Los Angeles --- May 13, 2011 ... The Rochelle and Richard Maize Foundation has announced that they will be providing free financial aid to over 60-year-olds who are unemployed, US citizens, veterans, have no source of income and are seeking to start a new business. The financial aid will cover part of the legal and Internet marketing costs.
“One of the hardest hit groups of people with the least potential of securing work even if and when the US economy improves are the 60 year-old plus citizens,” said Richard Maize.
"As such, I have decided to provide free financial assistance to some of those who are over 60-years-old, unemployed, US citizens, veterans, have no source of income but are ready to get a business off the ground.”
Richard Maize is the director of the Rochelle and Richard Maize Foundation. The Rochelle and Richard Maize Foundation is a philanthropic organization that supports and contributes volunteer and financial resources to causes locally in the community and worldwide by supporting meaningful programs focusing on art, culture, family services and health care that work to help people live more fulfilling lives.
“We will select those who are the neediest and most motivated to establish a realistic business which is most suitable for them and the market that they will be trying to reach,” says Richard Maize. “The monies will be large enough to provide for some legal and Internet marketing to get the business off the ground.”
Maize has stated that he has witnessed two types of scenarios where those over 60 are struggling to survive.
“Let’s call him Steve. A 60 year-old who is comfortable living paycheck to paycheck. His or her kids are all grown and dealing with their own lives. Presently the 60 year old is living with partner and dog. Modest living yet depending on that weekly paycheck. Company downsizes or goes out of business completely. He is let go with really no severance package. What does he do? He really can’t find work. A bit young to start social security and not prepared for this drastic reduction of income. Should he take any job even ones that are designed for young adults or even teenagers? His wife is still working, but her modest check alone will not be nearly enough to pay the day to day expenses.”
Richard Maize continues: “How about the 60 year old who worked hard and built a very beautiful business? Let’s call him John. With luck and breaks, John has made a very nice living and strong business for himself and family. His two kids are working for him and the business survived 38 years of ups and downs -mostly ups. He was living the American Dream. He never saw a business that he thought would be passed down to his kids dry up to a standstill. He was manufacturing products and had a facility overseas as well. He was drawing a very big salary and draw and living up that income expecting his life style never to change. Usually, and in his case it was no different, before he let the company close, he invested his savings to try to withstand the drop in business. Finally, he had no choice but to close the doors while owing money to vendors and salaries. He, unlike Steve, has a large ongoing mortgage and payments on his expensive cars. And he has to face the disappointment of his own kids that are now without work or careers. How does he bounce back?”
“Let’s go to unemployed Steve above. This person is way less complicated than John because he used to living lean and his downsize is less dramatic. He can also accept a lesser paying job without dramatically hurting his self-esteem and livelihood. The first thing to do is to apply for unemployment benefits. The second thing to do is to see if your wife can pick up the slack for a short time by perhaps working overtime to make up some of the lost wages that the unemployment benefits do not offer. All this will take the pressure off the late middle aged guy to find a job that will not be out of fear. It will avoid him from flipping burgers because of necessity to get some money into the household. He can be more confident to get a job that will pay better and that he will feel more comfortable with. There are companies that are doing fine and that are hiring middle management positions. Just continue to search."
Richard Maize says that unemployed John is in a more difficult position.
"He has to deal with the huge downward slide by way living style, image (both self and outside), financial pressure that is foreign to him, self-esteem, family pressures, way more than Steve and now credit issues meeting the once easy to pay bills; now impossible. Is this person qualified for other businesses other than his own previous career? Can this person, even if he is qualified, capable of earning what he did when he was the owner of his company to keep up his lifestyle - and that's a big if? Can this guy take another job working for a friend or other business as a “step down” in position and salary - frictional unemployment; which means taking a job that you are overqualified to the job you take? What does this person do? This person has much more pressure to prevail which sometimes turns in to desperate measures.”
Maize recommends that he first gets his mindset in order.
“This is where I am today and remember where you have been and the great life you enjoyed,” says Maize. “It is important to remember the success. It is a statistical fact that those that once enjoyed success and lost it, have a much better chance to get it again than one who never had it. You need to deal with today. Take a job that has a huge upside and can take advantage of your experience and wisdom and at the same time, give youself an opportunity to get ahead. Don’t lose sight of who you are and what you have accomplished. Stay confident, proud and strong.”
America's over 50s have been the hardest hit by a wave of pink slips as unemployment rises, analysts warned. According to the figures released last week by the Department of Labor, the economy added 244,000 jobs in March. Analysts used terms like “surprisingly strong,” “better than expected” and “somewhat positive” to describe the statistic. On the other hand, economist Robert Reich described the number as “chicken feed.”
