"Helping the helpers" has been my intentional, go-to activism this year, even though I don't think I could've articulated it as well as you. Thanks for putting words to my intentions, friend.
Thank YOU for a million things, including taking every one of these gorgeous photos. Being able to go back through them on Flickr brought back a flood of memories.
Thank you for this. That was the most extraordinary trip with lessons that never leave us. I remember that dinner with the US AID workers, learning SO much about the work they do, their commitment and their impact -- and I think of them every day as we see their life's work dismantled for...what, really? There are always helpers who need helping, and I think your premise of picking one instead of getting overwhelmed is perfect. You are amazing as always, my friend.
Thank you for such wise words. And this little thread of comments - between the three of you - gives me joy! Each of your posts today have given me a sense of calm and purpose and joy in the midst life that feels rough on every level right now. Thank you Karen Walrond, Asha Dornfest and Liz Gumbinner!
Typing this from the doctor’s office - finally looking at the pain in my hip and why I cant seem to walk at the end of the day… Here’s to helping the helpers and taking care of ourselves so we can keep moving towards love and justice. One step at a time.
What a gift that journey was. And yes... I think a lot of people get stuck when they feel they can't say something articulate about an issue or don't feel their voice matters. And I always recommend amplifying the voices that are doing the work and saying the things... all of our voices matter.
P.S. Thank you for the melatonin on that flight LOL.
My sister (who is an expert on planned giving to charities) also recommends:
a) finding helpers that leverage existing efforts and laws (like, for environmental concerns = try supporting ELAW (elaw dot org), who provide staff support for legal action using existing environmental laws that are often ignored or bypassed). Funding grant writers is another leverage point, because one well written grant may cost an organization $5000 to do, but can collect up to millions in funds for action or research.
b) if you don't have much to give, donations to smaller orgs has more impact per dollar. $25 makes very little dent in multi million dollar orgs, but a visible impact in one run on a shoestring. Knowing which ones are sufficiently pulled together to actually have that impact is hard, so she orients to Global Giving dot org, which checks the quality of all their micro projects in advance and ongoing. You can search for areas of interest, in the US or elsewhere, or give to their general fund.
Both of those approaches allow us to orient to leverage, and if we pick based on helping the helpers within that, it has almost a multiplier effect.
Bonus, kids love doing global giving stuff - any interest, they've got a project for it. My church kids earned money for lemur habitat protection and providing high quality cloth diapers to families affected by hurricanes in the Caribbean, including adult sizes for elder care. (when shipping/distribution channels and trash pickup both fail, having cloth diapers available is important)
Excellent 1-2-3 plan. I wouldn’t change a thing! I focus my time and attention on following issues I’m already invested in, such as poverty, homelessness, equity, federal grant funding, etc.
"Helping the helpers" has been my intentional, go-to activism this year, even though I don't think I could've articulated it as well as you. Thanks for putting words to my intentions, friend.
Thank YOU for a million things, including taking every one of these gorgeous photos. Being able to go back through them on Flickr brought back a flood of memories.
Thank you for this. That was the most extraordinary trip with lessons that never leave us. I remember that dinner with the US AID workers, learning SO much about the work they do, their commitment and their impact -- and I think of them every day as we see their life's work dismantled for...what, really? There are always helpers who need helping, and I think your premise of picking one instead of getting overwhelmed is perfect. You are amazing as always, my friend.
Thank you, Liz. 💙
Thank you for such wise words. And this little thread of comments - between the three of you - gives me joy! Each of your posts today have given me a sense of calm and purpose and joy in the midst life that feels rough on every level right now. Thank you Karen Walrond, Asha Dornfest and Liz Gumbinner!
Typing this from the doctor’s office - finally looking at the pain in my hip and why I cant seem to walk at the end of the day… Here’s to helping the helpers and taking care of ourselves so we can keep moving towards love and justice. One step at a time.
Thank you, Catherine, and I hope your hip is on its way to recover recovery.
What a gift that journey was. And yes... I think a lot of people get stuck when they feel they can't say something articulate about an issue or don't feel their voice matters. And I always recommend amplifying the voices that are doing the work and saying the things... all of our voices matter.
P.S. Thank you for the melatonin on that flight LOL.
Wonderful to think back to that experience.
My sister (who is an expert on planned giving to charities) also recommends:
a) finding helpers that leverage existing efforts and laws (like, for environmental concerns = try supporting ELAW (elaw dot org), who provide staff support for legal action using existing environmental laws that are often ignored or bypassed). Funding grant writers is another leverage point, because one well written grant may cost an organization $5000 to do, but can collect up to millions in funds for action or research.
b) if you don't have much to give, donations to smaller orgs has more impact per dollar. $25 makes very little dent in multi million dollar orgs, but a visible impact in one run on a shoestring. Knowing which ones are sufficiently pulled together to actually have that impact is hard, so she orients to Global Giving dot org, which checks the quality of all their micro projects in advance and ongoing. You can search for areas of interest, in the US or elsewhere, or give to their general fund.
Both of those approaches allow us to orient to leverage, and if we pick based on helping the helpers within that, it has almost a multiplier effect.
Bonus, kids love doing global giving stuff - any interest, they've got a project for it. My church kids earned money for lemur habitat protection and providing high quality cloth diapers to families affected by hurricanes in the Caribbean, including adult sizes for elder care. (when shipping/distribution channels and trash pickup both fail, having cloth diapers available is important)
Thank you for this gold mine of helpful information, Heather.
Excellent 1-2-3 plan. I wouldn’t change a thing! I focus my time and attention on following issues I’m already invested in, such as poverty, homelessness, equity, federal grant funding, etc.
Thanks, Jen.