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Hi, pals! Today, 1 August, begins my birthday month. Yes--not "birthday week." Month.
I've no PayPal or Venmo link to help with personal goals; for good or ill I feel odd soliciting for myself.
Instead, here are some hard-working area organizations I'd encourage you to support.
I've no PayPal or Venmo link to help with personal goals; for good or ill I feel odd soliciting for myself.
Instead, here are some hard-working area organizations I'd encourage you to support.
But before that--putting aside those I name here specific to Pittsburgh, I'd encourage you to also check out equivalent organizations in your own area. Large national groups do fine work, but as with most well-known, big-name charities, it's local groups that Get The Job Done.
That's not to say that every National or International group is bad. Consider those that provide resources & support, or otherwise do work, on a broader level with less overhead. Such as:
http://TheTrevorProject.org , providing crisis intervention & suicide prevention to LGBTQ youth.
http://TheTrevorProject.org , providing crisis intervention & suicide prevention to LGBTQ youth.
http://OutrightInternational.org , a non-profit that works at international, regional, and national levels to research, document, defend, and advance human rights for LGBTQIA+ people around the world
http://SafeSpaceAlliance.com is a LGBTQIA+ non-profit organization that aims to help people identify, navigate, and create safe spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community worldwide
Larger organizations supporting black communities & fighting injustice:
NAACP Legal Defense & Education Fund ( http://naacpldf.org )
http://RaceForward.org
http://ColorOfChange.org
NAACP Legal Defense & Education Fund ( http://naacpldf.org )
http://RaceForward.org
http://ColorOfChange.org
& please, consider groups on the street in places like Portland--dedicated protestors actively fighting against Nazis, murderous local cops, AND fascist federal secret police. I've no specific link on hand (please lmk if you do), but the fight is everywhere, & so are resources.
Even as I draft this thread, past experience tells me Twitter is about to cut me off from adding to it. So let me just reiterate that whether in my area or yours, there are SO MANY groups of all sizes putting in the work to support the community in every way imaginable.
Trans/LGBTQ rights, Black Lives Matter, animal rescue, abortion rights, civil rights, mutual aid, prison abolition+rights, drug decrim/rehab/support, sex work decrim, legal aid, climate justice, healthcare, education+work programs, disability rights, much more. What inspires you?
Anyway.
Some groups in the Pittsburgh area doing important work:
Some groups in the Pittsburgh area doing important work:
First: Shout-out to @BlackCatMartPgh, a Pittsburgh cat cafe doing great work adopting out cats, hosting community events (ofc with COVID-19 limitations right now), & highlighting some of the very organizations I mention here. Check out their site for ways to support!
On that note, many groups in & around Pittsburgh work to TNR, rescue, spay+neuter, home, & otherwise provide services for cats & homeless animals. http://Frankies-Friends.org , where Black Cat Market gets their kitties, is but one example. There are so many more, feel free to search!
Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania ( http://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-western-pennsylvania)
I used a quarter of my allotted characters just typing the name & URL... Now half. No introduction necessary, though. Imperfect but important national organization, essential local health services & advocacy.
I used a quarter of my allotted characters just typing the name & URL... Now half. No introduction necessary, though. Imperfect but important national organization, essential local health services & advocacy.
1Hood ( http://1hood.org ): Art & activist collective providing an outlet and resources for Pittsburghers in response to state violence, COVID-19, and more
SisTers and BroThers PGH ( http://sisterspgh.org ): Provides clothes, housing, education, and other resources to trans and non-binary folks in Pittsburgh.
Following on the above, see also SisTer PGH's LGBTQIA Emergency Relief Fund ( http://bit.ly/pghlgbtqfund ), aimed specifically to provide relief to a community disproportionately targeted by state violence and discrimination
Dignity Act Now Collective ( http://gofundme.com/f/dignity-act-now-collective): A group of black women, trans and non-binary people impacted by mass incarceration, aiming to help post bail, release incarcerated folks, and provide mentorship to those released.
Bukit Bail Fund ( http://bukitbailfund.org ): A coalition for financial support of those stuck in the infamous Allegheny County Jail, the majority of whom aren't convicted. Named after Frank "Bukit" Smart Jr., who died when jail staff disregarded his needs as he had a seizure.
American Civil Liberties Union ( http://aclupa.org ): Imperfect, yet one of the most important organizations defending our basic civil rights, especially now when they're so profoundly endangered. See also the national organization, or chapters in each state (like so).
Pittsburgh Mutual Aid ( http://pittsburghmutualaid.com ): a group of community members helping folks in the greater Pittsburgh area connect to share resources and get support during the COVID-19 crisis and ongoing economic impacts
Black, Young, and Educated ( http://blackyoungeducated.org ): Founded to educate minority youth on topics affecting their everyday lives, provide opportunities, support needs. Dedicated to racial justice, climate justice, intersectionality, and all in between.
Gwen's Girls ( http://gwensgirls.org ): an agency to give girls the gender-responsive programs and services they need. Founded in recognition of the struggles of young women and girls who come to the attention of law enforcement
Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation ( http://hughlane.org ): provides & connects individuals to medical care & support services, HIV & STI testing, professional education & training services; dedicated to improving the well-being of LGBTQ+ & HIV communities in western Pennsylvania
Trans YOUniting ( http://transyounitingpgh.org ): a trans based nonprofit resource organization founded to provide community, services, housing support, work and education placement, and a safe space for trans folks and allies
Persad Center ( http://persadcenter.org ): Pittsburgh organization dedicated to improving the well-being of the LGBTQ communities, and HIV/AIDS communities, through outreach, treatment, counseling, training, and advocacy.
