Feel Good Friday - Dignity Network

I’m back from a trip to Thailand, and one of my favorite stops was the Dignity Network Women's Massage Center. Let me explain why.

Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Dignity Network is "helping female ex-prisoners reintegrate into professional society successfully" through several programs, including the Women’s Massage Center.

The organization was born when Thierry Gallo, an entrepreneur from Brussels, visited Thailand in 2010 and witnessed the harsh conditions facing women in Chiang Mai's central prison. He partnered with Thunyanun Yajom, a government prison officer with 15 years of experience and a master's degree in vocational education, to build something transformative.

The problem they both recognized is that women leaving prison often face profound stigma and discrimination, resulting in limited job opportunities and reoffending rates between 14 and 20 percent. Dignity Network was created to break that cycle.

While incarcerated, women can enroll in an 800-hour Thai massage training program certified by Thailand's Ministry of Public Health. Upon release, Dignity Network's Women's Massage Center offers them real jobs in a safe, professional environment. Today, five locations are operating across Chiang Mai's Old City, offering traditional Thai massage, foot massage, oil massage, herbal facial treatments, and more, all at remarkably affordable prices.

I booked an hour-long back, neck and shoulder massage for 300 baht, or about 9 dollars. After changing into some oversized hospital scrubs, my masseuse, Muay, not only massaged all the parts in question, she also ended by twisting me around to make sure I was really loose, then gave me a cup of tea.

In addition to helping people relax, Dignity Network also runs a Social Microcredit Program that offers small loans between 5,000 and 10,000 baht to help women cover urgent needs like their children's education, health costs, or rental deposits. Traditional banks won't cover these costs for someone with a criminal record. Since they began, Dignity Network has given jobs to more than 500 ex-prisoners!

You can support the Dignity Network by following them on Facebook and sharing their stories of second chances and new beginnings with your network. And if you're ever in Chiang Mai, stop in for a massage, it’s a very relaxing way to make a difference.

Feel Good Friday - Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care

Today’s Feel Good Friday comes to you on location from Lake Tahoe! Three years ago we profiled the League to Save Lake Tahoe – the organization behind the Keep Tahoe Blue campaign - so today we’re going to turn our attention from the lake and focus on the animals. 

Since 1978, Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care (LTWC) has been fulfilling their mission to “rescue, rehabilitate, and release” orphaned and injured wildlife. They also educate the community about the health and safety of the wildlife in the Lake Tahoe area.

 

In 2015, LTWC opened a new 27-acre site with a state-of-the-art animal care facility which allows them to care for and release more injured and orphaned animals. Reasons animals come to LTWC can include wildfires, car accidents, predation from pets and other consequences of human activity. All of the animals receive food that is as close as possible to their natural diet as the intention is to treat the animals for their injuries and return them back to the wild.

 

A sampling of the animals LTWC cares for includes: bears, beavers, coyotes, eagles, owls, porcupines, rabbits, raccoons, river otters and skunks! You can see the full list here. The animals are cared for by rehabilitation staff and trained volunteers. Given the frequency of wildfires in California, LTWC has become a leader in treating animals burned in wildfires.

 

Since the beginning, LTWC has cared for more than 24,000 animals and released over 15,000 back to the wild - a 63% release rate! LTWC also provides information on how to co-exist with wildlife in the area. From tips on sealing woodpecker holes in your house to where to buy coyote rollers for your fence, you can find all the co-existing and reporting information you need at this link.

 

If you’d like to help Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care with their mission to rescue, rehabilitate and release wildlife there are several ways to do so. Volunteer your time, donate your money, shop for art and merchandise and support them on social media. Like their Facebook page and follow them on Instagram and Twitter @LTWCRescue.