Inspired by dargie and windswept:

Want to make real changes in the world we live in?

Volunteer. Join an activist organization. It does make a difference. Change only happens when we take matters into our own hands and act. Casting a vote is only the first step.

I have listed a few links (okay, a LOT) here. More than half are non-political. I have been non-partisan in posting -- if it was submitted it was included as long as the organization didn't promote hate or racism. Please join any organization working to effect a change you believe in. You have nothing to lose but your free time, and a tremendous amount to gain.

You can make a difference.

I do have a request: please spread the word. I'd like to expand this list as much as possible, so if you would like to suggest a site, please add it in the comments. Also, please send this post around to any communities you think might be interested and ask their members to comment here. I'll add everything to the main body of the post, credit the commenter and try to keep it organized.

Notes:
* A BIG thank you as well to everyone who has included a link to this entry in your blogs and journals.
* I'm currently alphabetizing each category, and trying to organize the list into something less chaotic.
* Posted a link in newyorkers, weirdjews and lj_democrats. Please let me know if it's posted anywhere else so I can keep track of commented links.
* All descriptions were submitted. I trimmed for space when necessary.
* I also added an lj-cut, because the list was growing very, very long.

The list so far:

The US: Activism and Volunteering
* The A.C.L.U. (from pfrank)
* America Reads (from mao4269)
* America’s Promise (from windswept)
* America’s Second Harvest (from ihadatheory)
* Amnesty International
* AmeriCorps Get paid to do volunteer work, help people and get an education award to pay for school or to pay off student loans. It's like a domestic Peace Corps. Programs are all over the United States. from (moss_raven)
* The ADL: Anti-Defamation League
* Big Brothers Big Sisters (from windswept)
* Bully Beware Bullying is one of the most underrated and enduring problems in schools today and is a reality in the lives of all children, whether they are bullies, victims or witnesses. (from itsabigrock)
* Books To Prisoners: court advocates for kids. (from kest)
* Care 2 - hard to describe all of the links within this site, environmental, health, womens issues, they even have a click to donate section and give a percentage of their profits to charity. (from itsabigrock)
* The Corporation for National and Community Service (from windswept)
* Craig's List: has volunteer listings for most cities (from kest)
* The Electronic Frontier Foundation
* The GeekCorps Placing technology experts in communities worldwide. (from avdi)
* Global Service Corps (from windswept)
* Grassroots.org - is a 501c3 that is looking to change the world slowly but surely via the Internet at local, national, and international levels. (from itsabigrock)
* Habitat for Humanity Brings families and communities in need together with volunteers and resources to create affordable housing at no profit.
* Heifer International (Unique gifts that help end world hunger)
* The Human Rights Campaign
* The Jaycees (United States Junior Chamber) (from hannunvaakuna)
* Join Together - Take action against substance abuse and gun violence, run by the Boston University School of Public Health. (from itsabigrock)
* Kids 4 Kids Kids 4 Kids works to improve the lives of youth (of all races, ethnicities, religions or lack thereof, abilities, sexual orientations/gender identities, and economic and cultural backgrounds) throughout our country and everywhere in the world by establishing community links, advocating for civil rights, promoting safety, spreading happiness through random acts of kindness, and peacefully working against all who would cause harm to them. (from evilfuzzymonste)
* The Mercy Corps
* National Coalition for the Homeless
* NetDay (from windswept)
* National Court Appointed Special Advocates: court advocates for kids. (from kest)
* Network for Good (from quixotickitten)
* Peace Games Dedicated to teaching children about peace and conflict resolution through games. Started out in Boston, but has branched out to Los Angeles and Alaska. (from moss_raven)
* Planned Parenthood
* The Red Cross (from windswept)
* Ronald McDonald House Charities (from ihadatheory)
* Seeds of Peace is a nonprofit, nonpolitical organization that helps teenagers from regions of conflict learn the skills of making peace. Seeds of Peace runs a camp in Maine established to bring together teenagers in a safe environment as well as ongoing projects to promote dialogue, trust and friendship. (from mao4269)
* The Southern Poverty Law Center
* U.S. PIRG.org The advocacy site for Public Interest Resource Groups across the US. Also, Pirg.org A connection site for Public Interest Resource Groups across the US
* Union of Concerned Scientists
* The United Way (from windswept and verymelm) They have chapters all over the country, that maintain local databases of volunteer opportunities.
* US government volunteer opportunities (from windswept)
* Working Assets - A long distance and wireless company that donates to progressive social causes voted on by their membership. (from ivan23)

