Passion for a Cause Outweighs Money for a Cause... But $$$$ Make a Difference, too!

How One Life Insurer, Royal Neighbors of America, Empowers Women to Pursue their Dreams

(Rock Island, IL)-- From a woman's dream to help abuse survivors, to a woman who creates burial gowns for infants out of wedding dresses, Royal Neighbors of America Nation of NeighborsSM Program empowers women and fuels their passions as they "neighbor-it-forward." In 2014 alone, 79 determined women of strength and courage across the country were empowered with nearly $100,000 in financial assistance to achieve their full potential, realize a sense of renewed personal growth, and give back to their communities. Since its inception in 2007, Royal Neighbors' Nation of Neighbors Program has donated more than $1.7 million to over 1,200 families and individuals.

Kit Evans-Ford of Rock Island, IL, is a survivor of sexual assault and has worked relentlessly in service to women and girls in the U. S. and around the world. She received a surprise check for $5,000 from Royal Neighbors' 2014 grant program to launch retreats and an annual conference for girls and women focused on using the arts for healing and hope and to further develop her inspirational social media sites.

"The Nation of Neighbors Program strengthens relationships in communities. When you build camaraderie and collaboration with other women, you see you're not alone," said Kit.  Founder of Testimonies of Hope: The Intercultural Christian Devotional Community, Kit also has established Overcoming the S.T.O.R.M.: A Program for Women Healing from Sexual Violence. "You do the work to help other survivors regardless, but it helps when you get a pat on the back. Royal Neighbors invested in me so I can invest even more in others. It's beautiful and affirming to know people are recognizing your work."

Grants were awarded for a variety of initiatives including helping women provide transitional housing for women and their families; building awareness of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder among veterans; establishing a maternity home for pregnant, homeless teens; fighting sex trafficking; and hosting youth empowerment conferences to prepare young people for college.

Focusing on its history of standing strong for women, Royal Neighbors of America's Nation of Neighbors Program is a unique example of an organization integrating philanthropy into its day-to-day business. As one of the nation's largest women-led life insurers, Royal Neighbors was founded by nine women before women could even vote or own property. It celebrates its 120-year anniversary in 2015 and continues to support women today as it has through the suffrage movement, two World Wars, 21 presidents, the invention of the television, the Apollo moon landing, and major technological advances.

"It is as neighbors that we have the most direct, tangible, and personal influence on each other's lives," explains Cynthia Tidwell, Royal Neighbors President and CEO. "The idea behind the Nation of Neighbors Program of empowering women financially is part of our DNA, and is just as important today as it was when Royal Neighbors of America was founded in 1895."

Royal Neighbors of America, one of the nation's largest women-led life insurance organizations, empowers women to meet the needs of their families with annuities and life insurance products such as whole life, term, final expense, and universal life. One of the most financially secure insurance carriers in the industry, it has the financial strength and stability to ensure its nearly 200,000 members are protected when the expected, and unexpected, happen. In addition to insurance products, Royal Neighbors provides member benefits at no additional cost which currently include scholarship opportunities, health and retail discounts, and participation in volunteer activities that give back to communities through the organization's local chapters. Royal Neighbors' philanthropic efforts are dedicated to changing women's lives through its national programs, including the Nation of NeighborsSM Program, and through the Royal Neighbors Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity.

Royal Neighbors is headquartered in Rock Island, IL, with a branch office in Mesa, AZ. For more information, visit  www.royalneighbors.org or call (800) 627-4762.

1LIMRA, Trillion Dollar Baby - Growing Up, 2011

Representatives from Royal Neighbors of America surprised Kit Evans-Ford, Rock Island, with a check for $5,000 from its Nation of NeighborsSM Program . Founder of Testimonies of Hope: The Intercultural Christian Devotional Community, Kit also established Overcoming the S.T.O.R.M.: A Program for Women Healing from Sexual Violence. The funds will help Kit launch retreats and an annual conference for girls and women focused on using the arts for healing and hope; further develop her inspirational social media sites; and expand her S.T.O.R.M. program with a webinar series.
Kit, a survivor of sexual assault herself, has worked relentlessly in service to women and girls in the U. S. and around the world. She is a former international development worker who has met many inspiring people in her travels. As a result, she has brought hundreds of individuals together through Testimonies of Hope, an online community that provides safe spaces for women of all ages to share their stories. Through her various programs, she empowers women and girls to build their self-esteem, self-worth, personal growth, and community leadership.

Read the story and see pictures here.

Focusing on its history of standing strong for women, Royal Neighbors has given more than $1.5 million to nearly 1,200 families and individuals in reaching their goals and rebuilding their lives through its Nation of Neighbors Program. The program, which was launched in 2007, demonstrates Royal Neighbors' vision of protecting women financially and empowering them to improve their lives, families, and communities, the philosophy on which Royal Neighbors was founded more than a century ago.
Through the 2014 program, determined women of strength and courage are empowered with financial assistance to achieve their full potential, realize a sense of renewed personal growth, and give back to their communities.

