Global Empowerment Mission Inc.

From Ashes to Abundance: Supporting CA Wildfire Survivors

We are Team Value Maximus, a group of passionate entrepreneurs brought together in a January 2025 Business Mastery Seminar, led by Vimari Roman and Enrico Schneider. Our team includes:

Though we live in different parts of the world—USA (Miami, SW Florida, Bay Area), Germany, and Finland—we are united by a shared mission: to make a meaningful impact and help rebuild lives after the devastating California wildfires.

Why We Chose BSTRONG CA Wildfire Relief

While we have no personal ties to Bethenny Frankel, BSTRONG, or Global Empowerment Mission (GEM), we were inspired by their outstanding track record. GEM is a 501(c)(3) organization specializing in disaster response, and BSTRONG, founded by entrepreneur and philanthropist Bethenny Frankel, has provided over $100 million in aid globally. Their wildfire relief efforts focus on delivering immediate assistance through cash cards, emergency supplies, and long-term recovery support.

We trust BSTRONG and GEM to ensure that every dollar raised will go directly to those in need, making an immediate and tangible difference in the lives of wildfire survivors.

How the Funds Will Be Spent

The funds raised through this campaign will go entirely to BSTRONG CA Wildfire Relief, where they will be used to:

Every donation, no matter the size, contributes to creating hope and stability for families devastated by wildfires.

Our Mission: From Ashes to Abundance

We want to do more than just raise funds; we aim to spark recovery by empowering others. As entrepreneurs, we’re offering free tools and blueprints to help other entrepreneurs scale their businesses. In return, we are asking them—and you—to donate to BSTRONG CA Wildfire Relief.

By uniting our efforts, we can make a significant impact on the lives of those affected and help them rise from the ashes, stronger than ever.

Join Us in Making a Difference

Our goal is to raise $5,000, and we believe that with your help, we can reach—and exceed—this target. Your generosity will bring immediate relief and long-term hope to California wildfire survivors.

How You Can Help

Why We Need You

When you contribute or share, you’re not only supporting immediate wildfire relief—you’re also fueling a movement that empowers entrepreneurs to give back. Let’s show the world the power of collective action and turn ashes into abundance.

Thank you for your generosity and support. Together, we can transform lives and make a lasting impact.

We are here to help... Join us in making a difference in the lives greatly affected by Hurricane Ian on the west coast of Florida. The Coastal Collective team is raising money to benefit Global Empowerment Mission Inc., whose team has had boots on the ground since day one of Ian. Any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for contributing to this cause; that means so much to us.

More information about Global Empowerment Mission Inc.:

Global Empowerment Mission is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 2011 under the original name, Haiti Empowerment Mission. In 2015, the organization changed its name to GEM in line with its expanding focus. Conceived in 1999 when founder Michael Capponi got his feet wet helping the victims of the Kosovo crisis, GEM's founding members have been involved in supporting some of the most significant global tragedies over the last decade.

My name is Jordyn and I'm becoming a Bat Mitzvah May 2022 in NYC. As I was studying with my Rabbi, I realized that I had to give back to those in dire need due to the war in Ukraine. I am doing my part by baking challah bread weekly for charity. 

 

I've learned that Jewish people are compelled to do something about the suffering of others, especially as they face a terrible war and fight for their lives. History and our culture have taught us that we cannot stand idly by while injustice happens. So I gathered some friends, my rabbi and even my mom, and we got cooking....

 

Please contribute to my fundraiser. If you donate more than $20 you can order one of our delicious Challah loaves, baked with peace in mind. 100% of proceeds will be donated to the B Strong - Global Empowerment Mission, which has sent millions of aid to Ukraine.

 

If you don't want challah, but want to contribute, that is great too! After you donate, indicate you want us to follow up with your challah order and we'll get your address to send you a fresh loaf! (NYC delivery is free). 

 

Thank you for your support! xoxox! 

We are raising money to benefit Global Empowerment Mission Inc., and any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to aid Ukrainians in need. Please stand with us at this critical time in the lives of innocent victims. It is difficult to put in words how terrible the suffering of Ukrainians continues to be during the Russian invasion. Ukrainians of every age have lost homes, loved ones, and even hope for the future of their beloved country. No one in the civilized world can witness these events without being moved to try to help. Our common humanity makes us share in the tragedies we witness daily as this invasion procedes. We feel that it is our duty to provide whatever assistance we can. #WeStandWithUkraine!

We have chosen Global Empowerment Mission because of their experience, resources, and current involvement in responding to the Ukrainian Crisis.