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The US: Environmentalists and Animals
* Act for Wildlife Let the media and our elected officials know that we owe it to our children and grandchildren to be good stewards of the environment. (from itsabigrock)
* ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) (From Go Blog and Multiply)
* Audobon Society
* Best Friends Animal Sanctuary (Animal charity and activist group) (from windswept)
* Bide-A-Wee (from hucaba)
* http://www.earthday.net/do_good/ - The Earthday Network, take a minute or two to check out some ways you can take action for the environment. (from itsabigrock)
* Greenpeace
* The Humane Society (from ihadatheory)
* Nature Conservancy
* PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) (From Go Blog and Multiply)
* Rainforest Action Network (from Mark)
* The Sierra Club

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The US: Political Parties
* The Democratic Party
* The Green Party
* The Libertarian Party
* The Republican Party

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The US: Political
* Americans United for Separation of Church and State (from Ellyn)
* http://www.cdt.org/action/ - The Center for Democracy and Technology works to promote democratic values and constitutional liberties in the digital age. (from itsabigrock)
* The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (from Ellyn)
* Democracy for America (from shawnj)
* The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (from Ellyn)
* Feminist Majority (from itsabigrock)
* The FreeState Project (from windswept)
* Freeway Blogger (from windswept)
* The Human Rights Campaign
* Interactive Democracy (Email all of your favorite government officials and media reps. Maintained by Conservative Generation X, a GenX Republican group.)
* The League of Women Voters (from quixotickitten)
* NARAL: Pro-Choice Action (from sofvckinghot)
* The National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (From skelkins)
* The National Jewish Democratic Coalition (NJDC) (from Ellyn)
* NOW: The National Organization for Women
* New Democrat Network A powerful, networked community of leaders investing in a whole new generation of ideas, initiatives, and leaders. NDN’s mission is to modernize progressive politics, build a new and durable Democratic majority, and advocate for an agenda that will create a better future for our children. (from itsabigrock)
* The Not In Our Name Project is a national network of individuals and organizations committed to standing with the people of the world. As the Not in Our Name Pledge of Resistance states, "we believe that as people living in the United States it is our responsibility to resist the injustices done by our government, in our names." (from itsabigrock)
* http://www.peace-action.org/ - At Peace Action, we recognize that real change comes from the bottom up and we are committed to educating and organizing at the grassroots level. (from itsabigrock)
* People for the American Way (from professorbird)
* Republican Jewish Coalition (from Go Blog and Multiply)
* Save Roe vs. Wade (from itsabigrock)
* TrueMajority.org (from Ellyn)
* Wellstone Action! (from shawnj)
* Women's Action for New Directions empowers women to act politically to reduce violence and militarism, and redirect excessive military resources toward unmet human and environmental needs. (from itsabigrock)
* Young Americans for Freedom Extreme Conservative Activists. Caveat Emptor. (from Mike)

Also:
* If you are concerned that the 2004 election may have been rigged, but don't want to descend into tinhat land, there is a reasonable organization that is trying to find out for sure. Black Box Voting's website says: We need: Lawyers to enforce public records laws. Some counties have already notified us that they plan to stonewall by delaying delivery of the records. We need citizen volunteers for a number of specific actions. We need computer security professionals willing to GO PUBLIC with formal opinions on the evidence we provide, whether or not it involves DMCA complications. We need funds to pay for copies of the evidence. They don't seem to be nutters, but concerned citizens staying well within the realms of the "reality-based" paradigm. Worth a look, particularly if you have the specific legal skills they need. (from skelkins)

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International: Political
* Students for a Free Tibet (from kunde_yidang)

