Occasionally I am asked what I would like as a gift. I have pretty much everything I need, so if you want to do something for me, please consider supporting one of the following organizations:
Attempted suicide rates and suicidal ideation among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) youth are significantly higher than among the general population. The Trevor Project is the world’s largest suicide prevention and mental health organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people.
The vast majority of the services Planned Parenthood provides is the prevention of pregnancy, preventing or curing sexually transmitted diseases and infections, and cancer screenings. Access to these services save lives and reduces the need for abortions. Planned Parenthood also provides one of the best options for an affordable vasectomy for uninsured men.
Kiva provides an excellent micro-loan service enabling you to help others by providing the resources that will enable them to improve their businesses or lives so they can support themselves. You can lend in amounts as small as $25, and you get regular updates on the benefits your loan provided as it is repaid. If you don’t want to participate in lending, you can simply donate to support Kiva’s operating expenses.
Make a Difference in the Bay Area
If you are in the San Francisco Bay Area and want to make a difference locally, please consider these options:
Rock Paper Scissors Collective is a member based volunteer-run organization that fosters creativity and collaboration in order to strengthen local communities and encourage sustainable practices and alternative models. They provide free and low-cost classes, curated and open submission art shows, pop-up retail of independently made clothing/craft/zines/music, pop-up arts lab, community events, and youth involvement.
The Safe Space Project provides free, confidential support groups for women in the San Francisco Bay Area. Group discussions can be about (but are not limited to) domestic violence, homelessness, mental health, careers, family dynamics, parenting, and successes.