Best of 2019
Every year, The Borgen Project selects one member from each team who went above and beyond in their work with the organization. This year, we asked eight team members, “What motivated you to go the extra mile?”
Regional Director, Julian Mok
A strong force in the fight to end global poverty, Julian began her time with The Borgen Project as a writer, fundraising over $1,000 for the cause. Following the completion of her internship, Julian was offered the role of Regional Director on the Political Team and held 3 successful lobbying meetings with her Members of Congress. Now, Julian is on her third volunteer contract with The Borgen Project! “I go the extra mile because I know whatever work I put in is minute compared to the hardships of those living in poverty. I contribute however I can to help solve the problem of global poverty.”
Political Affairs Team, Emma Smith
Emma surpassed the internship requirements and secured 5 lobbying meetings. Following Emma’s meeting with Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI-12th), the Congresswoman cosponsored the Keeping Girls in School Act, proving the power of advocacy. Emma also completed 2 bird dogs, called into CSPAN and fundraised over $2,000. “My main motivation was being able to create sustainable, positive change across the globe simply by using my voice and speaking on behalf of those who cannot […] The Borgen Project helped me to enact real change with tangible results, such as gaining cosponsors for bills, which motivated me even further to fight for the world’s poor.”
HR Team, Jasmine Hooper
Jasmine was an invaluable resource for the HR Team and maintained the organization’s Indeed postings. Following the internship, Jasmine volunteered at a small village in Tanzania where she donated Borgen Project t-shirts.
She was motivated to go the extra mile because, “I wanted to make an impact on the world. The Borgen Project gave me an opportunity to do that, and I didn’t want to waste that opportunity.”
PR/Marketing Team, Ashley Strand
Ashley made extraordinary leaps to fight global poverty by partnering with local NGOs for fundraising, using social media as a tool to inform and assisting with media content creation. Through the course of the internship, Ashley created over 50 infographics for The Borgen Project. What motivated Ashley? “Knowing that what I did would have at least some impact on the lives of others, even if it’s something I’m not able to see firsthand or be directly impacted by […] With small steps, changes can be made.”
Content Team, Brena Stanski
This brilliant writer mobilized over 50 people to fight global poverty and fundraised over $1,500 for the cause. Breana said her motivation in the internship was realizing the impact one can make on the world.
“Writing articles pertaining to poverty reduction efforts, reaching out to my friends and family about supporting U.S. aid legislation, as well as receiving positive responses from my congressional leaders through correspondence, has resulted in me feeling as though I can truly making a positive difference in the world.”
Advocacy Team, Kristina Pecora
As a part of the Advocacy Team, Kristina made great strides with lobbying meetings and fundraising. During her 12 weeks with The Borgen Project, Kristina secured 3 meetings and fundraised over $900 to end global poverty. “What motivates me? In addition to the cause itself and that warm, fuzzy feeling when one is doing good, is feedback. “What really motivates me is feedback […] [It] lets me know I’m making some kind of impact.”
In-Office Team, MacKenzie Dougan
During her time with us, MacKenzie raised $754 and attended a group meeting with Senator Murray’s office. All this whilst ensuring that all team member’s fundraising letters were sent out, donations tracked as well as being the face of the organization, speaking with visitors to the office and answering questions about the organization. “The Borgen Project’s mission to advocate for the United States to address poverty worldwide is a worthy and valuable pursuit. This goal was very motivating because it allowed me to be involved and to advocate for something close to my heart. I have seen poverty first hand in South Africa and appreciated the chance to feel empowered to make real change through this internship. Each day, I reflected on how much time I had been able to put into fighting for the world’s poor, and that motivated me to work even harder the next day.”
Top Fundraiser: Sophia Wanyonyi
As an intern for the Content Team, based in Kenya, Sophia became the top fundraiser in the organization’s history, raising more than $5,000 (508,000 Kenyan shillings) for the cause! Sophia sought out creative means to fundraise, organizing both a dance party and a whiskey party for friends and family to attend: “I thought that the best way to get people to give would be by making it fun for them […] I always strive to go the extra mile in all I do. It is a lesson that was taught to me pretty early on in life, by my parents and at school. Everything I do, I try to give it my all.”
These are just a few of our wonderful team members who helped to fight global poverty in 2019. With your help, we will continue to advocate on behalf of the world’s poor in 2020 and beyond!
Political Updates
Global Fragility Act and End Neglected Tropical Diseases Act Pass Congress!
Last month, Congress passed its final State and Foreign Operations budget bill for FY2020. The foreign affairs spending package included the Global Fragility Act and the End Neglected Tropical Diseases Act. Both bills were signed into law on Friday, December 20th!
None of these achievements would be possible without your advocacy and dedication to the cause. Congratulations!
Lobbying and Advocacy Efforts
- Total # of Lobbying Meetings in December: 23
- Total # of Lobbying Meetings in 2019: 762
- Lobbying Meetings Goal for 2019: 775
- Bills passed in 2019: 2
Advocacy Emails
- Total # of Advocacy Emails in December: 3,007
- Total # of Advocacy Emails in 2019: 98,249
- Advocacy Emails Goal for 2019: 80,000
- % of Congress Emailed in December: 99%
Congressional Office Meetings
Regional Director Gaytri Riya Vasa met with Rep. Van Taylor (R-TX-3rd) to discuss the Malala Scholarship Act which passed in the House soon after.
Volunteer Team member Hannah Reznik met with John Hollinrake, Regional Director to Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA).
Content Team Updates
Thanks to all the hard work of our Content Team members, we smashed our goal of having 5 million visitors to borgenproject.org in 2019. A grand total of 6.9 million people visited the site. Well done everyone.
Recognition
Congratulations to the following team members who have achieved Borgen Project Honors & Recognition.
Visit the Our Team Members page and read about success stories with our organization.
Getting the Word Out
The Borgen Project on Twitter
We received a shoutout tweet from Ziauddin Yousafzai, Malala Yousafzai’s father, in support of The Malala Yousafzai Scholarship Act. The legislation will ensure that the next generation of Pakistani women have the chance to receive an education and provide for their families, communities and country.
The Borgen Project on Buzzfeed
6 Myths About Poverty, Busted
PR Team member Alina Meletta addresses the most common preconceptions and myths about global poverty in a December feature on Buzzfeed Community
Letters to the Editor
PR/Marketing Team
Nonprofit Leadership Team
One-Mile Campaigns
Political Affairs Team member Mehak Rajpal completed her 1-Mile Campaign in Los Angeles, CA
Political Affairs Team member Louisa Whitaker also completed her campaign in Los Angeles, CA
In-Office Team member Grace Whitten completed her campaign at the University of Washington in Seattle
Political Affairs Team member Kyle Coburn posted QR codes on the campus of the University of Delaware’s main street
Tabling Events
HR Team member Michael Nguyen of Austin, TX took a one-mile radius around the UT Tower near the center of his campus and posted flyers on the provided billboards. Michael also created a swarm with his friends.
PR/Marketing Team member Hannah Pennant held an End Global Poverty event.
Other Ideas
Political Affairs Team member Louisa Whitaker wrote in pizza boxes for the delivery drivers she works with to take to customer’s houses.
HR Team member Juan Gonzalez of Rexburg, ID printed out QR codes and placed them around campus. The QR code led to The Borgen Project website.
Outreach & Mobilizing Materials
Created by HR Team member Michael Nguyen
Content Team member Michelle White created a business card to garner donations for The Borgen Project.
