Reflections on Connecting for Change's special project

The circles of connection and the potential for positive impact on the lives of many are growing as a result of the work of Janice Levine and Dr. Robert Kelyesbula. Last week the Connecting for Change social media team, working in collaboration with LinkedIn, announced the details of the the their collaboration to the 53 million members of LinkedIn. What follows is an update from Janice and Dr. Robert.

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The experience following the LinkedIn launch has been humbling as well as enlightening.  People were generous in their willingness to offer ideas and personal contacts that could help us learn about how others have solved similar problems.  We received a warm response from the LinkedIn community and are currently following up on the leads that were generated.
 
Of the dozen or so responses we received, some have connected us with logistics and transportation contacts, some with related programs with whom we might collaborate, and some with other MSRO’s (Medical Supply Recovery Organizations) like MedWish, in hopes of helping us learn how others have approached the challenge of transportation and clearing Customs.  We have found that often the “connections from connections” are what eventually bring us to the fruit on the vine.
 
Additionally, we are investigating ways of setting up a 50(c)3 and obtaining non-profit status, while also exploring collaborations with other organizations that can help us augment the medical, agricultural and educational programs already in place.  Organizationally, we trying to define our mission and develop a vision of what ACCESS uniquely hopes to offer as a model of sustainability on the community level.

We are very grateful for the doors that have opened to us by virtue of having the support of the DLC and the entire LinkedIn community.