And Then There Were None (ATTWN) - Abby Johnson's organization helps abortion workers leave the cult-like abortion industry. There's a lot of backlash, peer intimidation and even threatened law suits and legal ramification when attempting to leave the industry. Since the release of the movie Unplanned, 96 abortion workers have reached out to ATTWN. I'm interested but not involved.
Becket Fund - this awesome law firm defends religious freedom for all. They represented the Little Sisters of the Poor but have also defended Muslims, Sikhs, Native Americans and many other religious people whose rights are being encroached upon by an aggressive secular state. We've supported this group financially in the past.
Better Angels - this organization promotes dialogue and tries to diffuse the polarization going on right now. I've attended a workshop and one local meeting. I hope to get more involved.
Big Ocean Women - this beautifully inspirational organization is trying to redefine feminism as something that celebrates women's gifts and strengths. They use the term maternal feminism. Really deep powerful stuff! I'm really interested but the closest 'cottage' is in Manassas. I hate driving at night. When life calms down, I might just join as an independent.
CanaVox - advocates for marriage based on natural law and the foundational reasons for marriage, instead of the post modern one. Another group of incredibly articulate and independent women who stare down the adversary with grace and truth. I'm interested but not involved.
Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions - this is a local group of religious churches, synagogues, mosques, etc fighting to change laws and mores to help protect the environment, mostly focuses on climate but also deals with other environmental issues. I mostly just hear about this organization through my involvement in the Creation Care Team at my parish.
FamilyPASS - a local organization that helps homeless or nearly homeless families in our area. I used to volunteer a bit with this group but that has lately fallen by the wayside. Maybe I should re-energize my involvement.
Food for the Poor - this is an international organization that helps the poor in the Western Hemisphere, mostly places like Haiti and other Caribbean countries as well as Central America. It got into some financial hot water a decade ago but seems to have come through and seems to be a steady and reliable charity. This is R's favorite charity.
Operation Underground Railroad - a non-profit that fights child sex trafficking. We did a 5K for this group. I mean to get more involved.
St. Mark parish - this is where we do most of our outreach. I usually do
Tahirih Justice Center - this organization started by the Baha'i church helps defends the rights of women from abuse, exploitation, forced marriage, etc. They fight mightily for the least among us, poor immigrant women. We have contributed money to this organization who is representing our dear friend in her asylum case.
Them Before Us - a children's rights organization fighting surrogacy and other artificial ways of commodifying children. I mostly just follow this group on facebook.Big Ocean Women - this beautifully inspirational organization is trying to redefine feminism as something that celebrates women's gifts and strengths. They use the term maternal feminism. Really deep powerful stuff! I'm really interested but the closest 'cottage' is in Manassas. I hate driving at night. When life calms down, I might just join as an independent.
CanaVox - advocates for marriage based on natural law and the foundational reasons for marriage, instead of the post modern one. Another group of incredibly articulate and independent women who stare down the adversary with grace and truth. I'm interested but not involved.
Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions - this is a local group of religious churches, synagogues, mosques, etc fighting to change laws and mores to help protect the environment, mostly focuses on climate but also deals with other environmental issues. I mostly just hear about this organization through my involvement in the Creation Care Team at my parish.
FamilyPASS - a local organization that helps homeless or nearly homeless families in our area. I used to volunteer a bit with this group but that has lately fallen by the wayside. Maybe I should re-energize my involvement.
Food for the Poor - this is an international organization that helps the poor in the Western Hemisphere, mostly places like Haiti and other Caribbean countries as well as Central America. It got into some financial hot water a decade ago but seems to have come through and seems to be a steady and reliable charity. This is R's favorite charity.
Operation Underground Railroad - a non-profit that fights child sex trafficking. We did a 5K for this group. I mean to get more involved.
St. Mark parish - this is where we do most of our outreach. I usually do
- a once a month dinner for a local homeless shelter and
- once a year hypothermia shelter help with another parish. This takes several meetings and on going planning for a few months.
- We used to be more involved when the kids were younger and participated in the junior high and then teen work camps.
- I will occasionally donate to our Matthew 25 grocery items program for local food pantries I definitely could step up on this. In fact, I making the decision to really make it part of my weekly routine.
- Occasional things like participating in the Second Sunday Sustenance, occasional events like most recently an interfaith food packing day at a nearby synagogue. We also donate and some times help with the Thanksgiving Clothing Drive. We usually participate in the Giving Tree and this Lent they had a comparable thing with a cross instead of tree.
- I know one thing I'd like to be more involved with is the St. Lucy Project which coordinates food donations throughout the diocese. I have visions of growing lots of food in my garden and donating a lot of it to food pantries. We could maybe help out with unloading on Sunday afternoons once a month. Must bring this up to family.
Tahirih Justice Center - this organization started by the Baha'i church helps defends the rights of women from abuse, exploitation, forced marriage, etc. They fight mightily for the least among us, poor immigrant women. We have contributed money to this organization who is representing our dear friend in her asylum case.
Virginia Catholic Conference - this is a state organization that watching laws and either supports or opposed them according to their alignment with Catholic social teaching. I like their email notices and newsletter that keeps me up to date on happenings in VA. I do often respond to their plea to send emails to state government over bills and issues.
I'm trying to conform to Christian principles in everything but it is overwhelming. Not only do I want to support those who are trying to do good in the world, as well as making contributions and volunteering an important and integral aspect of my life, but I also want to use my consumer buying power to:
- contribute to justice in the manufacturing realm by buying second hand when I can or making sure the brands I do buy new are from companies that use best practices.
- support environmental efforts to reduce pollution and waste
For someone suffering from ADD like me, it is a lot to wrap my mind around.
Rereading this I think, did I already blog about this a while ago? Also, does this sound like I am bragging or something? I'm just trying to organize my thoughts and I am in the long term habit of thinking out loud here.
Anyway, may this Good Friday be a blessing to anyone out there tuning in!
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