|
How do you love the women in your life well?
Your sisters, cousins, mothers, grandmothers, aunts, girlfriends, wives, neighbors, etc? Around the holidays, most of us show love to our favorite ladies with gifts and quality time. Personally, I make a special effort in November and December to try and get together with my girls. As an introvert, my social life sometimes suffers as a result of prioritizing rest and recharging. Thankfully, there's something about the giving season that helps me break out of my shell and be more selfless with my time and energy. Plus, as someone whose love language is gift giving, I welcome any opportunity to show my friends and family how much I care for them. But the women in our lives aren't the only women in need of our love and generosity this holiday season. By donating and/or volunteering, we could change the lives of millions of women both across the world—and across the street. Here are 10 charities—both local to Chicago and global—that help serve and support women around the world: Local Chicago Charities 1. Chicago Books to Women in Prison WHO ARE THEY? Chicago Books to Women in Prison is an all-volunteer group that distributes paperback books free of charge to incarcerated people nationwide, focusing on all women and trans/non-binary people. Incarcerated people send in their requests for books directly, then volunteers match each request from their stock of thousands of donated books. Each package of books comes with a personal note and a new order form so it’s easy to order again. HOW CAN YOU HELP? “There are many ways you can help by giving your time, books or a monetary contribution. We especially welcome money for postage, which is our largest expense.” Donate books Donate money Volunteer 2. Bridge to Success WHO ARE THEY? Bridge to Success provides high-end interview and workplace-appropriate clothing to help increase employment opportunities for at-risk, low to no-income men, women, and young adults. They also offer personal stylists and coaching with a mission to build self-confidence through appearance, interview preparation and a sense of belonging at the workplace. HOW CAN YOU HELP? "Your talents, resources, clothing, and financial help are greatly needed and appreciated." Donate Volunteer 3. Resilience WHO ARE THEY? Resilience is an Illinois not-for-profit organization that works to affect positive social change for sexual assault survivors through direct support service and by raising awareness through education and advocacy. Crisis intervention, medical and legal advocacy, and trauma therapy services are available to anyone in need of support in the Chicagoland area. As an independent rape crisis center, Resilience partners with local hospitals and organizations to deliver services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. HOW CAN YOU HELP? "For sexual violence survivors to get the support that they need, and for our communities to respond with compassion, it takes all of us. Around the clock, day after day, year after year, Resilience stands ready to support and advocate on behalf of women, children, and men who have suffered sexual violence. Stand with us!" Donate Volunteer 4. Timothy's Ministry WHO ARE THEY? Since February 2004, Timothy's Ministry has been dedicated to reaching out with love and compassion to people struggling with homelessness. Caring volunteers gather together for biweekly potluck luncheons in Arlington Heights to offer friendship, food, clothing, Bible studies, and more. They also gather every Thursday and Friday at Tim's House in Chicago. This organization is near and dear to our heart as it's run by the mother of our founder, Katie Simkins, and was inspired by her family's story. While Timothy's ministry serves both men and women, they do provide support for housing, transportation, medical needs and clothing for women. CMW specifically gives to the women of Timothy's ministry by donating 10% of all proceeds from our shop to provide them with grocery and Walmart gift cards. HOW CAN YOU HELP? "Your donation makes it possible for us to keep our doors open in two locations so that we can provide not only the tangible gifts of delicious meals, a small food pantry, bus passes, and a clothing room, but most importantly, a warm and loving place to gather." Donate Volunteer 5. Hesed House WHO ARE THEY? While Hesed House is not exclusively a women’s ministry, many residents of this Aurora homeless shelter are women looking to break free of the shackles binding them to homelessness. Today, Hesed House is the second largest homeless shelter in the State of Illinois, serving over one thousand men, women and children every year. With the help of professional staff and alliances with outside agencies, the shelter provides assistance to families and individuals in the following areas: identification, transportation, child services, life skills, benefits, legal, financial, physical/emotional abuse, mental health, physical health, employment, education and housing. (To name a few). HOW CAN YOU HELP? “Whether you choose to lend your time and talents by volunteering, writing a check, planning a fundraising event or coordinating a collection of food, holiday toys, and warm winter clothes, ALL demonstrations of support are appreciated.” Donate Volunteer National and Global Charities 6. Women’s Global Empowerment Fund WHO ARE THEY? The mission of Women’s Global Empowerment Fund is to support women through economic, social and political programs, creating opportunities while addressing inequality; strengthening families and communities. Women’s Global Empowerment Fund strives to develop programs that produce reductions in poverty and the marginalization of women and their families by providing economic, social and political opportunities for sustainability and self-determination. HOW CAN YOU HELP? "By donating or volunteering with Women’s Global Empowerment Fund, you can help women create a brighter future for themselves and their families. We need a dynamic volunteer force to build awareness about microfinance and our other programs in northern Uganda. Your action can make it possible for us to provide opportunities to more and more women." Donate Volunteer 7. Women for Women International WHO ARE THEY? Since 1993, Women for Women International has helped more than 478,000 marginalized women in countries affected by war and conflict. They serve women in 8 countries offering support, tools, and access to life-changing skills to move from crisis and poverty to stability and economic self-sufficiency. Women for Women International brings women together in a safe space to learn life, business, and vocational skills. The result: stronger, self-sufficient women who are able to create sustainable change for themselves, their families, and their community. HOW CAN YOU HELP? "There are many ways to ensure that women in our programs have stability and foundational support for years to come. We can do so much more together — join us!" Donate Volunteer 8. Running Start WHO ARE THEY? Running Start is a nonpartisan nonprofit that trains young women to be in public office. They empower women to get involved in politics, then offer them programs that will help them improve their skills and give them the resources they need to get further in the political world. With over 100 training programs across the country, they've trained over 12,000 women (and counting!). HOW CAN YOU HELP? "Attend a special event, sign up to be a mentee/mentor, intern in our office, sponsor a program—or donate." Donate Volunteer 9. Girls Who Code WHO ARE THEY? Girls Who Code is an international non-profit organization working to close the gender gap in technology and change the image of what a programmer looks like and does. With their 7-week Summer Immersion Program, a 2-week specialized Campus Program, after school Clubs, and College Loops program, they're building the largest pipeline of future female engineers in the United States. HOW CAN YOU HELP? There are quite a few ways to get involved with Girls Who Code. You can fundraise, start a club, download lesson plans, become a partner and of course, donate directly to their cause. Donate Volunteer 10. Girls for a Change WHO ARE THEY? Girls For A Change (GFAC) is a nonprofit youth development organization aimed at empowering Black girls and other girls of color in Central Virginia to visualize their bright futures and potential through discovery, development, innovation and social change in their communities. GFAC programs focus on leadership skills, goal-planning, financial literacy, building a network, exposure, community engagement, skill-building, sisterhood building, and socio-emotional learning among other things. They also address important issues including institutional racism, sexism, the digital divide, and the glass ceiling. HOW CAN YOU HELP? Girls for a change also offers a host of different opportunities to donate your time, money and other resources, including becoming a coach, an ambassador, or a mentor. Donate Volunteer We hope you'll consider making a donation or volunteering at one of these organizations, or another organization of your choosing, to help make a difference in a woman's life this holiday season. <3 "In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |