My stomach turned and my heart sank when I watched an Afghan lift his newborn into the air. He hoped that when the armed U.S. soldier, who stood above them, grabbed his baby, freedom, protection, and a new life would be the only reality his baby ever experienced.
I gulped as I watched search and rescue teams pull children out of Haitian rubble. That rubble contained their life, dreams, and--now--the memory of them.
My pulse accelerates as I read headlines that confirm my worst nightmare: the restrictions of BOTH voting rights and women’s rights in 2021. With the midterm elections fast approaching, we must do our part to ensure every eligible American has the right to vote.
I feel breathless watching ICUs and ICU nurses decompensate in their exhaustion. Headaches and stress overpower my psyche.
And actively witnessing my planet deteriorate causes my brown hair to go gray. I am just 17.
At the moment, it feels like I can think of nothing other than the tragedies occurring around the world. I am overwhelmed. I am heartbroken. But, I am so unbelievably fortunate to leave my house without fear of being shot due to my gender, something millions of women and girls in Afghanistan cannot confidently say. Although I feel like crawling into a ball and crying, I know help is needed. Currently, help is needed everywhere. Money is needed. Awareness is needed. Affirmative action is needed. So, I am going to make this as easy as possible for you.
Below is a master list of organizations and foundations to support. The list is broken up by cause, allowing you to support those you feel most passionate about. While there are free ways to help out, financial help is the fastest way to make an impact. Acknowledging that not everyone is able to financially contribute, I encourage you to take advantage of the free resources I’ve provided. These contributions may feel so minuscule in the grand scheme of things, but trust the phrase “a little goes a long way,” because, in this context, it couldn’t be closer to the truth. And, in times where we lack control, helping out can be the only cure to our helplessness.
**all organization descriptions are not owned by Sassy Girl Weekly
**all donations ARE tax deductible
DOMESTIC HELP:
PROTECT REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS:
Abortion Care Network: A national nonprofit dedicated to supporting independent abortion care providers. Much of the support they offer goes directly to the staff of independent clinics. Donate here.
National Abortion Federation (NAF): NAF is the national organization of abortion providers that works directly with clinics to provide pro-choice education and options. Donate here.
Write Letters: Contact your pro-choice state legislators and members of Congress to encourage them to uphold the fight for reproductive freedom. Letter example here.
Host a Reproductive Rights Film Night: Invite family, friends, local officials, etc to watch movies/documentaries relating to reproductive rights. List of possible films here.
The Center for Reproductive Rights: The Center for Reproductive Rights is a global human rights organization of lawyers and advocates who ensure reproductive rights are protected in law as fundamental human rights for the dignity, equality, health, and well-being of every person. Donate here.
Planned Parenthood: Planned Parenthood delivers vital reproductive health care, sex education, and information to millions of people worldwide, including LGBT patients. Donate here.
PROTECT VOTING RIGHTS:
The Brennan Center for Justice: The Brennan Center has developed bold solutions to ensure that every eligible American can cast a ballot, regardless of sex, race, or ethnicity. Donate here.
Become a Voting Rights Advocate: Use the hashtags #ElectionProtection #VotingRights #GetOutTheVote on social media.
The New Georgia Project: In Georgia, the fight continues to ensure that as many voters are registered as possible before the midterms. Volunteer to register voters with the New Georgia Project, and help keep the Peach State blue. Volunteer here.
The Florida Rights Restoration Coalition: The Florida Rights Restoration Coalition works with formerly incarcerated Floridians to aid re-entry, fight for criminal justice reform and help eligible people with convictions register to vote and regain their constitutional rights. Volunteer here.
When We All Vote: Since its founding, When We All Vote has fought to expand access to voting and increase participation in every election — particularly in communities that face the greatest barriers to make their voices heard. Donate here.
PANDEMIC RELIEF:
Doctors Without Borders: They care for patients, offer health education and mental health support, and provide training for vital infection control measures in health facilities around the world. Donate here.