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Gay, Bisexual, Lesbian and Transgender Causes
* Colorado G. S. A. Union Promotes unification and teamwork between high-school G.S.A. (Gay-Straight Alliance) clubs in the state of Colorado
* GLAAD "Be Vocal, Act Local" The Monitor & Mobilize Program combines online technology with grassroots activism, offering community activists the tools they need to monitor, report and act on defamation. Volunteers work with GLAAD's Regional Media Team to monitor local television, newspaper and/or radio programming and reach out to local media outlets. (from itsabigrock)
* The Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network works for safe schools for all glbtq students and staff. (from mao4269)
* http://www.freedomtomarry.org/ Freedom to Marry is the gay and non-gay partnership working to win marriage equality nationwide. (from itsabigrock)
* NCS: National Coalition for Sexual Freedom
* National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
* Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG) A national non-profit organization with over 200,000 members and supporters and almost 500 affiliates in the United States. (from itsabigrock)

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Pro-Choice Causes
* Abortion Access Project
* Abortion Clinics Online
* ACLU: Reproductive Rights
* Catholics for Choice
* Choice USA
* Feminist Campus
* Feminist Majority Foundation
* Medical Students for Choice
* National Abortion Federation
* NARAL: Pro-Choice Action (from sofvckinghot)
* National Network of Abortion Funds
* NOW: The National Organization for Women's Abortion Page
* Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health
* Planned Parenthood
* Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice
* Save Roe

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Pro-Life Causes
* Atheist and Agnostic Pro-Life League (from hymnia)
* Democrats for Life (from hymnia)
* Consistent Life They advocate a consistent ethic of life--something that many people find appalingly rare in US politics. They are equally opposed to abortion, euthanasia, the death penalty, and war--anything that destroys human life. (from hymnia)
* Feminists for Life (from hymnia)
* Libertarians for Life (from hymnia)
* National Right to Life This is a major pro-life political lobbying organization. (from hymnia)
* Nurturing Network This is a network of crisis pregnancy centers that promote abortion alternatives. Volunteering at a crisis pregnancy center is an excellent way to get involved for the many people (according to some polls, the majority of the population) who believe abortion is terrible, but are not interested in pushing to change the law so that it is illegal again. This tool is also a good way to find a local crisis pregnancy center. (from hymnia)
* Pro-Life Alliance of Gays and Lesbians (from hymnia)

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Religion / Spiritual Group-based Volunteer Organizations and Charities
* American Jewish Committee (promotes relationship building with other communities) (from Go Blog and Multiply)
* American Jewish World Service supports more than 200 grassroots organizations in the developing world and Russia and Ukraine through grant making, technical assistance, emergency relief and advocacy. (from mao4269)
* Angel Food Ministries: is a non-profit, non-denominational organization dedicated to providing grocery relief and financial support to communities throughout the United States. The program serves thousands of families every month across 17 states. Their site says they spread religious gospel through 'salvation tracts' placed in each food order, but jenmcd has delivered orders for them to families in need and none were included. (from jenmcd)
* Catholic Network for Volunteer Service (from windswept)
* Chaordic Commons (from nisabba)
* Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) Organization committed to reducing violence by being a presence in conflict areas. (from mao4269)
* The Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life was founded in 1993 to promote environmental education, scholarship, advocacy, and action in the American Jewish community. (from mao4269)
* Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions
* The Interfaith Alliance
* Jewish Charity: Mazon (fights hunger) (from Go Blog and Multiply)
* The Jewish Reconstructionists Federation lists a large number of activist organizations and charities. (from mao4269)
* Joint Distribution Committee(overseas relief) (from Go Blog and Multiply)
* Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice
National Christian, Jewish and other religious organizations working together to address the reproductive issues of people of color, those living in the poverty, and other underserved populations. (from mao4269)
* Sat Sahtokh SST has a 40 yr+ history of organizing social action. Also, this link connects to their explanation of ‘chaordic organizing’ and links to additional organizations, some of which I listed above. (Both from nisabba)
* Social Action hosts a large collection of resources for Jewish audiences who want to participate in volunteer causes, especially those which involve coalition-building. The abolition of slavery in the Sudan, environmental conservation, moratoriums on capital punishment, etc., are just some of the campaigns currently rostered on the site. (from pricklypartisan)
* Spirit in Action (from nisabba)
* TZEDEC Campaign of the Shefa Fund The Fund has capitalized more than $12 million in Jewish institutional investments in community development banks, credit unions and loan funds which provide credit for housing and business development in credit-starved neighborhoods. (from mao4269)
* United Jewish Communites - largest Jewish charity, sort of like the United Way (from Go Blog and Multiply)
* United Religions Initiative (from nisabba)