Fundraising
Over the holiday season, Political Affairs Team member Mahzarin Mistry held a “Thanksgiving Throwdown” fundraiser with family and friends: “The premise of the fundraiser was to dish out the same amount of food on everyone’s plate. The last person to finish, or not finish at all, had to donate to my online fundraising campaign. Most people tried to finish, but to no avail.”
State of the Union July 2020
Political Updates
Lobbying and Advocacy Efforts
Advocacy Emails
Congressional Office Meetings and Live Events
Political Affairs Team member Sumiran Nigam bird-dogged Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-7th) at a Town Hall event on Facebook.
Political Affairs Team member Ehran Hodes bird dogged Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) during his Facebook Live.
Hannah McLain, Political Affairs, participated in a COVID-19 Facebook Live Event with Sanjay Gupta.
Political Affairs Team member Hannah Mclain participated in a Facebook Live Event on COVID-19 with Lindsey Mastis, news anchor for Good Morning Washington. Giving an Overview of COVID-19.
Political Affairs Team member Ava Singh asked Sen. Mark Warner to support the Global Health Security Act on a Facebook Town Hall.
Political Affairs Team member Amanda Sarmiento participated in an Instagram Live with Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA).
Warren’s Address
Listen to the latest from Warren about the goings-on in D.C.
Content Team Updates
Articles of the Month: Providing Affordable Refrigeration in Developing Countries by Natasha Nath, Mushroom Farming by Jonathan Helton and The Impacts on Poverty In Lesotho by Chatham Kennedy.
Recognition
Congratulations to the following team members who have achieved Borgen Project Honors & Recognition
Visit the Our Team Members page and read about success stories with our organization.
Getting the Word Out
Informational Events
PR/Marketing Team member Danielle Zbodula held a Borgen Project Info Event on Zoom. The event received a fantastic turn out!
PR/Marketing Team member Sophia Neubaum created a powerpoint to accompany for Informational Event
One-Mile Campaigns & Mobilizing
Content Team member Sydney Stokes
Left: PR/Marketing Team member Stephanie Orea in Texas; Center: PR/Marketing Team member Julia Lupariello hung flyers in New Orleans, LA; Right: Political Affairs Team member Cory Dudka in Madison, WI
Content Team member Madeline Zuzevich
PR/Marketing Team member Siyu Liu
Left: Content Team member Emma Benson; Center: Advocate Venus Wang; Right: Regional Director Omara Castillo
Left: PR/Marketing Team member Sarah Tucker; Right: Content Team member Rachel Hernandez
PR/Marketing Team member Jonathan Roberto
HR Team member Danyell Chupp repping The Borgen Project!
Political Affairs Team members completing their One-Mile Campaign; Top left: Esau Carpenter; Top right: Irma Alonso; Bottom left: Meredith Kahan; Bottom right: Payton Little
PR/Marketing Team members Sophia Neubaum (left) and Samantha Martinez Hansen (right)
Political Affairs Team member Katherine Gagnon in Glastonbury, CT
HR Team member Minerva Ramirez
Julia Andersen, Political Affairs Team, painted rocks for her One-Mile Campaign in Point Pleasant, NJ
Swarms
Advocate Venus Wang held a virtual swarm with 25 people
Nonprofit Leadership Team member Omar Iniguez utilized Snapchat, a multimedia messaging app, to create a swarm of 53 people
Nonprofit Leadership Team member Zachary Leven in Atlanta, GA created a swarm to call and email Congress
More than a swarm! Nonprofit Leadership Team member Seth Duval in Philadelphia, PA had friends and families call their congressional leaders, created a bingo game to fundraise for the cause and held a Zoom call with people to mobilize Congress
Nonprofit Leadership Team member Anna Gwin created a swarm to call and email Congress
Letters to the Editor
Political Affairs Team
PR/Marketing Team
Nonprofit Leadership Team
Outreach & Mobilizing Materials
Left: Created by Content Team member Madeline Zuzevich; Right: Created by PR/Marketing Team member Avery Fletcher
Created by PR/Marketing Team member Elizabeth Gierhart
Created by PR/Marketing Team member Samantha Martinez Hansen
PR/Marketing Team member Laura Barriga Fernandez designed graphics for Instagram Story. Laura shared her stories to various influences and was able to get @geografans (18.7K followers) to repost on Instagram
Created by Nonprofit Leadership Team member Elise Kwan
Created by PR/Marketing Team member Madeline Agner
Created by PR/Marketing Team member Penelope Moreno
Created by PR/Marketing Team member Jamie Yeh
Left: Created by PR/Marketing Team member Sara Holm; Right: Created by Content Team member Karin Filipova
Outreach materials created by PR/Marketing Team member Riley Cronin
Interactive templates for social media created by PR/Marketing Team member Madison Kilpatrick
Created by Content Team member Rachel Hernandez
Fundraising
Political Affairs Team member Nelly Harb made cookies and walked throughout her neighborhood to raise money for the cause. Nelly raised $25!
Content Team member DeAndre Jakar Robinson fundraised in front of a GNC in Kalamazoo, MI
Content Team member Natascha Holenstein held a bake sale to contribute to her fundraising goal. Natascha has sold delicious treats, such as cookies, cake pops and brownies to neighbors, family and friends
Not only did Political Affairs Team member Amanda Sarmiento participate in a swimathon to downsize poverty. Amanda also made and sold apparel and face masks for her fundraising campaign
PR/Marketing Team member Parnaz Hojjati sold her artwork on Ebay to fundraise for the cause
Content Team member Sydney Stokes found a creative means to both fundraise AND mobilize her followers to take action
Nonprofit Leadership Team member Melanie Ipyam designed an Instagram Bingo to raise small donations
#HackingHunger
“He Developed His Dream on a Fishing Boat. Now, It’s an Anti-Poverty Movement.”
World Food Program USA spoke to Borgen Project Founder and President, Clint Borgen, in their June episode of #HackingHunger, Creating an Anti-Poverty Movement with Clint Borgen.
Virtual Series
The Borgen Project is working hard to shine a spotlight on the concerning threat that COVID-19 poses in countries that were already experiencing dire humanitarian crisis. Our latest virtual series event featured Borgen Project Founder and President, Clint Borgen. The conversation addressed why it’s more important than ever to activate and advocate for what’s right in this pivotal time in our nation’s history.
World Refugee Day
On June 20, we acknowledged the overwhelming adversity faced by the nearly 80 million displaced people worldwide. World Refugee Day offers a chance to raise awareness of the plight of refugees around the world and of the efforts to protect their human rights.
“Today, there are more than 70 million displaced people around the world, and nearly 90% of the world’s refugees live in developing countries that often struggle to provide basic services, let alone combat a global pandemic. “
– USGLC
Media Outreach
Interviews
Political Affairs Team member Sofia Siegel featured in an Alumni Spotlight interview for the Putney Student Travel to discuss The Borgen Project.
TikTok
The Borgen Project is now on TikTok! Give us a follow @theborgenproject.
Have an idea for a TikTok? Please email them to Nonprofit Leadership Team member Sharon Shenderovskiy at [email protected].
