A new revolution towards social good..and social change. Where volunteerism meets creativity. CultureMASH is a unified force in the marketing community using their talents and voices to amplify the regions causes, enhance outreach initiatives and transform our younger generation into future leaders.
CultureMASH set out on this mission after seeing the astounding impact social media can have in creating awareness and building community. Though technical aspects apply when building a campaign driven for results, the basic fundamentals of branding still apply. The success of any mission relies on awareness and the key factor in enhancing that awareness is reaching your audience through all mediums.
Frequently, the CultureMASH team shares links, Facebook/ Twitter pages and various articles and videos for non-profits doing great work in and around our region. It is important to all of us that we have a solid understanding of the incredible work being done to improve the lives of thousands of people in Dayton.
Last week, their team was encouraged to follow 30DaysHomeless on Facebook. Like a good team player Natasha Baker, immediately went to the page to see what it was all about.
It didn’t take long for her to be deeply moved. If you haven’t heard about this amazing project, Pastor Ryan Riddell of the Shelter Church of Dayton has taken his mission of raising awareness of the homeless in Dayton to the streets-literally. He is living in a van on the streets of Dayton for 30 days.
Through a vlog and Facebook, Ryan is telling the stories of the people he meets and the treatment he receives as an assumed homeless man. And he has gotten the attention of media around the country.
Natasha was inspired by the story of Eddie, a young man who became homeless after aging out of the foster care system at just 18. Ryan helped him get to an interview that resulted in a job for Eddie. And Eddie’s first response to this new opportunity was that it would afford him the chance to go to Sinclair.
Natasha got on the phone and arranged for Eddie to meet with the admissions counselors at Sinclair Community College, secured potential scholarship dollars and funding for supplies and books. “It is the Sinclair way to jump in and help potential students” says, Baker. Eddie is on his way to a college degree and chance at getting life back on track.
Congratulations to Eddie and to thank you to Ryan for the sacrifice and determination to do what you are doing. It is for these kinds of opportunities to help that I joined this team. Natasha stated that she is “proud to be a part of CultureMASH”..but the organization is just as proud to have her and excited that having only launched in late December of 2010, they are already seeing happen what they knew would.
