United for Justice with Peace is a wonderful non-profit based in the Boston area.  They are unincorporated and were kind enough to be our guinea pigs, as we worked out some of the kinks of getting an organization set up without 501(c)3 status or other documentation.

UJFP mission statement is extensive and awesome.  Basically, they’re working for global peace through social and economic justice.

In their own words:

The individuals and organizations that comprise United for Justice with Peace express our profound grief for the thousands whose lives were cut short in the September 11, 2001 attacks, and extend our heartfelt condolences to all those who suffered losses in the event. We stand with people of conscience the world over in condemning unequivocally these horrendous acts of violence. In pursuit of a world without terror, the Coalition adopts the following principals:

• We seek global peace through social and economic justice.
• We will not support war, no matter what reason or rhetoric is offered by politicians or the media. War in our time and in this context is indiscriminate, a war against innocents and against children. Further militarization or restrictions of our society will also have dire consequences on human rights and civil liberties at home.
• We are opposed to the use of military and economic aggression that targets countries and peoples to apprehend the few who are culpable. Those responsible should be brought to justice through genuine international cooperation and through judicial process based on the rule of law.
• We oppose the diversion of positive human energy and material resources away from basic needs of health, education and affirmative social supports and toward the destructive and dangerous uses by the military.
• We stand in defense of our constitutional civil liberties and reject the rush to repressive measures. We cannot be secure by limiting our liberties, as some of our political leaders are demanding, but only by expanding them.
• We oppose anti-Arab, anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant and all forms of racial, ethnic, and religious violence and bigotry.
• We call for addressing the serious humanitarian crises in Afghanistan and other affected regions through genuine international cooperation under the leadership of neutral, independent aid organizations.
• We call for root causes to be addressed. Millions of ordinary people in the Middle East are angered at US support for the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, the inhumane economic sanctions against Iraq, US support for repressive regimes, and the actions of unaccountable global economic institutions dominated by the United States, which have perpetuated poverty and despair at home and abroad. U.S. cultural domination over a pluralistic world and the unwanted forward deployment of U.S. foreign military bases are also a source of anger. Until these policies have been changed we will never be safe, and we will continue to betray the ideals of freedom, justice, and democracy which we rightly prize.
• We are committed to nonviolence in all actions done in the name of the coalition.
• We are committed to being a coalition which welcomes new voices and collaborates with other communities working for similar goals.

In summary, UJP is pretty great.  Check out their website, which has a wealth of information, resources and more details about their mission and what they do.

Donate to UJP

Are you an unincorporated non-profit? Need card processing?  Sign up with DonationPay now.

The Procession of The Species, in full swing

This weeks (or, er, this months, I suppose) NPO of the week is so incredibly specific to Olympia, so ingrained a part of the little pocket of shaggy, radical culture, so wild and yet utterly ordinary to the town that I feel I may not be able to adequately describe it for the uninitiated.  I will make a- possibly vain- attempt:  The Procession of The Species is a fabulous parade that happens once a year, through the non-profit of the same name.  People from Olympia- children and adults alike- dress up as various iconic characters of the natural world, flora and fauna, bodily systems, etc.  Basically, it’s a celebration of all things organic and of life, in general, and is accompanied by seven weeks of art, music and dance workshops.  The cost of registration for the Procession is two cans of food for the local food bank.

Here’s some sped-up clips from the Procession this year:

The artistic pageant happens on Earth Day, when us Northwest folks are starting to get cross-eyed from the constant drizzle and monochromatic landscape.  It’s always a bright burst of color that enlivens the downtown business community and brings a smile to the city as a whole; a giant, relieved exhalation that, at long last, spring is here. Here’s how the Procession started, in their own words:

‘In January, 1995, a group of Olympia residents wanted to organize an event both to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Earth Day and to support Congressional renewal of the Endangered Species Act. The group decided on a positive statement of support in the form of a community celebration. They developed ideas for action and agreed on several basic tenets along with three simple rules. These became the group’s working principles. The Procession of the Species Celebration was born!’

And here, from their website, are the three rules for participants in the Procession:

-no written words

-no live pets

-no motorized vehicles (for Procession creations, but of course motorized wheelchairs are okay!)