Instagram
Team members took to Instagram to voice support for the cause. Don’t forget to tag @theborgenproject in your content on Instagram:
David Tran, PR/Marketing Team
Amonn Mitchell, PR/Marketing Team
Riley Cronin, PR/Marketing Team
Lilya Hadab, PR/Marketing Team
Monica Littles, PR/Marketing Team
Dalia Nazzal, Nonprofit Leadership Team
Nitan Shanas, Nonprofit Leadership Team
Sydney Stokes, Content Team
Hanna Rowell, Content Team
Zoe Chao, Content Team
Paige Musgrave, Content Team
Matthew Hernandez, Political Affairs Team
Rachel Jakovac, Political Affairs Team
Lucy Bozinov, Political Affairs Team
Lara Smith, Political Affairs Team
Katie Scott, Political Affairs Team
Cecilia Payne, Political Affairs Team
Tara Phung, HR Team
Tristan Gates, HR Team
Gabby Rovito, HR Team
Gianna Bruno, HR Team
Xinyue Song, HR Team
Christina Tomala, HR Team
Stories:
Featured on The Borgen Project’s Instagram: A multi-series post on the End TB Not Act created by PR/Marketing Team member Siyu Liu.
Nonprofit Leadership Team member Devorah Gurevich educated her following about The Borgen Project and urged them to email Congress.
PR/Marketing Team member Kelsey Lu created a series of graphics on the crisis in Yemen that were featured on HerCampusUW’s Instagram Story
Nonprofit Leadership Team member Bernadette Dwyer in O’Fallon, IL spreading awareness about The Borgen Project on her Instagram Story
Nonprofit Leadership Team member Sharon Shenderovskiy created and shared an interactive graphic to her Instagram Story.
Influencer Outreach:
PR/Marketing Team member created a video in support of the Keeping Girls in School Act, which she shared on her Instagram. The Girls Room, an entertainment and multimedia hub for women, by women. (21.3K followers) happened to watch and interact with her IGTV video.
PR/Marketing Team member reached out to feministastic (189K followers), an organization advocating for equity, about The Borgen Project. The organization shared Sara’s graphic series to their Instagram.
Right: Content Team member Ashley Parks persuaded lifestyle influencer, Katy Belotte, to give The Borgen Project a shoutout on her Instagram Story.
Left: PR/Marketing Team member Alison Weldon messaged, Jessica Sulhee, a lifestyle content creator who found success through TikTok. Jessica shared Alison’s infographic to her Instagram Story.
Left: PR/Marketing Team member Renee St.germaine found success reaching out to a number of well-known Instagram accounts, including equalitymeansall, who shared the Keeping Girls in School Act to their Story.
Right: PR/Marketing Team member Laura Barriga successfully pitched to @ro54d on Instagram. With nearly 1 million followers, Rodrigo Garduño, posted a video about The Borgen Project on his story and saved it to his highlight “54 Donate.”
Additional Resources:
Why we need to support International COVID-19 Relief by: Elizabeth Lewis, Political Affairs Team
Global Health Security Act by: Lilya Hadab, PR/Marketing Team
Keeping Girls in School Act by: Amanda Garcia, PR/Marketing Team
Girls Lead Act by: Alexis Woodruff, PR/Marketing Team
Fast fashion: The dangerous underside of the fashion industry by Amonn Mitchell, PR/Marketing Team
How to Contact Congress by Allison Wojtowicz, PR/Marketing Team
5 ways you can contact Congress by Penelope Moreno, PR/Marketing Team
Radio and Podcasts
PR/Marketing Team member Sophia Neubaum featured in a radio interview with KUAF
Videos
PR/Marketing Team member Dennis Mavia on how to get involved:
Will Scheffler, Political Affairs Team:
Brianna Budelli, Political Affairs Team:
Grayson Timoner, Political Affairs Team:
Nicholas Thurston, Political Affairs Team, highlighted COVID-19 and foreign affairs in his call on C-SPAN:
Elizabeth Manning, Political Affairs Team, called into C-SPAN to discuss the Global Health Security Act:
State of the Union June 2020
Political Updates
Lobbying and Advocacy Efforts
Advocacy Emails
Congressional Office Meetings
Livestreams
Regional Director Morgan Harden bird-doged Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) during a live event
Political Affairs Team member Nelly Harb bird-dogged Rep. Dwight Evans (D-PA-3rd) to cosponsor the Global Health Security Act. Soon after, Nelly received a message from Rep. Evans’ office requesting a detailed e-mail
Warren’s Address
Listen to the latest from Warren about the goings-on in D.C.
Content Team Updates
Articles of the Month: Tuberculosis in South Africa by Danielle Barnes and How Idris Elba Is Supporting Poor Farmers During COVID-19 by Tiara Wilson
Recognition
Congratulations to the following team members who have achieved Borgen Project Honors & Recognition
Visit the Our Team Members page and read about success stories with our organization.
Getting the Word Out
One-Mile Campaigns & Mobilizing
Regional Director Katianna Laveaux
Political Affairs Team member Michael Villani in Westerly, RI
PR Team member Alexander Medina
Regional Director Katianna Laveaux posted flyers throughout her neighborhood: “Still Trying make a difference, despite the pandemic!”
PR Team member Elise Bordlee completed her One-Mile Campaign in Los Angeles, CA
PR Team member Alexis Woodruff
Political Affairs Team member Melia Reyther-Espinoza in Lakewood, CO
Political Affairs Team member Tyler Piekarski in Greenville, RI
Content Team member Ashley Parks created a flyer to share in her neighbor’s mailboxes to spark donations
Content Team member Jacquelyn Burrer
Regional Director Omara Castillo
Political Affairs Team member Leila Mosteika
Content Team member Stacey Krzych
Content Team member Karin Filipova
PR Team member John Duck; San Francisco, CA
Swarms
HR Team member Markea Gilbert created a swarm with coworkers
Regional Director Omara Castillo mobilized her community to contact Congress
Letters to the Editor
Political Affairs Team
PR/Marketing Team
HR Team
In-Office Team
Outreach & Mobilizing Materials
Created by PR Team member Kaitlin Eve (left) and Political Affairs Team member Sydney Lantz
Created by Political Affairs Team member Sarah Fuller
PR Team member Renee St. Germaine created a series of infographics in support of poverty-reducing legislation
Created by Nonprofit Leadershiph Team member Naomi Gale (left) and PR Team member Sumiran Nigam (right)
Created by PR Team member Samantha Martinez Hansen
Created by PR Team member Sofia Fuentes
Created by Nonprofit Leadership Team member Yuchen Tan
Created by PR Team member Alexander Medina
Created by Content Team member Carlos Williams
Fundraising
PR Team member Kaitlin Eve created a giveaway on social media to fundraise donations
Political Affairs Team member Ava DeSantis completed yard work in exchange for donations
Political Affairs Team member Amanda Sarmiento held a virtual art-based fundraiser
PR Team member Kaitlin Benitez created a series of graphics to support her fundraising campaign
PR Team member Samantha Martinez Hansen created a bingo card for Instagram
Political Affairs Team member also created a bingo board to promote engagement
As a part of her fundraising campaign, Content Team member Molly Moline sold clay cats
Political Affairs Team member Hannah Martinez set up a Redbubble shop. 75 percent of profits earned from the shop went toward the cause
Many Borgen Project team members created and sold masks for their fundraising campaigns, such as Political Affairs Team member Olivia Pistella (bottom left), PR Team member Sarah Tucker (top left) and Political Affairs Team member Ciara Callicott (right)
Virtual Series
The Borgen Project is working hard to shine a spotlight on the concerning threat that COVID-19 poses in countries that were already experiencing dire humanitarian crisis. Our third virtual series event featured guest speaker and expert in global food security, Chase Sova, Senior Director of Public Policy and Research at World Food Program USA.
Media Outreach
Instagram
This month, The Fashion Institute of Technology’s student-run magazine, Blush Magazine, gave The Borgen Project and the Keeping Girls in School Act a shoutout. It is the success and achievement of PR Team member Danielle Zbodula.