“We’d need 300,000 a month, every month for the next five years, simply to get unemployment back under 6 percent,” says Reich . Economic Policy Institute economist, Heidi Shierholz, concurs: “At April’s job growth rate, it would take until the fall of 2016 to get back to the pre-recession unemployment rate.”
The US Labor Department also reported that from New York, Boston, Washington and Chicago to Los Angeles, Houston, Miami and Hartford the unemployment rate rose to 9.0 percent from 8.8 percent, after falling for four consecutive months. The number of unemployed persons stood at 13.7 million in April. The percent of working-age Americans actually working is stuck at 64.2 percent.
"Those in their 50s and 60s have the most to lose", says Richard Maize.
"It's a bleak picture for those in their 50s and 60’s. Losing their job is the last thing they would need when they don't have much longer in the workforce and are saving for their retirement. They are also the group particularly reliant on the rise in house prices to see them through their retirement and so will be most affected by the drop in house prices," Richard Maize added.
Concern for the over 50s and 60s were raised as the the Department of Labor revealed that a record number of pensioners are postponing retirement to continue working as they struggle to meet the rising cost of living.
Economists blamed the slowdown in the economy and a low level of confidence among businesses for the increase in unemployment. The economic crisis has particularly hit pensioners who do not have sufficient savings to pay for the rising cost of energy, fuel and food.
Maize concludes: “I will help those who are ready to help themselves. Those who are confident in themselves and need just a few dollars to get back on track. If you did it once, you can do it again.”
To apply for financial assistance from the Rochelle and Richard Maize Foundation, you must provide proof of US citizenship, proof of unemployment, provide a resume, business references and a business plan. Those who qualify for this free aid will be notified by the Maize Foundation.
Richard Maize, a respected leader in the mortgage banking real estate industry, and a mentor to young entrepreneurs, has generously supported organizations and causes including the American Cancer Society, Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services, Hurricane Katrina, Los Angeles Police Foundation, USO, Haiti earthquake relief efforts, Israel Flying Aid, Maccabiah Jewish Olympic Games and the Cedars Sinai Board of Governors.
Richard Maize and his wife, Rochelle Maize, are longtime benefactors of many other non-profit organizations and Richard Maize has been recognized for his efforts on behalf of more than a dozen charitable groups and community projects.
The Rochelle and Richard Maize Foundation supports an extraordinary number of foundations, organizations, and non-profit groups.
Richard Maize: Foundation To Provide Financial Aid To The Forgotten Unemployed – Senior Citizens
The Rochelle and Richard Maize Foundation has announced that they will be providing free financial aid to over 60-year-olds who are unemployed, US citizens, veterans, have no source of income and are seeking to start a new business. The financial aid will cover part of the legal and Internet marketing costs.
“I will help those who are ready to help themselves. Those who are confident in themselves and need just a few dollars to get back on track. If you did it once, you can do it again.”![]()
Los Angeles, CA April 19, 2011 ..... Richard Maize of the Rochelle and Richard Maize Foundation has announced that his foundation is now supporting the CreativeBridge Coalition (CBC). The CreativeBridge Coalition is an innovative-thinking, problem-solving organization that connects caregivers, philanthropic funders and music providers who seek meaningful music programs for children through well-managed projects.
Frequently, those responsible for the care of young children and children with special needs are too busy with day-to-day operational details to conceptualize and develop music-based enrichment programs for their clients.
In some cases, companies or organizations wish to initiate philanthropic projects but lack the expertise needed to identify or create an appropriate music-based program. And often, cutting edge music program providers find it difficult to locate new locations where clients can benefit from their proven programs.
"I have always been a supporter of children's charities," says Maize. "The CreativeBridge Coalition represents some of the finest values that a children's non-profit organization can embrace. I encourage others to take a closer look at the fine work that the CreativeBridge Coalition is responsible for. To support highly creative and effective efforts which help children to grow and develop both emotionally and culturally through music programs."
Many of these professional programs include providing music therapy for children who suffer from Autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. The creative efforts of CBC have reached over 20 states in the US and five countries around the world.
CreativeBridge Coalition uses its 501(c)(3) status to bring these groups together around shared goals and aspirations that bring music into children's lives.
The Rochelle and Richard Maize Foundation is a philanthropic organization that supports and contributes volunteer and financial resources to causes locally in the community and worldwide by supporting meaningful programs focusing on art, culture, family services and health care that work to help people live more fulfilling lives.
Richard Maize, a respected leader in the mortgage banking real estate industry, and a mentor to young entrepreneurs, has generously supported organizations and causes including the American Cancer Society, Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services, Hurricane Katrina, Los Angeles Police Foundation, USO, Haiti earthquake relief efforts, Israel Flying Aid, Maccabiah Jewish Olympic Games and the Cedars Sinai Board of Governors.
Richard Maize and his wife, Rochelle Maize, are longtime benefactors of many other non-profit organizations and Richard Maize has been recognized for his efforts on behalf of more than a dozen charitable groups and community projects.
The Rochelle and Richard Maize Foundation supports an extraordinary number of foundations, organizations, and non-profit groups.
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Los Angeles ---- March 2011 .... When Richard Maize is not helping the homeless in LA, he can be seen assembling beds for stray dogs and cats at the Los Angeles Animal Shelter.
"My wife Rochelle and I are proud to have donated 69 beds to stray dogs and cats which are awaiting caring homes," says Richard Maize.
"We trust that our actions here today will serve as an inspiration to many others in helping these loyal, intelligent, four legged friends of ours who are responsible for protecting our homes, making sure that they are clean and providing us and our children with an abundance of unconditional love."
"Thousands of dogs in animal shelters across the country sleep on cold, wet, concrete floors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Cats in cages have little alternatives to sleeping in their litter pans," says Richard Maize.
Richard Maize is a proud pet owner taking care of several dogs and cats over many years.
He owns two pets today - a Shiatsu dog and Himalayan cat. Maize recently lost a young, 4 year-old Yorkshire Terrier named Penny to brain disease that he says still brings tears to his eyes when thinking about her.
"We contacted Kuranda USA, a small manufacturing company based in Annapolis, Maryland. They provide "chewproof" designs for kennels, shelters and chewing puppies. These beds are soft, off the floor providing comfort for dogs and cats of all sizes for many years. They are easy to clean and deodorize."
Richard Maize states: "These beautiful dogs and cats provide us and our children with protection, companionship and unconditional love. The least we can do is make sure that they are safe, comfortable and being cared for in the best and most professional manner."
According to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy there are about 5,000 community animal shelters in the US that are independent; there is no national organization monitoring these shelters. The terms “humane society” and “SPCA” are generic; animal shelters using those names are not part of the ASPCA or the Humane Society of the United States.
Currently, no government institution or animal organization is responsible for tabulating national statistics for the animal protection movement. Approximately 5 million to 7 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year, and approximately 3 million to 4 million are euthanized (60 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats).
Shelter intakes are about evenly divided between those animals relinquished by owners and those picked up by animal control. These are national estimates; the percentage of euthanasia may vary from state to state.
According to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy, less than 2 percent of cats and only 15 to 20 percent of dogs are returned to their owners. Most of these were identified with tags, tattoos or microchips.
Twenty-five percent of dogs who enter local shelters are purebred.
Only 10 percent of the animals received by shelters have been spayed or neutered. About 75 percent of owned pets are neutered.
According to Ralston Purina and NCPPSP, the majority of pets are obtained from acquaintances and family members. About 15 to 20 percent of dogs are purchased from breeders, and 10 to 20 percent of cats and dogs are adopted from shelters and rescues.
More than 20 percent of people who leave dogs in shelters adopted them from a shelter.
Five out of ten dogs in shelters and seven out of ten cats in shelters are destroyed simply because there is no one to adopt them.
"This bed for pets thing was not my idea nor was it even on my radar as possible donations for me and the Rochelle and Richard Maize Foundation. A dear friend of mine called me and asked if I would be interested in donating some money to give dogs and cats specially designed beds so that they would not have to lay on cold concrete while waiting and hoping for a good home," says Richard Maize.
"After waiting for three weeks after the order of these special beds, they finally arrived. My friend and I couldn't wait until we drove up to the West Los Angeles Animal Shelter to see that the caged dogs were in fact on the beds. Someone else donated blankets to be placed on these beds. Many of these dogs found the beds in their spacious cages and where happily laying there when we arrived."
"Two of the LA animal shelter volunteers had tears in their eyes as they came over to hug me. They told me how grateful they were and what a difference it had made to the well being of the dogs and cats during these cold months."
Richard Maize continues: "I have been involved in many charitable acts and all are great. Up to now, I found giving directly to the needy (i.e. - the homeless) was and is a very rewarding experience. Caring for these rescued animals was as good or if not even better in many ways. These innocent animals that are in critical need of being rescued, protected, fed and looked after are at least today living a little better."
"We thank Lt. Castillo and the Los Angeles Animal Shelter for their unselfish work in contributing to our community. In keeping these loving dogs and cats warm, out of the rain and well fed," says Richard Maize.
"The Rochelle and Richard Maize Foundation remains ready to contribute both our time and efforts in the future for these beautiful and loving animals."
The Rochelle and Richard Maize Foundation is a philanthropic organization that supports and contributes volunteer and financial resources to causes locally in the community and worldwide by supporting meaningful programs focusing on art, culture, family services and health care that work to help people live more fulfilling lives.
