in Quechua which is the indigenous language of the Andes.

Amaru has about 1,500 people  that live in extreme poverty living on less than $1.50 per person a day.   Agriculture is the primary economic means,  but lack of irrigation systems prohibits year round farming.  Typically men seek work as porters for the Inca trails which brings challenges of long times away from home and family, backbreaking labor, and poor nutrition.

Trash is a growing problem in Amaru, and without effective means to dispose of in-organic waste, it is deposited in an exposed pit where it contaminates the ground and is blown away by wind.  We are excited to work with Amaru to help solve this problem with a recycling center!  This will be a community project called  "Muyu Juntasqua" which is Quechua for full circle project.  The recycling center will allow them to:

• ·         Separate Bottles, tin, batteries, plastic bags and paper   for re-use.
• ·         Sell the bottles
• ·         Make recycled paper
• ·         Make reusable plastic bags

What an opportunity to be a part of empowering others to better their lives and community. 

Meet Yeni from Amaru

Expeditions give us the opportunity to help others see the change that we can make in the lives of others around the world.  The movement to change, empower, educate, and love those who aren't given the opportunities that we are given.  The miracle about change is not only what it does for them, but what it does for us.  These moments lead us to create change.  We are empowering for change.  Lift others lift yourself.

For more information on the expedition to Amaru on August 2nd email us at brenda@ascendalliance.org!

Hasta Luego,

Brenda and Ashley

Another Silent Auction Sneak Peek!

How does 10 days in Spain sound?
A day in Madrid, some time at a beach, a tour of Toledo, Cathedrals, shrines and monuments...

And lodging in a 300 year old Classic Spanish Pueblo home!

It is a phenomenal opportunity to enjoy Spain and all of the delights it has to offer!

Thailand Anyone?

Time for another sneak peek!

A week in Chiang Mai, Thailand, this silent auction item is sure to be hot! 

Annual Gala Sneak Peeks for Silent Auction Starting Now - Zion Ponderosa

We have many exciting items that will be sold at our Annual Gala on April 27th at the City Creek Marriott this year! Because there are some must have items, and we want everyone to know the details, so we are doing some sneak peeks to give you a head start on your budgeting and bidding strategies  :)

Please stop by again so you can see what else we have, and as a small hint, get your passport out  :)

Living Life in Two Cultures - A Series by Ashley Patino

Hey I'm Ashley- operations assistant here at Ascend Alliance.  I am excited to write for our blog and let you in on my crazy American/ Peruvian double life.  It's an amazing journey that took place meeting my husband in Peru  And through this blog I am excited to share all my crazy experiences along the way.  After living in Peru, I got an opportunity to start working at Ascend in Expeditions.  I feel like I get the opportunity to help others fall in love with the Latin Culture and People.  Their culture has taught me so many wonderful lessons and really enriched my life.  I know they have taught me so much more then  have ever taught them.

Erick and I met through both serving missions in Argentina.  Later visiting Peru with my family we ended up  connected at a beautiful shopping  center that looks over the ocean called Larco Mar.  That will be important to remember for future blog posts... I remember that night looking over  the wooden ledge and  wrote Ashley + Erick.  At the time it was sort of a joke, but deep down I think that's what I really wanted to happen.  The next day I left for Utah, sad, and thinking what if? I knew if I told my family that they would think I was crazy! and I was.  We kept in touch through Facebook, and then Skype, and then that led to me convincing my parents to let me  jet off to Peru!  Well I'm not sure that they let me, as much as it was me saying im going to Peru, and you can support me or not.  I'm quite stubborn.  But when you feel something, I think you have to take the chance, and what would be the worst thing to happen.  I go over and spend my summer in Peru and come home knowing I took that chance.  Has that ever happened to you?  I felt like I was given the opportunity to follow my heart and take a chance.  I didn't know all the challenges that would come with it, but  those challenges have helped me to grow .

Stay tuned for more! 