Team members took to Instagram to voice support for the cause. Don’t forget to tag @theborgenproject in your content on Instagram:
Content Team member Sydney Stokes
Political Affairs Team member Josh Werner live streamed on Twitch to raise money and awareness for the cause
Political Affairs Team member Rachel Jakovac
HR Team member Fnu Nya
Content Team member Paige Musgrave
Poltical Affairs Team member John O’Connell
Borgen Project team members like Max Glennie (Political Affairs Team member) and Samantha Martinez Hansen (PR team member) found success spreading the word through activist groups and influencers on the social networking platform.
PR Team member Samantha Martinez Hansen persuaded activist account, Feminist.Yes to share her graphics in support of the Keeping Girls in School Act to their Instagram Story
Political Affairs Team member Max Glennie persuaded Sam Vicchiollo, best known on TikTok, a video-sharing social networking service, to post about The Borgen Project
Twitter
PR Team member Billy Egessa Khalonyere received a response from US-American television reporter, news anchor and producer, Tony Harris
Snapchat
PR Team member Kaitlin Eve created Borgen Project Snapchat filters
Videos
Political Affairs Team member Esau Carpenter made it onto the C-SPAN
Political Affairs Team member Payton Little was also featured on CSPAN radio
Congressman Morelle, Please Support The International Affairs Budget created by PR Team member Renee St Germaine
HR team member Alexandria Yang voiced appreciation for her family’s donations while singing “Hlub This Yog Yim.”
State of the Union May 2020
Political Updates
Lobbying and Advocacy Efforts
Advocacy Emails
Congressional Office Meetings
PR/Marketing Team member Miles Getler secured a meeting via Zoom with Lilian Adelstein, Staffer for Rep. Eleanor Norton (D-DC).
Livestreams
Political Affairs Team member Liquan (Joyce) Jiang bird-dogged Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA-17th) on his Facebook Live event. Rep. Khanna could not disagree more: The WHO provided a lot of resources to us, including testing for COVID-19. We should not stop funding the WHO, rather, we need to fund the WHO more.
Political Affairs Team member Daniella Cardinale-Weinberg attended Rep. Ted Deutch’s (D-FL-22nd) Facebook Live event and participated in a virtual bird-dogging.
Political Affairs Team member bird-dogged Rep. Joe Kennedy III (D-MA-4th) to cosponsor the Global Health Security Act during a Facebook Live event.
Warren’s Address
Listen to the latest from Warren about the goings-on in D.C.
Content Team Updates
Articles of the Month: Radio Education in Rwanda by Tiara Wilson and Healthcare in Malaysia by Annie Kate Raglow.
Recognition
Congratulations to the following team members who have achieved Borgen Project Honors & Recognition.
Visit the Our Team Members page and read about success stories with our organization.
Getting the Word Out
One-Mile Campaigns
In-Office Team member Iris Thatcher completed her One-Mile Campaign during a sunny day in Seattle, WA.
Political Affairs Team member Gina Magliocco completed her One-Mile Campaign in Yorktown Heights, NY.
Once the state of Georgia reopened, Political Affairs Team member Hunter Prost created chalk art near highly trafficked parks and trails in the area.
PR/Marketing Team member Miles Getler in Washington, DC.
NPL team member Rebecca Collins completed her One-Mile Campaign in Joplin, MO.
Letters to the Editor
Political Affairs Team
PR/Marketing Team
Content Team
Outreach & Mobilizing Materials
“130 million girls are not enrolled in school” by PR/Marketing Team member Samantha Martinez Hansen.
Created by Content Team member Shveta Shah.
“3 tips to help quarantine boredom” by Content Team member Danielle DiDomenico.
“Global Health Security” by PR/Marketing Team member Nathalie Orozco.
Created by Content Team member Lauren DesJardins.
Created by Political Affairs Team member Asher Dicello.
Created by PR/Marketing Team member Alina Meletta.
“Contact Congress” by PR/Marketing Team member Abby LeClercq.
Political Affairs Team member Liquan (Joyce) Jiang mobilized her neighbors in a creative and personal way sending each a hand-written letter.
Due to COVID-19, instead of implementing a 1-mile outdoor campaign, Valerie Yang, HR Team member from New York, created graphics and completed virtual mobilizing/marketing of The Borgen Project through social media platforms.
Fundraising
Political Affairs Team member Hannah McLain received a pie-in-the-face for reaching $100 in donations toward her fundraising campaign.
Political Affairs Team member Irma Alonso held a raffle and posted the information on her Facebook page. Irma raised $350 from family and friends who entered the draw.
#GivingTuesdayNow
On Tuesday, May 5th, as a response to the COVID-19 crisis, The Borgen Project participated in Giving Tuesday’s #GivingTuesdayNow initiative for a global day of giving and unity. While #GivingTuesdayNow is just one square on the calendar, we will continue to be an influential ally for the world’s poor in U.S. foreign policy decisions year-round.
Created by In-Office Team member Leah Caragol.
Virtual Series
In April, we kicked off our first virtual series event with Co-Founder and Executive Director of Women in Global Health, Dr. Roopa Dhatt, who shared her work in her field as it relates to the gender gap in global healthcare.
Tweet: Thanks @borgenproject for creating a platform to connect with your #grassroots volunteers!
Media Outreach
Instagram
During the COVID-19 pandemic, social media has continued to play a vital role in spreading the word. In-Office Team member Leah Caragol (left), PR/Marketing Team member Abby LeClercq (middle) and Political Affairs Team member Nadia Braswell (right) created graphics to share to their Instagram Story, inviting their audience to join the cause.
PR/Marketing Team member Miles Getler asked his Instagram followers to take action.
Content Team member Megan McKeough held an Instagram Bingo.
Regional Director Sarah Gruesser found success reaching out to influencers on Instagram.
Don’t forget to tag @theborgenproject in your content on Instagram
TikTok
Political Affairs Team member Irma Alonso created a TikTok on how to email Congress.
Interviews
HR Team member Doriane Pierre was interviewed by the University of Maryland Global Campus. For the full interview, click here.
Podcasts
Political Affairs Team member Alex Baldwin created a podcast arguing for the increase of the International Affairs Budget. Featured: Program Manager Amy Pettigrew.
Videos
Political Affairs Team member Annie Bennett: Money is M(aid)
State of the Union April 2020
Political Updates
Lobbying and Advocacy Efforts
Advocacy Emails
Congressional Office Meetings
Political Affairs Team member Dhruv Bhardwaj (right) met with the staffers of Sen. Kamala Harris’ (D-CA).
Political Affairs Team member Dana Kit met with two of Sen. Cory Booker’s (D-NJ) congressional staffers to discuss the International Affairs Budget and Global Child Thrive Act.
Political Affairs Team member Brett “Russell” McCraw met with Rep. Bill Flores (R-TX-17th).
Katianna Laveaux, Advocate (on the right) with Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, attended the congresswoman’s panel discussion on the census 2020.
Warren’s Address
Listen to the latest from Warren about the goings-on in D.C.
Content Team Updates
Articles of the Month: Minnesota Refugee Resettlement by Amanda Ostuni, South African Income Inequality Persists by Perry Stone Budd and The Rise and Empowerment of Female Farmers in Nepal by Taylor Pittman.
Recognition
Congratulations to the following team members who have achieved Borgen Project Honors & Recognition.
Visit the Our Team Members page and read about success stories with our organization.
