In the spirit of #GivingTuesday, I wanted to spotlight a few organizations doing valuable work. These five groups are close to my heart and make a meaningful impact in communities, both at home and around the world. I hope you'll make your own commitment to support the vital work of the non-profits in your own neighborhoods.
Scroll down to learn a little about each one.
~Tavia Gilbert, founder Juniper Street Photography
Celebrate Generosity
A Company of Girls / @a_co_of_girls The mission of the stellar non-profit A Company of Girls is to strengthen and empower girls and their families and foster community through the arts. Based in Portland, Maine, this important arts organization serves young women at a pivotal age when so many begin to lose their confidence and voice.
Life After Hate / @lifeafterhate This organization is committed to helping people leave the violent far-right to connect with humanity and lead compassionate lives.We're in some terrible trouble in our country, and LAH does powerful, transformative work to get at the essence of what will help us grow through it - helping people access their empathy and humanity.
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) / @doctorswithoutborders - I deeply appreciate the unvarnished mission of this 50-year old organization, which provides assistance to populations in distress, to victims of natural or man-made disasters, and to victims of armed conflict. At the most basic level, our social contract is to take care of each other. I am grateful that MSF is doing this vital work.
CHiPS (Park Slope) / @chips4thave - Another 50-year-old organization, Community Help in Park Slope, Inc. (CHiPS) feeds the hungry in their soup kitchen, and shelters homeless young women & their infants in their Frances Residence. This non-profit is in my own neighborhood, and I support, with gratitude, their service to our neighbors.
Network for Animals / @network_for_animals - Animal cruelty is anathema in many areas of the world, but it continues to be inflicted all over the globe. NfA is active in Croatia, Greece, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Mauritius, Montenegro, the Philippines, South Africa, Serbia, Thailand, Turkey, the UK, Uruguay, the USA and Zimbabwe, acting as a voice for all people who want to protect the animals that share our world.