About the organization
CNAY at the Aspen Institue works to improve quality of life and opportunities for Native American youth. 28% of Native Americans live in poverty, only 51% of Native youths graduate from high school, and Native Americans even have higher rates of pedestrian fatalities. There is also an alarming trend of suicide among Native youths. Native Americans youth are some of the most at-risk in our country, with few opportunities for education and advancement. Yet media attention is scant and financial donations to Native American charities is disproportionately low. CNAY recently partnered with the White House in a new program to improve access to education, training and jobs for these youth.
Why does it appeal to me?
I saw a headline on Twitter about Obama crying in the Oval Office about native youth. It grabbed me, and the article was fascinating. After a visit to Standing Rock, Obama was sad about the lack of opportunities for native youth and brought together all of his education and youth staff to make changes. I loved his directive, "you will find new avenues of opportunity for our Native youth. You will make sure this happens on my watch." While I'm happy that Obama is taking this initiative, it makes me sad that this new energy from the White House to tackle Native youth issues received so little media attention. I truly hope that this energy and focus will bring needed opportunities to indigenous Americans.
Want to learn more?
To learn more, click here.
To donate, click here.
Follow along with my challenge here on the blog or on Twitter with the hash tag #30daysofcharity.
Want me to see if your favorite organization accepts microdonations, or want me to feature it? Post a comment below.
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Monday, January 26, 2015
Day 26: Mother's Milk Bank
About the organization
Mother's Milk accepts donated breast milk from screened donors, pasteurizes and tests it, and passes it on to hospitals for needy babies, often preemies. Access to breast milk makes a significant difference in the health of sick and early infants. Mother's Milk is based in California, but there are milk banks all across the U.S. To find a milk bank near you, check out the Human Milk Banking Association of North America.
Why does it appeal to me?
When you're pregnant, your mind races through many possibilities of what can go wrong during pregnancy and birth. For me, a big one was the possibility of an early delivery, because my contractions started around 30 weeks with both pregnancies. One thing that made me feel better about this possibility was the existence of milk banks, that even if I couldn't nurse, that my baby would still be able to have some breast milk. There are also some awesome milk exchanges where you can link up with someone local, who can give you fresh or unpasteurized milk which may have even more health benefits for your baby.
Want to learn more?
To learn more, click here.
To donate, click here.
Follow along with my challenge here on the blog or on Twitter with the hash tag #30daysofcharity.
Want me to see if your favorite organization accepts microdonations, or want me to feature it? Post a comment below.
Mother's Milk accepts donated breast milk from screened donors, pasteurizes and tests it, and passes it on to hospitals for needy babies, often preemies. Access to breast milk makes a significant difference in the health of sick and early infants. Mother's Milk is based in California, but there are milk banks all across the U.S. To find a milk bank near you, check out the Human Milk Banking Association of North America.
Why does it appeal to me?
When you're pregnant, your mind races through many possibilities of what can go wrong during pregnancy and birth. For me, a big one was the possibility of an early delivery, because my contractions started around 30 weeks with both pregnancies. One thing that made me feel better about this possibility was the existence of milk banks, that even if I couldn't nurse, that my baby would still be able to have some breast milk. There are also some awesome milk exchanges where you can link up with someone local, who can give you fresh or unpasteurized milk which may have even more health benefits for your baby.
Want to learn more?
To learn more, click here.
To donate, click here.
Follow along with my challenge here on the blog or on Twitter with the hash tag #30daysofcharity.
Want me to see if your favorite organization accepts microdonations, or want me to feature it? Post a comment below.
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Day 21: Child's Play, bringing joy to kids in hospitals and shelters
About the organization
Child's Play is a brilliant organization that brings toys, books and games to kids in hospitals and domestic violence shelters. They have a presence in 85 US hospitals and 19 abroad, creating access to video games in patient common areas as well as toys and books given to individual kids. Their pilot program in 10 domestic violence shelters entertains and uplift kids in tough situations.
Why does it appeal to me?
I think this program is just so sweet and thoughtful, and am amazed at how much they've accomplished since they started in 2003. I've had a few friends in the hospital as a kid/teenager and know they needed every ounce of joy and love they could get, whatever form that came in.
Want to learn more?
To learn more, click here.
To donate money, click here.
To find a local hospital and purchase an item from their Amazon Wish List, click here. Seattle Children's Hospital, for example, is asking for a Radio Flyer, Where's Waldo and an inexpensive portable DVD player.
Follow along with my challenge here on the blog or on Twitter with the hash tag #30daysofcharity.
Want me to see if your favorite organization accepts microdonations, or want me to feature it? Post a comment below.
Child's Play is a brilliant organization that brings toys, books and games to kids in hospitals and domestic violence shelters. They have a presence in 85 US hospitals and 19 abroad, creating access to video games in patient common areas as well as toys and books given to individual kids. Their pilot program in 10 domestic violence shelters entertains and uplift kids in tough situations.
