Where to give back
Today is Georgia Gives Day, and local organizations need your support more than ever
No value assignedToday is Georgia Gives Day, a reminder to do our community (and your karma) a favor by donating to local charities and nonprofits. As the holidays approach and the disaster that was 2016 grinds to a close, creating change on a grassroots level has become more important than ever.
Here’s a list of Georgia-based nonprofits that could really use your support right now. Our city has too many excellent causes to count, so this is only a small sampling — please add your own suggestions in the comments section below!
Social Justice
New American Pathways: This Atlanta nonprofit provides assistance to approximately 4,000 refugees a year, from initial resettlement to literacy, employment, education services, and immigration and citizenship assistance. www.newamericanpathways.org.
Southern Poverty Law Center: The SPLC is based in Montgomery but has an office in Atlanta and does important work battling racial and social injustice through fighting hate, teaching tolerance, and seeking justice. www.splcenter.org.
The Georgia Innocence Project: The GIP is a non-profit dedicated to securing the release and exoneration of men and women imprisoned for crimes they did not commit. www.georgiainnocenceproject.org.
LiftUp Atlanta: This organization works with homeless shelters in the metro Atlanta area, assisting with everything from basic needs like food, hygiene products, and water to computer training and job skills. www.liftupatlanta.org
Racial Justice Action Center: Seasoned local organizers have gathered together to create a social justice model led by working class people of color. Already, they’ve launched Women on the Rise for formerly incarcerated women, a leadership and development training program, and SNaP Coalition to assist people arrested for street level sex work. www.rjactioncenter.org
Women’s Health
Access Reproductive Care-Southeast, Inc.: Serving Southerners seeking abortion care, the reproductive justice organization helps eliminate financial barriers and promotes meaningful access to reproductive healthcare. www.arc-southeast.org.
Magnolia Fund: This Atlanta nonprofit aims to create a world where people have reproductive autonomy with full access to resources and without interference. www.magnoliafundga.org.
Feminist Women’s Health Center: Since 1977, the FWHC promotes community education and advocacy and provides reproductive health care services. The center offers abortion care, birth control, STD testing, and transgender health programs. www.feministcenter.org.
The Peach Coven: This local organization focuses on providing pads and tampons for Atlanta’s homeless population, as these are some of the least donated items to homeless shelters. www.peachcoven.org.
Disability Assistance
FODAC: Based in Stone Mountain, Friends of Disabled Adults and Children provides quality medical and mobility equipment, such as wheelchairs and hospital beds, at little or no cost to people with disabilities and their families. www.fodac.org.
All About Developmental Disabilities: Founded by a group of parents in 1951, AADD works with individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to create opportunities for employment, community engagement and support. www.aadd.org.
Children and Teens
CHRIS 180: Formerly CHRIS Kids, this local group’s goal is to heal children and families who have experienced trauma through mental health counseling, training, safe housing, and skills building. www.chris180.org.
Lost-n-Found Youth: Since over 40 percent of homeless youth are LGBTQ, this youth center assists with temporary housing, preparation for permanent housing, and employment. www.lnfy.org.
Atlanta Children’s Shelter: The shelter provides free daycare, emotional support, education for children, and social services that focus on the long term self-sufficiency of families. www.acsatl.org.
Environment
Trees Atlanta: This non-profit takes on the daunting task of caring for Atlanta’s urban forest by planting and conserving trees and educating the public. www.treesatlanta.org.
Georgia Conservancy: For 50 years, this statewide organization has worked to protect Georgia’s natural resources through advocacy, engagement, and collaboration. Become a member, donate, or volunteer to help with development, funding, and special events. www.georgiaconservancy.org.
EarthShare of Georgia: This umbrella group connects people to a range of reputable local and national conservation-focused nonprofits, from Atlanta Bicycle Coalition to the Audubon Society to Chattahoochee River Keeper. www.earthsharega.org.
Food Access
Atlanta Community Food Bank: To fight hunger, the Atlanta Community Food Bank works with food pantries and community kitchens to distribute over 50 million meals. www.acfb.org.
Global Growers: GG’s mission is to create opportunities in sustainable agriculture through training international farmers (most of whom come to Atlanta as refugees of war), growing food, and providing economic opportunities. www.globalgrowers.org.http://www.globalgrowers.org
Wholesome Wave: This network of farmers markets and retailers helps low-income community members make healthier food choices by increasing access to affordable local food. www.wholesomewave.org.