THE DIRECTORS
Horatio M. Bennett is a native of Jamaica, West Indies. He started his mission for the proliferation of the Caribbean culture in 1971 when he created the then-annual Detroit Caribbean Carnival. He was a radio broadcaster with National Public Radio for 12 years and a talk show host for several Michigan-area radio stations. He was inducted into the MetroTimes Music Hall of Fame in 1984 and received the ‘Spirit of Detroit’ award. In 2018 he was presented with the JUAM Legacy Award.
Horatio was blessed with other commendations, including a Commendation from a sitting governor of Michigan, Recognition Certification from the Detroit City Council, the West Indian-American Association, and the Caribbean Carnival Organization Appreciation Certification. Along with his wife, Natasha, he published the Caribbean SourceNews for 18 years, and are now both Directors of the Horatio and Natasha Bennett Foundation – a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Horatio is a Cancer and West Nile Virus survivor; thus making their humanitarian commitment even more viable.
Natasha Bearden-Bennett, a Detroit native, is an educator/interventionist with degrees in education in both Michigan and Georgia. She was co-publisher of the SourceNews, a published author, a singer/musician, and an actress- appearing on the Tyler Perry’s House of Payne. She has her own global website: (www.PleaseHelpMyGrades.com) – a FREE instructional medium for elementary and middle school students; ideal for home-schooled students (foreign & domestic), and a support for parents. Ms. Bearden was recently awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from the Jamaican United Association of Michigan (JUAM) for "…Exceptional Achievement and Outstanding Contribution to the Improvement of Relations between Caribbean and African-American nationals..."
The Bennetts have published several books including “How to be a good person without being religious" and "A Second Chance, Unleashing the Power of Good" (Perfect bound, audio CD, audio MicroSD for cellphone, and a movie script). All version available on www.BenTashBooks.Org and on Amazon.
The Bennetts are dedicated and totally committed to building the first Caribbean-American Museum and Cultural Center to serve as a testament to the achievements of Caribbean-American living in the United States. The Cultural Center will serve as a venue for clothing and feeding the homeless and destitute, and to provide 'after-school' programs for young adults seeking to prolong their academic pursuits and assist in employment upon completion.
The story which started it all
– Paying It Forward!
The idea of The Horatio and Natasha Bennett Foundation was birthed in 2010 from a single act of kindness shown to them on a lonely stretch of highway in Tennessee. One night the Bennetts were taking one of their frequent trips to Detroit from their residence in McDonough, Georgia, when their car broke down. Standing by the roadside wondering their next move and options: should they contact relatives in Detroit – over 600 miles away or call for someone in McDonough – 372 miles – to come rescue them.
Well, as they pondered in the semi-darkness of the Tennessee hills a big black Ford Explorer approached and slowed. They watched the car passed them then made a U-turn and pulled up beside them. The driver, a man, either of an American, Arab or Asian descent rolled down his window and asked if they needed help. They were at first hesitant, they told him they could use a ride to the nearest service station. The man opened the car door and when the cautious couple peeped in they saw a lady sitting on the passenger side and two young children sitting in the back seat. “Safe enough,” they thought. They drove for about three blocks when the driver asked where were they from. They told him they lived in McDonough, Georgia, and were going to Detroit, Michigan to visit family and friends. The driver told them he once lived in McDonough and did recognize the street in McDonough on which the Bennetts lived. As the conversation went, the wife asked if the couple would like to be driven home, to McDonough. To make this story short, they readily accepted and that family drove their big Ford Expedition 372 miles into Georgia and pulled into their driveway.
As the grateful couple exited they pulled out a $100-dollar bill and offered it to the man whose name they now completely forgotten. The man refused to accept the money, telling the startled couple his act of helping us was his blessing, and with that he drove off, never even looking back.
The Bennetts were still in shock but came to the realization that they had met a family of ‘angels,’ or at the least, some very good persons. It was then and there that Horatio and Natasha Bennett pledged they would never see another in need and not offer our help. That same month the ‘Good Person Network,’ started; a nonprofit organization in which people were encourage ‘to help one to help others!’
This story was included in one of the Bennett’s latest books, "How to be a Good person without being religious" (www.BenTashBooks.Org).
