There are many nonprofits that meet basic needs, like food for the hungry, or medicine for the sick. There are many nonprofits that work upstream, advocating for civil rights or more equitable schools. But today we are sharing the nonprofits that we see are simple expressions of love for another. They aren’t typically described as serving basic needs, but we believe feeling human, feeling dignity, and feeling joy are incredibly important and can be best described as expressions of love. Here is our list of nonprofits that are expressions of love.
Girl Scout Troop 6000
Troop 6000 is a Girl Scouts troop for girls in the New York City shelter system. It was founded by Giselle Burgess and Jimmy Van Bramer in 2017, and initially served about 20 scouts; it has since expanded to include more than 600 girls and volunteers at over 18 shelters in New York City.
The Birthday Party Project
Today, more than 2.5 million children are living in shelter in the United States. For some, the rising cost of rent has forced their family out of their home. For others, a sudden family illness has been the difference in paying rent and providing care for a loved one. While their time in shelter is temporary, the goal of The Birthday Party Project is to bring a level of normalcy to the day-to-day by not letting milestones go unnoticed. They show up each month with a JOYful front of birthday enthusiasts to make sure no birthdays fall through the cracks.
Operation Santa
Each year, hundreds of thousands of letters sent to Santa from children and families arrive at Post Offices around the country. Most letters ask for toys and games. Some ask for basic necessities. Some ask for help for themselves and their loved ones. USPS Operation Santa makes it possible for individuals and organizations to adopt these letters and send responses and thoughtful gifts in Santa’s place.
Together We Rise – Superhero Boxes
Together We Rise is comprised of motivated young adults and former foster youth whose vision is to improve the lives of children in foster care. They bring resources to foster youth and use service-learning activities to educate volunteers on issues surrounding the foster care system. By providing children in foster care Superhero boxes, they help kids feel S.U.P.E.R. (Self Assured, Uplifted, Proud, Empowered, & Resilient)! Superhero Boxes come packed with a cape, mask, power cuffs, and bracelet so the child can look like the hero they are!
Make-A-Wish Foundation
The Make-A-Wish Foundation helps fulfill life-changing wishes of children with a critical illness between the ages of 2¹⁄₂ and 18 years old. Wishes are more than just a nice thing. And they are far more than gifts, or singular events in time. Wishes impact everyone involved—wish kids, volunteers, donors, sponsors, medical professionals and communities. For wish kids, just the act of making their wish come true can give them the courage to comply with their medical treatments and fight further for their lives.
Compassion Cards
The written word holds a lot of positive power! Who doesn’t love getting happy mail?! Compassion Cards makes it their mission to ensure that thousands of people across the globe receive motivational and encouraging cards. Compassion Cards is a group of people who believe in validating others, even in such a simplistic way, and try to never underestimate the power that a kind word holds.
Spread the Joy Foundation
Spread the Joy Foundation provides Joy Boxes for hospitalized children to alleviate some of the stress of hospitalization. Joy Boxes are expertly designed by child life specialists, therapists, parents and most importantly, children. Each Joy Box contains thoughtful materials to make a child’s hospitalization memorable.
Black Joy Parade
The Black Joy Parade exists to provide the Black community and allies a live experience that celebrates the Black influence on cultures past, present and future. The goal is to unite a diverse community by creating a space to express everyone’s unique contributions to the Black experience.
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