Email Congress on Behalf of UNICEF USA: Join them in alerting Congress of UNICEF’s leadership and the resources needed to end the pandemic and safeguard the futures of the world’s most vulnerable children. Take action here.
International Rescue Committee: Make a gift now to support the IRC's efforts to help people in countries like Uganda, Jordan, Yemen and Syria access COVID-19 vaccines. With your support, they can also help countries prepare for the COVID-19 vaccine rollout by setting up isolation units, procuring PPE all the while ensuring that clinics and hospitals have access to essential supplies like medical oxygen, testing kits for COVID-19, and access to clean water and sanitation. Donate here.
American Red Cross: Due to blood drive cancellations, there is a severe blood shortage. Healthy individuals are needed to donate now to maintain a sufficient supply. Find your nearest blood donation site here.
Wear a mask and make sure you’re vaccinated! Encourage others to do the same!
INTERNATIONAL HELP:
HELP HAITI:
World Central Kitchen by José Andrés: Since its founding, WCK has provided tens of millions of hot, nutritious meals for communities around the world. Your donation will be used to support their efforts in Haiti. Donate here.
Hope for Haiti: As one of the most trusted organizations working to reduce poverty in Haiti, Hope for Haiti is focused on providing support and partnership for the Haitian people every single day. Donate here.
Save the Children: With thousands of children sleeping outside and at risk of violence or abuse, Save the Children is working non-stop to get critical supplies, including tents, to those most in need. Your urgent support is needed to help our emergency relief efforts and provide aid as quickly as possible. Donate here.
Friends of Humanity 4 Haiti: Donate nonperishable food, baby formula, and clothes to 15414 NE 2 Avenue, Miami, FL 33162. For larger donations, contact Renel Noel at 305-323-0937.
HELP AFGHANISTAN:
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service: The Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service is asking for volunteers to help refugees upon arrival with airport pickups, meal assistance, mentorship, tutoring and more. You can participate if you're in one of the areas where refugees are arriving, and there's a standby list to join for other areas too. Contact them here
Women for Afghan Women: Women for Afghan Women (WAW) is the largest women’s organization in Afghanistan, with over 850 local Afghan staff working tirelessly to provide support services to women, children, and families. Working with strategic partners and local stakeholders, WAW’s ultimate goal in Afghanistan is to transform norms of violence and oppression into that of peace and equality. Donate here.
Email the White House: The International Rescue Committee has an email form through which you can urge the Biden administration to take immediate steps to ensure "vulnerable Afghans have pathways to safety." View the email form here.
Neighbors in Need (Afghan Allies Fund): Your gift to the Neighbors in Need: Afghan Allies Fund will provide food, housing assistance, clothing, and other basic needs for Afghan refugees as they await the official services available to them. Donate here.
CARE’s Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund: Your gift to CARE’s Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund helps to reach 500,000 vulnerable Afghans with emergency food, health services, shelter, and cross-border support for refugees. Donate here
Encourage Politicians to Allow More Refugees into the United States: Lobby politicians at all levels of government to push for an increase in the amount of refugees being admitted into the country or region. Call scripts are available from Afghans For a Better Tomorrow that can be used when contacting politicians. Find script here.
GLOBAL HELP:
HELP PROTECT THE PLANET:
Shop Sustainably! Read about the importance of going green here. Check out a list of sustainable stores here.
Encourage Your Representatives to Support Climate Legislation: Convey these major points: tell them you believe climate change is important, you support the development and implementation of a climate action plan, you trust these efforts to reduce emissions and prepare for climate change impacts. Find a member of the House here and a member of the Senate here.
Ocean Conservancy: Ocean Conservancy is working with you to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together, we create science-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. Donate here.
Eat a Plant Based Meat Instead of Real Meat! Read all about plant based meat and its environmental benefits here.
Sunrise Movement: Sunrise is a movement of young people to stop climate change and create millions of jobs in the process. They’re building people and political power to build a world where all can have a livable future – no matter the color of their skin or where they come from. Additionally, they fight for the Green New Deal. Donate here.
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