At any given time, in the dead of Winter or in the heat of Summer you can see the Bennetts on the streets of Detroit handing out free blankets and care packages to the homeless and destitute; a project financed from their own values.
Today the Horatio and Natasha Bennett Foundation - a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization - is wholly, totally and fully dedicated to
'… “Do all the good it can,
in all the ways it can,
to all the souls it can,
in every place it can,
at all the times it can,
with all the zeal it can,
as long as ever it can...”
(paraphrase, John Wesley 1703-1791)
The Bennetts are still trying to locate the family after all these years, and hoped someday, somehow they will see this site and contact them, not only to be properly thanked for their unselfish act of kindness but to join them in their commitment of "helping one to help others...!" - A 'movement' they invariably motivated that fateful evening on that lonely stretch of road leading to Detroit - or McDonough, Georgia.
The Bennetts are nominated to receive the SEENMagazine LifeChangers Award for their 'Civic Service, 2019' (link)
The Horatio and Natasha Bennett Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit foundation, licensed by the State of Michigan, and regularly gives free blankets and care packages to the homeless, especially women and US Veterans in the Detroit and surrounding areas. The 'Caring Project' is to distribute blankets and care packages (soap, toothbrushes, blankets) to homeless and destitute people on the streets.
The Foundation also will continue to give blankets to the Detroit Rescue Mission, Cass Community Service, and C.O.T.S, a center catering to mostly homeless and abused women and children.
The Bennetts, both seasoned public speakers, are available to speak at civic, religious and social events.
Email them at hnbfoundation@usa.com
The HNB Foundation now has a broad-based purpose and commitment -
with concentration on two principal objectives:
Changing the Face of Hopelessness.
Feeding the hungry, helping the homeless and caring for the destitute. The HNB Foundation has been distributing food, blankets and care packages for many years, and supports COTS, Detroit Rescue Mission, NSO and The Cass Community Center.
Nurturing and assisting in helping elementary students with homework,
peers and parent challenges, and creating ‘after-school’ events.
The HNB Foundation has created a free online instructional website on which elementary students from all over the world can get assistance with their school challenges, either educational or personal, or both. This website is also available to ‘home-schooled’ students and parents.
There is a HNB Foundation board director assigned to each of the two principal objectives.
The The HNB Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization and will provide a tax-exempt receipt for all contributions made.
with concentration on two principal objectives:
Changing the Face of Hopelessness.
Feeding the hungry, helping the homeless and caring for the destitute. The HNB Foundation has been distributing food, blankets and care packages for many years, and supports COTS, Detroit Rescue Mission, NSO and The Cass Community Center.
Nurturing and assisting in helping elementary students with homework,
peers and parent challenges, and creating ‘after-school’ events.
The HNB Foundation has created a free online instructional website on which elementary students from all over the world can get assistance with their school challenges, either educational or personal, or both. This website is also available to ‘home-schooled’ students and parents.
There is a HNB Foundation board director assigned to each of the two principal objectives.
The The HNB Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization and will provide a tax-exempt receipt for all contributions made.