Chau Chau,

Ashley Patino

The Buzz in the Office by Samantha Tacy

There is such a buzz here in the office this week as we look forward to and continue planning for our Annual Gala Fundraiser! All the details seem to be coming together beautifully as we create a fun and exciting event this year.
And what a sensational program we have for this year! As Production Manager over the event I have had the privilege of working closely with many of the talented performers and groups we will have the pleasure of hearing this year. One of those groups is Vocal Point.

Vocal Point is a male acapella group out of Brigham Young University. Nine students come together in an effort to create a sound unlike any other.  Staying true to the acapella style Vocal Point uses no instrumental sound other than their voices.

Since the time Vocal Point was founded in 1991 by two students attending BYU, the group has won an array of awards and had the opportunity to compete and take fifth place on NBC’s third season of The Sing Off.

Vocal Point will entertain us Saturday evening with a thirty-minute concert. We are thrilled to have them join with us this year and look forward to their performance. We are eager for a night full of fun and good entertainment as we all learn how to Become the Humanitarian We Were Meant to Be.

Conscious Capitalism by CEO of Ascend Alliance Matthew Casto

For nearly forty years the annual charitable contributions in the United States have hovered around 2% of the GDP.  Today that represents about 300 billion dollars in resources available for charitable organizations to help address the social ills of the world.  While this seems like a large amount of money, it is only a fraction of the resources needed. These limited resources are utilized by over a million non profit entities to provide aide to millions of men, woman and children who are under serviced and under supported.  It is important that we continue to empower and sustain these organizations in the important work that they endeavor to provide.

The question is, “How do we empower non government charities”?  The instinctual response to this question is usually financially directed.  Most people think that non profits simply need donations.  While financial donations are an important part of the success equation, they are not the only necessary element.

So, if money is not the greatest need, you may ask, “What do non-profit entities really need to be successful, to rise above the growing social needs, and make lasting changes”?  I would submit to you that what they need is Freedom!  Non Government Organizations need freedom from the legal and philosophical limitations that hold them back from becoming self reliant and financially responsible.  They need the freedom to function like business entities.  They need access to capital investments, cutting edge marketing strategies, and adequately compensated workforce.  They need the autonomy to create long range business strategies and the flexibility to implement these strategies without unbalanced scrutiny.  They need incentives to take risks and to spend for the future.  They need to be encouraged to seek collaboration and inspired to develop efficiency. 

Sounds a lot like capitalism, doesn't it.  So I ask, “Is capitalism the solution to all of the world’s social ills?”!  I am not talking about competitive capitalism, where there is a winner and a loser.  I am talking about conscious capitalism and collaborative capitalism where all parties benefit from working together in harmonic and holistic approaches.  It may be bold to ask, but can capitalism save the world? 

At Ascend Alliance Humanitarian we believe in the power of collaboration and the strength in conscious capitalism.   This is why we working hard to promote our socially responsible business community and to forge strategic partnership with other powerful humanitarian organizations.  We are committed to building a connection economy of businesses and individuals who believe in our mission; a mission to empower individuals to become self reliant and prosperous.  As a 30 year old nonprofit organization, we are proactively striving to live in harmony with this same message, as we generate our own financial resources and build bridges of collaboration across the globe.  We are already enjoying the freedom that comes from these socially minded efforts. 

I watched a video the other day on the internet, where the speaker predicted the end of humanitarianism.  He argued that the day would come that non-profit organizations would become extinct.  He felt that the era of conscious capitalism would expand and social enterprise would eradicate charitable giving.  I do not necessarily agree with this finality of thinking, but I do sense that there will be significant changes in the future of this industry; changes which will impact our personal lives and our future business relationships. 

I can imagine a day when humanitarian organizations will proactively contribute to the overall gross domestic product; rather, than hoping to find access to a small portion of the resources currently available through the generous giving of others.    Join us in the movement towards redefining humanitarianism.  Become a member of our socially responsible business community and help us empower others towards self reliance and prosperity. 

--Matthew Casto

Ascend Alliance: The Insider View, a video by Samantha Tacy

Our very talented and extremely dedicated intern Samantha Tacy is sharing a video that she created for one of her classes. She has been the assistant to the Gala Coordinator, Sabina Casto for the last 3 months and has experienced first hand the challenges and triumphs of organizing a large event.