Getting the Word Out
One-Mile Campaigns
PR/Marketing Team member Onastacia Roe spread the word about global poverty in her hometown of Fort Dodge, IA. Onastacia also highlighted her campaign on Instagram (see below).
HR Team member Lauren Tetleton posted flyers surrounding Knoxville’s courthouse where many congressional leaders have an office.
HR Team member Breanne Slossar in North Carolina.
PR/Marketing Team member Jordyn Garrett-Green (center) teamed up with her family to post flyers throughout their neighborhood.
Thumbs up! PR/Marketing Team member Sylvia Fuentes posted flyers in San Francisco, CA. Sylvia even delivered a flyer to fast-casual restaurant food chain, Chipotle!
Advocate Katianna Laveaux seen posting flyers in Brooklyn, NY.
Political Affairs Team member Matt Nieves.
Presentations
Amy Ramspoth, Regional Director and HR Associate, attended a Rotary presentation (while 32 weeks pregnant) recently. It went well, despite there not being a big audience due to COVID-19.
Tabling Events
Regional Director Hannah Reznik held a tabling event at Flagler College in Florida. The main goal of the event was to mobilize students to email their congressional leaders in support of the International Affairs Budget. Hannah mobilized 21 students!
Letters to the Editor
Political Affairs Team
PR Team
HR Team
Content Team
Outreach & Mobilizing Materials
PR/Marketing Team member Daysha Robinson advertised her virtual fundraising event.
HR Team member Valerie Yang created a graphic for social media to announce her fundraising campaign.
“Contact Congress” by Regional Director Ashley Strand.
“How Children Suffer from Poverty” by PR/Marketing Team member Adrian Jones.
“What can the U.S. do? by Regional Director Sarah Gruesser.
PR/Marketing Team member Onastacia Roe created several graphics to promote The Borgen Project and her fundraising campaign.
We Fight for the Underdog and Volunteers Needed by PR/Marketing Team member Lorryn Murray.
“How The Borgen Project Operates” by PR/Marketing Team member Jordyn Garrett-Green.
Fundraising
PR/Marketing Team member Onastacia Roe created a “Pie to End Poverty” fundraiser. For every $2.00 donation to The Borgen Project, donors could “pie” Onastacia. Onastacia created and posted a graphic to promote the fundraiser on her social media channels. “I had my sister pie me in the face for each donation, and my grandma recorded each time. I then posted the video on my Instagram and Facebook stories and tagged each donor. […] I had 6 donors and raised $12.00 in total!”
PR/Marketing Team member Vivian Priestley held a garland and silkscreen print sale to raise money for her fundraising campaign. Vivian shared the art on her Instagram Story.
Content Team member Abby Haynes’ mom runs a baking business. The two have been collaborating to raise proceeds for The Borgen Project.
Political Affairs Team member Liz Vernon held a bake sale with plenty of delicious treats.
Media Outreach
Blogs
PR Team member Kristina Johnson created a blog to advocate for The Borgen Project.
Instagram
Don’t forget to tag @theborgenproject in your content on Instagram
Celebrities and influencers have the perfect platform for getting the word out. Political Affairs Team member Natalie Coyne reached out to Afghan rapper and activist, Sonita Alizadeha, about The Borgen Project. Sonita shared a Borgen Project post highlighting the Keeping Girls in School Act to her Instagram Story.
Content Team member Janice Athill persuaded, Miss Jackson, actress and entrepreneur, to give The Borgen Project a shoutout on her Story.
Content Team member Lauren DesJardins created a series of graphics to share on her Instagram Story.
Videos
Global Poverty and The Borgen Project by PR/Marketing Team member Adrian Jones.
State of the Union March 2020
Political Updates
Reminder: The Senate and House are in recess next week March 16th until 20th.
Lobbying and Advocacy Efforts
Advocacy Emails
Congressional Office Meetings
Political Affairs Team member Natalie Coyne secured meetings with Rep. Mike Doyle (D-PA-14th; left) and Sen. Pat Toomey’s staffer (R-PA; right).
Natalie then managed to secure her fourth lobbying meeting with Harry Johnson II (Sen. Bob Casey’s Regional Director), where they discussed the Keeping Girls in School act.
Political Affairs Team member Lindsey LeBaron met with Rep. John Curtis (R-UT-3rd) to discuss the Reach Every Mother and Child Act.
Political Affairs Team member Emily Daly met with Rosie Driscoll, the Outreach Specialist for Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), to discuss the Keeping Girls in School Act.
Political Affairs Team member Kristine Gonzalez met with Larissa L. Bailey, Central Regional Manager for Sen. Patrick Toomey (R-PA).
Political Affairs Team member Edward Taylor met Molly Cole, Foreign Affairs Legislative Assistant for Rep. Gerry Connolly’s (D-VA-11th).
Political Affairs Team member Alexis Page met with a staff member at Sen. Sherrod Brown’s (D-OH) office in Columbus, Ohio.
Regional Director Morgan Harden completed her first lobbying meeting with Rep. Dan Bishop (R-NC-9th)!
Town Halls
In-Office Team member Iris Thatcher had the opportunity to meet Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) at a Town Hall in Seattle, WA
Political Affairs Team member Diego Tambazidis bird dogged at a Town Hall meeting in California.
Political Affairs Team member Dana Kit seen in attendance at Rep. Tom Malinowski’s (D-NJ-7th) Town Hall meeting.
Lindsey LeBaron, Political Affairs Team member, attended a legislative networking meeting
Warren’s Address
Listen to the latest from Warren about the goings-on in D.C.
Content Team Updates
Website traffic continues to be strong, thanks to the content created by our Writers, Journalists and Editors.
Recognition
Congratulations to the following team members who have achieved Borgen Project Honors & Recognition.
Visit the Our Team Members page and read about success stories with our organization.
Getting the Word Out
One-Mile Campaigns
Political Affairs Team member Javier Salgado disbursed flyers in local barbershops in Kissimmee, FL.
Pragya Nagpal, Political Affairs Team member, posted posters outside houses in Irving, Texas.
HR Team member Arthi Lokaiyan took a quick selfie while posting flyers around campus.
Swarm
Nonprofit Leadership Team member Chase Smith from Seattle created a swarm in support of the Global Health Security Act.
Nonprofit Leadership Team member Rebecca Collins created a swarm in support of the Keeping Girls in School Act.
Ashley Strand, Regional Director, ordered The Borgen Project stickers and pins for her mobilization activities.
Letters to the Editor
Regional Director
Political Affairs Team
PR/Marketing Team
Outreach & Mobilizing Materials
Nonprofit Leadership team member, Avery Barela’s posters for her branding campaign.
PR/Marketing Team member Jordyn Garrett-Green.
PR/Marketing Team member Onastacia Roe created a flier to use for an upcoming information event.
Created by PR/Marketing Team member Jordyn Garrett-Green.
Created by Political Affairs Team member Lorryn Murray.
Malala Yousafzai Scholarship Act by PR/Marketing Team member Rhea Ferrer.
Fundraising
PR/Marketing Team member Onastacia Roe used Instagram to create an online thrift store as a part of her fundraising campaign.
Political Affairs Team member Frankie Gaynor created Borgen Project t-shirts for her fundraiser.
HR Team member KaLee Roberge sold military patches for her campaign, each priced at $1.00. KaLee ended up selling 510 patches!
HR team member Krity Deb created paintings for her fundraising campaign.
Media Outreach
Videos
Political Affairs Team member Francesca Gaynor spoke on behalf of TBP to a community access TV program.
