Project Amish

When Torah escaped from the Amish, she vowed that one day she would utilize her experiences to give back to her fellow Amish by creating a bridge that would help Amish youth/adults who don't wish to practice the Amish religion to more easily and successfully transition into mainstream America.  Now that she graduated from Columbia, that 'one day' has come.

Project Amish, the bridge, is only in the idea phase but Torah will develop it over the next 12 months in conjunction with writing a book about her experiences pre- and post-escape.  Through Project Amish, Torah will bring more awareness to the general public about what goes on behind the scenes within the Amish so that the Amish (especially women and children) have a better chance at being offered the assistance and resources that they need, whether that's improving their lives as practicing or non-practicing Amish. 

Torah envisions Project Amish to be a nonprofit organization that provides everything that an Amish person needs to optimally function in mainstream America, as well as assist those who don't wish to leave the Amish but still want aid.  The programs and services offered will address the emotional/psychological, physical and spiritual arenas--whatever is needed to promote an individual's holistic well-being.

How to Help

When they hear Torah's story, many people wonder what they can do to help the Amish.  Until Project Amish is set up to accept tax-deductible donations, we suggest that one consider donating to or becoming involved with one of the organizations below that Torah likes. 

Also, Torah is looking to connect with agents or publishers interested in spreading awareness of her experience (reflective of the experience of many) in book form.  Please contact her if you are interested in the book that she is writing. 

If anyone knows of an organization that helps the Amish directly, please contact us.  We would love to know about it.

1. The Children’s Health Fund

The Children’s Health Fund, founded in 1987 by pediatrician/child advocate Irwin Redlener, MD, and singer/songwriter Paul Simon, is committed to providing comprehensive health care to the nation’s most medically underserved children through the development and support of innovative primary care medical programs and the promotion of guaranteed access to appropriate health care for all children.

2. Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch tracks developments in more than 70 countries around the world. We also follow issues in women's rights, children's rights, and the flow of arms to abusive forces. Other special projects include academic freedom, the human rights responsibilities of corporations, international justice, prisons, drugs, and refugees.

Any and all parties to conflict may find themselves the target of Human Rights Watch. We have exposed abuses by governments and rebels; by Hutu and Tutsi; by Serb, Croat, Bosniak Muslim, and Kosovar Albanian; by Israelis and Palestinians; by Christians and Muslims in the islands of Indonesia and the sands of the Sudan. We frequently call on the United States to support human rights in its foreign policy--but we also report on human rights abuse inside the United States, such as prison conditions, police abuse, the detention of immigrants, and the death penalty.

3. BKFK (By Kids For Kids)

BKFK is a company entirely dedicated to inspiring the innovative spirit within every teen. BKFK inspires young innovators to create and share their ideas.  BKFK also transforms outstanding ideas into commercial products where the young people earn self-esteem, business experience and royalties. The company is committed to becoming the world's leading enterprise that connects teens with industry under the BKFK umbrella.

4. Women in Film

Women In Film is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping women achieve their highest potential within the global entertainment, communications and media industries and to preserving the legacy of women within those industries.  Founded in 1973, Women In Film and its Women In Film Foundation provide for members an extensive network of contacts, educational programs, scholarships, film finishing funds and grants, access to employment opportunities, mentorships and numerous practical services in support of this mission.

5. The Clinic for Special Children

The Clinic for Special Children is a non-profit medical and diagnostic service for children with inherited metabolic disorders in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The clinic was established to provide comprehensive medical care for children with chronic, complex medical problems due to inherited disorders. Under the direction of it's founder, Dr. D. Holmes Morton, the clinic specializes in disorders that occur in the Old Order Amish and Old Order Mennonite communities in Pennsylvania.

6. The Children’s Aid Society

In a perfect world, every child would be nurtured by a loving family, attend a challenging and exciting school and live in a supportive community. But the sad reality is that not every child has these opportunities. The Children’s Aid Society fills the gaps between what children deserve and what life has dealt them.

We have been serving children for more than 150 years, a longevity that is a testament to our ability to adapt to the always changing needs of today’s youth. Today Children’s Aid serves more than 150,000 children and their families at more than 45 sites throughout New York City. Our caring begins even before birth, through prenatal counseling and assistance, and continues through the high school years with college and job preparatory training programs. All aspects of a child’s development are addressed as he or she grows, from health care to academics to sports and the arts. And because stable children live in stable families, a host of services are available to parents, including housing assistance, domestic violence counseling and health care access.

8.  CSRwire

CSRwire is the leading source of corporate social responsibility and sustainability news, reports and information. CSRwire members are companies and NGOs, agencies and organizations interested in communicating their corporate citizenship, sustainability, and socially responsible initiatives to a global audience through CSRwire's syndication network and weekly News Alerts. CSRwire content covers issues of Diversity, Philanthropy, Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) Environment, Human Rights, Workplace Issues, Business Ethics, Community Development and Corporate Governance.

CSR is defined as the integration of business operations and values, whereby the interests of all stakeholders including investors, customers, employees, the community and the environment are reflected in the company's policies and actions.

9.  Vegan Action

Vegan Action is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping animals, the environment, and human health by educating the public about the benefits of a vegan lifestyle and encouraging the spread of vegan food options through our public outreach campaigns.

10. Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)

NRDC is the nation's most effective environmental action organization. We use law, science and the support of 1.2 million members and online activists to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all living things.