We are very impressed with Samantha's dedication and consistently professional performance in preparing for this event.

Vocal Point as Guest Performers for our Annual Gala

It is a distinct pleasure this year to have Vocal Point performing at our annual gala on April 27th!




They will bringing their rockin' beats and their dancing feet to this exceptional event, if you are interested in joining us for the evening, please call Lynn Merritt at 801.601.8810 or send an email to him at lynn@ascendalliance.org.

A Message from Lynn Merritt, Executive Director

It's a New Day ...

  

The world of humanitarian work is changing. Figuring out fresh ideas and looking at things from a different vantage point is nothing new, but the old model of non-profits is giving way to a new direction. Organizations are always trying to measure the impact they have on the ground and ask themselves the question "are we really making a difference?" With all of the studies and metrics in place and the amount of knowledge that is available today, why does it feel that we are doing the same things over and over? A progressive non-profit will take the time to review and assess every aspect of the organization. How can we do better and why we do things a certain way? These questions need to be asked in order to create growth and learning. At Ascend, we can look to our rich history and review how we have accomplished everything to this point, but we need to look at both our successes and our failures. We often learn more from our failures than we do from success. We also collaborate with other non-profits and together, figure out best practices and learn from the lessons of our partner organizations. We believe that only in a spirit of pure partnership with other non-profits, businesses and donors can we truly make a difference, but the key partnership is with the people that we serve. If we listen and learn from those that we serve, only then can find ways to truly make an impact and create true social change.

John Moore working and sharing a beverage with a citizen from the community of Jech-Vo, Chiapas, Mexico December 29th, 2012

 
Lynn invites you to contact him if you have questions, or would like to volunteer. He can be reached at 801.601.8810 or by email at lynn@ascendalliance.org.

Opportunity to Serve

I want to thank you for taking a few minutes to come to our blog! We are so grateful for the people who have come to visit us, learned a little about us and then become part of our community.

Also, if you don't mind, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Becky Olsen, and I am the Director of Marketing for Ascend Alliance. I had the opportunity to go on our most recent service expedition to Jech-Vo, Chiapas, Mexico where our group built an addition to an elementary school, repaired a very dilapidated retaining wall that was collapsing into two home-sites, and also brought in a Dentist for a care and education campaign. 

The group that had assembled for this trip was comprised of exceptional people who are all hard working and very talented in unique ways. Some traveled from Texas, and others were from various cities in Utah, but the one thing we all had in common was our desire to serve. I have to admit, it had been a while since I had balanced a wheelbarrow, jumped on a shovel and wielded a paint brush, but each task that needed done was an opportunity to push myself past fatigue and embrace the true joy of giving to a community. 

The long term impact of these efforts by our group of 23 expeditioners can't be measured at this time, but we do know that there is now room for 25 more young children to go to school everyday. But the impact on me, I can measure that. I grew in faith that believing that small contributions can make a big difference, that the small seed of hope can grow into a flower of success, and that working with joy in my heart can be contagious for those around me.

Opportunity is everywhere to become the humanitarian you were meant to be!

No Act of Kindness...

Sharing a smile, providing silent service, or giving a hug can all make the difference in someone's day.

We would like to challenge you to perform a random act of kindness. No matter how big or small, it will not be a wasted effort  :)

Success is Finding...

We have so many beautiful images from all of our exceptional service expeditions! These pictures move us and give us the desire to keep doing this challenging work. We want to share their power with you so, we will be sharing these moments along with a quote that is inspiring or motivational.

After all, our world gets a little more connected each day  :)

Save The Date!!

Our annual gala is in just six weeks!

We would love to have you join us!

Tables are almost sold out, making it one of the hottest tickets in town!

Hay Un Amigo En Mi

A little planning, some bold colors of paint and a lot of patience can leave a message of enduring friendship in the most unexpected of places.
Blake Hadley, one of the expeditioners on our recent trip to Jech-vo has a huge talent and wanted to share it with the people we were serving, but how does a graphic design/advertising genius leave a mark in a poor pueblo in Mexico?

