Giving Tuesday + a Playlist
Words by: Maggie Laubscher | Music by: Abby Yemm
Today is Giving Tuesday. The day is meant as a global generosity movement, an idea created in 2011 by the non-profit Mary-Arrchie Theater Company in Chicago. It was then officially named and launched in 2012 by the 92nd Street Y and the United Nations Foundation. Its goal is simple and beautiful: a day for us to do good.
As we mentioned in our previous post, the criticism of Giving Tuesday is that it often supports our already unequal system -- one where donations go to the most known and supported organizations. But we can make the day what we want - full of intent and thoughtful giving.
Giving Tuesday is not only about money - it’s also about volunteering, giving time, amplifying voices, showing up for what we care about. Support the organizations that need it. Lift up the causes that matter to us.
As M4BL says, ‘It’s time to disrupt. It’s time to reroute.’ Here are some organizations we love that are worth giving to - whether it’s your wallet, your time, your voice - or all three:
Reparations Monday
As we highlighted in our Reparations Monday post, this movement was created by Movement for Black Lives (M4BL). It’s goal is to shine a light on the need for reparations and increase institutional giving to Black-led organizations. As M4BL has stated, ‘We believe it is impossible to achieve equality or to end racial injustice without acknowledging and materially addressing past, and continuing, harms.’ Check out the organization’s website to learn more and to download its toolkit on reparations. You can also text REPARATIONS to 90975 to join a network of Black-led, Black-facing organizations working towards making reparations a reality.
Image sourced from Reparations Monday Instagram account
Amethyst Place
Amethyst Place is a local organization that helps families recover from substance use. The women Amethyst Place helps are often without a home for their family. They often have mental health disorders that need tending. They are often survivors of domestic abuse. Many have lost custody of their children. Amethyst Place reunites families, provides safe housing, offers education, gives recovery coaching and provides therapy. The average family lives in Amethyst Place housing for two years, during which time the mom often earns her GED, begins college or a meaningful career path.
Image sourced from Amethyst Place Instagram account
Midwest Innocence Project
Midwest Innocence Project advocates for the exoneration and release of wrongfully convicted people in the Midwest. Somewhere between 2,000 and 7,000 moms, dads, sons, and daughters in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, and Arkansas are locked behind bars this very moment for crimes they did not commit. It takes roughly seven to ten years for an innocent person to be exonerated, which takes a great deal of time and money. The organization works diligently to give freedom back to those whom the legal system has failed.
Image sourced from Midwest Innocence Project Twitter account
Nest
Nest is building a beautiful handcrafted economy, one that increases workforce inclusivity, provides sustainable livelihoods for artisans around the world, and improves women's well-being beyond factories. It promotes gorgeous handmade products while protecting cultures and heritage at the same time.
Image sourced from Nest website
Border Angels
Border Angels is focused on migrant rights, immigration reform, and the prevention of immigrant deaths along the border. With a tagline of ‘Love has no borders,’ the group promotes a culture of love through advocacy, education, social consciousness, and action. It defends the rights of migrants and refugees, a subculture often rendered invisible by our society. Donate below and read our past pieces on this topic here and here.
Image sourced from Border Angels website
MOCSA
MOCSA, which stands for Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault, is a local organization that works to improve the lives of those impacted by sexual abuse and assault. It also aims to prevent sexual violence in our community. One in six women are the victim of rape and less than 20 percent of rapes are reported. One in four girls and one in six boys are sexually abused during childhood. MOCSA works to reduce these statistics. The impacts of sexual violence can be devastating, not only for the victims, but also for their friends and loved ones. Without support and help, the trauma can stay with victims for a lifetime. MOCSA help victims become survivors.
Image sourced from MOCSA’s Bonfire merchandise website
Community LINC
Community LINC’s goal is to end homelessness in Kansas City. The local organization provides local families with safe transitional housing, food, and programming to get them back on their feet and start thriving. The group serves approximately 150 families each year.
Image sourced from Community LINC website
and a playlist…
a playlist
Our resident artist phenom Abby Yemm, made a stellar playlist to pair with this piece.
Be well and play on, Nellies. XO