Today's $3283 of donations are for social justice and empowerment... Nora V. - International Justice Mission - $1000 Charity Statement - “International Justice Mission is a human rights agency that brings rescue to victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression. IJM lawyers, investigators and aftercare professionals work with local officials to secure immediate victim rescue and aftercare, to prosecute perpetrators and to ensure that public justice systems - police, courts and laws - effectively protect the poor.” Olga B. - Welt Hunger Hilfe - $1000 Charity Statement - “Justice for All: We fight against world hunger and sustainable food security . This includes the promotion of site-specific agriculture, access to clean water, clean energy supply and the improvement of health and education. The equivalence of all people, their inviolable rights and self-determination guide our actions. People with whom we work, are partners who seek social change. We treat them with respect, solidarity and compassion.” (Translated from German) |
Monty E. - Kiva.org - $250
Statement - “This empowers people to create a sustainable income and better life. You can donate or lend, to date all of my loans have been repaid or are regularly paid! It is also is fun to see your small businesses succeed.”
Statement - “This empowers people to create a sustainable income and better life. You can donate or lend, to date all of my loans have been repaid or are regularly paid! It is also is fun to see your small businesses succeed.”
Marie Wu - Amnesty International - $400
Statement - “Amnesty International is an organization that is incredibly close to my heart. It's an organization focused on human rights, that works independently of any government, political ideology, economic interest or religion. The topic of human rights is one that I feel very passionately about. I never did get around to discussing it with Austin, which is something I regret now. Nevertheless, knowing Austin's character, I believe it is something he would have cared about as well.”
Statement - “Amnesty International is an organization that is incredibly close to my heart. It's an organization focused on human rights, that works independently of any government, political ideology, economic interest or religion. The topic of human rights is one that I feel very passionately about. I never did get around to discussing it with Austin, which is something I regret now. Nevertheless, knowing Austin's character, I believe it is something he would have cared about as well.”
Emily S. - Unicef - $333
Statement - “So basic survival is left and this is a tough one. Originally I thought to make a donation to the homeless or otherwise needy children of Chicago and am still very happy to do this, particularly if you know of an effective method of reaching them. But UNICEF was running a television advert the other day asking for £3.00 for bankets for the child refugees of the Syrian crisis. It struck me that the remaining third would buy quite a lot of blankets (or shoes, coats etc) I think that knowing that so many children are warmer because of the 12 days of Austin's Christmas would be a very positive thing. The UK government is matching uk donations pound for pound so I would ask you to do this via www.unicef.org.uk unless the US site is doing similar and it is the Syria Winter Appeal”
Statement - “So basic survival is left and this is a tough one. Originally I thought to make a donation to the homeless or otherwise needy children of Chicago and am still very happy to do this, particularly if you know of an effective method of reaching them. But UNICEF was running a television advert the other day asking for £3.00 for bankets for the child refugees of the Syrian crisis. It struck me that the remaining third would buy quite a lot of blankets (or shoes, coats etc) I think that knowing that so many children are warmer because of the 12 days of Austin's Christmas would be a very positive thing. The UK government is matching uk donations pound for pound so I would ask you to do this via www.unicef.org.uk unless the US site is doing similar and it is the Syria Winter Appeal”
Katie H. - The Gate Program (Miami, FL) - $300
Statement - “Gate is an intensive semester long program for juveniles with non-violent weapon crimes (possession of a weapon, pretty much). It was started by a RN unit coordinator, Mimi, from a trauma unit in a Miami hospital. Mimi hated seeing so many young males dying or becoming disabled for life as a result of gang related violence, and like any good RN, understood the important of treating a disease by prevention. Mimi has the young men fill out toe tags in a morgue with their information, self catheterization, and caregiving techniques taught to families of disabled gun-violence survivors. Those are just the reality scare tactics that Mimi likes to use in the beginning. What the program is REALLY based on is life skills. Gate classes focus on improving coping skills, teaching the importance of healthy friendships and relationships, and illustrates boundary-setting between the male participant and his friends and family members who pressure him into gang affiliation or other violence. Gates's values are centered on helping juveniles understand that they are worthy of a happy and safe life. Most of the peer mentors who teach in this program have gone through the program themselves, offering an incredibly understanding mentorship experience. I was so impressed by this program because it was everything that Sarah's and my camp, Workshop, was trying to be.”
Statement - “Gate is an intensive semester long program for juveniles with non-violent weapon crimes (possession of a weapon, pretty much). It was started by a RN unit coordinator, Mimi, from a trauma unit in a Miami hospital. Mimi hated seeing so many young males dying or becoming disabled for life as a result of gang related violence, and like any good RN, understood the important of treating a disease by prevention. Mimi has the young men fill out toe tags in a morgue with their information, self catheterization, and caregiving techniques taught to families of disabled gun-violence survivors. Those are just the reality scare tactics that Mimi likes to use in the beginning. What the program is REALLY based on is life skills. Gate classes focus on improving coping skills, teaching the importance of healthy friendships and relationships, and illustrates boundary-setting between the male participant and his friends and family members who pressure him into gang affiliation or other violence. Gates's values are centered on helping juveniles understand that they are worthy of a happy and safe life. Most of the peer mentors who teach in this program have gone through the program themselves, offering an incredibly understanding mentorship experience. I was so impressed by this program because it was everything that Sarah's and my camp, Workshop, was trying to be.”