What is Giving Tuesday?
GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement that unleashes the power of radical generosity around the world.
GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past nine years, this idea has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.
GivingTuesday strives to build a world in which the catalytic power of generosity is at the heart of the society we build together, unlocking dignity, opportunity, and equity around the globe.
After a busy “Black Friday,” “Shop Small Saturday,” and “Cyber Monday,” it may feel like you’re shopped out for the holidays. Giving Tuesday is upon us once again. But what does it all mean?
Giving Tuesday originated as a way to think beyond your immediate family and focus on others during the holidays. In Los Angeles, many nonprofit organizations are requesting assistance and Giving Tuesday. It’s the perfect opportunity to support them.
These days, there are many ways to give. Whether you choose to start a Facebook donations campaign, send your reward points on Amazon to a nonprofit through Amazon Smile, or a direct donation, all forms of donating are appreciated.
In Los Angeles, there are several charitable organizations working tirelessly around the year to provide services, education and help to people in need across the county. Here are a few that you may want to support this Giving Tuesday.
Vida Mobil Clinic
In May 2020 we decided to open our doors because we saw the health crisis that the pandemic was creating. With a small budget mostly from donations from our friends, family, and our own pockets, we began to see uninsured patients. Not only did we provide primary care to uninsured patients, but we grew our mission of mentoring pre-health students from underprivileged backgrounds. Vida is mostly volunteer-run, with over 40 core volunteers that operate our clinic days and mentorship sessions for our pre-health students. This #givingtuesday we ask that you consider making a tax-deductible donation to Vida because without your support, there is no Vida.
To donate: www.vidamobilclinic.org
Alliance for a Better Community
What started as a weekly meeting of Latino civic and business leaders to discuss the issues within Los Angeles’ Latinx community grew to become one of the city’s most important nonprofit organizations. The Alliance for a Better Community (ABC) was formed to communicate and fight for the interests of the Latino community by leveraging networks, resources and relationships. The organization aims to advance the Latino agenda within government agencies like City Hall, the County, LAUSD, and other influential entities like the media.
Part of ABC’s mission is also to raise awareness about issues that impact the Latinx community of Los Angeles. One way they are working to do this is by creating an online LA Research Library that features current education, economic development, housing and health research on communities throughout Los Angeles County.
If you’d like to support ABC, please visit: http://www.afabc.org/.
Boyle Heights Promise
Although Latinos are earning degrees at a much higher rate than in previous years, an achievement gap still exists. While several factors may be to blame, inadequate funding for schools and the lack of access to educational resources are undoubtedly roadblocks to progress.
In California, Boyle Heights Promise has stepped up to provide support and individualized success plans for students who are struggling in the classroom. Their mission is to provide students with the tools and proper educational support needed to pass exams and become eligible for college acceptance.
With the idea that if students are given the right support the achievement gap will close, Promesa is committed to improving opportunities for both students and families.
If you’re passionate about education and would like to volunteer for Boyle Heights Promise, please visit: https://www.boyleheightspromise.org/work-with-us
InnerCity Struggle
For many people living in East Los Angeles during the 1990’s, gang violence was part of daily life. InnerCity Struggle was founded by residents in 1994 on the idea that the local community should join together to find solutions in the wake of high neighborhood crime and violence.
One of their first campaigns addressed the correlation between the broken public school system and high prison rates among Latinx communities. Then in 2004, the organization was instrumental in the Los Angeles Unified School District’s decision to approve the construction of three new high schools, a new elementary school, and a new adult school.
In addition to hosting frequent summits and workshops, InnerCity Struggle has recently unveiled a new 6,000 square-foot youth and community center dedicated to training youth and residents on how to take on policy campaigns to improve the quality of life in East Los Angeles.
If you’re interested in attending a summit, workshop or event, please visit: https://www.innercitystruggle.org/
The Hope Project
The Esperanza Project is a Guadalajara-based social change magazine founded in 2009 by veteran environment and immigration journalist Tracy L. Barnett. The magazine practices “hope-based journalism” and describes it as writing that, “gives voice to those heroes and heroines who are quietly changing the world from the ground up.”
After exploring and living in Latin America, Barnett saw a side to the Latinx and indigenous community that is seldom shone in the media and felt compelled to create the project. “Stories about Latin America are dominated by crisis and catastrophe,” she says, “what is needed in these times is a journalism of hope.”
The organization’s mission is to use storytelling as a bridge between cultures and create awareness to the inspirational work of Latinx change-makers and trailblazers.
To support the Esperanza Project, sign up for a free subscription to their online magazine in English: www.esperanzaproject.org, and/or in Spanish: www.elproyectoesperanza.org
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