Political Affairs Team member Natalie Coyne presented at a city council meeting in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Instagram
Nonprofit Leadership Team member Mayaka Wimberley created a graphic to share on social media.
PR/Marketing Team member Onastacia Roe created infographics to share information about The Borgen Project for her branding and fundraising campaigns on Instagram.
Memes
Meme created by Content Team member Treya Parikh.
State of the Union February 2020
Political Updates
Lobbying and Advocacy Efforts
Advocacy Emails
Congressional Office Meetings
Political Affairs Team member Dhruv Bhardwaj, met with a staffer for Rep. Gil Cisneros (D-CA-39).
Dhruv also attended Rep. Cisneros’ Town Hall meeting.
Political Affairs Team member Brendan Noffsinger met with Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s (D-CA) Director of Constituent Service. Brendan spoke in support of the IAB and the Keeping Girls in School Act.
Political Affairs Team member Diego Tambazidis attended a Town Hall meeting held by Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA-5th) and Rep. Mark DeSaulner (D-CA-11th).
Political Affairs Team member Anabel Paco-Cano met with Miguel Otero, Deputy Chief of Staff to Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL-25th).
On January 23, Political Affairs Team member Natalie Coyne met with Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA-16th) to discuss the IAB and the Keeping Girls in School Act. “[Rep. Kelly] was shocked that legislative staff from the offices of those who are already co-sponsoring did not get in contact with his legislative staff. He […] told me (verbally) that upon returning to session next week, they will go through the process to co-sponsor the Keeping Girls in School Act.” On January 24, Rep. Kelly became a cosponsor for H.R.2153 reaffirming the power of meeting with Congress.
Regional Director Ashley Strand met with Ali Isse, Deputy District Director to Rep. Ilhan Ilhan (D-MN-5th) to speak in support of the Keeping Girls in School Act and the Global Health Security Act.
Political Affairs Team member Kristine Gonzalez met with Jay Ostrich, District Director to Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA-10th). The two discussed the IAB and Global Child Thrive Act. Kristine provided the District Director, an army veteran, with the benefits of foreign aid from a military perspective.
Political Affairs Team member Alex Rohana caught a selfie after meeting with John Nobrega in DC, Foreign Policy LA to Sen. Jack Reed’s (D-RI).
Warren’s Address
Listen to the latest from Warren about the goings-on in D.C.
Content Team Updates
Website traffic is off to a great start for the year, thanks to the content created by our writers, journalists and editors. Ever wondered who is reading your work? Here is a breakdown of visitors to the site by country:
Recognition
Congratulations to the following team members who have achieved Borgen Project Honors & Recognition.
Visit the Our Team Members page and read about success stories with our organization.
Getting the Word Out
One-Mile Campaigns
Political Affairs Team member Jessica Alvarado completed her One-Mile Campaign in Bay Shore, NY: “I went to my favorite childhood park, where all my friends and I grew up. It has an indoor pool, so a lot of families go there on the weekends to swim. I went around the entire park giving out printed fliers to any passerby I saw […]. I spoke to some parents and even some kids who looked to be in middle school. “
Content Team member Elizabeth Yusuff put together this flier noting different ways to help the cause.
PR/Marketing Team member Alina Silvana Meletta hung up fliers throughout the North Park neighborhood of San Diego. Fliers were accompanied by chalk art on sidewalks.
Swarm
Swarm time! Political Affairs Team member Natalie Coyne and friends ready to email their congressional leaders on The Borgen Project website.
Letters to the Editor
Political Affairs Team
Outreach & Mobilizing Materials
Infographics created by PR/Marketing Team member Alina Meletta.
Nonprofit Leadership Team member Chase Smith displayed his posters around the Seattle area to raise awareness for The Borgen Project.
Find this image by PR/Marketing Team member Onastacia Roe on our Instagram!
Fundraising
As a part of her fundraising campaign, Regional Director Ehina Srivastava held a bake sale that generated $200.
Content Team member Emily Oomen hosted an art night for a fundraising event.
Media Outreach
Instagram
PR/Marketing Team member Kristina Johnson posted this photo to her Instagram page to introduce followers to the organization.
Through social engagement, Regional Director Sarah Gruesser got one Instagram, “interracialactivits,” to give The Borgen Project and the Keeping Girls in School Act a feature.
PR/Marketing Team member Onastacia Roe created a graphic for the Keeping Girls in School Act to share on her Instagram story.
State of the Union January 2020
Best of 2019
Every year, The Borgen Project selects one member from each team who went above and beyond in their work with the organization. This year, we asked eight team members, “What motivated you to go the extra mile?”
Regional Director, Julian Mok
A strong force in the fight to end global poverty, Julian began her time with The Borgen Project as a writer, fundraising over $1,000 for the cause. Following the completion of her internship, Julian was offered the role of Regional Director on the Political Team and held 3 successful lobbying meetings with her Members of Congress. Now, Julian is on her third volunteer contract with The Borgen Project! “I go the extra mile because I know whatever work I put in is minute compared to the hardships of those living in poverty. I contribute however I can to help solve the problem of global poverty.”
Political Affairs Team, Emma Smith
Emma surpassed the internship requirements and secured 5 lobbying meetings. Following Emma’s meeting with Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI-12th), the Congresswoman cosponsored the Keeping Girls in School Act, proving the power of advocacy. Emma also completed 2 bird dogs, called into CSPAN and fundraised over $2,000. “My main motivation was being able to create sustainable, positive change across the globe simply by using my voice and speaking on behalf of those who cannot […] The Borgen Project helped me to enact real change with tangible results, such as gaining cosponsors for bills, which motivated me even further to fight for the world’s poor.”
HR Team, Jasmine Hooper
Jasmine was an invaluable resource for the HR Team and maintained the organization’s Indeed postings. Following the internship, Jasmine volunteered at a small village in Tanzania where she donated Borgen Project t-shirts.
She was motivated to go the extra mile because, “I wanted to make an impact on the world. The Borgen Project gave me an opportunity to do that, and I didn’t want to waste that opportunity.”
PR/Marketing Team, Ashley Strand
Ashley made extraordinary leaps to fight global poverty by partnering with local NGOs for fundraising, using social media as a tool to inform and assisting with media content creation. Through the course of the internship, Ashley created over 50 infographics for The Borgen Project. What motivated Ashley? “Knowing that what I did would have at least some impact on the lives of others, even if it’s something I’m not able to see firsthand or be directly impacted by […] With small steps, changes can be made.”
Content Team, Brena Stanski
This brilliant writer mobilized over 50 people to fight global poverty and fundraised over $1,500 for the cause. Breana said her motivation in the internship was realizing the impact one can make on the world.
“Writing articles pertaining to poverty reduction efforts, reaching out to my friends and family about supporting U.S. aid legislation, as well as receiving positive responses from my congressional leaders through correspondence, has resulted in me feeling as though I can truly making a positive difference in the world.”
Advocacy Team, Kristina Pecora
As a part of the Advocacy Team, Kristina made great strides with lobbying meetings and fundraising. During her 12 weeks with The Borgen Project, Kristina secured 3 meetings and fundraised over $900 to end global poverty. “What motivates me? In addition to the cause itself and that warm, fuzzy feeling when one is doing good, is feedback. “What really motivates me is feedback […] [It] lets me know I’m making some kind of impact.”
