Guest Author - Jackie O´Neal
Children Uniting Nations
By Jackie O’Neal
I had the distinct honor of speaking with Children Uniting Nations founder, Daphna Ziman and her mission to improve the welfare of children in the community and the world.. Eleven years ago, Ziman embarked on her crusade to enhance the quality of life for children in crisis.
A personal friend of hers needed to get involved in community service and asked Ziman to suggest an organization. “I remembered an organization I had supported for the homeless. As I was walking through the kitchen of the homeless mission, I saw a sleeping child on the floor. After I went out, and reached the alley way, I saw her again and she grabbed my hand,” she said.
The experience became a turning point for Ziman. She began returning to the homeless mission every weekend and eventually adopted the child. She does not regret her decision, not only because it was pivotal, but also helped her self-actualize. “Since I’ve met her, I’ve been walking with my destiny,” she noted.
Ziman is the recipient of numerous outstanding awards including The Peace and Tolerance Lifetime Achievement award for Child Advocacy,but it was her first contact with homeless mission in Los Angeles that catapulted her to lobby Washington to change a clause in the Family Preservation Act which reunited abused children with their abusive biological parents.
Children Uniting Nations has been involved in extensive projects with goal of improving the welfare of children, and the public can feel confident in making donations to such a meritorious cause.
Last week, CUN held their 7th Annual Academy Awards celebration and viewing dinner- a fundraiser which has become one of the most popular Oscar night After-parties. Ziman describes the event as an opportunity to celebrate imagination and raise money for children who are in crisis and need mentoring and help. Referring to the plight of these children, Ziman is firm. “They are afraid to dream. There are no dreams within their reach. It’s like the child is swimming upstream against the current and we are standing on the bank watching,” she noted.
To learn more and make a donation, Visit: childrenunitingnations.org
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