Clowns Without Borders: Intersection of performing arts and humanitarian aid
Posted on: May 7, 2016
Clowns Without Borders: Intersection of performing arts and humanitarian aid
Clowns Without Borders is a non-profit organization that offers laughter to relieve the suffering of all persons, especially children, who live in areas of crisis, including refugee camps, conflict zones and territories in situations of emergency.
CWB brings levity, contemporary clown/circus oriented performances and workshops into communities so they can celebrate together and temporarily forget about the tensions that darken their daily lives.
Sabine Choucair shared this link. ·
I love all the badass women I work with smile emoticon Molly Rose u rock and all the @clowns without borders amazing badass women Tamara Palmer Naomi Shafer Kolleen Kintz Samantha Holdsworth Louise Lola Frisk Jennifer Vidmo Luz Gaxiola
They work with relief organizations to address the psycho-social needs of those who suffer from traumatic situations.
In participation with doctors, psychologists, social workers and members of the community, they create joyful experiences from which children and the communities thrive.
CWB also seeks to raise our society’s awareness of affected populations and to promote a spirit of solidarity.
This week’s Kind Badass is Molly Rose Levine, the Executive Director of Clowns Without Borders, USA.
Molly Rose Levine speaking at TEDxBushwick
What is your passion?
Helping people connect, and communication! The Clowns Without Borders: Intersection of performing arts and humanitarian aid. Encouraging and sharing resilience through laughter.
How are you putting your passion to a purpose?
I run an amazing nonprofit called Clowns Without Borders!
We are a 21 year old NGO that shares moments of laughter and levity to children and families in crisis. We offer free performing and workshop tours for people in refugee camps, conflict zones, and natural disaster sites around the world.
How did you get started?
After graduating from a 3.5 year study abroad program with a degree in Global Studies, concentration in violence against marginalized ethnic groups, I spend two years developing my skills as a project manager by working on underground art events, burning man events, and interesting installations in NYC.
After a few years, I felt that my skills were strong enough that there was no good reason for me to not try to “do my good where it does the most” and reintegrate myself into a humanitarian field. Just a few days after making that decision, I came across a help wanted for a volunteer administrator for Clowns Without Borders in an underground events list-serve. The rest, as they say…
Why do you do it?
I believe in the transformational power of positivity and laughter to change energy, no matter the circumstances.
I believe that children deserve moments of levity and ease, regardless of what side of which political spectrum they fall on. I believe in the importance of sharing ease and laughter with people in crisis, who don’t have the luxury of relaxation or entertainment. It’s a humbling honor to serve the mission of Clowns Without Borders, and I couldn’t imagine a more fulfilling way to spend my time at this point in my life.
Favorite thing about what you do?
That the message transcends circumstances. My absolute favorite moment is watching the faces of refugees, displaced people, or people in the middle of the worst days of their lives crack a smile, a giggle, a belly laugh. Seeing these moments of resilience through laughter is hugely inspiring, because it’s inside of everyone, whether we are there or not.
All we do is show up, create a container where people have permission to let go of their stress, and the incredible courage that shines through everyone in our audience, is the most inspiring thing for me.
How can others help?
People can help by donating to our cause and spreading awareness about our mission. We are a grassroots organization, and we’re funded in large part by individual donors.
- In order to donate and become a member, please visit: clownswithoutborders.org/donate
- If you’re interested in becoming a major donor or sponsor, then please e-mail naomi@clownswithoutborders.org
- Please like us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and like and share our posts to help others find out about us!
- If you’re interested in volunteering, we always have needs for almost any skill set. Send us an e-mail to start a relationship with us!
Who are your heroes?
Wavy Gravy and Jane Elliot.
If you were a superhero, what would be your superpower?
The power to communicate in ANY LANGUAGE (including with plants, animals, computer code).
What is your favorite non-profit organization or cause?
Of course it is Clowns Without Borders, and aside from us, an organization that I LOVE is called No More Deaths. They are based in Arizona and believe that there’s no need for anyone to die while trying to cross the border into the united states. They patrol the border lands, make food and water drops, and give those picked up by Border Patrol access to support, and demand dignity for migrants.
Who else should be a kind badass of the week?
The ladies who started THINX. They created panties for people with periods! Amazing!
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