Shout Out! Charity
As what I hope is a person with compassion, I'm sure you have a cause you believe in that would make the lives of your neighbors and fellow humans better. It's important to me to promote and donate as well as spread the word. Here are my main causes and I hope you'll take a moment to check them out! Also feel free to tell me your favorite charities in the comments below.
First is the Civil Society. They were the first organization I connected with when I started wanting to use my platform to shine light on important issues. I've done shows and parties to raise money for them over the years. From their website:
CIVIL SOCIETY IS A MINNESOTA BASED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION PROVIDING CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY SPECIFIC LEGAL AND CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING, SEXUAL ASSAULT AND ABUSE.
Civil Society, founded by Linda Miller in 1996, is a vital and unique link in the safety net of legal services for victims of human trafficking, through programs including:
- Legal Services for sexual assault and human trafficking victims
- Immigration legal services
- Court Advocacy/Accompaniment
- Minnesota Crime Victims Reparation Board (assistance with application)
- Community education and training
- Assistance with Orders For Protection (OFP) & Harassment Restraining Orders (HRO)
- Interpretation and translation services for victims
- Improvement of federal law as members of ATEST
- Develop a safety plan to ensure a sense of security
- Provide legal services for family law
- More services are available!
Civil Society is proud to be the MN Rescue and Restore Victims of Human Trafficking coalition leader.
Learn more about giving to the Civil Society here.
The next organization is run by my friend Jamie Walton. She took an unimaginable time in her childhood and turned it into something to help others. From their website:
The Wayne Foundation is committed to spreading awareness of CSEC (Commercial Sex Exploitation of Children) DMST (Domestic Minor Sexual Trafficking) occurring within the United States.
Vision StatementThe Wayne Foundation’s vision is for a world without child slavery. We are dedicated to providing direct assistance to those victimized by exploitation.Drop in CenterThe Wayne Foundation operates the third drop in center in Florida recognized by the Department of Children and Family Services. It is located in Charlotte County Florida, and serves clients throughout Southwest Florida. Our target clientele are young women aged 13-25. Our DIC is equipped to provide daily services that include, but are not limited to: Food, New Clothing, Access to Shower, Media Center, Mental Health Assistance, SNAP/ Medicare Benefit sign-up/renewal, Family Counseling, Education Assistance, and Transportation To and From the Center.
- Food
- New clothing
- Access to a shower
- Media center
- Mental health assistance
- SNAP/ Medicare Benefit sign-up/renewal
- Family counseling
- Education assistance
- Transportation to and from the center.
Shelter ServicesThe Wayne Foundation continues to have the goal of providing shelter services to young women victimized by exploitation or trafficking. This is our primary long term objective. You can donate here. You can learn more about Jamie here.
And lastly, but not leastly The Kelly Nicole Foundation. Started by Kelly Nicole's loving wife and many others who loved her, this foundation is made in her memory as a way to help others. From their website:
THE KELLY NICOLE FOUNDATION WAS CREATED TO HONOR MUSICIAN AND TRAUMA SURVIVOR, KELLY NICOLE. WE SELL HER MUSIC AND MERCHANDISE TO FIGHT PTSD AND EATING DISORDERS.
Kelly Nicole was a music prodigy and an exceptional inspiration to many. The Kelly Nicole Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit created by her family and friends that produces, releases and promotes her music. Income benefits trauma survivors and people with eating disorders.The foundation also made a short documentary about her to tell her store since she's not here to do it:
Click here to learn about how to get involved.
So there we are. I plan to make these shout out posts often so if there's a subject you'd like me to chat about, please comment below and let me know what you'd like to know more about.
xoxo,
Samantha