Whatever the Social Justice Cause, Here’s How You Can Help

100% of proceeds from my MIND/MADDER tees are donated to Asian Mental Health ProjectPurchase yours here

100% of proceeds from my MIND/MADDER tees are donated to Asian Mental Health Project

Purchase yours here

In a perfect world, I’d have enough money to support everyone and everything I cared about. Scratch that — in a perfect world, money would not be the root of any means of success or achievement, especially for those who are dedicating their work and lives to bettering the world and humanity. Unfortunately, we do not live in that perfect world and money drives just about everything but people and organizations are still dedicating their lives’ work to bettering the world and humanity despite the financial and capitalistic limitations, and that says volumes about the inherent goodness in one another.

I’ve thought about how there has to be an easier way to support everything we cared about, not just with our wallets but also with whatever resources and tools we already possess, because it should not be this difficult to propel and instill kindness into this already-grueling world. So I thought, why not compile a list of as many organizations and communities focused on specific social justice causes so that we, as empowered individuals, can use our voice and independent power through active support (and not passively, which is more harmful than productive - happy to debate this if you disagree). I truly believe community and collaboration is the promise of a better future for all and it starts with thorough knowledge and understanding of the beliefs that we firmly stand behind and embody. For too long, we’ve allowed larger entities make statements for us and shape our opinions, but now is especially the time to question and challenge what we truly believe in, what we care about, and how we are choosing to contribute.

To supplement that personal internal analysis, I want to help guide you towards that direction of knowledge, which is why I'm presenting this list of nonprofit organizations and initiatives that are paving a better path for social justice issues. What started out mainly for myself to reference whenever I feel like I need to do more for any struggling social justice issue became a project I wanted others to be a part of as well. On top of some personal research, I’ve reached out to friends who are deeply involved in their respective work and they’ve shared organizations they are passionate/care about.

I’ve broken it out by causes so that you can decide what you most care about and can support right now — that is not to say you can’t care about others, too, but I understand the limits we each have and I want you to decide how you can help right now. Most of them are supporting through financial donations but others are supporting through volunteer opportunities, non-monetary donations, community involvement, etc. (specific actions are stated in the parentheses).

I’ve always emphasized that your individual power is providing what you can as best you can, and that is where you can start.

*all organizations have either been checked for legitimacy through charitynavigator.org or confirmed through friends who have personally worked with them

Mental Health

Environmentalism

Racial Equality

Ethical Fashion

elderly assistance

LGBTQIA+ Rights

Animal Rights

Refugee Crisis & Immigration Rights

world Hunger & Food Insecurity

Voting Rights

women’s rights

Gun reform & Control

Human Trafficking

Domestic Violence

Homelessness & Underserved Communities

Mass incarceration & Criminal Justice

Music & Arts

These are also great resources for any artist or freelancer looking for extra help & networking opportunities!

Of course, there are plenty more organizations and initiatives I have missed and I wish I could add them all (please let me know if there are ones you’d like me to share!!) but as I said, this is meant to be a guide or start to your road to active advocacy! Also, your support does not have to be limited to organizations or communities. There are tons of grassroots initiatives and individuals who are taking action and creating positive movements especially pay attention to what your friends are doing to help and support there, even that is advocating for something good. Finding this article and reading through this list is also a start :)

My hope is that you find yourself invested in supporting a main cause of your choice or support multiple by setting personal goals and daily habits (i.e. donate to one and volunteer to another, support a new one each month, etc!). The more we can embed such acts of kindness and spread goodness in our immediate environments, the more we can begin to see change happen a little at a time, often together.

 
blog-post-signature-2.jpg
 
Mai NguyenrecommendationsComment