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US: Arizona
* Wingspan Tucson GLBTQ COmmunity center has a lot going on and they're so appreciative and welcoming of volunteers (from moss_raven)

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US: California
* Sacramento Food Bank Services Totally community supported. Has a food bank, clothing "store", mother-baby program, GED program, domestic violence survivor art prgram and homelessness transitional housing. (from moss_raven)

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US: Massachusetts
* The Green-Rainbow party of Massachusetts, and the Mystic-River Green-Rainbow Action, (both from being_homeless)
* Youth on Fire A drop-in homeless shelter in the basement of the Harvard-Epworth United Methodist Church in Harvard Square (from being_homeless)

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US: Michigan
* The Michigan Jaycees (Junior Chamber) (from hannunvaakuna)
US: Michigan: Ann Arbor
* Ann Arbor YMCA has lots of volunteer needs (from windswept)
* HelpSource Big Brother/Big Sister (and other programs) (from windswept)
* City of Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation program. (from windswept)
* Family Housing Language Program (assist clients with English communication and conversation skills)
* Food Gatherers (warehouse help, food deliveries, etc.) (from windswept)
* Michigan ReachOut! A Center Linking College and Community Mentors with Children and Teens (from windswept)
* SERVE is a student-run unit at the University of Michigan that works to provide students with opportunities to address serious social issues through community service and social action. (from windswept)
* Shelter Association of Washtenaw County (homeless shelter) (from windswept)
* VolunteerMatch for Ann Arbor (from windswept)
* Washtenaw Literacy (from windswept)
* Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels (from windswept)

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US: New York
* The Educational Alliance “Beginning its second century of services, The Educational Alliance offers educational and cultural programs as well as services which address almost every conceivable human problem and need - aging, drug abuse, early childhood, homelessness, parenting, and mental health.: (from hucaba)

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US: Washington DC
* DC Central Kitchen Recycles donated, unused food from restaurants, makes them into meals and distributes it into the community. (from moss_raven)

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US: Volunteer Networks (groups that hook you up with volunteer opportunities):
* Idealist.org: Action Without Borders An Incredible clearinghouse for organizations with volunteer opportunities.(from misfit and windswept)
* Points of Light Foundation (from windswept)
* ServeNet (from windswept)
* 1-800-Volunteer (from windswept)
* Single Volunteers, Inc. (from windswept)
* US Charity Focus (from windswept)
* Virtual Volunteering Project (from windswept)
* VolunteerMatch (from windswept)

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Canada: Volunteering>
* Go Volunteer (from windswept)
* Friends of Earth Canada
* Volunteer Canada (from windswept)
* The Volunteer Center of Toronto

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Israel
Some of these need to be moved up to the religion section. I haven't had time to review them all yet. All links and descriptions for this category are from mao4269, and some are not activist organizations, but institutions promoting peace that could also use some support. I will try and break the latter into a separate category when I can.</i>
* The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) is a non-political and independent body, protecting human and civil rights in Israel and in the territories under Israeli control of diverse individuals and sectors of society. ACRI is Israel’s largest human rights organization, addressing the full range of human rights.
* ArigaAn information resource that gathers and disseminates information on the peace process with an emphasis on peace groups, joint Israeli-Arab efforts and other attempts to make a new Middle East.
* B'tselem is Israeli information center for human rights in the occupied territories that documents human rights violations and reports to the public and the Israeli government on compliance with international law.