And their organizational mission:

To empower communities to engage in cultural relationships with the natural world as a means of sustaining efforts of environmental protection and restoration.

Commendable, no?

The Procession is fabulously fun and really brings the community together.  I attended every one of the five years I lived in Olympia, and though I missed it this year, I’m happy to announce that DonationPay is helping Procession take their fundraising efforts online.

This year, Procession of The Species is raising money to keep their studio space open year-round.  The studio and the organization are vital arts resources for the community and a way for teachers, students and interested individuals to create more and more elaborate works of art for the annual celebration.  The studio is staffed completely by volunteers and is open to the public as a space to build  beautiful costumes, displays and other pageant materials for the Procession.  It’s awesome, believe me.  Procession also puts on art and music workshops, does educational outreach work, and offers a comprehensive starter kit for people from other cities who are interested in starting their own Procession.

All in all, it’s a great organization and one that is totally emblematic of the Olympia ethos.

Consider donating to The Procession of The Species today; it will make a positive impact on the whole community.

Donate to the Procession

Code Pink Marches On Washington

For my first non-profit of the week after quite a long hiatus, I thought I’d write about one of my favorite organizations, Code Pink.  Code Pink is a national, large-scale non-profit that organizes and unites women across the world in the struggle for peace.  They have a website of commendable depth- you could get lost for hours in that thing-but here I’ll just show you their awesome, empowering Mission Statement:

‘CODEPINK is a women-initiated grassroots peace and social justice movement working to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, stop new wars, and redirect our resources into healthcare, education, green jobs and other life-affirming activities. CODEPINK rejects foreign policies based on domination and aggression, and instead calls for policies based on diplomacy, compassion and a commitment to international law. With an emphasis on joy and humor, CODEPINK women and men seek to activate, amplify and inspire a community of peacemakers through creative campaigns and a commitment to non-violence.’

Code Pink began as a coalition of American women who were deeply against the initial invasion of Iraq by the Bush administration.  They wanted to play on the administrations Terror Alert Color System: you know, red, orange, yellow to signal levels of terrorist threat . So, Code Pink was born and has now grown into one of the largest American organizations in the world consistently working to put an end to ongoing violence.   Code Pink is not an organization for only women; they do encourage men to join them.  However, they are, as they say, ‘particularly eager’ to see all types of women begin devoting themselves to the peace effort.

Some recent highlights on Code Pink’s great-looking and easily usable website: Jodie Evans account of her ‘arrest’ of Karl Rove, their blog post about the Global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Day of Action, and their truly AMAZING Resource Toolbox for emerging organizations and activists.

And here are some Code Pink ladies, taking on John McCain and The Beach Boys.

No matter what your political affiliation (and I know I’ve made mine awfully clear in this post, though I’ve been trying to steer away from this sort of thing, mostly), you have to appreciate non-violent protests disrupting big government, you know, unless you’re a monster.  Peaceful assembly and dissent is one of our constitutionally protected rights and I love that the amazing women (and men) of Code Pink are using every tool at their disposal to engage in political discourse, educate and empower.

Learn More about Code Pink

Donate Now

Locate Code Pink Groups In Your Area

In which I launch into my second post about exploited, abused women inside of one week’s time.

Earlier this year, I watched an incredibly powerful documentary about human trafficking and underage prostitution in New York City.  The film, Very Young Girls, is nominally about young sex workers, but it’s implications are vastly more far-reaching.  It depicts the lives of a group of young women tricked, lured, seduced and forced into prostitution at the hands of much older men and also the system which provides them no assistance or opportunity for escape.  Much of the film takes place in the dorm-like housing provided by GEMS (Girls Educational and Mentoring Service), an NPO in New York devoted to assisting and aiding the victims of the sex trade in their area.  Rachel Lloyd, who founded GEMS and is a victim of the sexual exploitation herself, is a no-nonsense powerhouse, a tireless caretaker  of the young women she works with, and an educator through and through.  For years, she’s been working to raise awareness of this issue, make changes through legislature, make important alterations to the terminology used to describe the victims she works with, and provide resources and education to many women who can’t get it anywhere else.  GEMS Girls has grown from her small apartment kitchen in 1999 to a nationally recognized non-profit.  It’s an amazing story and born of the fact that there were literally no victims advocacy organizations for underage women who experienced exploitation and domestic trafficking in 1999, when the organization was founded.  It’s hard to believe that such a clear need was never thoroughly addressed until Rachel Lloyed stepped up to the plate.

