Resources

Note: If you know of good websites please email me their addresses, I’ll review them and I may add them to this list. I am especially interested in websites that serve children and young adults. Many of the organizations and businesses I have included have additional websites listed on their sites. I've made every effort to provide reputable resources, however, I cannot be responsible for the content of external websites that are listed on the websites I am providing. I have tested all of the links and they are each working at this time. If you discover a link that is not working please let me know. You will find hundreds of worthy organizations on this list. I have also included some for-profit businesses, especially those in the Mendocino, CA. area because Mendocino is featured in my novel.

D.B. Pacini
Email: Pacini.Novelist@gmail.com

(Websites Are in Alphabetical Order)

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Absolute Return for Kids (Global): Ark is an international charity whose mission is to transform the lives of children who are victims of abuse, disability, illness, and poverty.
http://www.arkonline.org

Adoption: More than 100,000 children in the USA are in foster care waiting for permanent families. Hundreds of thousands of children around the world are living in orphanages or substitute care.
http://photolisting.adoption.com

Adopt-A-Minefield: Adopt-A-Minefield® is a campaign of the United Nations Association of the USA, which engages individuals, community groups, and businesses in the United Nations effort to resolve the global landmine crisis. The Campaign helps save lives by raising funds for mine clearance and survivor assistance, and by raising awareness about the landmine problem. The idea behind Adopt-A-Minefield® is powerful and simple. Designed to move beyond the political and policy debates typically associated with banning the use of landmines, the Campaign provides a practical solution to the tens of millions of mines that contaminate the world, and to the countless survivors of landmine accidents.
http://www.landmines.org

Advocates for Youth (Washington, DC):
RESPECT Young People’s RIGHT To Be RESPONSIBLE
http://www.advocatesforyouth.org

Afghan Hands: It is heartbreaking to see the faces of women when they first come to us. You see scars of great trauma and long-time abuse. Many have lost all hope. But as they see that they can learn, that they have a chance for a better life, and that they can create objects of great beauty, they begin to smile and then to laugh.

Afghan Hands teaches skills to help Afghan widows gain independence, literacy, and livable wages. At our centers in and around Kabul, women learn to create embroidered shawls and scarves, and the exquisite embroidery they make connects them to a wider world.

The centers are places to gather, study, and work. We pay the women to attend classes in the morning and embroider in the afternoon. Without this project, they could not educate themselves. Through Afghan Hands, they leave the walls of their compounds and attend seminars on basic human, legal, and religious rights. They prepare for work as free women do elsewhere in the world. This way, no one will ever imprison them in the name of law, honor, or religion.

We are a nonprofit organization. We are also linked to the Mirmon Orphanage. Our mutual efforts keep expenses as low as possible so that the funds we raise go to women and children we serve.

In the future, we hope to establish small parks and playgrounds for children who now live in areas devastated by wars, drought, and environmental damage. We envision green havens where words of encouragement and hope are shared.

For now, Afghan women, by their own hands, are transforming their lives. This is our mission. Thank you for your interest in them and in their one-of-a-kind handmade pieces.
http://www.afghanhands.org

African Arts Productions (Las Vegas, Nevada): African Arts Productions provides classes in African dance, drum, music, costuming, and theater, and perform in both public and private venues. People of all types and backgrounds are invited to participate. AAP is particularly dedicated to working with at-risk youth, offering mentoring and tutoring in an effort to improve the quality of life for individuals, families, and our community.
http://www.africanartsproductions.org

Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation (Southern Nevada): Founded in 1994 by former professional tennis player Andre Agassi, the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation (AACF) was created to provide recreational and educational opportunities for at-risk children in Southern Nevada.

Since its inception, the Foundation has supported more than 20 organizations and raised more than $60 million for programs designed to enhance a child's character, self-esteem, and career possibilities. Because all of the Foundation's operating costs are underwritten, every penny raised goes directly towards improving the lives of at-risk youth.
http://www.agassifoundation.org

AG Against Hunger (The Agricultural Community Feeds The Hungry): In May 1990, the local agricultural community saw a need to join forces with food assistance agencies to funnel donations of fresh, surplus produce to food banks and community pantries in California’s Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz counties. Ag Against Hunger was the brainchild of three Santa Cruz County residents, Jess Brown, Executive Director of the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau, Willy Elliott-McCrae, Executive Director of Second Harvest Food Bank and Tim Driscoll of Driscoll Strawberry Associates. They were interested in developing a system to distribute the abundance of surplus crops grown in the tri-county area to the hungry. Their simple solution has become a model for produce recovery and distribution programs.

The program is simple. When growers have a surplus they notify Ag Against Hunger. Their truck collects the produce from approximately 50 different growers and shippers in the tri-county area. It is then distributed to food banks that make the fresh produce donations available to more than 240 nonprofit human service agencies and feeds 75,000 low-income people in the tri-county area each month, and hundreds of thousands more throughout California and the West Coast.
http://www.agagainsthunger.org

AID FOR AIDS: Millions of dollars worth of unused HIV drugs are discarded every year. Jesus Aguais founded AID FOR AIDS International to collect and legally redistribute those drugs to people in need. Since 1996, his organization has provided life-saving therapies to more than 3,000 people free of charge.

AID FOR AIDS (AFA) International is a non-profit organization committed to improving the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS in developing countries and who are immigrants in the USA. AFA works to empower these people, their caregivers, and the community at large by providing access to medications, health education, HIV prevention strategies and advocacy, and by promoting leadership and capacity building for individuals and organizations.
http://www.aidforaids.org

Alcohol and Drug Programs for Youth (CA.):
http://www.adp.ca.gov/youth/Youth_programs.shtml

Aleutian Pribilof Island Association (Alaska): A non-profit tribal organization of the Aleut people in Alaska providing services including cultural heritage, health, education, social, psychological, employment, vocational training, environment, natural resources, and public safety services.
http://www.apiai.com

All Kids Can! (Dallas, Texas): All Kids Can! is a disabilities awareness program that helps students of all ages learn attitudes of acceptance, dignity, and respect toward all people, especially those with disabilities. The All Kids Can! project will help you and your class discover new friends, develop new ideas, and learn more about people with disabilities through class projects.
http://www.allkidscan.com

All Stars Helping Kids: Believing that everyone can be a star by making a difference in the lives of children, NFL Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott founded All Stars Helping Kids in 1989. All Stars Helping Kids has been a galvanizing force and vehicle for individuals and corporate partners to invest in the future of children and our communities. Motivated by the idea that if you can do more, you should, Ronnie teamed with Marcus Allen and Emmitt Smith in 2006 to create a National Community Fund that pools the resources of Athletes, Individual Donors, and Corporate Partners interested in transforming the lives of millions of disadvantaged children.
http://www.allstarshelpingkids.com

Alternatives (Chicago): Alternatives provides comprehensive and creative programs for young people and their families residing on the northside of Chicago. Programs include counseling, after-school and summer activities, career and employment skills training, and cultural and arts activities. Alternatives facilitates community development efforts involving teens and adults to expand local resources for youth. They work with a network of more than 100 organizations including schools, hospitals, police departments, congregations, local businesses, and other not-for-profit agencies - advocating on behalf of youth. They cultivate the power of choice so young people can discover their future. Their programs provide a means for self-awareness and self-empowerment.
http://www.alternativesyouth.org

AMBER ALERT: An AMBER ALERT is a notification to the general public, by various media outlets in Canada and in the United States, when police confirmed that a child has been abducted.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMBER_Alert

America's Second Harvest (USA): Their mission is to feed America's hungry through a nationwide network of member food banks and engage our country in the fight to end hunger.

Please review their website and help, our combined efforts can make an enormous difference in the lives of hungry Americans.
http://www.secondharvest.org

The American Himalayan Foundation: The American Himalayan Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping the people and ecology of the Himalaya.
http://www.himalayan-foundation.org

The American Horse Defense Fund: AHDF's mission is to facilitate the protection, conservation, and humane treatment of members of all Equine species. AHDF works to address inhumane treatment of horses, ponies, donkeys, mules, and burros, both wild and domesticated through education, advocacy, and litigation when necessary in the state, federal, and international arenas.
http://ahdf.org

The American Indian Center of Chicago: To promote fellowship among Indian people of all Tribes living in metropolitan Chicago, and to help create bonds of understanding and communication between Indians and non-Indians in the city. To advance the general welfare of American Indians into metropolitan community life; to foster economic and educational advancement of Indian people; to sustain cultural, artistic, and vocational pursuits; and to perpetuate Indian cultural values.
http://www.aic-chicago.org

American Indian Child Resource Center (AICRC, San Francisco, CA.): A nonprofit agency providing services to American Indian youth and their families in the greater San Francisco Bay Area.
http://www.aicrc.org

American Indian College Fund (32 Tribal Colleges and Universities): The American Indian College Fund's mission is to raise scholarship funds for American Indian students at qualified tribal colleges and universities, and to generate broad awareness of those institutions and the Fund itself. The organization also raises money and resources for other needs at the schools, including capital projects, operations, endowments or program initiatives, and it conducts fundraising and related activities for Board-directed initiatives. The Fund also supports cultural preservation projects, capital construction and other programs at the tribal colleges.