Israel Religious Action Center is the public and legal advocacy arm of the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism, advancing religious freedom and pluralism, tolerance, social justice and civil liberties, based on the belief that these values are intrinsic to and stem from a liberal understanding of Judaism.
Israel Union for Environmental Defense is an Israeli organization for environmental advocacy.
* Jewish Braille Institute
* Na'amat, Hebrew acronym for "Movement of Working Women and Volunteers,"; is an organization & a movement striving to enhance the quality of life for women, children and families in Israel, the U.S. and around the world. (this is also from Madeleine)
* New Israel Fund is a joint Israeli, American and European effort working for equality and social justice for all of Israel’s citizens concentrating in the following issue areas: Safeguarding Civil and Human Rights; Social and Economic Gaps; Tolerance and Religious Pluralism.
* Rabbis for Human RightsAn Israeli organization of more than 100 Conservative, Orthodox, Reconstructionist and Reform Rabbis working together to combat human rights violations from a religious perspective.
* Bat Shalom A feminist peace organization of Israeli women working toward a just peace between Israel and its Arab neighbors, including recognition of a Palestinian state side-by-side with Israel.
* Bereaved Families Circle Peace advocacy organization: Israelis and Palestinians who have lost loved ones in the conflict.
* Jerusalem Center for Women A Palestinian women’s organization working to advance women’s rights in Palestinian society and Palestinian rights in Israeli society.
* MidEast Citizen Diplomacy U.S. based organization dedicated to promoting Jewish-Palestinian reconciliation that fosters direct engagement by citizen delegations utilizing compassionate listening. Film available: “Children of Abraham.”
* Peres Center for Peace A nonpartisan organization not associated with a government, is working to build an infrastructure of peace by and for the people of the Middle East that promotes socio-economic development, while advancing cooperation and mutual understanding.
* Women’s League of Conservative Judaism
* Interreligious Coordinating Council in Israel ICCI is an umbrella organization for institutions and individuals in Israel promoting interreligious and intercultural understanding.
* Jewish-Palestinian Living Room Dialogue Provide an ongoing information link to dialogue efforts in America and around the globe.
* Abraham Fund Israeli foundation promoting coexistence between Jewish and Arab citizens of Israel by funding educational, social, health and cultural outreach programs.
* Arava Institute for Environmental Studies The Arava Institute for Environmental Studies offers Egyptian, Israeli, Jordanian, Palestinian and overseas students an intensive hands-on academic program focusing on regional conservation and environmental protection activities.
* Givat Haviva Jewish-Arab education and research center for peace democracy, coexistence, tolerance and social solidarity.
* Hadassah The Women’s Zionist Organization
* The Shalom Center, affiliated with the Jewish Renewal movement, is a network of American Jews who draw on Jewish tradition and spirituality to seek peace, pursue justice, heal the earth, and build community. They have lots of ways to do social action.
The Jewish Reform Movement’s social action resources are on the bottom left of http://urj.org/resources/
* Hope Flowers School is a Palestinian School in El Khadder (Bethlehem area) dedicated to educating children to understand coexistence, non-violence and peace.
* Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam The Oasis for Peace is a village jointly established by Jews and Palestinian Arabs with Israeli citizenship. It operates a School for Peace and programs modeling mutual understanding.
* Americans for Peace Now

APN was founded in 1981 to help Shalom Achshav pursue a lasting and equitable peace and to enhance understanding and pro-peace activity in America.
* Open House Center in Ramle was founded to further peace and coexistence among Israeli Arabs and Jews in this mixed city of 65,000.

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International: Volunteering
* Global Volunteer Network (New Zealand-based, but int’l volunteer opportunities) (from windswept)

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Tools

From deb_0_rah: volunteermatch.org has a search engine, just put in your zipcode to see what volunteer opportunities are in your area, also there is a more detailed search that can specify volunteering opportunities that are good for kids, the elderly, or groups. Also, I would recommend to anyone to look in their phonebook and find their local food bank. There's nothing simpler.

Other coolness

From: evilfuzzymonste:
Save The World - One Click At A Time!

On each of these websites, you can click a button to support the cause -- each click creates funding, and costs you nothing! Bookmark these sites, and click once a day!





Click here to post this on your page or 'blog

Additional notes:
Great advice from verymelm: “...also, in a sort of less political but more helping your fellow neighbor vein, folks can check with their local colleges and universities to see if they need volunteer “tapists” or “readers” - people who work usually with Disability Services to record text books to tape for blind and dyslexic students.
And generally speaking, if you’re up for a more significant time committment, most crisis hotlines will take and train volunteers to man their hotlines. They usually require a certain number of hours of training and a monthly committment, but it’s a phenomenal experience.”

Wonderful advice from Go Blog and Multiply: “...any local animal shelter. Another good idea in general is to call a local home for the elderly. They are always looking for volunteers just to say hang out wth the residents, play games, lead holiday programs, etc. (Remember “Tuesdays With Morrie”).”

From kest: Try your local school district and other local youth programs.