But I wrestle with the idea that chucking them one by one is not truly the most efficient use of time or resources. And for the stuff I tend to do, it’s probably not. I read a book a couple years ago, written by a physician who was practicing medicine in a third world country on a short term basis. They made what seemed like the tough call to focus on prevention, where they could impact and save perhaps thousands of lives, rather than helping to fix time intensive one off medical cases. The approach seemed callous to me at the time, but I’ve thought of it often since. It makes me wonder if I should act on “bigger” issues when I spend time volunteering. So lately I have been trying to have more of a say in some of the higher level conversations, based on what I see at the ground level.
Do you remember the name of the book by any chance? I think I'd be interested in it.
My last job was specifically looking at hepatitis B prevention worldwide, which in turn would prevent the majority of liver cancer.
There is, unfortunatey, insufficient vaccination in many parts of the world (and a lot of misinformation in this part of the world). It is not a "sexy" cause at all, but timely vaccination and access to the vaccine would save so many lives. Through that lens, I could definitely understand someone wanting to focus more on prevention.
Post by rachelgreen on Jan 8, 2020 15:46:35 GMT -5
This is so amazing! I’d love to follow along. I love the paying off lunches idea mentioned upthread and there are already so many amazing suggestions. I have a couple IF ideas but I’d probably have to share IRL name for you to verify info so I will have to PM you later.
I love this and would love to follow along on your journey.
Similar to other posters, I’m drawn to many kid-related things. Our school district’s foundation has a fund-a-need section, so we’ve been able to donate to some needs at a couple of low income schools (these are school or classroom requests from teachers, counselors, etc, not individual student needs). They also have Student Care and Student Health Emergency Funds to help bridge gaps and help families in need, so that would get more of money.
This is so amazing! I’d love to follow along. I love the paying off lunches idea mentioned upthread and there are already so many amazing suggestions. I have a couple IF ideas but I’d probably have to share IRL name for you to verify info so I will have to PM you later.
I have started a google doc to track all of my ideas and folks I want to reach out to. I will work on getting a website up and social accounts and share when they are ready!
I have a family member that works for a non-profit, and I think it's an exciting program. If higher education opportunities for low income kids is something you're interested in maybe this would be a good one. I've not heard of a program like this before, and I think it has promise.
Another suggestion: look at the National Network of Abortion Funds for a local to you abortion fund. These groups provide direct grants to people who need help covering the cost of their abortion or travel/accommodation costs required to get that medical care. Depending on your location there may be higher levels of obstacles that increase the costs for patients (e.g. here in Tx the mandatory 24 hr wait between ultrasound and procedure, or living in an area with no clinic within a 9 hour drive). This is another area where one time funds can have a huge impact on a person's life/future or ability to stay or move out of poverty.
I would love to follow along. I also think that what you’re doing is amazing. Are you planning on continuing similar contributions in 2021, or is this a one year thing?
I would donate to the Ronald McDonald House and Sierra Club.
Before my mom retired, she worked in administration at a community college. She banked up a ton of vacation days, and when she retired and sold them back, it was a sizeable chunk of money. So she started a fund at the CC gives grants to help students with things that pop up that prevent them from attending class — like emergency car repairs, emergency childcare, etc. I have diverted a lot of my charitable giving to this fund, because I think it does a huge service toward keeping people in school. The fund is named after my mom, so it’s pretty special. She has requested that instead of giving her gifts for birthday, Mother’s Day, etc, we donate to this fund.
I imagine that many Community Colleges or technical schools have similar grant funds.
Before my mom retired, she worked in administration at a community college. She banked up a ton of vacation days, and when she retired and sold them back, it was a sizeable chunk of money. So she started a fund at the CC gives grants to help students with things that pop up that prevent them from attending class — like emergency car repairs, emergency childcare, etc. I have diverted a lot of my charitable giving to this fund, because I think it does a huge service toward keeping people in school. The fund is named after my mom, so it’s pretty special. She has requested that instead of giving her gifts for birthday, Mother’s Day, etc, we donate to this fund.
I imagine that many Community Colleges or technical schools have similar grant funds.
Most schools do. I am faculty at a community/state college and it isn’t academics that hold back our students—it is life. I lose more students to “life” than I do to unpreparedness. Our school was devastated by a natural disaster last year (we estimated about 1/3 of our students became essentially homeless and another 1/3 had damaged homes—same as staff) and small grants/food pantry/free meals were a great help in getting our students through. We are recovering now but it will be a long road for some our students. While most schools don’t have such an experience, it really made clear how many of our students were one issue away from chaos.
I totally agree with @imjoebunny about helping those temporarily in need BEFORE homelessness, and I also see a need for basic cars for single moms who don’t have an extra dime for expenses, and a car would make the difference between the ability to get a job/a better job or being unable to work.
Also, a great organization is Together Rising, run by Glennon Doyle and Abby Wambach. At Christmas, they identified 500 families with needs up to $1,000 and individuals could match to them and fulfill the need. With a donation of your size, they might help you find a number of families who had needs above that amount.
I know I'm late to the party, but I really think the basic cars for single moms who don't have an extra dime thing is huge.
One of my daughter's daycare teachers is an amazing woman. She has a 5 year old and left his dad when he became abusive towards her in front of her son. I saw her outside with the kiddo waiting on an Uber a few months ago. I've gotten to know her and learned that she lost her mom last winter and just lost her dad a few weeks ago. That was all of her family. I know how much twice daily uber costs. She told me that on her pay she just can't get ahead. I found out how much they're paid when I asked about outside babysitting and asked prices. They said they'd charge their same rate. $12 an hour. I said I could not in good conscience pay that and that they could charge at least $15-20 in our area and with their experience, likely higher. She's talked about going back to school but said she has no one to watch her son. All I want to do is help her, and I give cash behind the daycare chain's back for XMas and Birthdays, and I'm just not in the spot to do much more. We were talking about the debates about Warren talking about how investing in daycare providers, who are mostly black and brown women, is investing in our babies. I cried about it because these women are everything to my daughter and thus me. We're not doing right by so many single moms and minority single moms have such a stigma. I can go out with DD and forget to put my rings on and no one thinks a damn thing. It's not the same for her. She confided in me that sometimes people treat her like she's trash. I honestly think her story is not unique and inexpensive, safe, reliable vehicles could change their lives. Uber and Lyft twice a day every day to get to work. She works at this place that doesn't pay her enough because they allow her to send her kid to school on the beforecare/aftercare bus. </3