Note Regarding Donations: The American Indian College Fund has been given high marks from the American Institute of Philanthropy in its Charity Rating Guide & Watchdog Report. The guide evaluates the percentage of organizations' expenses that go directly to programs, and expenses that go toward fundraising costs among other criteria. Of the fifteen organizations serving American Indians listed in a recent report, the American Indian College Fund received the highest rating. To learn more, visit www.charitywatch.org.
http://www.collegefund.org

American Indian Film Institute: The American Indian Film Institute (AIFI) is a non-profit media arts center founded in 1979 to foster understanding of the culture, traditions, and issues of contemporary Native Americans. American Indians have had an uneasy relationship with the media industry since the origins of film over 100 years ago. The quintessential 20th century art form has created and perpetuated enduring stereotypes that are at best tedious, and at worst profoundly erosive to the self-image of generations of Native Americans. Yet the ability of this art form to weaken and erode is matched by its power to heal and strengthen. In film we find a tool to preserve and record our heritage, and a vehicle for Indians and non-Indians alike to "unlearn" damaging stereotypes and replace them with multi-dimensional images that reflect the complexity of Native peoples.

Our organization's roots stretch back to 1975 when the first American Indian Film Festival was presented in Seattle. In 1977, the festival was relocated to San Francisco, where it found its permanent home. The American Indian Film Institute was incorporated in 1979, with the late actor Will Sampson (One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest) among its founding members. Today, AIFI is the major Native American media and cultural arts presenter in California, and its festival is the world's oldest and most recognized international film exposition dedicated to Native American cinematic accomplishment.

The goals of AIFI are inherently educational: to encourage Native/non-Native filmmakers to bring to the broader media culture the Native voices, viewpoints and stories that have been historically excluded from mainstream media; to develop Indian and non-Indian audiences for this work; and to advocate tirelessly for authentic representations of Indians in the media.
http://www.aifisf.com

American Indian Library Association (AILA): AILA was founded in 1979 in conjunction with the White House Pre-Conference on Indian Library and Information Services on or near Reservations. At the time, there was increasing awareness that library services for Native Americans were inadequate. Individuals and the government began to remedy the situation.
http://aila.library.sd.gov

An affiliate of the American Library Association (ALA), the American Indian Library Association is a membership action group that addresses the library-related needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives. Members are individuals and institutions interested in the development of programs to improve Indian library, cultural, and informational services in school, public, and research libraries on reservations. AILA is also committed to disseminating information about Indian cultures, languages, values, and information needs to the library community. AILA cosponsors an annual conference and holds a yearly business meeting in conjunction with the American Library Association annual meeting. It publishes the American Indian Libraries Newsletter, which appears in four issues each year.

The American Society For the Prevention of Cruelty To Animals: The ASPCA was founded in 1866 as the first humane organization in the Western Hemisphere. The Society was formed to alleviate the injustices animals faced then, and they continue to battle cruelty today. Whether it’s saving a pet who has been accidentally poisoned, fighting to pass humane laws, rescuing animals from abuse, or sharing resources with shelters across the country, the ASPCA works tirelessly for humane treatment of animals.
http://www.aspca.org

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA): ASHA is the professional, scientific, and credentialing association for more than 127,000 members and affiliates who are speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists in the United States and internationally.
http://www.asha.org

The American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign: The American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign is dedicated to preserving the American wild horse in viable free-roaming herds for generations to come, as part of our national heritage. Its grassroots efforts are supported by a coalition of over forty organizations.

