For people and organizations based in the United States
Checks payable to WACNWO
(World Affairs Council of NW Ohio)
Memo: Dave Beckwith Memorial Fund
Mail to Elizabeth Balint
Project manager of WACNWO
1210 Country View Lane #5A
Toledo, OH 43615
* US residents who are not interested in tax deductable donations can use the Paypal/card option above.
We are fundraising for the Dave Beckwith Memorial Strategic Partnerships program. This is an alumni-only program, which financially supports trips across the Atlantic to boost and enhance strategic partnerships between people and organizations. The program was named after our beloved program advisor and friend of the GLC/GLCAP program Dave Beckwith, whom we lost in the spring of 2022. It is set to honor his memory and immense contribution to our community.

In 2023 and 2024 we have supported 7 trips:

- Nevena Pashova (Bulgaria, Srping 2015) returned to Springfield, MA, to learn more about youth (electoral) organizing;
- Ellen Macaulay (US) travelled to Hungary to offer trainings and presentations on sustainability;
- Zsanett Függ (Hungary, Spring 2015) travelled to Toledo, OH, to enhance partnerships with the World Affairs Council of Northwest Ohio;
- Elizabeth Sammons (US) travelled to Bulgaria and Slovakia to work with disability groups and cultural venues to enhance accesability, and to join the international alumni reunion in Albania;
- Annamaria Kovacs (Hungary, Fall 2013) travelled to Orlando, FL, to work with River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding (RPCP).
- Victor-Catalin Toma (Romania, Spring 2019) travelled to Boise, Idaho, to work with United Vision for Idaho and others on rural youth programs.
- Luca Ciubotaru (Romania, Fall 2019) travelled to New York (NY), Boston (MA) and other places to reconnect with a range of US GLC/GLCAP mentors
Supported trips in 2022:

- Arber Kodra (Albania, Srping 2018) returned to New York, NY, to learn and work on LGBTIQ-related issues;
- Brejdon Xhavara (Albania, Spring 2019) travelled to Orlando, FL, to boost his community media competencies and produce a documentary;
- Dilyana Gyurova (Bulgaria, Spring 2015) spent a week in Charleston (WV) and a week in Rochester (NY) to learn about organizing around education;
- Krasimir Chervenkov (Bulgaria, Fall 2017) was in Columbus, OH, to enhance learning and partnerships around accessability for people with (visual) disabilities;
- Leah Torrey (US) travelled to Hungary and Slovakia to offer training and support on community organizing.