He spent a few weeks devising a message combined with iconic images that would remind everyone that even though they may dress and speak differently, they would always be friends.
It started when the first work day was done. The designated wall was washed, and prepared for the many layers of blue paint that were soon to follow.

Such a cold night, but Blake and the AV crew set up the projector and the white crayons were put to good use to get sketch the images onto the wall. The images were then taped off and the paint brushes were brought out :)

Steady and patient hands were needed for the many different colors to follow. Ambassadors were appearing right in front of our eyes, and even more importantly, before the eyes of the young children who would be seeing them everyday from then on.

The lasting message of "Hay Un Amigo En Mi" was completed in just a few short days, with the impact of informing the children and the community that they had many friends around the world.

 And as for the expeditioners...

The memories will last forever!

Meet Samantha Tacy

Samantha spent most of her childhood and adolescent years growing up in a small town nestled in the mountains of north Georgia. Growing up she participated in many leadership positions and worked closely with others to plan, organize, orchestrate and carry out successful events. In working with and organizing these different events, Samantha knew pursuing a business degree was the right path for her in order to work events later in life. Upon graduating high school Samantha was accepted to Brigham Young University Idaho, along with a few other universities. But after some reflection and thought it was decided, she picked up and moved her whole life out to Rexburg, Idaho in the summer of 2008. College has been everything she expected. It has been a wonderful three years full of good experiences, many friends, exciting adventures and lots of snow! Throughout the course of her college years Samantha has been able to complete an internship with Texas Old Town, a wedding venue facility. It is here that Samantha first discovered her true love of the wedding industry. In addition Samantha has also had the experience of starting, organizing, and running a company with twenty-eight other students on campus at BYU-Idaho. Other hand on experiences Samantha has, include the opportunity of participating in two consulting projects with clients from the surrounding community. Her first project was based in conducting market research and analysis for a potential product line, and the second consultation was to help the client create a complete business plan for their new company. Most recently Samantha completed a two-year full time volunteer assignment for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Samantha loved working closely with the people and surrounding communities of San Jose, California. During this eighteen month volunteer project Samantha had the many opportunities to work alongside a wide variety of people. She provided many hours of service throughout the community, taught one on one lessons, and helped individuals find an improved quality of life and worked aggressively to raise people’s self worth and confidence. Her time as a missionary was very rewarding and provided her with many invaluable experiences. Samantha has come to Ascend Alliance for her Senior Internship Project. Samantha is working closely with our Annual Gala Fundraiser as the Production Manager. She spends her time in the office coordinating and getting in contact with those who will be performing at our event, orchestrating the program, writing the script for the night, and trying to manage the millions of smaller details of the evening. It is a fun, fast paced, highly social position, providing her with the perfect experience she will need to later work in the event planning industry. Samantha will graduate in July of 2013 with her bachelor’s degree in Business Management. She has obtained her primary emphasis, in marketing, and two complementary clusters, the first in Public Relations and the second in Family Consumer Science. Shortly after graduation Samantha plans to go back and make her living in the Wedding/Event Industry, working within the marketing, media relations, PR side of things. Since her first internship she has loved weddings and event planning and knew one day she would work with them closely. From her past internship and previous work experience she has found working within the industry is very exhilarating. She thrives off of sharing in the joy, love and happiness of so many individuals as they plan their special events.

Being an Intern at Ascend Alliance

Personal Account of Being an Ascend Intern from Tyler Olsen 
We value our interns and work diligently to provide a strong and supportive internship environment with opportunities for hands on experiences. 

When Becky Olsen, the Ascend Marketing Manager and my loving mother, suggested that I do an internship here at Ascend, I was dubious about whether or not I could balance that on top of the 15 credits I had already committed to up at the U of U and my part-time job. She asked me to visit the office and talk with Matthew Casto about being an intern anyway. That chat convinced me. I added 3 more credits to my course load, and I started. It was very easy to get registered for the internship course. the Hinckley Institute of Politics has been a dream to work with. They challenge us as interns to do our absolute best in our positions. The main course assignment is a research paper that is related to the internship and current events. Doing research about humanitarian work is very different than what I to what am used to. Working here has been such a good experience. There will always be space for another intern or volunteer, no matter what their passions are. If they want to be an accountant, an artist, or a writer, there is always something for them to do here. All levels of experience are welcome; all fields of study are welcome. It is impossible to walk through the front doors of this office and not change for the better. Volunteer work, on every level, helps a student gain a global perspective. Finding your niche in society starts in college, and doing an internship at Ascend will help you practice what you learn at school. The interns at Ascend Alliance work intimately with the executive team to reach their goals. Participants have opportunities to connect and network with top leaders and businesses and build long lasting relationships. If you are interested in more information, please contact Brenda Rindlesbach at 801.601.8810 or at brenda@ascendalliance.org.