Here is Rachel Lloyd speaking at the Senate Hearing in late February of this year:

GEMS Testifies at Senate Hearing 2.24.2010 from GEMS GIRLS on Vimeo.

The GEMS mission statement, in their own words:

‘Girls Educational and Mentoring Services’ (GEMS) mission is to empower young women, ages12-21, who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking to exit the commercial sex industry and develop to their full potential.  GEMS is committed to ending commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking of children by changing individual lives, transforming public perception, and revolutionizing the systems and policies that impact sexually exploited youth.’

The GEMS website has a wealth of more information on this horrific subject, as well as writing from some of the victims the organization works with, which is especially amazing.  Their website is a commendable example of excellent content balanced with usability and a clear design identity- I encourage you to check it out and to consider donating to GEMS today, or otherwise getting involved.

Meanwhile, check out the trailer for Very Young Girls:

By the way, this film is totally available to Netflix users in the watch instantly section, so queue it up, people, seriously.

Also, Mary J. Blige and Sinead O’Connor (love them!) re-recorded a song by O’Connor, with GEMS member Martha B.  The proceeds from the song go to GEMS.

Listen to it here.

SafePlace Fights Against Domestic Violence

This week, getting back to our NPOTW feature, we’re showcasing another organization from the Seattle/Olympia area: incredible, necessary, cannot-say-enough-good-things-about-it advocacy agency/confidential shelter for victims of domestic violence  SafePlace.

Safeplace has been an invaluable local resource since 1981, when two programs run by the YWCA- Rape Relief and the Women’s Shelter- merged.  They provide a shelter for victims of violence, comprehensive volunteer training, awareness-raising events, a 24-hour crisis line, shelter support, legal and medical advocacy, and support groups.  To reduce their contributions to the Olympia-area to the simple, aforementioned list seems criminal, so great and positive has their impact been on the entire community.

Here, in their own words, are their mission statement and core values of the organization:

‘Mission
We strive to put an end to sexual and domestic violence and advocate for personal and societal change through crisis intervention and education.

Core Values

Quality
We are dedicated to quality programs and services for our clients, the best facilities we can provide, the finest staff we can hire and a positive atmosphere for change.

Respect
The foundation for our relationships with others is respect for individual rights and choices. We are compassionate in our dealings with others.

Self Care
We recognize the need for self-care as a priority for both clients and staff.

Diversity
We value, acknowledge and integrate diversity. We are dedicated to serving the diverse cultures in our community and mirroring that diversity in our staff.

Integrity
We endeavor to build relationships with clients, community members and each other based on integrity and honesty.

Confidentiality
Client and personnel information is held in the strictest of confidence creating a culture of openness and trust.’

I have known many volunteers for SafePlace, as well as people who’ve used their services, in the 5 years I lived in Olympia, and I never heard anything less than the highest praise.  Safeplace has a team of incredible staff and volunteers whom they’ve trained in their 35-hour initial training program and the competency and compassion of the people who work in the shelter is legendary.

Along with the specific services Safeplace provides to the region, they are one of many organizations in the nation who are addressing, in an ongoing way, the pervasive and insidious issue of domestic violence.  The necessity of organizations which provide safe haven to abused individuals cannot be underestimated.  Consider donating to your local shelter today.

From Safe Place:

Donate To Safe Place

Facts about  Domestic Violence

Facts About Sexual Assault

8 Ways You Can Help Prevent Sexual Assault

Resources:

National Domestic Violence Hotline : 1.800.799.SAFE, or TTY: 1.800.787.3224

Am I Being Abused?

Am I Being Abusive?