The general public and the media can learn from the continually updated information and research found on this website to help raise awareness of the plight of the American wild horse. For Campaign updates and alerts, please join their email list.
http://www.wildhorsepreservation.com

Amnesty International: Amnesty International (AI) is a worldwide movement of people who campaign for internationally recognized human rights.
http://www.amnesty.org

Amnesty International Music Human Rights: Music for Human Rights is your place at Amnesty International and on the web to learn about the issues and to take action to protect your rights and the rights of others. Find out what your favorite musicians are doing to spread the word and then join them in the fight for human rights.
http://www.amnestyusa.org/musicforhumanrights

******* ******* *******

Ancient Forest International (Global): Since 1989, Ancient Forest International (AFI) has been instrumental in the protection of primary forests around the world. With the help of its international ancient forest network, AFI develops opportunities for wildlands philanthropists and communities to work together to acquire and protect strategic and invaluable forest-lands. AFI has helped coordinate the purchase of nearly a million acres of ecologically critical forested land, primarily along the Pacific coast of North and South America.

California: Over the last 150 years, 95% of northern California's coniferous forestlands have been cut. AFI is committed to protecting what is left and to restoring the rest. To do so, AFI works cooperatively with other nonprofits, industrial, and non-industrial landowners, concerned individuals, and government agencies. AFI is advocating for the acquisition of several local forest areas critical to regional conservation planning.

California North Coast Wildlands Program: AFI works across a fragmented yet still-viablelandscape. As the southwest portion of the globally unique Klamath-Siskiyou eco-region, California's North Coast is a World Wildlife Fund-prioritized, sparsely populated bio-region of abounding diversity, ecological significance, and majestic beauty. Here there is potential for conservation of true wildlands, and not just of "open space."

AFI is pivotal in helping to fund and coordinate efforts of place-based groups representing thousands of square miles of arguably the most extensive, wild, and abundant habitat remaining in the contiguous USA. From Ukiah to Eureka and from the ocean east to the Coast Range AFI seeks, through collaborative process, to identify specific core habitat priorities -- their respective linkages and appropriate conservation strategies -- and to coalesce citizen support around threatened public lands. On private, industrial forest-lands they build funding coalitions for fee-title acquisition.

Visit their website to learn about their North Coast Range Project, Redwoods to Sea, California Wild Heritage Campaign/Wildlands Project, Hole in the Headwaters, Rainbow Ridge, additional USA projects, and projects in other countries.
http://www.ancientforests.org

The AFI website was designed by Michael Eastwood of the Trees Foundation.

Trees Foundation (Redway, CA.): Trees Foundation mission is to restore the ecological intergrity of California's North Coast by empowering and assisting regional community-based conservation and restoration projects.
http://www.treesfoundation.org

******* ******* *******

Animal Welfare Institute (AWI): AWI is a non-profit charitable organization founded in 1951 to reduce the sum total of pain and fear inflicted on animals by humans.

In the organization’s early years their particular emphasis was on the desperate needs of animals used for experimentation. In the decades that followed they expanded the scope of their work to address many other areas of animal suffering.

Today one of their greatest areas of emphasis is cruel animal factories, which raise and slaughter pigs, cows, chickens and other animals. The biggest are in the USA, and they are expanding worldwide.

Another major AWI effort is the quest to end the torture inflicted on furbearing animals by steel jaw leghold traps and wire snares. AWI continues its work to protect animals in laboratories including promotion of development of non-animal testing methods and prevention of painful experiments on animals by high school students.

Representatives of AWI regularly attend meetings of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora to fight for protection of threatened and endangered species. Similarly, they attend meetings of the International Whaling Commission to preserve the ban on commercial whaling and they work to protect all marine life against the proliferation of human-generated ocean noise including active sonar and seismic air guns.

AWI works to minimize the impacts of all human actions detrimental to endangered species, including the destruction of natural forests containing ancient trees, and pollution of the oceans destroying every kind of marine life.
http://www.awionline.org

The Lance Armstrong Foundation (Austin, Texas): Founded in 1997 by cancer survior and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong, the LAF is located in Austin, Texas. LAF inspires and empowers people affected by cancer and unites people to fight cancer.
http://www.livestrong.org

ASHOKA: Global organization that finds and supports social entrepreneurs and outstanding individuals with ideas for far-reaching social change.
http://www.ashoka.org

BANANAS (Alameda, CA. & National): BANANAS is a child care resource and referral service that is often called R&R, short for resource and referral. They create R&R's in California and in the rest of the country. They exist to help parents find child care and children's services in their communities.

BANANAS develops new child care resources and helps to maintain existing ones so that parents have a good selection to choose from. They provide counseling to parents as they tackle the difficult task of choosing child care. They provide back-up support in different languages (written materials, workshops, support groups, and advice-line) to parents. They participate in cooperative activities in communities and work to help build a better world for children and families.
http://www.bananasinc.org

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mendocino County (CA.): Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mendocino County (BBBS) depends on community donations to run their programs. Every $1,000 donated sponsors a community-based match, and every $500.00 donated sponsors an in-school match for a full school year.

Other than their traditional matching program they provide a high school mentoring program, the Music Zone program, the Jump program, the SAFE program, and Que Onda which is a new after school program that will start in May, 2008. Please visit their website to learn about these programs.
http://www.bigbrothersbigsistersofmendocino.com

Birthday Wishes (Massachusetts): This wonderful organization was invented by volunteers working in homeless shelters. They believe every child should have a birthday party, and that children in homeless shelters are especially deserving. In 2002, three volunteers, with $500.00, gave their first party for fifteen homeless children. In 2004, they incorporated, serving 200 children in ten shelters. In 2007, more than 300 volunteers celebrated 450 children in 32 Greater Boston shelters — on a budget of $25,000. When the Birthday Wishes organization partners with a shelter they promise that every child who lives there will enjoy a birthday party. Costs are kept low through in-kind donations for party supplies.
http://www.BirthdayWishes.org

blueEnergy: blueEnergy is a nonprofit organization that provides a low-cost, sustainable solution to the energy needs of marginalized communities through the construction, installation, and maintenance of hybrid wind and solar electric systems. blueEnergy manufactures wind turbines and other key components locally to keep energy costs low, improve equipment serviceability, and create employment where it is desperately needed.
http://www.blueenergygroup.org

Boikarabelo (South Africa): Boikarabelo was founded in 1990. It is a school, orphanage, medical clinic, and village. They care for children whose families can't afford to care for them and for children orphaned by HIV/AIDS. Some of the children are living with HIV as well.

Note: Angels in the Dust is not a guilt-trip film. It shares the story of Marion Cloete and her family. They left a privileged life to build Botshabelo, which is now called Boikarabelo. There are plenty of excellent reviews available online. I urge you to see this remarkable film.
http://www.boikarabelo.org

Boys and Girls Clubs of America: In every community, boys and girls are left to find their own recreation and companionship in the streets. An increasing number of children are at home without adult care or supervision. Young people need to know that someone cares about them. Boys and Girls Clubs of America strive to enable all young people, especially those who need them most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
http://www.bgca.org

Brewery Gulch Inn (Mendocino, CA.): This is a jewel of a place to stay. The media reviewers are right. The evening hors d'oeuvres are plentiful and delicious. Skip going out to dinner. Stay beside the roaring fire and relish gourmet dishes, decadent desserts, Mendocino wines, micro brew beers, and organic sodas. In the morning enjoy a leisurely and scrumptious organic breakfast with fresh flowers on your table and singing birds so near your windows that you delighted eyes will see the multi-colors of their feathers. While dining in your woodland nest, gaze just beyond your windows at a misty ocean view of Mendocino's Smuggler's Cove. Your heart will sigh.

Those of you who have read my novels are familiar with my relentless fascination with trees and wood. Naturally, I wanted to stay at Brewery Gulch Inn to see the reclaimed redwood. Logging in Mendocino in the 1800s depended on the Big River for transporting giant redwood trees to the mill. As these trees were swiftly floated downstream, some of the grandest trunks sunk into the murky depths due to their tremendous weight.

Over a century later, during a construction project on a nearby bridge, these 100-150 year old pristine logs were found deeply settled and preserved in silt. Some ranged up to 16 feet in diameter. Dr. Arky Ciancutti, a lifelong lover of wood, salvaged, traded for, and bought 100,000+ board feet of the redwood, ranging from 40-inches to 12 feet in diameter. His inspired vision for the wood has been realized and is now available for us to appreciate. Brewery Gulch Inn exquisitely showcases the eco-salvaged, virgin-growth "guiltless" redwood. The inn has spectacular water views and is surrounded by hundreds of acres of unoccupied meadow and natural woodlands.