Why does it appeal to me?
I think this program is just so sweet and thoughtful, and am amazed at how much they've accomplished since they started in 2003. I've had a few friends in the hospital as a kid/teenager and know they needed every ounce of joy and love they could get, whatever form that came in.
Want to learn more?
To learn more, click here.
To donate money, click here.
To find a local hospital and purchase an item from their Amazon Wish List, click here. Seattle Children's Hospital, for example, is asking for a Radio Flyer, Where's Waldo and an inexpensive portable DVD player.
Follow along with my challenge here on the blog or on Twitter with the hash tag #30daysofcharity.
Want me to see if your favorite organization accepts microdonations, or want me to feature it? Post a comment below.
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Day 18: Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
About the organization
CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocates, is a national organization of volunteer advocates that represent the best interests of children in the court system. King County Family Law CASA is one of my local CASA groups. They act as investigators, representatives and advisers to the court on a range of issues including custody and domestic abuse. This CASA group only has funding to assign a volunteer to only 60% of cases even though really every child in the family court system would benefit from one.
Why does it appeal to me?
I think volunteering as an advocate is about the coolest thing you can do - they have a major impact in improving outcomes for children in custody, abuse and foster care situations. Volunteers do 28 hours of training and spend countless hours interviewing everyone in the child's life in order to make the best recommendation to the court. Basically, they are volunteer social workers and that is amazing.
Want to learn more?
To learn more about King County Family Law CASA, click here. To find a CASA near you, click here.
To donate, click here.
Support CASA at no cost to you by shopping online through Amazon Smile, where 0.5% of your Amazon purchase gets funneled to the charity.
Follow along with my challenge here on the blog or on Twitter with the hash tag #30daysofcharity.
Want me to see if your favorite organization accepts microdonations, or want me to feature it? Post a comment below.
CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocates, is a national organization of volunteer advocates that represent the best interests of children in the court system. King County Family Law CASA is one of my local CASA groups. They act as investigators, representatives and advisers to the court on a range of issues including custody and domestic abuse. This CASA group only has funding to assign a volunteer to only 60% of cases even though really every child in the family court system would benefit from one.
Why does it appeal to me?
I think volunteering as an advocate is about the coolest thing you can do - they have a major impact in improving outcomes for children in custody, abuse and foster care situations. Volunteers do 28 hours of training and spend countless hours interviewing everyone in the child's life in order to make the best recommendation to the court. Basically, they are volunteer social workers and that is amazing.
Want to learn more?
To learn more about King County Family Law CASA, click here. To find a CASA near you, click here.
To donate, click here.
Support CASA at no cost to you by shopping online through Amazon Smile, where 0.5% of your Amazon purchase gets funneled to the charity.
Follow along with my challenge here on the blog or on Twitter with the hash tag #30daysofcharity.
Want me to see if your favorite organization accepts microdonations, or want me to feature it? Post a comment below.
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Day 17: Project Night Night
About the organization
Project Night Night works to make homeless children feel just a little more comfortable and secure by giving them a sweet canvas tote bag with a security blanket, book and stuffed animal inside. PNN's website states that 1 in 30 US children will face homelessness this year.
Why does it appeal to me?
I just learned about Project Night Night via a parent's group I'm part of. I like that they are working to make kids feel comfortable in a sad situation. Could I have donated directly to an organization that helps get kids out of homelessness? Yeah, I could have. (Have a favorite one? Let me know.) But I do feel like many charities that help homeless kids focus on the holidays and I like that this is an anytime gift, just something to make them feel a little more comfortable and safe.
Want to learn more?
To learn more, click here.
To donate, click here.
Follow along with my challenge here on the blog or on Twitter with the hash tag #30daysofcharity.
Want me to see if your favorite organization accepts microdonations, or want me to feature it? Post a comment below.
Project Night Night works to make homeless children feel just a little more comfortable and secure by giving them a sweet canvas tote bag with a security blanket, book and stuffed animal inside. PNN's website states that 1 in 30 US children will face homelessness this year.
Why does it appeal to me?
I just learned about Project Night Night via a parent's group I'm part of. I like that they are working to make kids feel comfortable in a sad situation. Could I have donated directly to an organization that helps get kids out of homelessness? Yeah, I could have. (Have a favorite one? Let me know.) But I do feel like many charities that help homeless kids focus on the holidays and I like that this is an anytime gift, just something to make them feel a little more comfortable and safe.
Want to learn more?
To learn more, click here.
To donate, click here.
Follow along with my challenge here on the blog or on Twitter with the hash tag #30daysofcharity.
Want me to see if your favorite organization accepts microdonations, or want me to feature it? Post a comment below.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)