Women’s Federation for World Peace USA is pleased to announce three stellar organizations,First Recipient - Black Girl Health Foundation; Second Recipient - WORTH Foundation; and Third Recipient - Bee Fabulous Moments that were selected as recipients of the Turn the Tide Grant. This special grant of $10,000 was created following the murder of George Floyd in order to empower and support the black community, especially also in the wake of the current pandemic. Indeed, it was an inspiration from WFWP International Senior Vice President, Sun Jin Moon, to use monies raised through the Giving for Good project to make an impact on the situation here in the United States, which has touched many of our hearts and lives. WFWP Founder, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon has said, “History is calling for reconciliation, compassion, love, service, and sacrifice. Today’s problems cannot be solved by the logic of power, our present problems can only be solved by the logic of love.” Therefore, in that spirit and with Dr. Moon’s heart to care for those most in need, we award this grant in order to propel each of these organizations forward in their instrumental work as they continue to uplift those they impact.
Established in 2016 and based in Columbus, OH, the WORTH (Working Through Obstacles Reaching True Heights) Foundation cultivates leadership and works to increase civic and community engagement in order to reduce social injustices, strengthen democratic values, and advance human achievement. Led by a dynamic mother-son duo, Dr. Tina Pierce (Co-Founder and CEO) and Andrew Pierce II (Co-Founder and Board Chair), WORTH is educating and engaging young men and women on how they can become informed and active members of their communities, gaining the skills and knowledge necessary to reach their “true heights” as leaders.
One of WORTH’s major programs includes the Civic Engagement & Leadership Academy at the Columbus Alternative High School, which, in addition to civic literacy, also provides college and career readiness skills. In 2018, WORTH impacted over 5,000 youth through this program to create positive community change. The Civic Engagement & Leadership Academy impacts many more who engage with community level programs. WORTH also holds an annual conference which brings together young people from across Central Ohio to learn how they can be the change through civic engagement, leadership development, and community organizing. This year’s Be the Generation to Risk It All Conference will be held virtually, allowing the organization to impact many more young men and women.
At this time when the voices of leaders from the black community are needed more than ever, WORTH is continuing to empower those young leaders to make a positive impact. For example, Board Chair Andrew Pierce II was a panelist for the Columbus Metropolitan Club Forum “Racism: Where Do We Go From Here? Young Black Men Speak” where he spoke about how young people are standing up to make their voices heard. WORTH’s youth advisory board also convened and facilitated a virtual community conversation “Transforming Columbus: A Youth Conversation on Criminal Justice Reform” in June 2020.