Homer Barton, a compelling character in the area's history, was fresh from the California gold fields in 1884. While panning for gold, he saw that it was the merchants, not the miners, who were getting rich. He envisioned becoming boomtown Mendocino's chief food supplier. He financed this enterprise by working as one of the first drivers of the oxen teams employed to drag the redwood logs to the Big River. He established the first thriving farm in Mendocino County, and later added a successful dairy and brewery on the prime land currently owned by Dr. Ciancutti. Sheltered from coastal winds, blessed with excellent water, and a favorable climate, the property continues to be ideal for growing a large variety of vegetables and fruits. Barton ferried his produce across the Big River daily.

When Dr. Ciancutti bought the land in 1977, as a private homestead for his family, there had only been one prior owner since 1910. In 1984, he refurbished the original farmhouse, opening it as a small bed and breakfast. Beauty abounds on the ten-acre site that includes numerous species of protected native plants, three ponds, and two frolicking streams. Dr. Ciancutti has taken advantage of the favorable climate by adding lovely gardens, as well as planting 3,000 bulbs each year. He has also created a splendid two-acre woodland garden with 600 rhododendrons and 1,000 ferns forming a backdrop.

When we arrived a friendly and unassuming man happened to be parking his car near ours. He quickly offered to help carry our luggage. Later he delighted us and other guests with local stories while graciously serving awesome hors d'oeuvres. I am allergic to alcohol and could not drink the numerous wines and beers offered. As soon as he learned about my allergy he presented me with an amazing assortment of organic sodas and waters. He was such a cool guy. It turns out that his name is Guy, Guy Pacurar. He purchased Brewery Gulch Inn from Dr. Ciancutti in July, 2007 and has plans that continue a vision for the inn that are magnificent.
http://www.brewerygulchinn.com

Note: Visit, even if you do not stay at the inn as a guest, go see the incredible redwood. Also, Dr. Ciancutti, he is still present with his interest now mostly focused on his family and organic farming.

The Bridge: Indian Training Trust Fund (Imperial Beach, CA. and National): They promote the development of good enterprises in American Indian communities on a national level using traditional, social, and academic curriculum within a creative and dynamic scholastic context. They foster belief in the stewardship of the environment and promote the building of relationships centered and focused upon the spiritual, intellectual, emotional, and physical aspects of our shared past, the present, and with faith in the future.
http://www.indiantraining.org

Bring Me A Book Foundation (Mountain View, CA.): To provide easy access to the best children's books, and to encourage parents to read aloud to children.
http://www.bringmeabook.org

BROADWAY CARES/EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS (New York): Mobilizing the unique abilities within the entertainment industry to mitigate the suffering of individuals affected by HIV/AIDS.
http://www.bcefa.org

Buffalo Field Campaign (West Yellowstone, Montana): Working in the field every day to stop the slaughter of Yellowstone's wild free roaming buffalo.

James Burgett (California): Burgett's nonprofit organization has repaired thousands of broken or discarded computers and donated them to schools, groups, and individuals around the world. He is a pretty amazing guy.
http://www.accrc.org

CAFF (Community Alliance with Family Farmers): CAFF is building a movement of rural and urban people to foster family-scale agriculture that cares for the land, sustains local economies, and promotes social justice.
http://www.caff.org

Cahuillas Indians (Southern California): The Cahuillas are Takic-speaking peoples who reside in Southern California in what are now Riverside and San Diego counties. Many, but not all, of the Cahuilla peoples live on reservations-Cahuilla, Agua Caliente, Santa Rosa, Torres-Martinez, Cabeson, Morongo, Los Coyotes, Ramona, and Saboba. These reservations were established after many years of conflict with local and federal authorities in the 1870s. Today the Cahuillas number about twenty-four hundred people. Prior to European intrusion, however, when they occupied the better part of Riverside County and the northern portion of San Diego County, they numbered from six thousand to ten thousand people.
http://www.manataka.org/page550.html

Cahuillas Indians: Cahuilla Indians on Wikipeda.

Californians Against Waste (Sacramento, CA.): Californians Against Waste is an American environmental advocacy organization that takes action on local, state, and national levels to conserve natural resources and prevent pollution through the expansion of a recycling economy.

They are dedicated to conserving resources, preventing pollution, and protecting California’s environment through the development, promotion, and implementation of waste reduction and recycling policies and programs.
http://www.cawrecycles.org

Camp David of the Ozarks (Rolla, MO.): Camp David of the Ozarks (CDO) is a free christian summer camp for children of prisoners. These at-risk children and teens are in desperate need of hope. CDO’s week long summer camps are especially designed to meet this need. Through Bible lessons, games and parties, with camp grandmas and grandpas, and a counselor that is shared with only one other camper, these youth discover they are special, significant, and that there is hope for tomorrow!