In-Office Team, MacKenzie Dougan
During her time with us, MacKenzie raised $754 and attended a group meeting with Senator Murray’s office. All this whilst ensuring that all team member’s fundraising letters were sent out, donations tracked as well as being the face of the organization, speaking with visitors to the office and answering questions about the organization. “The Borgen Project’s mission to advocate for the United States to address poverty worldwide is a worthy and valuable pursuit. This goal was very motivating because it allowed me to be involved and to advocate for something close to my heart. I have seen poverty first hand in South Africa and appreciated the chance to feel empowered to make real change through this internship. Each day, I reflected on how much time I had been able to put into fighting for the world’s poor, and that motivated me to work even harder the next day.”
Top Fundraiser: Sophia Wanyonyi
As an intern for the Content Team, based in Kenya, Sophia became the top fundraiser in the organization’s history, raising more than $5,000 (508,000 Kenyan shillings) for the cause! Sophia sought out creative means to fundraise, organizing both a dance party and a whiskey party for friends and family to attend: “I thought that the best way to get people to give would be by making it fun for them […] I always strive to go the extra mile in all I do. It is a lesson that was taught to me pretty early on in life, by my parents and at school. Everything I do, I try to give it my all.”
These are just a few of our wonderful team members who helped to fight global poverty in 2019. With your help, we will continue to advocate on behalf of the world’s poor in 2020 and beyond!
Political Updates
Global Fragility Act and End Neglected Tropical Diseases Act Pass Congress!
Last month, Congress passed its final State and Foreign Operations budget bill for FY2020. The foreign affairs spending package included the Global Fragility Act and the End Neglected Tropical Diseases Act. Both bills were signed into law on Friday, December 20th!
None of these achievements would be possible without your advocacy and dedication to the cause. Congratulations!
Lobbying and Advocacy Efforts
Advocacy Emails
Congressional Office Meetings
Regional Director Gaytri Riya Vasa met with Rep. Van Taylor (R-TX-3rd) to discuss the Malala Scholarship Act which passed in the House soon after.
Political Affairs Team member Robert Contraction met with Hannah Benson, New Bedford Staff Rep. to Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). The two discussed the International Affairs Budget and the End Tuberculosis Now Act.
Volunteer Team member Hannah Reznik met with John Hollinrake, Regional Director to Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA).
Warren’s Address
Listen to the latest from Warren about the goings-on in D.C.
Content Team Updates
Thanks to all the hard work of our Content Team members, we smashed our goal of having 5 million visitors to borgenproject.org in 2019. A grand total of 6.9 million people visited the site. Well done everyone.
Recognition
Congratulations to the following team members who have achieved Borgen Project Honors & Recognition.
Visit the Our Team Members page and read about success stories with our organization.
Getting the Word Out
The Borgen Project on Twitter
We received a shoutout tweet from Ziauddin Yousafzai, Malala Yousafzai’s father, in support of The Malala Yousafzai Scholarship Act. The legislation will ensure that the next generation of Pakistani women have the chance to receive an education and provide for their families, communities and country.
The Borgen Project on Buzzfeed
6 Myths About Poverty, Busted
PR Team member Alina Meletta addresses the most common preconceptions and myths about global poverty in a December feature on Buzzfeed Community
Letters to the Editor
PR/Marketing Team
Nonprofit Leadership Team
One-Mile Campaigns
Political Affairs Team member Mehak Rajpal completed her 1-Mile Campaign in Los Angeles, CA
Political Affairs Team member Louisa Whitaker also completed her campaign in Los Angeles, CA
In-Office Team member Grace Whitten completed her campaign at the University of Washington in Seattle
Political Affairs Team member Kyle Coburn posted QR codes on the campus of the University of Delaware’s main street
Tabling Events
HR Team member Michael Nguyen of Austin, TX took a one-mile radius around the UT Tower near the center of his campus and posted flyers on the provided billboards. Michael also created a swarm with his friends.
PR/Marketing Team member Hannah Pennant held an End Global Poverty event.
Other Ideas
Political Affairs Team member Louisa Whitaker wrote in pizza boxes for the delivery drivers she works with to take to customer’s houses.
HR Team member Juan Gonzalez of Rexburg, ID printed out QR codes and placed them around campus. The QR code led to The Borgen Project website.
Outreach & Mobilizing Materials
Created by HR Team member Michael Nguyen
Content Team member Michelle White created a business card to garner donations for The Borgen Project.
Fundraising
Over the holiday season, Political Affairs Team member Mahzarin Mistry held a “Thanksgiving Throwdown” fundraiser with family and friends: “The premise of the fundraiser was to dish out the same amount of food on everyone’s plate. The last person to finish, or not finish at all, had to donate to my online fundraising campaign. Most people tried to finish, but to no avail.”
State of the Union December 2019
Political Updates
Great News!
On December 3rd, the End Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Act (H.R. 3460) passed in the House of Representatives! But our work on this bill isn’t over. Now, let’s turn our attention to the Senate to get this legislation across the finish line. Let your Senators know the importance of scaling up USAID’s NTD Program to control and/or eliminate global NTDs.
Lobbying and Advocacy Efforts
Advocacy Emails
Congressional Office Meetings
Political Affairs Team member Lisa Drabkin met with Rep. Brad Sherman’s (D-CA-30th) District Director, Scott Abrams.
Content Team member Susan Niz met with Katy Von Rosenberg, Regional Director and Service Academy Coordinator for Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX).
Warren’s Address
Listen to the latest from Warren about the goings-on in D.C.
Content Team Updates
Whilst the majority of our website visitors and article readers are from the U.S., you might be surprised by some of the other nations in the top 10:
Recognition
Congratulations to the following team members who have achieved Borgen Project Honors & Recognition.
Visit the Our Team Members page and read about success stories with our organization.
Getting the Word Out
Content Team member Trey Ross
Take action now! Political Affairs Team member Callaway Louck shared the image to her Instagram: “You elected them, now it’s your job to let your Congressional leaders know what issues are most important to you. Email Congress today!”
One-Mile Campaigns
Content Team member Andrea Duleux posted Borgen Project flyers in Madrid, Spain!
Political Affairs Team member Cynthia Jaimes in College Station, TX
PR/Marketing Team member Venus Nguyen
Political Affairs Team member Michelle Dickson and her dog Dixie during her 1-mile campaign in Washington D.C.
Political Affairs Team member Defne Ersoy during her 1-mile campaign in Los Angeles, CA
Political Affairs Team member Isabelle Pinzon in Knoxville, TN
Political Affairs Team member Grace Dean in Los Angeles, CA
Swarm
Political Affairs Team member Irma Crawford held a swarm in Central Park!
Political Affairs Team member Louisa Whitaker created a swarm at work and mobilized people to call Congress.
Letters to the Editor
Political Affairs Team
PR/Marketing Team
Outreach & Mobilizing Materials
Political Affairs Team member Taylor Swift
PR/Marketing Team member Jeanne Alix created a series of flyers for her branding campaign
Fundraising
Content Team member Janet Abou Elias held a henna and bake sale fundraiser for The Borgen Project with The Arab Student Association at the University of Texas
Content Team member Sophia Wanyonyi held a whiskey party that successfully raised $711 from selling drinks, snacks, and collecting donations
Media Outreach
Videos
Political Affairs Team member Mazi Mistry called into C-SPAN: “I was able to talk about The Borgen Project and the atrocities occurring at the Southern border with regards to DACA and the Keep Families Together Act.”
State of the Union November 2019
Political Updates
Lobbying and Advocacy Efforts
Advocacy Emails
Congressional Office Meetings
Content Team member Trey Ross completed her first lobbying meeting! Trey met with Jaci Winship, the Senior Community Liaison for Rep. Ann Wagner (R-MO). The two discussed The Borgen Project, increasing funding for the International Affairs Budget and the Keeping Girls in School Act.
