Root Cause, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing innovation for social impact among individuals and organizations in the nonprofit, governmental and business sectors, recently announced its 2011 Social Innovators. These Social Innovators represent Greater Boston’s most promising approaches to addressing some of our region’s toughest social issues—in the areas of early childhood development, education and employment opportunities for youth, financial capability, healthy aging, and grade school academic success. Each of the award recipients will receive $109,000 in professional services and cash over the next year.

FISCAL HEALTH VITAL SIGNS (FHVS), A PROGRAM OF DOTWELL
The Fiscal Health Vital Signs © (FHVS) assessment tool – which DotWell developed in imitation of clinical, evidence based screening tools used in the medical practice and in financial risk models (such as the credit-based FICO score) – seeks to “diagnose” individuals’ financial health problems.

FUTURE CHEFS
Future Chefs (FC) is a high-impact school-to-career program, annually engaging approximately 100 low-income high school students and recent graduates from four Boston area high schools.

MASSACHUSETTS SENIOR ACTION COUNCIL (MSAC)
Massachusetts Senior Action Council (MSAC) is a democratic, grassroots, senior-run organization that empowers over 1,000 low- and moderate-income seniors statewide to use their own voices and experiences to address issues that affect them. MSAC enables seniors to identify the issues they wish to address, determine ultimate goals, develop strategies to achieve them, and actively carry them out.

MATHPOWER
MathPower is dedicated to developing proficiency in advanced mathematics and personal resiliency as vehicles to bring about transformational change in the lives of urban youth.

SMART FROM THE START
Smart from the Start is a family support and community engagement initiative that expands and strengthens early learning opportunities; promotes parents’ role as their child’s first teacher; and builds neighborhood will, understanding, and capacity to support school readiness.

CONGRATULATIONS to each of these organizations! For additional information on Root Cause, their Social Innovators Forum, or any of the award recipients listed above, check out rootcause.org.

Earlier this week, a federal trial judge (Chief Judge Royce C. Lamberth of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia) put a temporary halt to federally funded research on embryonic stem cells. While I certainly respect everyone’s right to their own opinions on this issue, I personally find this news to be deeply unfortunate and disheartening.

As a result, I’d like to push back in my own small way by offering a few like-minded readers a free Support Stem Cell Research bumper sticker (10″ x 3″). If you would like one of these stickers, just be one of the first three people to comment below. I’ll follow-up privately with an email for your mailing address.

Community Giving Tree recycles children’s clothing and baby equipment and provides other necessities such as school supplies and toiletries to low income families in Essex County, MA.

The donations that they collect and distribute keep babies safe, make children feel valued, and help families achieve self-sufficiency. By putting gently used baby equipment, toys, and clothing into the hands of deserving local families, they’re also keeping these items out of the landfill.

Grand Opening Celebration: Sat., June 12
Saturday, June 12, from 10 AM to 1 PM, the nonprofit organization will celebrate the opening of their brand new Community Giving Center, located at 570 Main St, West Boxford, MA. If you’re in the area, consider stopping by to learn more about the organization’s mission and services and discover rewarding opportunities to get involved. The event will include a building dedication, tree planting, ribbon cutting, open house and tours.

Below: A bi-fold brochure that Sproutreach recently designed for Community Giving Tree