Boost Gives Back: Donating To Charity
It's that wonderful time of the month: boost time! I couldn't be more grateful that I get a payout for creating content on this lovely platform, and I can't believe how lucky I am to be a part of this new community that only continues to grow and improve.
This month, with the social turmoil that the US is currently experiencing, protesting the corrupted justice system and demanding equality for all races, I've felt convicted to put my money where my mouth is, and use portions of my boost payout to donate to causes that are important to me.
I know that this could come off as virtue-signaling, but I honestly want to share these charities in hopes that more people will become aware of the important work that they do, and inspire some of you to give back as well! This isn't to promote how generous I am or how selfless I am with my money, because I'm more here to say that I haven't been giving like I should, and I'm using this opportunity to try and do better.
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Center for Wrongful Conviction of Youth
https://www.law.northwestern.edu/legalclinic/wrongfulconvictionsyouth/
First and foremost, I wanted to help address the huge problems of over-policing, over-sentencing, and over-arresting that black Americans have faced for decades. Unfortunately, black people are often arrested, tried, and put in prison for crimes they did not commit, or given exorbitant sentences for petty crimes that do not warrant imprisonment. The Center for Wrongful Conviction of Youth works to provide legal help to exonerate young people who have been failed by the justice system, and to give them their lives back.
Hope Clinic
https://thehopeclinic.org/donate-1
This is a local clinic that provides food as well as medical and dental services to the underprivileged in my community. I have personally collected supplies and donations for this organization, as well as visited it on a field trip in middle school, and I even know a few people who work there! They do so much good for so many people, and I wanted to support them for their continued service.
FAAST (Faith Alliance Against Slavery and Trafficking)
https://faastinternational.org/donate/donate
Human trafficking is a horrific and widespread reality, and especially being a young woman, I know that there are thousands of girls just like me who have been affected by it. This is a Christian organization that helps survivors of trafficking to recover and heal.
Dignity Matters
https://www.dignity-matters.org/donate-once/
This organization takes care of details that most people might not think of right away when donating to those in need: feminine hygiene products like pads and tampons. Periods still happen every single month to every single woman, whether they have the money to buy sanitary products or not. It's enough of a struggle dealing with the chronic pain and discomfort of periods, but I can't imagine the stress of not even having products available to keep yourself clean. This is really important to me, and I'm glad to be able to help women in need with this monthly necessity.
Redeemer Ann Arbor
https://www.redeemera2.org/give/
This is my home church, so this is obviously specific to me, but it brings me to the point of how important it is to support your own community. I encourage you to think about any charities, churches, or services that have done good in your life or the lives of people around you, and if you have the resources, give back!
Especially during these times of social unrest, fighting against systemic racism, and fighting for the reformation of policing (all in the midst of widespread unemployment and a pandemic!!), there are a lot of people out there in our own backyards who need help urgently.
While there aren't many opportunities to volunteer your time or services in person right now, it's easier than ever to visit a website, click “donate”, and put any amount of money, large or small, towards important causes. Every bit counts. I also encourage you to do research into specific organizations and what they use their funds for, to make sure that you're donating to organizations that align with your values and don't do anything you wouldn't agree with.
Coil has given so much to me from a monetary standpoint, so it's time for me to give back to people who need it more than I do right now.
Thanks for reading!
