No one should have to face disability or caregiving alone. Too often, people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) and their caring family and friends are not fully included in our society and economy. At AKALAKA, we see the true value of this community. Right now, our community struggles to find support that actually understands their needs. That is why we are training the experts who understand what our community needs: our community itself. We create an opportunity for our community to become a part of the solution that they need.&nbsp; <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1776814732/wysiwyg/pqbhntbwhgjc7wplhuqa.jpg" style="width: 600px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; position: relative; max-width: 100%; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; user-select: none; box-sizing: inherit;" fr-original-style="width: 600px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable"> How We Work&nbsp;We find local leaders who already know what it is like to live with a disability or care for a loved one. We train them to become Certified Peer Facilitators (guides who use their own experiences to help others). Then, through our non-profit Upstream Works, we hire them as official employees with a living wage and real, portable benefits. Why Your Donation Matters Today&nbsp;AKALAKA is growing fast. We recently won a contract to provide services across 46, primarily rural, counties in North Carolina. But we still need your help to reach everyone. Your donation helps us to:<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Support All Families: Give emotional support and vital resources to care partners who are on waiting lists for government-funded services like Medicaid.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Transform Lived Experience into a Professional Career: Provide steady, supportive jobs that actually fit the unique needs of people living with disabilities or caregiving responsibilities.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Expand Our Impact: Help us train our biggest group of guides yet, so we can hire underestimated, talented individuals in our local area and beyond.</li></ul>We are bringing real-life experience to community care. Become a Partner in Care with AKALAKA today, and join us in celebrating the value of our community. Let&#39;s Handle Life Together. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1776972707/wysiwyg/g8rgdruzvwkrtw6jfjko.png" style="width: 600px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; position: relative; max-width: 100%; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; user-select: none; box-sizing: inherit;" fr-original-style="width: 600px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable"> Important Notes Regarding DonationsMoney &amp; Receipts: Upstream Works is our non-profit fiscal sponsor (a registered 501c3 organization). They handle our funds securely so we can focus on community impact. When you make a tax-deductible donation using the Add a donation for Upstream Works option, your bank statement and official receipt will say &quot;Upstream Works.&quot; 100% of these funds are held by Upstream Works to be used exclusively for AKALAKA&#39;s community programs.

Dear&nbsp;<span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{firstname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip" fr-original-style="" style="background-color: rgb(248, 248, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255); border-radius: 4px; color: rgb(42, 42, 196); padding: 1px 8px; font-size: 11px; display: inline-block; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: anywhere; user-select: none; box-sizing: inherit;">First name, AKALAKA is deeply grateful for your support. As a Certified B Corporation, we are redefining the care economy by investing in those living with disabilities and caregiving responsibilities to become a part of the solution that they need. Your contribution directly fuels our mission to empower our community of care partners to be able thrive at home and in our communities of choice. You are helping us transform the undervalued labor of care partners into a dignified livelihood.&nbsp; We believe that those who need and give the greatest care deserve the best support and resources. To keep up to date with our impact, visit hi.AKALAKA.org to follow us online and in our local communities. Thank you for partnering in care with AKALAKA and becoming a part of the solution we all need. With AKALAKA, we handle life together. With care,Victoria Chibuogu Nneji, Ph.D.Founder and CEO of AKALAKA&amp; our Upstream Team&nbsp;

No one should have to face disability or caregiving alone. Too often, people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) and their caring family and friends are not fully included in our society and economy. At AKALAKA, we see the true value of this community. Right now, our community struggles to find support that actually understands their needs. That is why we are training the experts who understand what our community needs: our community itself. We create an opportunity for our community to become a part of the solution that they need.  <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1776814732/wysiwyg/pqbhntbwhgjc7wplhuqa.jpg" style="width:600px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto;text-align:center;position:relative;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit;max-width:100%" /> How We Work We find local leaders who already know what it is like to live with a disability or care for a loved one. We train them to become Certified Peer Facilitators (guides who use their own experiences to help others). Then, through our non-profit Upstream Works, we hire them as official employees with a living wage and real, portable benefits. Why Your Donation Matters Today AKALAKA is growing fast. We recently won a contract to provide services across 46, primarily rural, counties in North Carolina. But we still need your help to reach everyone. Your donation helps us to:<ul><li>Support All Families: Give emotional support and vital resources to care partners who are on waiting lists for government-funded services like Medicaid.</li><li>Transform Lived Experience into a Professional Career: Provide steady, supportive jobs that actually fit the unique needs of people living with disabilities or caregiving responsibilities.</li><li>Expand Our Impact: Help us train our biggest group of guides yet, so we can hire underestimated, talented individuals in our local area and beyond.</li></ul>We are bringing real-life experience to community care. Become a Partner in Care with AKALAKA today, and join us in celebrating the value of our community. Let's Handle Life Together. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1776972707/wysiwyg/g8rgdruzvwkrtw6jfjko.png" style="width:600px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto;text-align:center;position:relative;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit;max-width:100%" /> Important Notes Regarding DonationsMoney &amp; Receipts: Upstream Works is our non-profit fiscal sponsor (a registered 501c3 organization). They handle our funds securely so we can focus on community impact. When you make a tax-deductible donation using the Add a donation for Upstream Works option, your bank statement and official receipt will say "Upstream Works." 100% of these funds are held by Upstream Works to be used exclusively for AKALAKA's community programs.

Become a Partner in Care with AKALAKA

IsFundraiserFormEditDisabled

IsPaymentByPadAllowed

Upstream Works

### Context Profile for Upstream Works

#### 1. Organization Mission & Cause
Upstream Works is dedicated to promoting sustainable sanitation solutions globally, with a particular focus on Condominial Sewerage systems. Their mission is to advocate for appropriate sanitation practices that are environmentally friendly and socially inclusive. They aim to educate communities and practitioners about these solutions through presentations, study trips, and the translation of technical materials. 

#### 2. Type of Activities
- **Advocacy**: Upstream Works serves as a global advocate for Condominial Sewerage and other sanitation solutions.
- **Education**: They provide educational resources and presentations to raise awareness about sanitation issues.
- **Study Trips**: Organizing trips for practitioners to learn about sanitation practices in different contexts.
- **Technical Support**: Translating technical materials and facilitating communication between practitioners and research institutions.

#### 3. Tone of Voice
The tone of voice used by Upstream Works is professional yet approachable. Their language is informative and supportive, aiming to inspire action and awareness regarding sanitation issues. They balance technical information with a friendly demeanor, making complex topics accessible to a broader audience.

#### 4. Emoji Usage
The website and email communications do not prominently feature emojis. The tone remains formal and professional, focusing on clear communication rather than informal or playful elements. 

#### 5. Key Facts
- **Founding Information**: Specific founding details were not available on the website.
- **Scale**: Upstream Works has a total of 13 forms and has conducted 7 email campaigns.
- **Impact Metrics**: While specific metrics were not detailed, their activities suggest a focus on community engagement and education in sanitation practices.
- **Volunteer Information**: No specific volunteer programs were mentioned on the website, indicating a potential area for development in outreach and community involvement.

#### 6. Writing Guidelines
- **Clarity and Precision**: Use clear, concise language that conveys technical information in an understandable way.
- **Professional Tone**: Maintain a professional yet friendly tone, avoiding overly casual language.
- **Educational Focus**: Prioritize informative content that educates the audience about sanitation issues and solutions.
- **Call to Action**: Include clear calls to action in communications, encouraging engagement and participation in programs or events.

This context profile should guide the creation of tailored content for Upstream Works, ensuring alignment with their mission, tone, and activities.

What led you to want to become a partner in care with AKALAKA?

How did you learn about this opportunity?

Anything else you'd like to share with us?

Upstream Works

Become a Partner in Care with AKALAKA

Choose an amount:

$

You'll receive a tax receipt for making a donation.