Every child deserves to have a happy birthday. The nonprofit organization Birthday Wishes helps ensure that by providing birthday celebrations for families experiencing homelessness. “Everybody celebrates a birthday, so everybody can identify with this,” said Denell Nuese, executive direc tor of Birthday Wishes. The organization, one of 80 nonprofit organizations awarded a Local Impact Grant from NBCUniversal on Wednesday, began in 2002 when three women in Newton, Massachusetts, learned that their children’s classmate, who lived in a shelter, was not having a birthday party. They arranged to throw a party for him, and its success and response led to the creation of the organization. The organization now partners with a network of 200 shelters across seven states and serves an average of 5,000 kids a year, ranging from expecting mothers to 17-year-olds. The “Birthday-in-a-Box” program provides families of children 1 to 13 years old with a box filled with themed and age-appropriate decor, supplies and cake mix, frosting and a cake pan to throw a birthday celebration for up to eight people, along with a bag of wrapped gifts. Expecting mothers receive a “Baby BIRTHday Bundle” with diapers, onesies, bottles and more, while teens 14 to 17 receive a gift card to pick out their own birthday gift. Photo courtesy of Birthday Wishes “It’s nice to be celebrated, regardless of if you’re a homeless child or if you’re a child that has a lot of means,” Nuese said. “We’ve learned that when you’re in a situation where there’s a lot of trauma and chaos and stress, even one moment of joy and something to look forward to can really mitigate that.” Birthday Wishes is now set to receive an unrestricted grant from NBCUniversal, which this week issued a total of $2.5 million to nonprofit organizations servicing one of the 11 NBC- and Telemundo-owned stations’ markets across the United States. “We’re proud to celebrate this year’s Local Impact Grant recipients and grateful to Comcast NBCUniversal for its continued commitment to supporting their work in our communities,” said Valari Staab, the chairman of NBCUniversal Local. “The impact of these organizations can be seen every day in the communities they serve, through the opportunities they create, the connections they build and the lives they touch.” That includes organizations like Open Style Lab in New York, which is dedicated to creating functional, wearable solutions for people of all abilities without compromising style. Photo courtesy of Open Style Lab “We started with fashion because you don’t watch someone get dressed in the morning, so it’s a very hidden barrier. If you have no use of your arms, or challenges with dexterity, or limited mobility, how do you put on clothing? How do you get it off?” said Yasmin Keats, executive director of Open Style Lab. “So, it’s not just about clothing and fashion from a style perspective, but also from a place of function and from a place of safety, as well.” Taylor’s Gift Foundation, based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, offers grief support to organ and tissue donor families. It was founded in 2010 by Tara and Todd Storch after they donated their 13-year-old daughter’s organs following a skiing accident.    “You’ve got the grief from the sudden loss — because organ, eye and tissue donation usually comes after an accident or a tragedy — combined with this silver lining that our loved ones saved others,” Tara Storch said. “So, it’s really where heartbreak and hope kind of share that space. And it’s a very complicated place to live. We were looking for organizations that provided really unique services to that kind of grief, and we couldn’t find it.” They launched their own foundation and now help donor families in 47 states, offering one-on-one support with a peer mentor who understands donor family grief through lived experience, as well as virtual peer groups and social worker guidance. “Organ, eye and tissue donors save lives, and Taylor’s Gift supports their families,” Tara Storch said. Recipients also include 826CHI in Chicago, which provides free creative writing and publishing programs for young people to strengthen writing skills and build confidence in their own voice; Southern California College Attainment Network, which expands college access, affordability and completion for students across Southern California; Fostering Hope in Philadelphia, which provides resources to youths experiencing foster care and the families that open their hearts and homes to them; and Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf Hard of Hearing Persons, a Washington, D.C., based organization empowering deaf and hard of hearing individuals and their families through education, advocacy, and community involvement. Publications of student writing from the organization 826CHI. (Photo courtesy of 826CHI) Each of the 80 organizations was selected for having made a difference in local communities in one of three categories: youth education and empowerment, next generation storytellers, and community engagement. NBCUniversal’s grant program, now in its ninth year, has provided $24.3 million to 695 nonprofit organizations serving communities in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas-Fort Worth, Washington, D.C., Boston, San Francisco, Miami, San Diego and Hartford.  “Local nonprofit organizations help expand opportunity, strengthen community connections and create lasting impact,” said Jessica Clancy, NBCUniversal’s senior vice president of corporate social responsibility. “Through the NBCUniversal Local Impact Grants, we support organizations that are addressing the unique needs of their communities, opening doors for future generations and making a meaningful difference in the lives of people across the country.” The difference made by Positive Movement Foundation has often been felt on eighth-grade graduation day. That’s when the nonprofit organization – which works with at-risk and under-served children in San Diego through partnerships with local schools to provide resources, mentorship and emotional support – has been highlighted by staff and students. “Positive Movement is being mentioned in a lot of eighth grade speeches at our middle schools as having a significant impact on their middle-school experience,” said Omid Sabet, president and founder of the organization. The foundation assists schools with high populations of socioeconomically disadvantaged students, students experiencing homelessness, foster youth, English learners, and students with disabilities. Currently serving eight schools, it has helped increase English and math scores, reduce chronic absenteeism, cut suspension rates, and boost staff retention rates.    The grant will help the organization expand its reach, with more than 20 schools on a waitlist hoping to form a partnership. “It’s humbling to know, given how many are in consideration, that we were chosen. It allows us to make a bigger impact and increase our footprint,” he said. “With all the budget cuts and the limited funding that the schools have, we are an additional resource for them to get their job done effectively.” Sabet founded Positive Movement Foundation as a way of providing the kind of assistance and care that he received when he moved to the U.S. at 9 years old and barely spoke English. “A few teachers and staff made a significant impact on me during those years, simply because they cared,” he said. “So, it’s an opportunity to give the same to someone else.” Founded in 2022, the organization says it commits to partnerships for at least two years. Schools unable to receive long-term support are provided one-time aid based on specific needs. Student-focused programs include attendance and academic incentives, recognition programs and therapy services. The organization also offers “Fun Fridays” – featuring schoolwide lunchtime events promoting positive school culture through music, games, prizes and partnerships – as well as after-school and Saturday enrichment programs. It also promotes the wellness of educators with staff appreciation programs that aim to relieve stress and promote mental relaxation through acupuncture, massage sessions, sound baths and other initiatives. “The idea is to provide long-term sustainable support to create change,” Sabet said. Educators and staff members receiving massages to help with mental relaxation. (Photo courtesy of Positive Movement Foundation) For each organization awarded grants — whether for throwing birthday parties, designing for all abilities, or comforting the grieving — the funding is critical to reaching more of those in need. “Out of all the incredible nonprofits that apply,” Tara Storch of Taylor’s Gift said, “to be chosen for this just really validates the work we’re doing and recognizes the families that we serve.” ...read more read less