Community Orgs to Support
This holiday shopping season consider the gift of mutual aid and community support.
Every year Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales show up with pressure to buy more, do more, and spend quickly. This year, Veggie Mijas has been thinking about how much more powerful our dollars can be when they are put towards people and projects rather than products. If you’re able, consider supporting the folks doing the work that truly matters.
If you’re looking for a different way to “spend” consider giving to one of the orgs featured or give to one of your favorite local organizations (and please let us know below of any organizations we should all check out) 🧡🌎🤝
https://watermelonsisters.org/
Founded by Souher Fakhoury Gonzales “Watermelon Sisters [is] a nonprofit providing humanitarian aid to Gaza. With over 20 years in the nonprofit sector, she is known for uniting global volunteers to support urgent relief and long-term healing. Souher developed a three-part mental health program in Gaza, including virtual therapy, art therapy for women and girls, and trauma-focused interventions that empower young women to cope with the ongoing crisis.”
“Cedillo’s Fresh Produce is a family run farm located at 325 W 70th Place. Founder Juan Cedillo is third generation farmer who learned most of his skills working alongside his father and grandfather. Juan is a graduate from the Windy City Harvest Horticulture program where he learned new techniques that have become a part of our process. [They] are a part of the NeighborSpace network . [They] provide organically grown, seasonal, farm-fresh produce to Chicago metro-area residents a connection with their food supply and farmer.“
“Founded more than 30 years ago, we support women and families impacted by a mother’s incarceration” Hour Children, a Queens, NY based charity “Believ[es] wholeheartedly in a person’s potential to change and acknowledg[es] every child’s right to a stable and secure family.” Hour Children offers comprehensive programs such as a community food pantry, supportive housing, programs for children and teens, as well as programming for incarcerated mothers. The organization also opperates a Queens based,thrift store whose funds and work opportunities help support the organization’s mission.
“APEX exists to activate BIPOC animal rights advocates. [They] take a radical yet inviting approach to activism which examines the fundamental and interconnected causes of oppression against both animals and BIPOC communities. [Their outreach efforts and materials have been created with this goal in mind,” hosting initiatives such as P.A.A.W. their, “flagship program designed to ignite the animal advocacy movement by centering Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) social justice activists.” An entirely free multi-day experience for participants.
“The Lower Eastside Girls Club connects young women and gender-expansive youth of color throughout New York City to healthy and successful futures through free, innovative year-round programming and mentoring.” Most notably they provide youth with programs ranging from environmental education on urban farming and food justice, GALA - their girls as activists, leaders, & advocates program, and Healthy Bodies, Healthy minds - their wellness and nutrition education program.
“Norris Square Neighborhood Project (NSNP) is a cultural hub committed to uniting and inspiring the surrounding community through programs aimed at the cultivation of young leaders, the preservation of Puerto Rican cultural heritage, and the stewardship of community land and environmental practices. [They] have six special gardens that, together, make up the NSNP active green space to amplify [their] sense of belonging and [their] shared learning experiences.”
La Planta "empower[s] Mexican-American communities to embrace plant-based living, [their] mission is to foster inclusive and sustainable dietary transformations. Through culturally attuned education and outreach initiatives, [they] aim to bridge gaps in the vegan movement by offering accessible resources and events that resonate with diverse backgrounds, enriching lives while promoting compassion.” La Planta offers food outreach programs, resources for restaurants looking to bring in plant based options, and educational programming.
Click here for the full post with pictures.