Royal Neighbors of America, one of the nation's largest women-led life insurance organizations, empowers women to meet the needs of their families with annuities and life insurance products such as whole life, term, final expense, and universal life. One of the most financially secure insurance carriers in the industry, it has the financial strength and stability to ensure its nearly 200,000 members are protected when the expected, and unexpected, happen. In addition to insurance products, Royal Neighbors provides member benefits at no additional cost which currently include scholarship opportunities, health and retail discounts, and participation in volunteer activities that give back to communities through the organization's local chapters. Royal Neighbors' philanthropic efforts are dedicated to changing women's lives through its national programs, including the Nation of NeighborsSM Program, and through the Royal Neighbors Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity.


Royal Neighbors is headquartered in Rock Island, IL, with a branch office in Mesa, AZ. For more information, visit www.royalneighbors.org or call (800) 627-4762.

(Rock Island, IL) - Employees of Royal Neighbors of America will present more than 300 Baskets of Hope to social service agencies that serve women of the Quad Cities. The baskets were created as part of Royal Neighbors' observance of Make A Difference Day, the largest national day of community service which was on Oct. 25.

The baskets will be delivered on Wednesday, Oct. 29 and Monday, Nov. 3. The baskets are filled with personal care and household items as well as inspirational books to help empower women as they build a better life.

Delivery schedule, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2014:

9:30 a.m.: Dress for Success Quad Cities®, 311 E. 2nd Street, Davenport

3 p.m.: Winnie's Place; call (309) 764-9466 for address

Delivery schedule, Monday, Nov. 3, 2014

10:30 a.m.: Humility of Mary Shelter, Inc., 1016 W. 5th Street, Davenport

1 p.m..: Project NOW, 418 19th Street, Rock Island

3 p.m.: Family Resources, 2800 Eastern Avenue, Davenport

Royal Neighbors of America, one of the nation's largest women-led life insurance organizations, empowers women to meet the needs of their families with annuities and life insurance products such as whole life, term, final expense, and universal life. One of the most financially secure insurance carriers in the industry, it has the financial strength and stability to ensure its nearly 200,000 members are protected when the expected, and unexpected, happen. In addition to insurance products, Royal Neighbors provides member benefits at no additional cost which currently include scholarship opportunities, health and retail discounts, and participation in volunteer activities that give back to communities through the organization's local chapters. Royal Neighbors' philanthropic efforts are dedicated to changing women's lives through its national programs, including the Nation of Neighbors ProgramSM, and through the Royal Neighbors Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity.

Description: Medellion_c_letterhead

(Rock Island, IL)– Kristina Brown founded the non-profit organization, Integrity Arts & Culture Association (IACA), in 2002, because she realized the power and potential the arts provide for positive change. She will receive a check for $3,500 from Royal Neighbors of America's Nation of NeighborsSM Program to help her continue to provide forums for artists of all disciplines, cultures, ages, and backgrounds to showcase their talents as well as earn an income. Her current goals include producing high quality art programs with an emphasis on positive morals and values; provide arts education to underserved children, and equip young people with the knowledge and skills to become successful, upstanding individuals.

What: $3,500 check presentation to Kristina Brown

Where: Davenport Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 4444 W. Kimberly Rd., Davenport

When: Friday, Nov. 30; 7:15 p.m.

Local contact: Dorian Byrd, (563) 326-3352 or Darcy Smith, (309) 236-3034

Focusing on its history of standing strong for women, Royal Neighbors has given more than $1 million to assist 900-plus families and individuals in reaching their goals and rebuilding their lives through its Nation of Neighbors Program. The program, which was launched in 2007, demonstrates the neighbor-helping-neighbor philosophy on which Royal Neighbors was founded in 1895.

Through the 2012 program, determined women of strength and courage are empowered with financial assistance to achieve their full potential, realize a sense of renewed personal growth, and give back to their communities. Each year, Royal Neighbors members and sales agents across the country are asked to nominate individuals they know who want to change their lives for the better. A panel reviews each nomination and determines the recipients and the monetary amounts awarded.

Royal Neighbors of America, one of the nation's largest women-led life insurance companies, exists for the benefit of its members. It offers insurance products to fulfill financial needs of growth, savings, and protection. Members receive valuable benefits and can participate in volunteer activities through the organization's local chapters to help make a difference in their communities. The organization's philanthropic efforts are dedicated to changing women's lives through its national programs, including the Nation of NeighborsSM Program, and through the Royal Neighbors Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity.

Headquartered in Rock Island, IL, with branch offices in Mesa, AZ, and Austin, TX, Royal Neighbors serves more than 200,000 members and is licensed to do business in 42 states and the District of Columbia.

For more information about Royal Neighbors of America, call (800) 627-4762, or visit www.royalneighbors.org.

 

END


(Rock Island, IL)?Jacob Lundquist, Moline, has been awarded a $2000, Making A Difference, renewable scholarship by Royal Neighbors of America.

As a non-profit fraternal organization, Royal Neighbors of America exists for the benefit of its members. It offers insurance products to fulfill a variety of needs for growth, savings, and protection. Members also receive valuable member benefits and can participate in volunteer activities through the organization's local chapters to make a difference in their communities. The organization's philanthropic efforts are dedicated to changing women's lives through its national programs and through the Royal Neighbors Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charity.

Headquartered in Rock Island, IL, Royal Neighbors serves nearly 220,000 members and is

licensed to do business in 42 states and the District of Columbia.

For more information about Royal Neighbors of America, call (800) 627-4762 or visit www.royalneighbors.org.

END