Cusco Orphanage Playground Inauguration

Through selfless fundraising efforts and a collaboration of resources the Girl’s Orphanage San Judas Chico in Cusco, Peru inaugurated a beautiful new playground on Sunday, September 16th! The PC5 and the North Ogden service expedition groups raised $2,400 for the construction of this new playground.  Through the accomplished coordination of Ascend Alliance, Ascend Travel, and these dedicated service expedition groups that came to Peru last June, the girls at San Judas Chico now have a safe place to relax, exercise, play and be kids in a place they can finally feel at home.
Before the improvements:



There are three orphanages in Cusco that take in boys and girls ages 5 to 17.  These brave young children are either orphaned, have impoverished families that are unable to support their children, or are victims of domestic abuse, social risk, or sexual abuse.  All three Cusco orphanages are directed by Señor Luis Alberto Palma Gonzales, the President of the Sociedad de Beneficiencia Publica del Cusco (a state run organization that serves neglected youth, the mentally challenged, and a retirement community). The Hogar de Niñas San Judas Chico Girls Orphanage where the playground humanitarian project was installed is run by Señora Maruja, and hosts 36 amazing, intelligent, and inspiring young Peruvian girls.
After at the inaugeration:




As an intern with Ascend Adventure Travel, I have had the pleasure of working with these girls in their vegetable garden over the past three weeks, and I have never seen them so happy as the day we first opened their playground!  The ceremony itself was a congregation of children from all three orphanages in Cusco.  When Timothy Marti, the CEO of Ascend Travel and Regional Manager for this project, cut the tape to signify the opening of the new playground nearly 100 children went bolting for its castle, monkey bars, and teeter-totters! Tim and I where both relieved that it was finally inaugurated, yet scared for the children’s lives, hoping our Chief Operator Señor Felipe had made the castle feature strong enough to withstand 50 enthusiastic Peruvian children!  We looked at each other with a slight grin, both thinking “no better way to test it out than this!”  As I savored my delicious, authentic Peruvian lunch with all the children and their mentors, celebrating our new playground, I felt accomplished, gratified, and most importantly I felt like their friend.

A Message from our CEO

The other day at a family barbeque my father asked me how I was enjoying my new leadership role at Ascend Alliance.  It was noisy with children playing their favorite summer games and I was not really sure how to answer him without evoking a deep conversation.  Instantly, flash of images rolled through my mind, recounting a number of exciting events from the past four months.  Almost without restraint, one word flashed to mind and leapt from my lips – ENTHUSIASM.

Enthusiasm is definitely the word to describe how I feel about my short tenure as CEO of Ascend Alliance. The word enthusiasm literally means a strong excitement or feeling; taking its origin from the Greek word enthousiasmos, meaning to be inspired.  As I have embraced my leadership role of this wonderful organization I have truly been inspired; inspired to carry on a powerful legacy and motivated to craft a new and exciting vision for the future.

Since 1982 the founders of Ascend Alliance and their supporters have been changing lives by promoting self reliance across the world. The impact of this organization can hardly be quantified with numbers or described by words.  Let it suffice to say that great things have been accomplished. 

The great Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm”.  I would concur that enthusiasm is the mother of all greatness.  Enthusiasm has been, and will continue to be, a driving force here at Ascend Alliance.  Personally, I have never been so passionate about my life.  I fall asleep every night and wake up every morning thinking about the opportunities that lie ahead. 

Join with the team at Ascend Alliance and let the power of enthusiasm infuse passion in your lives and purpose in your actions!