Non-Profit of the Year nominees
Autism Society of the CNMI
Founded on the principle of providing encouraging support and promoting and advocating for individuals with autism and their families in the Commonwealth, the Autism Society of the CNMI achieves its goals by leveraging all means available to it to reach a wider public, whether through the powers of social media, collaborating with like-minded groups, or participating in community events that help spread their message of compassion, understanding, and education.
Through their social media platforms on Facebook and Instagram, ASCNMI members provide support and information about autism to the community. On WhatsApp, numerous family member whose lives have been touched by autism share a safe space where they can swap stories and experiences and provide encouragement and counselling.
“Using our social media platforms have been a great opportunity for our autism community and its family as we’ve been able to create meaningful friendships without worrying about being judged and together, we embrace the hardships and celebrate the little to big progress our children have made,” said ASCNMI president Clarise DLG Arriola.
ASCNMI also collaborates with Disability Network Partners and other non-profits, government agencies, and organizations in helping raise autism awareness in the CNMI.
The group also holds community events, particularly every April during Autism Awareness Month. Among the activities that the group has coordinated with partner agencies include learning sessions on augmentative and alternative communication; the proclamation signing for Autism Awareness Month; Wear Blue Wednesdays that are featured in the group’s social media platforms, and fun events that include a Walk for Autism; a Family Fun Day and Quiz Night.
Community members whose lives have been touched by autism make up this non-profit organization, which was established on March 29, 2007. The group’s dedicated members volunteer their time to raise community awareness.
Arriola serves as president of this non-profit, which also counts among its board of directors Romeo Cuellar as vice president, Shawna C. Babauta as secretary, and Julie Pagcalinawan as treasurer. Seven other members round up the organization’s membership.
ASCNMI may be reached through Arriola at (670) 286-9735 or through email at autismsocietycnmi@gmail.com Follow them on Facebook at Autism Society of the CNMI or on Instagram at ascnmi670.
Northern Marianas Technical Institute
Strengthening the CNMI’s workforce by providing advanced trades, career, and technical education to students who are considering careers in the hotel, construction, automotive or cosmetology industries is the purpose behind the existence of the Northern Marianas Technical Institute.
Students who also want to enhance their skills and knowledge in technical services benefit from the training courses offered at NMTech.
The trade institute’s training courses are designed to both prepare students to enter the workforce and to ensure their success when hired.
The brainchild of former Saipan Chamber of Commerce chair Anthony Pellegrino, the trades institute was created through CNMI Public Law 20-92. NMTech is a non-profit public corporation whose comprehensive hands-on technical training programs in the mechanical and skills trades lead to a certification from the National Center for Construction Education and Research.
Students specializing in careers in the hotel and restaurant industries earn a globally recognized S.T.A.R.T certification from the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute.
NMTech certifications are also available for students who decide to focus on automotive technology, culinary arts, baking and pastry, or cosmetology, among other available programs.
Also available are Google Certificates courses for those who are looking to beef up their knowledge in IT support, project management, digital marketing and E-commerce, and data analytics.
Anyone over the age of 16 may enroll at NMTech, except for students who are already within the CNMI Public School System’s Co-op program, or PSS Career and Technical Education, which are also career programs. NMTech tuition varies by course and levels.
The trade school provides scholarship opportunities that are available through several government agencies and programs.
NMTech has also formed partnerships with government departments and educational institutions and private companies to provide scholarship opportunities to qualified and deserving students. The school offers classes throughout the day to accommodate working students, including night classes and weekends.
American Red Cross-NMI Chapter
The American Red Cross-NMI Chapter is one of the youngest chapters in this global humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief and education to those affected by natural and man-caused disasters.
Compared to its counterpart chapters in other countries and territories that have been in existence for almost a century, the NMI chapter is all but 46 years old this 2024.
Former Saipan Mayor Gilbert C. Ada took the initiative to have the local chapter established to help the community prepare, respond to, and recover from disasters and calamities.
Executive director John Hirsch, who has been with the organization for over a decade, and his four support staff take care of administrative and operational matters. But it is mainly the volunteers and the numerous corporate and individual sponsors and donors that serve as the labor force behind the organization.
