Greater Good Charities’ Post

How are you spending your free time? In the agency of others? Giving to your local community? Finding happiness in giving your time and energy for free to a cause? What’s keeping you from giving one hour to your local homeless shelter, food bank or dog shelter? You can create change, you can have an impact on your local communities and you can teach your kids to give because in giving we receive (see YouTube, Adam Grant “Takers” if you’re not convinced). This is Toby. Each Saturday I volunteer at the dog shelter and he brings me so much joy to walk and play with. He needs a home and until someone adopts him, myself and our volunteers are all he has. And what a great dog he is! Can you imagine what the world would be like if we all gave a little to our communities? Go do something for your community (and stop with the excuses, try it)! If you need ideas, message me!

Take action 📣 email your representatives today! Join us in requesting a federal funding expansion for shelters and safe haven programs for women and children. By clicking this link–– https://lnkd.in/gkKQAPxe ––you can quickly send a message to your members of Congress on behalf of the more than 1.2 million women and 2.5 million children experiencing homelessness in the United States every year. WLP's Executive Director, Jennifer Hanlon Wigon, is a member of the Board of Directors for the National Women's Shelter Network, which has submitted a request for a $55,000,000 increase to Emergency Solution Grants. This funding has a 15% set aside of Formula Grant funds to be directed to women’s and children’s shelter and safe haven programs in the Fiscal Year 2025 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (T-HUD) Appropriations Bill. Women and children often encounter traumatic life events prior to experiencing homelessness and require high-special-need services to address the impacts of gender-based violence and trauma. Frontline organizations are facing significant challenges in responding to growing homelessness rates. Additional funding is crucial for basic operations, human services, and enriched supportive services that facilitate successful transitions to long-term stable housing. Collectively, we hold the power to save and change the lives of countless women and children across the nation.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. So every year, we like to highlight our Safe Pets program. Have you heard of it? Safe Pets serves animals belonging to people who are fleeing domestic violence. Pets being at risk is a component of abuse that people don't often think about. According to RedRover, "Over 70% of pet-owning survivors entering shelters reported that their batterer had injured, killed, or threatened family pets. Nearly 50% have delayed leaving their abuser, or have returned after leaving, out of fear of harm to their animals." That's where our Safe Pets Program comes in. Since most human shelters are not set up to accept pets, or have limited capacity for them, we work with local partners to offer free room & board for victims' pets for up to 30 days until they can get back on their feet and be reunited. These partners include Albion Fellows Bacon Center, Ozanam Family Shelter, and YWCA Evansville. It's a small program -- averaging about 23 pets per year -- but it's impactful and important. We are trying to do our part to help collaboratively break the cycle of abuse in our community, for both pets and their people. Donate at https://lnkd.in/gXaY4AF9 to help ensure programs like Safe Pets are always there for those who need them. If you or someone you know needs to prepare for leaving an abusive situation, please contact one of our partners above. Looking for help outside our area? Contact RedRover for information on their #PurpleLeashProject partnership with Nestlé Purina North America, Safe Escape grants, Safe Housing grants, and more.

It's never a bad time to remind folks that the Hennepin Shelter Hotline exists! This hotline can connect Hennepin County residents to homelessness prevention resources and emergency shelter. All you have to do is call 612-204-8200. Calls are answered on weekdays from 8AM to 10PM and weekends from 1PM to 9PM. If you are in need of shelter outside of these hours, call 211. Share this post so more people can learn about this important service! #WednesdayWisdom

Elder Abuse Awareness Day aims to raise awareness about elder abuse and promote the rights and dignity of older adults. It is an opportunity to learn more about the signs of elder abuse and take action to prevent it. You can participate by attending an elder abuse prevention workshop or fundraiser, or by advocating for policies that protect the rights of older adults. #meneseslawfirm #MAestateplanningattorney #MApersonalfamilylawyer #estateplan #willsandtrusts #healthcaredirectives #powerofattorney #assetprotection #kidsprotectionplan #familylegacy

It's Family Promise Week! 🌟 How are you helping spread the word about the crisis of family homelessness and the work of Family Promise in our community? Learn more about what's going on this week: https://lnkd.in/gDq-wUrd

💜 Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Memphis 💜 In our vibrant city of Memphis, we're joining the national movement to raise awareness about domestic violence and stand in solidarity with survivors. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and it's our chance to make a difference. Here's what you should know and how you can get involved: Domestic violence can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background. It encompasses various forms of abuse within intimate relationships, including physical, emotional, psychological, or economic abuse. How Can You Make a Difference in Memphis? Spread the Word: Share this post and important information to reach as many Memphians as possible. Awareness is the first step to change. Support Local Shelters: Our city's shelters and nonprofits play a crucial role in providing safety and resources. Consider donating, volunteering, or organizing supply drives. National Resources: National Domestic Violence Hotline Hours: 24/7. 800-799-7233 Memphis Resources: YWCA Greater Memphis: A dedicated organization providing support and resources for domestic violence survivors. Visit www.memphisywca.org or call (901) 725-4277. Together, we can create a Memphis where love is respect, and everyone feels safe at home. Let's stand up, speak out, and make a difference during, before, and after Domestic Violence Awareness Month. #MemphisDVAM #EndTheSilence #StandWithSurvivors

Florida Considers Using Camps as Humane Solution for Homelessness https://lnkd.in/eNt3BQH6 Florida is facing a growing homeless crisis due to a lack of affordable housing. This situation leaves many people and families with no choice but to sleep in public spaces, parks, or their vehicles. The crisis affects a wide range of individuals, including those struggling with mental health and substance abuse, families with children, and military veterans. It is essential to develop effective solutions to address the symptoms and root causes of this complex problem. Recently, Florida has considered using camps as a humane solution for homelessness. However, it is important to remember that homeless individuals require specific forms of support and interventions to cater to their unique needs.

Definitely take a look at this article to learn more about what we need to get a low-barrier homeless shelter in Pensacola!

The Network’s Vol. 1 Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline of #MeasuringSafety2023 is out now! What do survivors of #DomesticViolence need when they call the hotline? Among all contacts made to the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline, survivors looking for shelter makes up over a third (39%) of all requests making it the top need among callers. Domestic violence shelter requests in Chicago increased by 43% in 2023. This high demand for shelter cannot be met with the number of shelter beds available to survivors in Chicago. For over a third of the year, spanning 124 days, there were NO available beds or cribs in domestic violence shelters, marking a significant 29% increase from 2022. We must support organizations providing safe housing to survivors and continue to advocate for more funding for stable long-term housing. Download #MeasuringSafety2023 here: https://bit.ly/3JHbhBx #MeasuringSafety #GBVData