Quota International Launches
Foundation and Web Site

Quota International has turned a new page in its history.

The 81-year-old service organization, located in 14 countries throughout the world, has not only created a foundation to support its charitable work, but has launched a Web site to expand its outreach.

The We Share Foundation was officially kicked off during the summer to expand and improve an existing fund that supported charitable projects, such as research grants, scholarships, youth mentoring grants, and community service. Restructuring the fund into a foundation has broadened its base and created a way for others to participate in service conducted by Quotarians.

This new Web site at http://www.wesharefoundation.org opens the foundation to potential donors in any spot on the globe. Internet users can log on to the site to learn about We Share Foundation programs and the people they help. Quota clubs can also find services and get advice for their local programs, such as publicity tips and great ideas that worked locally.

The original fund has been in existence since 1953, operating as the charitable arm of the service organization. A significant grant was given to House Ear Institute through this fund that supports a Quota Scholar investigating an aspect of hearing health.

The Foundation now supports Youth Outreach grants to clubs to begin or continue youth mentoring and parenting programs in their communities. Other programs include the Quota Cares Teddy Bears Program through which clubs can purchase teddy bears to give to emergency personnel who work with children in trauma. Quota bears have found their way to frightened children through police officers, emergency medical technicians, shelter operators, nurses, fire fighters, and other service workers.

Another program supported by the We Share Foundation is Community Champions, which honors deaf individuals who make a positive impact on their communities and, as a result, make the world a better place. Clubs nominate the individuals, who receive a congratulatory award from the Foundation.

The award-winning Club-to-Club World Service Program is another exciting aspect of the Foundation. Clubs in developing nations can nominate their own service project to be part of this program, which transfers 100 percent of all designated donations directly to the project. The We Share Foundation retains none of the money—even for overhead costs—given through this program.

Current projects supported by the Club-to-Club Program include two day care centers, a school for deaf teens, and a center in the Philippines to train parents to care for their handicapped children; special education schools in Fiji and Suriname; and, in India, a home for abused women that offers them job training and schools their children.

Information on all of the Foundation's programs is
available on this new Web site. For more details on the recent honor awarded the Club-to-Club World Service Program click here.

—Mary Margaret Yodzis, Senior Writer
© 2000