The ARC-NMI Chapter follows the national organization’s pillars of disaster services, preparedness, health and safety, and service to the Armed Forces by providing support to service members and their families.
As part of its yearly fundraising efforts, the NMI Chapter hosts two popular and well-attended signature fundraisers—the Red Cross Walkathon and Club 200.
Held every May in partnership with the Public School System, the Walkathon draws walkers of all ages. Club 200, on the other hand, is not just the organization’s main fundraiser, but has also become one of the CNMI’s top social events.
The ARC will continue to rely on the graciousness and generosity of its sponsors and volunteers for as long as there is human suffering that needs to be eased. To volunteer and donate to the ARC CNMI Chapter, which includes Saipan, Rota, and Tinian, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) for assistance.
Marianas Alliance of Non-Governmental Organizations
Highlighting the potential of the CNMI’s non-profit sector, the Marianas Alliance of Non-Governmental Organizations, more popularly known as MANGO, plays a unique and pivotal role in supporting non-profits in the Commonwealth.
Established as a CNMI non-profit in 2010, MANGO helps other non-profit businesses and organizations access untapped funds, delivering community services, and fostering collaborations with government programs.
As the umbrella organization for 161 non-profit groups and 68 individuals, MANGO’s proactive efforts extend toward fostering potential collaborations with the private sector, aligning seamlessly with the CNMI’s state planning objectives to promote public-private partnerships.
MANGO’s Finance & Operations director Franco Santos said all of MANGO’s services revolve around helping make CNMI-based non-profits sustainable. That goal spans a wide range, ranging from project planning and grant writing to human resources and payroll services to board governance and support, among others.
“Strengthening the non-profit sector is essential to the CNMI’s prosperity, with the prospect of new funds, jobs, and a healthier community. To address this, MANGO believes in a foundational approach instead of a quick-fix solution for lasting impact,” said Santos.
MANGO’s board of directors include Margaret T. Aldan, Kodep Ogumoro Uludong, Johnny T Aldan and Annale S. Torres.
To take advantage of MANGO’s expertise and services, first sign up to become a member on the organization’s website at mangocnmi.org.
To schedule a meeting or to answer any questions/concerns, send an email to info@mangocnmi.org or call (670) 233-6200.
Pickleball Federation of the Northern Mariana Islands
The name of this non-profit group, Pickleball Federation of the Northern Mariana Islands, pretty much tells you this group’s advocacy, which is to take the sport of pickleball to new heights of interest and popularity in the Northern Marianas.
The federation officially got together in August 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Providing leadership to the federation is its board of directors made up of Dr. Nelson Krum, president; Dave Guerrero, vice president; Marivic Dunlop, secretary; Nicky Nichols, treasurer; and Bart Jackson, director.
From humble beginnings of playing at a single court at the parking lot of Paradise Dental Spa in Garapan, this group of pickleball enthusiasts has now grown to an 80-member federation that shares court space with tennis players at the American Memorial Park tennis courts.
Krum recalls: “We could only play twice a week when the dental office wasn’t using the parking lot.”
In 2022, the group moved its main play to the pickleball-striped American Memorial Park tennis courts after joining the Northern Marianas Sports Association.
The federation has also added pickleball courts—eight at the Hyatt Regency Saipan, four at the American Memorial Park, and four courts on Capital Hill.
“In our short period of existence, we have developed courts from [Capital] Hill to the Hyatt, offering play every day of the week,” said Krum.
While popularizing pickleball is its main goal, the federation also places equal emphasis on promoting good fellowship with the community through its outreach programs.
“We feel that it is extremely important to give back to the community,” said Krum.
Pickleball is now being played at the local church of the Latter Day Saints and Fellowship in the Son; Isla Montessori and Hopwood Middle School, the American Memorial Park and, even at the Center for Living Independently.
Their outreach program also includes providing a court, paddles, and balls to the Department of Corrections so that inmates can begin to play.
The federation has now taken the sport to Tinian, where there are currently three courts. They are also helping provide support internationally to South Korea and Vietnam.
Aside from continuing to grow the sport on Saipan and Tinian, Krum said the federation is looking forward to some international play with the other island nations in that league following its admission to the Oceania Pickleball Federation. The board is also working on establishing a dedicated pickleball facility for its members.
Joined hands