More information about Global Empowerment Mission Inc.: Global Empowerment Mission is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 2011 under the original name, Haiti Empowerment Mission. In 2015, the organization changed its name to GEM in line with its expanding focus. Conceived in 1999, when founder Michael Capponi got his feet wet helping the victims of the Kosovo crisis, GEM's founding members have been involved in supporting some of the most significant global tragedies over the last decade.

Note from the Global Empowerment Mission Website:

DONATE TO UKRAINE REFUGEES - RELIEF EFFORT

Help a Ukrainian Refugee with stable housing and necessities:

Aid into Ukraine

Relocation Assistance

War-zone evacuation

Stability housing

Non-Ukrainian refugees

Expansion into Hungary & Romania

Aid into Ukraine: Since the cities under siege are running low on supplies, your donation is importing and purchasing food, water, basic necessities, medicine and medical equipment needed in a war zone. These are handed off to our Polish partner who delivers the aid to cities like Kiev.

Relocation assistance: Since the border cities are inundated with refugees, we are rapidly identifying people who have friends and family within the EU that can house and support them. Your donation funds 100% of the refugee’s transportation, lodging and airfare to the destination of their loved ones. Also, we are helping refugees out of tents and into warm homes of Polish families through our connection with the Polish churches.

War-zone evacuation: With our Ukrainian partners still living inside of Ukraine, your donation is funding 100% of their effort to drive into Kiev with supplies and pick up women and children who want to be evacuated, but were unable to do so on their own.

Stability housing: With our Polish partners, your donation is renting additional housing facilities to refugees who are unable to find temporary housing through Polish families. We are funding 100% of their housing, food and transportation needed.

Non-Ukrainian refugees: We have identified a special class of refugees where the needs are much more complicated due to visa situations and language barriers. With your donation, we are actively working with various agencies to provide a service that other NGOs may not currently provide.

Expansion into Hungary & Romania: Your donation is scaling outside of Poland to partners in two other Ukrainian border countries to provide aid.

You might feel helpless and overwhelmed with the news. But, you CAN do something. With your help and donations, we are able to scale these operations, evacuate women and children, relocate refugees, and provide dignity and safety to those who have been traumatized. Don’t sit on the sideline while thousands are left homeless. Join Global Empowerment Mission and Bstrong to make a difference.

About GoFundMe.org

Funds raised on this fundraiser will be managed by GoFundMe.Org, an independent nonprofit organization registered in the United States (EIN 81-2279757). Donors support the GoFundMe.Org fund, and GoFundMe.Org selects and then distributes donations to organizations that help those affected. Your donation is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Note from Organizers of this GoFundMe:

Thank you in advance for your generosity toward the Ukrainians in need. By supporting this GoFundMe, you will save lives and give hope. The Ukrainians are standing for their country. Let us join them. #WeStandWithUkraine and we hope you do as well!

Thank you!

On the 23rd of February 2022, Vladimir Putin, President of Russia announced a special military operation to invade Ukraine by land, air, and sea. Russian forces had rained missiles down on Ukrainian cities.

This had caused an influx of panicking people seeking refuge in Poland. The elderly, vulnerable children, and their families are being forced out of their homes for their safety and they need access to basic amenities (food, clothing, hygiene products) and medical supplies.

The Global Empowerment Mission is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 2011, committed to helping these refugees. On the 24th of February, they are sending 20,000 supply kits to Poland and need additional support to maximize their efforts.

Your donations will help provide hygiene products, clothing, blankets, sleeping gear, and canned food to the families fleeing the invasion in Ukraine.

... Brazil's space agency says there have been more than 90,000 fires this year, and thousands are still active now.

... Most of these fires are manmade due to agricultural cut and burn deforestation practices intended to clear land for primarily cattle ranches and also crops such as soy, sugarcane, and palm oil.  

... The Rainforest is an important regulator of the climate and perpetuates ecological systems that provide oxygen, absorb carbon from the atmosphere, clean the air, purify natural waters, provide medicine, and many other functions  

... The Rainforest houses about 25% of the world's biodiversity including 10% of all known species on Earth, 40,000 plant species, 3,000 freshwater fish species, and more than 370 types of reptiles

... The Rainforest is home to about 1 million indigenous peoples that provide valuable world culture and wisdom


As our fund grows, we will continue to fund more on the ground missions with the experts that have dedicated their lives to supporting the Amazon.

The project is divided into 3 phases, two of them of immediate and effective action to MITIGATE the fire storm in the Amazon Rainforest.

1. Mobilize 1,000 volunteer citizen firefighters by providing necessary equipment
2. Assist tribes, villagers and local riverside communities effected by fire damage
3. Implement a four-pillar Amazonian ongoing aid project, environmental, social, climate and economic which is called WE ARE AMAZONIANS GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM to promote the conservation of 500.000 Acres of Native forest in the hearth of Amazon Rainforest.