Richard Maize, a respected leader in the mortgage banking real estate industry, and a mentor to young entrepreneurs, has generously supported organizations and causes including the American Cancer Society, Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services, Hurricane Katrina, Los Angeles Police Foundation, USO, Haiti earthquake relief efforts, Israel Flying Aid, Maccabiah Jewish Olympic Games and the Cedars Sinai Board of Governors.
Richard Maize and his wife, Rochelle Maize, are longtime benefactors of many other non-profit organizations and Richard Maize has been recognized for his efforts on behalf of more than a dozen charitable groups and community projects.
The Rochelle and Richard Maize Foundation supports an extraordinary number of foundations, organizations, and non-profit groups.
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Richard Maize: Donating to USO Provides Security To Every US Citizen

Los Angeles (PRWEB) December 4, 2010
"There are many charities that one can donate to during this holiday season. But without any doubt, perhaps the most important organization, such as the USO, are those which physically protects our lives, our homes and our sacred values of democracy," said Richard Maize.
Richard Maize is one of the world’s most successful and respected businessmen. Maize also directs the Rochelle and Richard Maize Foundation – a philanthropic organization that supports, contributes volunteer and financial resources to causes locally in the LA community and worldwide supporting programs focusing on art, culture, sports, family services and health care that work to help people live more fulfilling lives.
"The USO is truly a fantastic organization. I had no idea what they did before my visit today. I can mainly speak for the LAX USO. I found the USO is a safe haven for servicemen and women both current the retired. It is a place for these soldiers to either rest, shower, watch a movie, eat a snack or use the computers. Often soldiers come in from all around the world and need a place to wait, congregate or simply rest. All of the above is done here," says Richard Maize.
The USO mission is to provide morale, welfare and recreation-type services to uniformed military personnel. There are over 120 USO Centers around the world serving thousands of brave US troops in the Marines, Army, Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force stationed from California and New York to Iraq and Afghanistan.
"On the day and time I visited there were not any soldiers in uniform. Apparently, many go to USO Centers during a transition," says Maize. "Let me tell you what I learned from Ismael Martinez who is the Chief of Naval Operations. He was there awaiting the arrival of certain wounded or sick sailors from the US Coast Guard."
Maize continues: "I discovered that the USO also sponsors 'wounded worrier games' which takes a certain number or wounded soldiers from the Navy, Air Force, Marines and Army to participate in Olympic style games in Port Hueneme."
"I lived during the time that we, as young people were trying to figure out how to deal with Vietnam. I was so very concerned about fighting a war on the other side of the world that I had no real knowledge of our strategies or how in the world we are going to win that one."
"Since that time, our brave servicemen and women have shown the US who they are and who we are as a nation. I am proud to be an American who stands up for justice. Our whole country rallied in retaliation to 9/11, much like when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. We rallied together with more mutual American love than we showed each other for many decades. The other countries around the world supported our efforts to preserve democracy and freedom. It was a great moment in a horrible time."
Richard Maize concludes: "The USO survives mainly on contributions. I was more than pleased to participate through my foundation to provide funds for the USO. It was truly a fulfilling experience. And to improve upon the morale of soldiers is enable them to be that more effective in defending the home land. What could be more important?"
"I think the world of the USO and our men and women in the US armed forces. They are selfless and I view them with great honor and praise. Great work you men and women in uniform. Hope you all have a safe holiday wherever you are and come home safe and sound."
Supporting America’s troops was the first mission of the USO. In 1941, as it became clear that the nation was heading into World War II, several organizations mobilized to support the growing U.S. military: the Salvation Army, Young Men’s Christian Association, Young Women’s Christian Association, National Catholic Community Services, National Travelers Aid Association and the National Jewish Welfare Board.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt created synergy among these agencies by forming the United Service Organizations, with the objective of providing the emotional support the troops needed.
Over time, the USO has evolved, developing new programs and services to meet the ever-changing needs of the troops and their families, while holding fast to the original mission.
Today, the USO continues to lift the spirits of America’s troops and their families, and will continue to be there for them until every one comes home.
Richard Maize, who also serves as mentor to recent college graduates, established the Rochelle and Richard Maize Foundation – a philanthropic organization that supports, contributes volunteer and financial resources to causes locally in the LA community and worldwide supporting programs focusing on art, culture, sports, family services and health care that work to help people live more fulfilling lives.
Richard Maize has generously supported a variety of organizations and causes including the American Cancer Society, Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services, Hurricane Katrina, Los Angeles Police Foundation, the Beverly Hills Police and Fire Department, the USO, the Cedars Sinai Board of Governors, Israel Flying Aid in earthquake devastated Haiti and the Maccabiah Sports Games in Israel.
Richard Maize and his wife, Rochelle Maize, are longtime benefactors of many other non-profit local organizations in LA and globally where Richard has been recognized for his humanitarian efforts on behalf of dozens of charitable groups and community projects.