Helping One to Help Others
VOLUNTEERISM:
A study, published in the journal BMJ Open, found that volunteering in middle and older age is associated with enhanced mental health and well-being. "Previous research has shown that volunteering in older age is associated with better mental and physical health, but it's unclear whether this extends to other age groups," study author Dr. Faiza Tabassum of the Southampton Statistical Sciences Research Institute at the University of Southampton in the U.K., told CBS News. The findings held up even after the researchers controlled for a number of other factors, including marital status, educational level, social class, and overall physical health. "Secondly, people below the age of 40 usually have young children to look after and have professional commitments hardly have any spare time which they can spend on volunteering activities. "With the aging of the population, it is imperative to develop effective health promotion for this last third of life, so that those living longer are healthier," Tabassum said. "Volunteering might provide those groups with greater opportunities for beneficial activities and social contacts, which in turn may have protective effects on health status. WHY PEOPLE VOLUNTEER
In our work, we meet volunteers all the time. We like to ask them what organizations they volunteer for and why. We're curious to learn the reasons a person is inspired to give back. We’d like to share with you some of the most compelling reasons we have heard over the years as to why people volunteer. Perhaps you already volunteer regularly and can relate or, better yet, maybe you’ll become inspired to jump on the volunteer bandwagon! We promise it’ll be one of the best “rides” of your life! 1. There is a personal tie to the cause. A particular cause calls to you because you, or someone close to you, have personally experienced the hardship the cause is aiming to minimize or eradicate. Perhaps your mom survived breast cancer or you grew up in a household without enough to eat. Whatever the cause, it touches your heart and empathy drives you to give back and make a difference in the lives of those going through the same situation now. 2. Volunteering is a great way to build a resume. Perhaps you are out of work and looking for something to bide your time and keep your resume fresh. Or maybe you have a job but your current position does not allow for the training you seek. Many volunteers are able to learn a new language or to develop managerial skills in volunteer positions to which they are commit. 3. It’s a good way to bridge the gap between yourself and others who may perceive you as “different”. Volunteering with these groups allows the chance to expand your horizons and celebrate other cultures and peoples. Teaching abroad or working with refugees are examples of volunteer opportunities that allow for people from different backgrounds to come together as one. 4. Volunteering sets a good example for others. Lots of folks “talk the talk”. But very few actually make the time and effort to “walk the walk”. By volunteering, you inspire others to get involved to make a positive change in the community. It also sets a good example for children. Serving food at a local soup kitchen, leading a corporate team to raise funds for a charity run, or working with at-risk adolescents in an after-school program are great examples on how to spark a passion for volunteering in others. |
5. Meeting like-minded, motivated, positive people is super easy.
The way someone chooses to spend their spare time is a true reflection of their values and priorities. Connecting over shared passions for a cause while helping others is a great way to meet new friends. By volunteering, your “circle of friends” can get a whole lot bigger in just a short amount of time. 6. Volunteering can offer unique and exciting opportunities. Depending on the project, you may get “behind-the-scenes” views of large organizations, such as political campaigns, at work. There might even be opportunities to meet famous and influential people who are spokespeople or involved in a particular cause. Or, volunteering as an usher at a theater house, for example, might enable you to see many amazing productions for free. These are pretty cool perks for a couple hours of your time. 7. “Doing good” is important. Every day we are bombarded with disheartening news stories. Volunteering presents a proactive way of doing something to make the world a better place. Even the smallest gestures make a difference. And if we all band together, those small gestures can add up to a big change! For example, when you donate clothes and toys to the Salvation Army, you are helping our world by recycling, creating jobs in thrift stores and providing a way for others to purchase needed items at an affordable price. 8. Volunteering creates empowerment. Maybe someone offered you a helping hand when you were down and out. Volunteering gives you the opportunity to pay that favor forward. Often times, a word of encouragement and a little assistance to those in need can help them get back on their feet. And when they do, they’ll most likely do the same for others. And the cycle continues.There is a nonprofit organization for just about every interest or cause out there. Finding the right organization to volunteer for is just a Google search away. 9. Volunteering has never been easier. Organizations recognize that do-gooders have varied skills and talents to bring to the table. These organizations have begun taking a real interest in putting the talents and expertise of volunteers to use to produce the greatest good for their clients. They have also become more flexible in volunteer scheduling, offering after work and weekend opportunities to help accommodate busy schedules. 10. Volunteering can help you get or stay healthy. It’s true! Charity runs and walk-a-thons are excellent ways to stay motivated in your personal goals of weight loss or simply maintaining a healthy lifestyle. When you know you have others relying on the funds you’re raising, it’s a lot easier to tie up those laces and get moving. 11. Volunteering gives greater perspective and self-awareness. Depending on the cause, it is possible you will come face to face with some pretty heart-wrenching situations. As a volunteer, you will be expected to keep a calm and positive demeanor. Dealing with these situations can make you question your perspective on the world and the choices you make in your personal life. Though this can a bit overwhelming at first, developing a keener sense of self-awareness is an amazing transformation many volunteers experience. 12. Volunteering is good for you. Studies show that volunteering releases tension. By helping others in need, you take the focus off of your own problems, putting into perspective how precious having a healthy, fulfilled life really is. Many volunteers realize that, while not perfect, their life is a blessing to be celebrated every day. In our opinion, this is priceless. |
hnbfoundation@usa.com
