Usually around the time of year, we donate a super small sum of cash to a couple different non-profit organizations. Simon has a few groups he feels strongly about, I have a few, so we divvy it up and do our best to make some sort of small impact.
But this year, I am lost. The world is dramatically different than it was at this time last year and the issues seem to have multiplied with the need to help pressing more heavily than ever. I have no idea how to do something. I could have millions of extra dollars and would still feel confused about how to effect change. Sure, my $100 contribution is unlikely to really shift any of these things, but I'm just completely and utterly despondent. It feels like there are thousands more people at risk, hundreds more urgent issues threatening from every direction, and dozens more nauseating daily news headlines.
But then I talked to my husband, the guy who works for a community foundation and often advises donors on how to match their interests with non-profits. Um, duh. We had lunch one day last week, I explained this feeling to him and he helped connect some of my concerns with organizations in our area that address those issues.
For example, I've been thinking a lot about media as related to its effect on the election, post-election issues, and truth. I've also always felt that social media plays a big role in reducing people's empathy toward one and other. Without empathy, how do we bridge the increasingly polarized political divide to understand other perspectives and converse about compromise? So yeah, how on earth could I direct a gift to increase empathy? Well, a local NH organization, Media Power Youth teaches youth how to make the connection and distinction between media messages and impact and their own lives and actions. They learn to think critically about what they see and hear and how to responsibly engage and participate in social media. Boom!
Or concern about growing economic disparity. The New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute is dedicated to promoting public policies that foster economic opportunity for all NH residents. Or concern about how immigration policies may be effecting some residents. Catholic Charities of NH has immigration and refugee services that provide support, guidance, and legal representation for various immigrant related issues.
These are just a few examples of how amazing Simon is at his job but also how there are organizations and people working on things that are seemingly unsolvable and overwhelming. Obviously none of these places are going to march into the White House and fix it all, but they are working every day to help the people these policies and laws negatively effect right here in NH.
That's worth $100 any day.
For example, I've been thinking a lot about media as related to its effect on the election, post-election issues, and truth. I've also always felt that social media plays a big role in reducing people's empathy toward one and other. Without empathy, how do we bridge the increasingly polarized political divide to understand other perspectives and converse about compromise? So yeah, how on earth could I direct a gift to increase empathy? Well, a local NH organization, Media Power Youth teaches youth how to make the connection and distinction between media messages and impact and their own lives and actions. They learn to think critically about what they see and hear and how to responsibly engage and participate in social media. Boom!
Or concern about growing economic disparity. The New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute is dedicated to promoting public policies that foster economic opportunity for all NH residents. Or concern about how immigration policies may be effecting some residents. Catholic Charities of NH has immigration and refugee services that provide support, guidance, and legal representation for various immigrant related issues.
These are just a few examples of how amazing Simon is at his job but also how there are organizations and people working on things that are seemingly unsolvable and overwhelming. Obviously none of these places are going to march into the White House and fix it all, but they are working every day to help the people these policies and laws negatively effect right here in NH.
That's worth $100 any day.