CDO offers Junior Camps for children ages 8 to 12, and Senior Camps for teens ages 13-16.

CDO is a member of The Association of Christian Camps and Conferences.
http://www.campdavidozarks.org

Candid Austin Teen Magazine (Austin, Texas): Candid Austin Teen Magazine is the first magazine published, written, and run solely by teenagers for college-bound teenagers in Austin, Texas. Candid is a 32-page, full-color publication printed by CSI Publishing. It is free to residents of the Austin area. The editors want the magazine to be free because teens are often financially limited.

“Candid” means sincere, open, and unprejudiced. A candid (unposed) picture is a glimpse of a life in action, a millisecond of energy and reality captured by a camera. This authenticity is what Candid Magazine strives to encapsulate: real teenagers at their best in their natural environments.

Candid Magazine was created by four Westwood juniors in the summer of 2006. The magazine features educational and entertaining information relevant to college-bound Austin high school students and is presented in a quality, yet appealing manner. Candid is the first Austin magazine specifically for teenagers. The editors hope that the magazine will eventually transcend the boundaries of schools and districts.

Note: I am excited to learn about this magazine. This is a cool group of young people doing something that is creative, constructive, and awesome. Check out Candid Magazine!
http://www.candidaustinteen.com

Care Wear (USA): Care Wear is a nationwide group of volunteers who provide handmade baby items to hospitals. Volunteers who knit, crochet, and sew are invited to join the effort.

Care Wear began in 1991 as a personal effort to provide much needed apparel for premature and low birthweight infants undergoing treatment in neonatal intensive care units of several children's hospitals in the Washington, D.C. area. Initial obstacles included the need to down-size patterns for infants as small as fifteen ounces and the task of contacting each hospital regarding sizes and quantities of garments needed.

Because of the high demand for preemie-sized items, efforts began to recruit others to help. As of December 2004, Care Wear had grown to 2400+ active volunteers.
http://www.carewear.org

Career Gear (New York City, New York): A Suit, A Second Chance: Career Gear, a grassroots non-profit organization, was founded in New York City in 1998 to promote the gainful employment and self-sufficiency of disadvantaged men who are actively seeking employment.

They started with the simple goal of providing appropriate business clothing for job seekers and have grown to provide services and resources that help their clients secure employment and workplace advancement.

The Career Gear Alumni program promotes job-retention and career advancement. The participants are disadvantaged men transitioning from job-training programs into the workforce.
http://www.careergear.org

CaringBridge® (Global): A free and easy to use Internet service that allows hospital patients to communicate with others through their own private web page. CaringBridge® offers free personalized websites that allow people to stay in touch with family/friends during a health crisis, treatment, and recovery. The goal of the service is to ease the burden of keeping family/friends updated, while providing a way for people to share love, support, and encouragement. CaringBridge® was created in 1997 by a Minnesota web designer to help an ailing friend communicate with loved ones worldwide.
http://www.caringbridge.org

The Carter Center (Global): The Carter Center is committed to advancing human rights and alleviating unnecessary human suffering. They strive to create a world in which every man, woman, and child has the opportunity to enjoy good health and live in peace.
http://www.cartercenter.org

The Caspar Community Center (Caspar Village on the Mendocino Coast, CA.): The Caspar Community Center has been a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization since 1997. Its mission is to preserve and enhance the quality of all life in Caspar, CA. Their goal is to envision, plan for, and set in place, the means for a sustainable community for the next hundred years. They earnestly invite interested users of the community center to join in the greater work of the community and to gather with them each second Sunday per month.
http://www.casparcommons.org/CCC/index.php

About Caspar: Caspar is an unincorporated town located in coastal Mendocino County, California. In the Caspar area is the historic Point Cabrillo Light Station, which was built in 1909. Caspar was first settled in 1857 by Siegfried Caspar, who later sold the land to Jacob Green Jackson, one of the founders of the Caspar Lumber Company, which turned Caspar into a significant logging town in Northern California from 1864 to 1955. Pilings from the mill can be seen on Caspar Beach, located south of the community.

In 2000, a large chunk of the Caspar headlands was purchased by the Mendocino Land Trust, forming Caspar Headlands State Reserve.