Content Team member Susan Niz met with Sen. Ted Cruz’s (R-TX) office to lobby on behalf of the world’s poor.
Warren’s Address
Listen to the latest from Warren about the goings-on in D.C.
Content Team Updates
Year to date our website has had 6 million visitors! With a 2019 goal of 5 million visitors, we have smashed it! Well done everyone.
The Borgen Project received a shoutout in an article on Bustle featuring Harry Styles. Take a look: Harry Styles Tweeted A Link To This Mysterious Website & Twitter’s Experiencing A Collective Moment
Recognition
Congratulations to the following team members who have achieved Borgen Project Honors & Recognition.
Visit the Our Team Members page and read about success stories with our organization.
Getting the Word Out
One-Mile Campaigns
HR Team member Jie (Caroline) Jing completed her 1-Mile Campaign around the Minnesota State Capitol.
HR Team member Taryn Woodburn’s 1-Mile campaign took place around Ted Cruz’s office in Houston, TX.
HR Team member Ariel St. Claire held her 1-Mile Campaign in Spokane, WA.
Political Affairs Team member Kevin Chiang
PR/Marketing Team member Courtney Palmersheim
PR/Marketing Team member Chika Okoye
Political Affairs Team member Anthony Dolmat
With a little help from her sons, HR Team member Sherice Banks completed her 1-Mile Campaign at a city park in Oklahoma.
Letters to the Editor
Political Affairs Team
PR/Marketing Team
Advocates
Outreach & Mobilizing Materials
Political Affairs Team member Mehak Rajpal created a flier as an aid to hand out during presentations to classes and student organizations.
PR/Marketing Team member Jeanne Alix: “The bill will cut child deaths by 50 percent. Education is one of the most valuable resources when it comes to saving children’s lives. Malnutrition is one of the leading causes of death for children under five largely due to many mothers’ lack of education on proper hygiene, health and nutrition. According to UNESCO, if all women received secondary education, it would cut in half the number of child deaths and save three million lives. When provided with an education, mothers are able to raise their children in a healthier way because they have the knowledge necessary to provide them with a higher quality of life.”
“The good and the bad: The progress we’ve made and where we can do better” by PR/Marketing Team member Timothy Linton
PR/Marketing Team member Ashley Strand highlights stats around the world.
Information Events
PR/Marketing Team member Ashley Strand tabled at HTC to fundraise and inform individuals about the organization.
PR/Marketing Team member Cindy Mendoza held an info event in Seattle on the University of Washington’s campus.
Fundraising
PR/Marketing Team member Madison Botsch raised over $300 from her cookie sale.
Content Team member Trey Ross hosted friends in her backyard for a dinner party and summit to discuss The Borgen Project. Trey raised $840 from combining two of her biggest passions – sharing the message for bipartisan efforts to downsize global poverty and throwing a big party! “It was awesome getting to tell my closest friends how lifting communities out of poverty can actually benefit us here at home, since they had never thought about it that way before. I made a ton of delicious appetizers and served cocktails.”
PR/Marketing Team member Ashley Strand hosted a trivia night to fundraise for her campaign. Ashley has also created an Ebay account to sell inventory. A portion of the funds will go to The Borgen Project.
Content Team member Sophia Wanyonyi, based in Kenya, held a dance party in October. Sophia raised $1,188 by selling drinks and snacks as well as collecting donations. Way to go, Sophia!
Political Affairs Team member Jacob Lang fundraising. His caption was: ‘There’s nothing “sweeter” than working to solve global poverty.’ A donation of $1.50 = one guess in this jelly bean raffle!
Political Affairs Team member Rupkatha Banerjee organized a concert as a part of her fundraising campaign.
Political Affairs Team member Mehak Rajpal held a bake sale on-campus. Mehak shared the photo to her Instagram story to help spread the word.
Media Outreach
Videos
PR/Marketing Team member Ashley Strand shows us how easy it is to e-mail Congress
State of the Union October 2019
Political Updates
Lobbying and Advocacy Efforts
Advocacy Emails
Congressional Office Meetings
Political Affairs Team member Ryan Lee met with legislative staffer to Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
Political Affairs Team member Brooke Leandra-Hope Johnson after meeting with Sen. Ben Cardin’s (D-MD) staffer Corrine Paul.
Political Affairs Team member Frances Herndon met with Staffer Caroline Diaz-Barigga, Lead Constituent Service, and Evann Freeman, Field Representative for Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) at their Nashville office.
Political Affairs Team member Emilee Kerr met with Ellen Short of Sen. Sherrod Brown’s office (D-OH).
HR Team member Geethapriya Kumaraguru met with Sen. Patty Murray’s office (D-WA) to discuss the IAB.
Political Affairs Team member Jasmine Kabira (right) met with Mary Szarkowicz (left), Sen. Richard Blumenthal’s (D-CT) Legislative Director in DC.
Political Affairs Team member Aditya Prathap (left) met with Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL-6th).
Political Affairs Team members Cynthia Jaimes and Janet Abou Elias met with Katy von Rosenberg, Deputy Regional Director for Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX).
Warren’s Address
Listen to the latest from Warren about the goings-on in D.C.
Content Team Updates
New record alert! 795,483 people visited borgenproject.org in September. That’s 140,000 people more than the previous record. Over 5.2 million people have visited the website thus far this year. Great job everyone!
Recognition
Congratulations to the following team members who have achieved Borgen Project Honors & Recognition.
Visit the Our Team Members page and read about success stories with our organization.
Getting the Word Out
Mobilizing
Regional Director Madison Gaffney tabled at her school’s student center and held an information session on how to get involved with The Borgen Project.
Advocate Kristina Pecora created a swarm during Peer Supervision, a professional biweekly meeting held as a check-in on group practice happenings, consultation on clients, and personal goals/achievements.
One-Mile Campaigns
HR Team member Victor Vera’s 1-Mile Campaign was a success! The campaign was done within the proximity of Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s (D-MN) office building.
Victor even managed to walk passed Sen. Klobuchar, who took notice of his campaign.
Political Affairs Team member Bela Urbina completing her 1-Mile Campaign
Political Affairs Team member Christina Agostino
Political Affairs Team member Karen Manu
Content Team member Trey Ross
With help from a friend, Political Affairs Team member Maris Thomson (left) posted 200 flyers within the mile around the Capitol building in Raleigh, NC.
Political Affairs Team member Olivia Anderson
Content Team member Yael Litenatsky
Letters to the Editor
Political Affairs Team
Content Team
HR Team
PR/Marketing Team
Advocates
Outreach & Mobilizing Materials
Created by Political Affairs Team member Hannah White
Created by PR/Marketing Team member Ashley Strand
Created by PR/Marketing Team member Sarah Gruesser
Information Events
Political Affairs Team member Charles Zinn spoke and networked at the PICS Event that he attended last week:
Fundraising
PR/Marketing Team member Yangcheng Zhou cooked dinner for friends as part of his fundraising campaign.
Political Affairs Team member Jacob Lang used the Wag! app to fundraise for his campaign. A fantastic way to combine a love for dogs with ending global poverty!
HR Team member Michelle Mwinzin made a variety of bracelets to sell as a part of her fundraising campaign.
Media Outreach
Instagram
PR/Marketing Team member Sarah Gruesser persuaded an account to post about TBP on Instagram
PR/Marketing Team member, Maggie Aulman, had a piece written about her time with The Borgen Project.
Videos
Political Affairs Team member Sophia Serafin complete her One-Mile Campaign: