Celebrating Nonprofits That Inspire Us
During the hustle and bustle of the holidays, we can all use a reminder to pause and recognize the needs around us, and to give back. Every day, around the world, people work tirelessly to support others or communities in need. Opportunities abound to make an impact on someone else and their future.From helping veterans, to finding cures for cancer and illnesses, providing hope to orphans, ending hunger and more, these nonprofit organizations are making a difference in many lives. Below are just a few of the nonprofits who’ve inspired us this past year.
Founded in 1990, StandUp for Kids is on a mission to end the cycle of youth homelessness, one life at a time. Youth age out of the foster care system every year, and many are forced into homelessness. StandUp for Kids volunteers care for homeless and at-risk youth by transitioning them from crisis to connection. Through housing support, mentoring, drop-in centers, and street outreach, they give youth a sense of safety, hope, and belonging. @StandUpForKids
The Humane Society of the United States
The Humane Society of the United States thinks big, is fearless and champions for all animals who are suffering. Joining with millions of supporters, the nonprofit takes on puppy mills, factory farms, the fur trade, trophy hunting, animal cosmetics testing among other cruel industries. Through their rescue, response and sanctuary work, as well as other hands-on animal care services, the organization helps thousands of animals every year. @HumaneSociety
With Operation Homefront's mission in building strong, stable, and secure military families so they can thrive—not just struggle to get by—they can have both short term and long term stability. The nonprofit provides programs that offer: Relief (through Critical Financial Assistance and transitional housing programs), Resiliency (through permanent housing and caregiver support services) and Recurring Family Support programs and services throughout the year that help military families overcome short-term hurdles so they don’t become long-term chronic problems.@Op_Homefront
American Psychiatric Association Foundation
One in five adults experience a mental illness and 17% of youth experience a mental health disorder according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The APAF initiatives focus on one goal: A mentally healthy nation for all. This Foundation raises awareness on mental health and aims to overcome barriers, invests in the future leaders of psychiatry, and supports research and training to improve mental health care. Through the Foundation's community-based programs, fellowships, awards and grants, they address critical mental health needs and direct resources where they are needed most. @PsychFoundation
With programs of prevention, early detection, financial support, disease management, clinical research, innovation and advocacy, the American Kidney Fund works on behalf of the 37 million Americans living with kidney disease, and the millions more at risk. Their programs support people wherever they are in their fight against kidney disease—from prevention through post-transplant living. AKF drives innovation through strategic partnerships and investment in clinical research to improve patient outcomes and fights to improve the lives of kidney patients.@KidneyFund
The Global Orphan Project aims to break the orphan cycle and cares for children and vulnerable families along the full spectrum of orphan prevention, orphan care and orphan transition. With an emphasis on prevention, the organization helps strengthen families through job creation, education and community support. Focusing on one child at a time, the nonprofit provides sustainable, local, family-style care that is deeply rooted in compassion, hope and the belief that every child deserves a chance and can thrive.@OrphanProject
Everyone deserves to be free from hunger and poverty. Heifer works in 21 countries around the world supporting local farmers, business owners and their communities in a sustainable way. This nonprofit provides training so they can improve the quantity and quality of the goods they produce, and helps the individuals make connections to market to increase sales and income and to become self-reliant.@Heifer
Almost 21 million Americans have at least 1 addiction, yet only 10% of them receive treatment, according to Addiction Center. New Hope is dedicated to the effective treatment and successful recovery of individuals and families affected by substance use, gambling and other mental health disorders. Their in depth recovery services are offered in compassionate, healing environments. Mental, physical and emotional health can be restored and hope, dignity and self-esteem can be renewed and lives can be saved.@NewHopeFound
What started with $200 and a shoebox full of potential donor names has now grown into the world’s largest nonprofit source of funding for the fight against breast cancer. To date Susan G. Komen For the Cure has invested more than $2.9 billion in groundbreaking research, community health outreach, advocacy and programs in more than 60 countries. This nonprofit’s mission is to save lives by meeting the most critical needs in communities and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer.@SusanGKomen
Imagine what the planet will look like for future generations. The hope is it will look better than it even does today. The Nature Conservancy is a global environmental nonprofit dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. This nonprofit works to protect land and water, builds healthier cities, provides tips to reduce waste including plastic - in fact according to Nature.org, eight million tons of plastic end up in our ocean each year; tackles climate change, and educates the world on securing food and water without sacrificing the environment. @nature_org
There are more than 52,000 servicemen and women physically injured in recent military conflicts, 500,000 living with invisible wounds, from depression to post-traumatic stress disorder, and 320,000 experiencing debilitating brain trauma, according to Wounded Warrior Project. The nonprofit helps these individuals on the road to recovery and transition to civilian life. Through a variety of programs and services, WWP is transforming the way America’s injured veterans are empowered, employed, and engaged in our communities, enabling a positive future.@WWP
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