My Guest this week is Jeff Rotmeyer. Jeff is the founder and CEO of a charity, ImpactHK that works with individuals experiencing homelessness in Hong Kong. He is also the founder of the Love21 Foundation that works with the Down Syndrome and Autistic Community. Both charities were founded in 2017.
Jeff developed a passion for standing up for people who are held back. He believes the best things you can give to someone experiencing homelessness is love, care, friendship, community and kindness. ImpactHK was started with the simple mission to pass out some food, with now over 30k unique individual volunteers having participated and helped take 600 people off the streets of Hong Kong.
Love21 is a charity empowering the Down syndrome and autistic community in Hong Kong through sport, nutrition, and holistic support programmes. Since the launch of their comprehensive nutrition programme in 2021, Love21 has provided one-on-one nutritional support on top of the sports classes it offers. Recently it has expanded into providing counselling support for the parents of the community.
Jeff shares many stories in the podcast that illustrate the complexity and scope of the work being done and the work to be done and encourages us to contribute and just to do what we can do.
Timing
3:56 My name is Jeff Rotmeyer founder and CEO of a charity called Impact HK – working with individuals experiencing homelessness in Hong Kong… also the founder of Love 21 Foundation that works with the Down Syndrome and Autistic Community…
4:12 I came to Hong Kong in 2005 as an English Teacher…
5:17 I developed a passion over the years for standing up for people who are held back …
7:25 Teachers are undervalued… they are amazing… now we are teaching in different ways…
9:57 What is the best thing we can give to someone experiencing homelessness… answers like love, care, friendship, community, kindness…
11:38[Story] … Impact HK was started by just going into a park…over 30k volunteers… 600 people off the streets… a holistic model… 50 full time staff…
13:54 Love21 a separate charity… working with Down Syndrome and Austistic community… aim is to raise life expectancy… family support…
17:45 [Where do you see things going in the future] Everyday we are just attacking – from every angle… a great team… constant learning, adapting… find new strategies…
21:02[A story of an individual journey]…
24:02 [A story] With Love 21 … you constantly see progress… we presented a certificate… it’s an opportunity issue…
27:47 One of the biggest issues with autism spectrum is depression… severe depression…
29:30 [Importance of sport]…
30:44 [How to contribute] Reach into your wallet… get on the ride… share the message …
32:40 [The future]… Spread Love 21 in Asia… a step at a time…
35:34 [An apparent setback] A fire … a blessing in disguise…
40:22 When you have a strong message… there are many caring people in the city…
41:50 You have to be able to deal with a lot of pain, a lot of stress, a lot of struggles…
42:25 I really focus on gratitude… gratitude gets me through… I feel lucky…
44:29 [Key Message] … Do what you can do…
Contact- Jeff - Impact HK and Love 21
https://impacthk.org
https://love21foundation.com
FB: impacthk
IG: impacthkcharity
IG: love21foundation
LI: impacthk
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