Helping A Friend

Violence Against Women Act

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Here is a video from the UK, of two women detailing their experiences of domestic violence:

And this one, with an American woman, Caroline, talking opening and astutely about her abusive relationship with her now-ex husband, of 43 years:

Getting Down To Business at the World Hunger Relief Farm

Let me begin by saying: I love Texas.  Politically, the Lone Star state and I generally differ, but I’m crazy about the weird landscapes, the emu jerky (and other, similarly bizarre food they have there), the well-mannered boys, South By Southwest, and Friday Night Lights (the best show you’re probably not watching).   Aside from my love of Texas in general, the Waco area has a truly exemplary organization that trains interns and community members in sustainable farming techniques and conservation: The World Hunger Relief Farm.  It looks like an actual paradise of pastoral bliss, but is also a dynamic agent for progress in the fight against worldwide hunger, an educational and practical resource (it’s a working farm, people!), and a spiritual center for the community.

Side note:  In this blog, I will generally try to steer clear of religious organizations (as I’m not religious myself); this is just one of those occasional exceptions.

Anyhow, the World Hunger Relief Farm looks like heaven on earth and has been doing valuable work for their immediate and the international community since 1976.  They offer many different internships and volunteer opportunities, options for donation and assistance and also, can they interest you in a whole, farm-raised goat?  Hopefully, the next time I go to Texas, I’ll have some time to take the long drive out to Waco to see this organization in action, have a farm-fresh meal and volunteer a day of service.

Donate to World Hunger Relief Today

Check out the Farm Blog

Bugs McLovin’ lounges

I am one sick puppy (laryngitis, ugh) and instead of blogging, I’d really rather be bingeing on episodes of The Wire (warning: linked video is NSFW) and mango sorbet, so I’ll keep this brief.  PAWS (the Progressive Animal Welfare Society) is awesome; they run a wonderful shelter in Lynnwood, about 20 minutes away from Seattle, and they also have an all-cat adoption center, Cat City, over in Greenwood.  They’re all about helping animals and educating people; they also offer wildlife rehabilitation and companion animal services.  Also, I can tell you from personal experience that their staff is friendly, knowledgeable and helpful for someone looking for the right shelter animal to take home and love to pieces.  My parents cat Charlie- who is a  spoiled, adorable rascal- was a PAWS kitty and we could not have asked for an easier experience of choosing a new cat a few months after my beloved childhood kitty had passed away from old age.

Again, since I sound like Lindsay Bluth when she lost her voice in Arrested Development (R.I.P.) and feel like someone is clamping my vocal cords with red-hot calipers, I’ll let them speak for themselves:

PAWS’ Vision

PAWS is the leading voice for animals in Washington State and a recognized leader in the nation for its progressive outreach and education programs, legislative work, and premier wildlife rehabilitation and companion animal services. Through many collaborative relationships with organizations and individuals, PAWS is making a better world for animals.

PAWS envisions this world to be a place where all people recognize the intrinsic value of animal life, are mindful of the impact of their daily behaviors and choices on animals, and consistently demonstrate compassion and respect.

PAWS’ Values

• The recognition and respect of the intrinsic value of animal life.
• The capability of animals to express their natural and innate behaviors in appropriate ways, and experience the highest quality of life possible.
• The right of animals to be free from cruelty, neglect, and abuse.
• The importance of ending companion animal overpopulation.
• The caring guardianship of companion animals.
• The preservation of wild species and their habitats.
• The role that all humans play in the active stewardship of maintaining the environmental and ecological balance of the earth.
• The consideration of the animals’ best interest when making decisions, along with consideration of the longterm consequences and the impact of our work when determining how best to allocate PAWS’ resources.
• The trust that the public places in us with regard to animal care and the management of our resources.

See what I mean?  Amazing.  Unmoved by shelter animals?  What are you, some kind of monster?  Go check them out today.

Support Paws Today

Check Out Available Pets

Have a nice weekend, all.

-A.J.

Their mission has developed and deepened since their inception 17 years ago (founded by the Yakima Interfaith Coalition), so  I’ll let them explain it:

Today
Today we are a thriving “second home” for immigrant women and their children. They are committed to improving themselves, their families and their community through a variety of educational opportunities, the base of which is English as a Second Language. The preschool children participate in a structured learning program developing pre-literacy and social behavioral skills for school readiness.

