We got published in The Coast Star on July 19, 2012 for our upcoming trip.  Read about it here:

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SPRING LAKE HEIGHTS — For many, the desire to serve others stretches beyond the borders of one’s hometown. One such local family took that desire to a new level and will be taking their charitable spirit halfway around the globe.
Resident John Gontkof, along with his wife, Crystal, and stepdaughter, Kendra, 16, of Spring Lake Heights, will depart for Calcutta, India in August, where they will work for one month with two non-profit organizations in the hopes of improving the lives of men, women and children in underdeveloped areas.
This will be Mr. Gontkof’s second journey to India, though his first with his family. He previously traveled to the country in September 2010 through his company, IBM’s, Corporate Service Corps.
The Corporate Service Corps [CSC] is a highly competitive leadership program which sends IBM employees to locations throughout the globe in order to participate in various philanthropic ventures, Mr. Gontkof said. Mr. Gontkof was one of 5,000 applicants selected worldwide and said it was an experience he would never forget. “It was a very moving experience and I never thought I would do that sort of thing,” he said.
While serving with the CSC, Mr. Gontkof was assigned to a non-profit called Iswar Sankalpa. The mission of Iswar Sankalpa is to aid the mentally-ill homeless who occupy the streets of Calcutta. The organization offers women a place to spend the night, while volunteers attempt to locate their family members.
Mr. Gontkof said that he was visiting and treating homeless people diagnosed as schizophrenic as early as his second day on the job.
“The goal is to get the community involved to care for people, and to watch out for them while they get better,” Mr. Gontkof said.
He added that he and his partner were asked to use their skills honed with IBM to accomplish two additional tasks: to create an online database system to assist social workers in tracking patients’ progress, as well as shape a five-year strategic plan for the organization.
Upon his return to Calcutta next month, Mr. Gontkof and his family will work again with Iswar Sankalpa, as well as the Calcutta Social Project. The organization, which focuses on providing schools for Calcutta children in underdeveloped areas, was selected by Mr. Gontkof in order to give his stepdaughter a “world view” before she graduates from Manasquan High School.
“I want to impart some of my travels on her and open her eyes,” he said. “The summer is the best time to go, and I hope it will open her eyes.”
The family is currently accepting donations, which Mr. Gontkof hopes to hand-deliver to both organizations. Thus far, they have raised $680 toward their $1,500 goal.
Donations may be made through their trip website, www.razoo.com/story/Personally-Making-A-Difference-To-Homeless-Mentally-Ill-And-Children-In-Kolkata-Calcutta-India.
For more information about Iswar Sankalpa, visit their website at www.isankalpa.org. To learn more about the Calcutta Social Project, visit web.calcuttasocialproject.net.

Our trip is quickly approaching!

Donate Now! - We are very close to meeting our goal!

In just a few short weeks, my wife, stepdaughter and I will be heading overseas for an amazing trip to Calcutta.  We will be working with two very dedicated organizations - Iswar Sankalpa which provides help to the homeless mentally ill and Calcutta Social Project which provides schools in slum areas for children.  We have started a small fundraising project to be able to hand deliver some financial relief to both organizations which operate on shoestring budgets.  Please click on the following link to learn more and help if you are able.  Even if you cannot, please click the 'Share'  button on the right side of the fundraising page to help spread the word to others.


http://www.razoo.com/story/Personally-Making-A-Difference-To-Homeless-Mentally-Ill-And-Children-In-Kolkata-Calcutta-India

Thanks for your support!!

John G., Crystal & Kendra

Returning to Kolkata!

This August, 2012, my family and I are heading back to Kolkata to visit those I worked with as part of the IBM Corporate Service Corps almost 2 years before.  I am very excited to reconnect with friends and see the progress of our work in addition to participating in some of the activities at the Women's night shelter as well as visiting the children of Calcutta Social Project.
An article was recently published in my university alumni magazine - Florida Tech Today Article on page 24.  Be sure to check it out!

If you would like to make a donation that I can bring to Kolkata for the groups I am visiting, please contact me, as their needs are great and a small amount would go a long way and be most appreciated.

Cheers!
John G.