Seattle, WA. Around the country, athletes have taken advantage of their elevated platforms to push for positive change in social justice, education, and global health. Former players are no exception. Cliff Avril (pictured above in the center), now retired from the offensive line as a defensive lineman for the Seattle Seahawks, has used his extended time off to make an impact in communities in and around Seattle.
Cliff Avril was named the 2020 Seahawks Legend of the Year for his commitment to the community, presented by American Family Insurance.
Recently, the Seahawks awarded Avril the 2020 Legend of the Year, recognizing the former player for everything he’s done to make an impact on individuals and communities in need. The award promises a donation of $10,000 to a foundation of Avril’s choosing.
“I just feel like I’ve been blessed with a platform,” Avril said. “I’ve been blessed to play for a great organization that supports all their players in different avenues.”
Before he retired, Avril developed the Cliff Avril Family Foundation to enlighten youth on the importance of a healthy, active lifestyle to avoid diabetes and other preventable diseases. Collectively, his organization has now received beyond $2.5 million in support from donors since its conception in 2014.
Cliff Avril donates blood prior to the COVID-19 pandemic
Avril and his nonprofit have been hard at work, putting some of that revenue to work in the past few months. Since the start of the global coronavirus pandemic, the retired athlete’s foundation has provided youth-based organizations with $50,000 in relief funding to remain afloat during COVID-19.
Outside of the U.S., Avril has partnered with fellow retired Seahawks to erect three education facilities in Haiti, the nation in which he would’ve been raised had his parents not migrated before his birth.
“I could’ve easily been one of those kids in Haiti,” Avril said. “So, as I took back on that, I want to inspire and give kids hope and give kids opportunities to be able to dream, and hopefully capitalize and achieve those dreams.”
Avril’s work stands as an exemplary beacon of hope and generosity during the oft-bleak outlook of the coronavirus. While most lack the luxury of a former professional athlete’s bank account, even the smallest contribution can help the 2020 Legend of the Year continue to make an impact in the Seattle community through donations to his nonprofit and those like them across the region.
Health workers honor Cliff Avril’s jersey during the coronavirus pandemic.
From the Cliff Avril Family Foundation:
“The Cliff Avril Family Foundation mission is to increase the awareness of Type 2 diabetes in youth and to encourage healthy living through nutrition and exercise. As well as provide educational support and opportunities to youth in Haiti, along with various community-based organizations in Jacksonville, Seattle and Charlotte.”
Seattle, WA. Pioneer Human Services is working to be a stabilizing force in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. The nonprofit serves individuals released from prison or jail, and those in recovery, who are in need of treatment, housing, job skills training, and employment. (Members of the staff are pictured above).
The COVID-19 crisis has made services for justice-involved individuals even more vital. “We’re trying to do everything possible to keep our services going for people, whether they have access to electronics or they don’t,” said Nanette Sorich, communications manager at Pioneer Human Services. “We are dedicated to continue to serve our clients, our customers, and our communities.”
With over 50 partners and programs across Washington State, Pioneer Human Services helps those with criminal convictions receive adequate mental health support, substance abuse treatment, affordable housing, and employment readiness training. The nonprofit also runs four major residential reentry facilities that specialize in treating substance abuse disorders.
A mask-wearing employee works in a Pioneer Human Services facility.
Pioneer Human Services offers jobs to formerly incarcerated individuals through the nonprofit’s successful social enterprise program including work in construction, food service, and manufacturing.
The pandemic has added more hurdles for justice-involved people trying to get their lives back on track. “It’s really hard for a lot of our people, who, in some of our services, are just looking for a job, and in order to get an apartment, they need to have a job,” Sorich said. “But it’s been really hard to get a job, especially since they can’t go apply in person.”
The nonprofit has adapted its services to keep people safe. For those unwilling or unable to receive in-person support, Pioneer has transitioned to ‘telehealth’ support systems, offering remote mental health therapy, alongside informative Zoom meetings for those in job-readiness programs.
Success stories inspire others. Adam, (pictured below) has one such story. He utilized the program called Whatcom Community Detox (one of Pioneer’s substance-abuse facilities in Northwestern Washington.) The program helped him win a prolonged battle with drug addiction and homelessness.
Adam and his dog smile for the camera during recovery at Whatcom Community Detox
“Adam is a great story,” explained Sorich. “He built this trust with Murray at our community detox center, and he said, ‘I need my dog,’ and she said, ‘Then bring him in.’ Adam eventually went into housing during recovery. He’s a new human being.”
Here’s a video about the program:
From Pioneer Human Services:
Mission Statement: “We are a nonprofit social enterprise in Washington state that serves individuals released from prison or jail, and those in recovery, who are in need of treatment, housing, job skills training and employment.”
Donations help fund the work of Pioneer Human Services’ and can be made on the nonprofit’s website.
NONPROFIT BENEFIT TICKET GIVEAWAYS!
Sign up for our free weekly highlights for the chance to win two tickets terrific nonprofit events! If you “like” us on facebook, or sign up for our weekly news highlights, you’ll be entered to win! Sign up today!
Look for another ticket giveaway soon! Are you a nonprofit looking to bolster your publicity with facebook and tweets? Email us and we’ll run a contest with tickets to your event! [email protected]