Leadership
Leadership is developing in the form of new shoots on the plant. Our four staff, all previous students of La Casa Hogar, now give back, building the home of the family as they nurture, care and share resources with all who come to this place.

Their website has a lot more information about getting involved with La Casa Hogar- check them out today!

Donate to La Casa Hogar today

These kids today. . . SYPP Members at the Youth Organizing Institute

Well, after a return from a brief, sad hiatus (in Berkeley for a memorial service), I’m back with a new NP of the Week and, surprise, it’s based in Seattle and is of personal importance to me.  Yes, I use this blog to indulge my personal whims and preferences, sue me.  Anyhow, SYPP, or Seattle Young People’s Project has been around since 1992, helping empower teenagers, 12- 18, in the Seattle area.

SYPP plans events, forums, fundraisers and mediations in the Northwest that help teens get involved in political, environmental and social issues.  They raise money for various causes and work valiantly for social change.  I was a member in high school and it helped me feel more connected to my community and kept me out of trouble (well, mostly).  It’s hard to be a teenager; you know you want your voice to be heard, but sometimes it’s confusing to discern what, exactly, you want to say.  SYPP helps kids find causes and build alliances with other teenagers and they do a lot for the community.  They also sponsor and create a lot of drug-and-booze-free events for teenagers, creating positive social options for the under-21 set.

Here’s an example; SYPP members have fun while making their feelings about WASL crystal clear.

If you’re a teenager in Seattle looking  for a positive outlet for your energy and efforts, look no further.  SYPP currently accepts online donations through paypal, but we’re hoping they’ll get on board with DonationPay ASAP.

Kick some butt and take some names with Home Alive

In 1993, on her way home from a night out with friends, Seattle singer Mia Zapata (of The Gits) was sexually assaulted and strangled to death with the cords from her hooded sweatshirt.  She was 27.  This loss to the Seattle music and arts community was devastating and it took nearly 12 years to catch and convict Zapata’s killer (now serving 36 years in prison).  From this tragedy, though, came one of the most important non-profits in the Seattle area: Home Alive.

Founded by Zapata’s friend, Valerie Agnew (who was the awesome drummer for 7 Year Bitch and a close friend of Zapata’s), Home Alive’s mission is to provide affordable self-defense classes, empower the community, do educational outreach and plan events and fundraisers.  They have been doing this, now, for over 15 years.  They say it best themselves, on their website:

‘Throughout our organization and programming, we integrate a belief that violence stems from power imbalances related to such things as gender, class, race and sexual orientation. Through our classes, events and education we shift people¹s perspectives from focusing on safety as an individual concern to seeing violence prevention as a part of collective action.’

Awesome, right?

Check out the Home Alive promo video, made in 2006:

As a young Gits fan in 1993, I was dumbfounded by the news of Mia Zapata’s violent death and the shock has lessened very little with age.  However, when I was 19 years old, I experienced the incredible gift that the organization founded in her honor has to give to people the Seattle area.  Walking home from work one night, around 1 am (which I did nightly), I was chased by a man for several blocks.  I was lucky enough not to be attacked that night, but my confidence, security and sense of personal power were deeply rattled.

After this incident, I struggled to re-establish my sense of safety in my own neighborhood.  I began taking classes at Home Alive and experienced a thrilling reclamation: of my sense of self, of my own competence, of my ownership and love of my community.  As I learned basic self-defense and safety tips, I realized that my recovery from my near miss had led to a stronger foundation and an increased knowledge of who I was and wanted to be.  Home Alive has facilitated similar recoveries for countless people in the Seattle area who have experienced (or are concerned about) violence or violation.  Their work is invaluable to our community and they can always use volunteers, financial contributions and people to get the word out.

I know I’m not the only person in the Northwest who wants to thank the incredible people over at Home Alive for the amazing work they do and, personally, for the impact they’ve had in my life.  Keep up the good work, guys.

-A.J.

Donate to Home Alive Today

Hear Mia Zapata perform with The Gits

Buy The Home Alive Benefit CD Today