This page under construction, but evolves around the idea that some of the best life changing experiences for you, young or old, is when you start seeing how other people live and struggle with problems and you get involved with making a difference.
Lots more on this philosophy to come.
For starters; here are lists of groups that might help you get started on the adventure of a lifetime. You might be surprised to find that many of the most effective groups are faith based (Christian, Jewish, Muslim, & Other). If you, personally, don't think of yourself as religious, don't hesitate to get get involved with any of these groups whose actions you admire...with rare exceptions...they will be happy to include you.
To add your organization or to send information about this topic or to make comments; my e mail address is foxnest@metacrawler.com
US Government Aided Programs:
lists coming soon
International Programs:
coming soon
Grass Roots Programs:
coming soon
Faith Based Programs:
A Political note: this won't be news to any thinking person, but many of the organizations listed, while involved with helping others, have strong political agendas; mostly leaning to the left and calling for what is known as "social justice". This is a little bit of a paradox since the majority of people that go to church and the majority of people that actually give tend to be politically conservative. At any rate, I leave it to you, not me, to evaluate and consider each of the following groups dealing with those in need.
Sojourners 800-714-7474 www.sojourners.com A Christian Ministry and magazine that promotes spiritual renewal and social justice. The magazine features frequent commentary by Jim Wallis, author of "Faith Works", a great book about getting involved with any of the major problems facing people in the the world. His book, by the way, is the source for many of the phone numbers and web links listed here.
Asset Based Community Development Institute: Tools and Resources for communities that want to help. (847) 491-8711 www. nwu.edu/ipr/abcd.html
Bread for the World: A Christian lobbying group seeking help for the hungry.
(301) 608-2400 www.bread.org
Call to Renewal: A federation of churches, faith-based organizations, and individuals working to fight poverty. It's website (www.churchesatwork.org) lists projects and programs. The website also has a search engine for hundreds of local churches and organizations that have programs for the poor in their community. Churches at Work is associated with World Vision.
Catholic Charities USA: Community based programs for people in need. 703-549-1390
www.catholiccharitiesusa.org
Children's Defense Fund: through education and advocacy to help ensure a healthy, fair, safe, and moral start in life for every child. 202-628-8787
www.childrendefense.org
Christian Community Development Association: a network of organizations helping with social and spiritual service to the poor. 773-762-0994 www.ccda.org
Council of Leadership Foundation: a network of urban organizations involved in meeting the needs of people. 412-281-3752 www.ontv.com/pghlead/council.html
Direct Action and Reasearch Training Center (DART) : another network of community-organizing efforts...especially congregations
305-576-8020 www.fiu.edu/~dart
Evangelicals for Social Action: espouses service to the poor and powerless, reverence for life, care for creation, and witness to Jesus. 610-645-9390
www.esa.online.org
Families Against Violence Advocacy Network: organizations and individuals that promote alternatives to violence. 314-533-4445
www.members.aol.com/ppjn
Family Research Council: supports local social service efforts of churches and faith-based organizations 800-225-4008 www.frc.org
Gamaleil Foundation: network of community-organizing efforts, many of which are congregation based 312-357-2639 www.gamaliel.org
Habitat for Humanity: brings families and communities that need decent, affordable housing together with volunteers and resources. 912-924-6935
www.habitat.org
Industrial Areas Foundation: another network of community and congregation based efforts to help those in need. 512-459-6551
Interfaith Center for Corporate Responsibility: promotes socially responsible actions by corporations. 212-870-2295
International Urban Associates: I'm not quite sure what this group does...something about generating vision and empowerment to people in large cities.
312-275-9260 www.cl.ais.net/iua1/index.html
Jesuit Volunteer Corps: volunteers work in grassroots organizations providing services to the poor. 202-687-1132 www.jesuitvolunteers.org
Jobs Partnership: works with churches to train and mentor unemployed people seeking work 919-571-8614 www.tjp.org
Jubilee 2000 USA: advocates debt cancellation for the world's poorest countries.
202-783-3566 www.j2000usa.org
Lutheran Volunteer Corps: volunteers serve for a year in urban social justice organizations. Community living and simplicity are promoted. 202-387-3222
www.lvchome.org
Mennonite Central Committee: service, relief, and peace agency working around the world among people suffering from conflict, poverty, and natural disasters.
717-859-1151 www.mcc.org
Mission Year: Christian young adults live and serve in a poor inner city neighborhood
in association with a local church. 610-645-0800 www.misionyear.org
National Center for Neighborhood Enterprise: works in neighborhoods to help reduce crime and violence, restore families, and revitalize low income areas.
202-518-6500 www.ncne.com
National Coalition of Barrios Unidos: works to prevent urban violence, gang truces, community development, and employment oppertunites. 831-457-8208
www.barriosunidos.com
National Conference of Catholic Bishops: Dept of Social Development and World Peace:
202-541-3000 www.nccbuscc.org/sdwp/index.htm
National Congress of Community Economic Development, Faith based Initiative:
promotes faith-based community economic development 202- 289-9020
www.ncced.org
National Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice: educates and organizes the U.S. faith community on issues that benefit workers.
773-728-8400 www.igc.org/nicwj
National Living Wage Resource Center (ACORN): information and resources on living-wage campaigns 202-547-2500 www.livingwagecampaign.org
National Ten-Point Leadership Foundation: works with black churches to save at risk inner city youth
617-282-6704 www.yesamerica.org.ntlf.html
Network: a Catholic political organization that promotes economic and social justice.
202-547-5556 www.igc.org/network
Network 9:35: an organization that promotes holistic ministry
610-645-9399 www.esa-online.org
Pacific Institute for Community Organization (PICO): another network of community organizing efforts...many of which are congregations. 510-655-2801
Prison Fellowship: works through in prision programs, children of prisioners, and victims of crime. 703-478-0100 www.pfm.org
Public Campaign: promotes the dramatic reduction of special interest money in American politics. 202-293-0222 www.pulbicampaign.org.
Salvation Army: provides social, medical, educational, and other community services
703-684-5500 www.salvationarmy.org
United for a Fair Economy: a political organization that fights against the growing income, wage, and wealth inequality in the US.
617-423-2148 www.stw.org
World Vision: an international Christian organization heavily involved in relief and development work with the poor and oppressed.
253-815-1000 www.worldvision.org
