To All Angels: We Need Your Support.

To the angels around the world, we need your support.

You have all witnessed the horrifying explosion in Lebanon. A country where I lived my entire childhood in the middle of a civil war and compounded with conflicts with neighboring countries. I can tell you first hand that living in a war zone, chips away at every piece of your soul. You look up one day and you have been torn into shreds without realizing it.

I believe that humanity has no nationality. I believe that we are humans first. I believe boundaries are created by sick minds. How would you feel if you are victimized? How would you feel if your children's lives were taken? How would you feel if your voice was silenced? How would you feel if your dignity was violated? No one understands this until you are in the middle of it. I wish this on no one.

Why is it that we have to be cheap when people are suffering? 

The world is marching behind corrupted leaders that know no mercy. They have no idea of what real freedom and dignified living means. Why? Because they have not experienced any real suffering. Or maybe it is because their souls were borrowed by the devil for their insolent reactions to human anguish. Or perhaps they have so much hatred within them that ultimately blindsided the goodwill that we are all born with.

When are we going to wake up and make our world better? Feed the children so there is no hunger. Heal the wounds, both mental and physical. Focus on providing real solutions instead of spreading ill will and hatred.  

What is happening in Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Egypt, Iraq and many African countries is nothing but a shameful spotlight to all the world leaders and the movers and shakers. Alleviating hunger, making sure that children are living a quality of life, are able to access, education, medications and shelter, and are safe in a loving home protected from the evils of poverty, trafficking, and subjugation is the responsibility of all of us. It's our responsibility despite our nationality.

The Lebanese people are hungry, sick, and traumatized. I know some might feel that Lebanon's undoing was brought on because of their internal corruption. The reality remains that we, as citizens of this Earth, all the same. I am Lebanese and through my non-profit, the ALO Cultural Foundation, we believe in helping everyone in need. Excluding someone because of the color of their skin or where they were born is never an option. We see you as you are, a beautiful soul that simply needs an opportunity to survive. Our hope is that everyone can speak their voice without judgement or consequence. 

Today, it is imperative that world leaders come together and recognize that some measure of reorganization must happen. Those with extreme wealth need to share somehow, some way. It's maddening to see millionaires and billionaires giving nothing to charitable endeavors, or only doing it for a tax break. Extreme wealth is a gift and should be shared This needs to be done without prejudice. Zero tolerance. Zero hunger. Zero unemployment. Zero sickness. Zero boundaries. One world, one nation, one people. 

Do you think we, as humans, are capable of such solutions where we look at each other with such transparency and with full collaboration?

Are we capable of being altruistic humans, if only for a day?

If so, let's work together toward this goal and vision. 

Join me and make this commitment for redemption.

Developing Effective Corporate and Non-profit Partnerships

Those who commit their lives to humanitarian causes are indeed deserving of such a title. They shine like stars in people’s darkest moments, providing hope, smiles, future and life.

I am excited to share with you the heart and soul of what Unique Image represents. A journey of determination, perseverance and making a difference in everything we touch.

Being rebellious myself and an advocate for human rights and social change, I can tell you first hand that my number one rule in life is that: never take anything for granted and never give up, no matter how difficult the road or path for success is or how high the mountain might seem to be. A philosophy I live by and instill in my professional environment and a characteristic I demand of my team to embrace this simple mantra: Will do, Can do and Want to attitude. Of course they should love me first, but that’s beside the point.

This is how we approach projects, seek partnerships, and develop collaboration. We simply do not take “No” or good enough as an answer but rather focus on core values for establishing successful results for our clients, relationships and the community.

To give you some background: Back in 1999, Unique Image initiated its corporate giving U&I Vision Program and devoted some of its gross profits to help non-profit organizations. We established effective corporate and non-profit partnerships that allowed us to focus on strategic partnerships and set the expectations with our potential partners. These are key elements for a successful working relationship.

For us to ensure the success of the program, we partnered with non-profit organizations so we can provide them with the value and end results of our services. Unique Image provided turnkey solutions to a roster of 100 non-profits who benefited from our diverse services. We were able to use our resources to deliver some of the most successful campaigns from those who partnered with us. A testimonial for the importance of the value and resource development that we bring that can sustain you overtime.

How did we do it?

We use our expertise and knowledge and craft innovative campaigns for our selective clients. We ask questions, we set goals and expectations, and we draft a road map and strategy for sponsorship partnerships and the size of our immediate benefits and values. The results are to develop a strong brand that carries our clients throughout their entire journey.

When we partner with non-profit organizations to develop their humanitarian campaigns, we look into their challenges and previous successes; their outreach programs and their strategic goals. Most of the time, these non profits have not devoted energy, money or resources to build their brand in the community or spread awareness of their mission throughout their geographic and demographic target audience.

Our work to assess, evaluate and draft a cohesive focused strategy will then begin and not only have we helped our clients with fund raising and awareness but:

* we raised their brand
* standards
* image
* their name
* their reach
* and most importantly, we bring the whole community together to help them reach their goals.

Effective collaboration and communications begin with social responsibilities, identifying problems and having open and honest discussions about them. Agree on shared goals. When business needs intersect with a non-profit’s mission, cross sector collaboration can be a powerful tool for change. We use our creative with our approach and cause-related marketing and joint programs.

And sometimes with our client permission, we take a leadership role to deliver successful results.

Of course, when you carry persistence, position the foundation with a strong brand, it pays off.

That isn’t enough, we go beyond.

Taking on challenging tasks are our best quality and most rewarding journeys we take pride in.

As a valued partner, what can we do to help you build a strong brand?

1- Differentiate yourself from the rest.

2- Develop a clear brand and message

3- Create collaborations that help you gain resources and visibility

4- Focus on strategic partnerships that share common values or interests

5- Research, assess, and evaluate who you are, what you stand for, what you want and how you wish to achieve your goals.

6- Keep you with recent trends and updates that are pertinent to your mission.

7- Tell your story. Once you’ve identified your targets, will stay in front of them.

8- The benefit of having an expert to help you through the process.

It doesn’t matter how small or large your organization is right now. The largest olive trees were once little seeds. Be the seed that can grow with the energy of people that care.

Partners must help you water your seed and maintain it, so you can harvest the fruits of your labor. Like a breath of air, we consider ourselves the change that can breathe new energies into your environment and make you powerful to stand against the winds.

Are you the next corporation with commitment to implement a strong and powerful citizenship program? Are you the next non-profit ready to climb the brand latter? If so we look forward to our business partnership!