Our Partners and Directors:

Virginia Salas Kastilio, Founder of I Trust You has built the campaign and donation page, bringing together thousands of people to raise donations and awareness for the Amazon, and is providing on-ground emergency aid.


Michael Capponi is from Global Empowerment Mission, a nonprofit organization founded in 2011, that has been involved in providing aid during some of the most significant global tragedies over the last 2 decades. He is providing us with infrastructure, industry insight and years of experience in disaster relief. 


Leonardo Barrionuevo from the nonprofit Amazon Protection Foundation, has been working for decades to fight Global Warming, Climate Change, Poverty and Deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest.

Anne Marie Miller is the founder of Indigenous Celebration, a nonprofit organization currently serving 19 tribes in the Amazon. IC brings an extensive network, on the ground support, and has already identified and mapped the indigenous territories closest to the blaze to support efforts specifically aimed at protecting indigenous communities at risk from the fire. Indigenous Celebration's mission is to preserve the forest and it’s wisdom by empowering the world’s indigenous through a celebration of culture. 


Join the #PledgeToEarth social media campaign and come together to raise money for the Amazon and beyond. To make your own #PledgeToEarth, help spread the word by posting on social media with this caption: 

#PledgeToEarth ❤♻ "I hereby pledge my allegiance to the Earth. I am a human passionate about making a change in our planet for the better. I will donate my time, energy and resources when possible towards making our home a better place." We are raising $250,000 to save the Amazon. Donate at: www.itrustyou.love or go to @itrustyoumovement  Who is with me?  #Prayforamazonia

To see how our funds are paying to kit firefighters RIGHT NOW check out our latest news on Instagram:
@#pledgetoearth @itrustyoumovement @virginiasalaskastilio @globalempowermentmission 

Or follow us on twitter @PledgeToEarth


♥️ More information about I Trust You Movement: 
I Trust You is a global movement designed to connect humans and regenerate the Earth. Our ambassadors come together in aid of the Earth and organise local gatherings to give back in their communities. Anyone you see wearing an "I Trust You" shirt, you can give them a hug. In September we are launching our "I Trust University" which cultivates ancient wisdom for futuristic thinking. Learn from the world top consultant, doctors and entrepreneurs how to live a more free, empowered and earth friendly life. We also have a global leadership network called "Humans I Trust" for Founders and CEO's who are not only business badass, but also want to give back to humanity. 

For more info go to: www.itrustyou.love

Follow @itrustyoumovement & @virginiasalaskastilio on Instagram to stay up to date! 

♥️More information about Global Empowerment Mission Inc.: Global Empowerment Mission is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 2011 under the original name, Haiti Empowerment Mission. In 2015, the organization changed its name to GEM in line with its expanding focus. Conceived in 1999 when founder Michael Capponi got his feet wet helping the victims of the Kosovo crisis, GEM's founding members have been involved in supporting some of the most significant global tragedies over the last decade.

For more info go to: https://www.globalempowermentmission.org/   / @globalempowermentmission


♥ ️ More information about Amazon Protection Foundation:

We understand that non-profit organizations must join forces with individuals, the private sector and governments in order to fight Global Warming, Climate Change, Poverty and Deforestation, in the Amazon Rainforest.
The Amazon Rainforest is better known as the “Lungs of the World”, the destruction of its biodiversity threatens us with the extinction of humankind.
Amazon Protection Foundation is a not-for-profit driven organization designed to fight Global Warming, Climate Change, Poverty and Deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest. Our Global Sustainability Platform is 100% aligned with UN 17 SDG’s and is based on 4 pillars: Environmental, Social, Climatic, and Economic.


For more info go to: https://www.amazonprotectionfoundation.org/ @weareamazonians

TICKETS $200

The recent wildfires in Los Angeles have left countless families and communities devastated, and the road to recovery will require all of us to come together. This fundraiser is dedicated to supporting those affected by this disaster, providing them with the resources and assistance they need to rebuild their lives.

Through the funds raised, we aim to partner with Global Empowerment Mission (GEM), a leading organization in disaster relief, to deliver direct aid and long-term recovery solutions to those most in need. Every dollar raised will make a tangible impact, offering hope and support to individuals and families facing unimaginable challenges.

This event is more than just a fundraiser—it’s a celebration of the compassion and resilience within our community. By joining us, you’re not only standing with those affected by the wildfires but also proving that when we come together, we can make a real difference.

Thank you for your support and for being part of this mission to help rebuild lives and restore hope. Together, we can bring light to even the darkest times.

Much Gratitude,

Liddy Huntsman and Chase Dreyfous