The Center for Children of Incarcerated Parents (CCIP): CCIP was founded in 1989 by Denise Johnston and Katherine Gabel. Their mission is the prevention of intergenerational crime and incarceration. Their goals are the production of high quality documentation on and the development of model services for children of criminal offenders and their families.

Note: This is an impressive program and they have a great website. Please visit their website to learn how you can help children of incarcerated parents.
http://www.e-ccip.org

Centers of Disease Control and Prevention: CDC is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services based in unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia adjacent to the campus of Emory University and east of the city of Atlanta. It works to protect public health and the safety of people, by providing information to enhance health decisions, and promotes health through partnerships with state health departments and other organizations. The CDC focuses national attention on developing and applying disease prevention and control (especially infectious diseases), environmental health, occupational safety and health, health promotion, prevention and education activities designed to improve the health of the people of the United States.
Offical Website: http://www.cdc.gov

Center of Science in the Public Interest: The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is a U.S. not-for-profit consumer organization headed by Michael Jacobson. Founded in 1971, CSPI's mission statement states that its twin missions are to conduct innovative research and advocacy programs in health and nutrition and to provide consumers with current and useful information about their health and well-being.

Since 1971 CSPI has been a strong advocate for nutrition and health, food safety, alcohol policy, and sound science. Its award-winning newsletter, Nutrition Action Healthletter, with 900,000+ subscribers in the United States and Canada, is the largest-circulation health newsletter in North America.

The newsletter is $10.00 a year and is priceless. You can order it from the website.
http://www.cspinet.org

Check Yourself A place for teens to check where they are with drugs and alcohol. CheckYourself.com is a unique resource. It’s a place for older teens to think about their relationship with drugs and alcohol, and invites them to consider their substance use risks.

The site allows visitors to "look in the mirror" by answering quiz questions about their lifestyle, reading first-person stories, communicating with other teens, and playing decision making games to see how they might act in situations involving drugs and alcohol.

CheckYourself.com also gives teens a voice by allowing them to share their own "moments of truth". Visitors get factual answers to questions about substance abuse, learn how to share their concerns with people who can help them, and get information about counseling and treatment facilities.

Support for CheckYourself.com is provided from the Partnership for a Drug-Free America. The Partnership gives the factual information about drugs and alcohol, and monitors postings to make sure they comply with the terms of use. The website is a unique, evolving, and independent resource where teens can communicate with and learn from each other.
http://www.checkyourself.com

Chelsea Green Publishing Founded in 1984, Chelsea Green Publishing is regarded as the preeminent publisher of books on sustainable living with well over 400 titles in print.

Note: They have a fantastic quarterly newsletter.
http://www.chelseagreen.com

THE CHICAGO DJEMEBE PROJECT (Chicago): Building on a combined 20 years of training, performance, and teaching experience in the Malinke djembe drumming tradition from Guinea, West Africa, The Chicago Djembe Project has offered intensive workshops, youth programs, and performances in Chicago since 1999.

Through its own work, and the remarkable Master Teachers it has brought to the city, CDP has been a catalyst in substantially raising the level of djembe practice and performance in Chicago.

CDP were the North American Representatives/Contacts for Master Drummer Famoudou Konaté from 1999 to 2004, organizing his highly successful annual Mini-Camp Workshop Tours. CDP also introduced Chicago to Mamady Keita, sponsoring his Chicago workshops from 1999 to 2002, and helped establish Master Dancer Moustapha Bangoura's career in Chicago with his first workshops here in 1999.

Instructor Lilian Friedberg is an American with European, Jewish, and Ojibwe ancestors. Manager Jim Banks is an African-American. Their partnership embodies the mission of the Chicago Djembe Project: Respect and cooperation across cultures and genders through the African Djembe Drum Tradition.

Hooked on Drums is CDP's new partner organization, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit founded in late 2006. HOD is deeply committed to teaching African music to youth, especially inner-city at risk youth, to help foster creativity, curiosity, discipline, self-confidence and well-being.

Note: I am excited about this organization and I hope youth advocates will contact this incredible staff and try to to bring the Hooked on Drums program to their communities. I often meet youth who are very interested in drums. Youth advocates can help establish such programs as Hooked on Drums and Guitars Not Guns in their communities, especially to serve at-risk teens. I have seen the awesome affect learning to make music has on young lives. It is an incredible thing to witness. Frequently these very kids join the staff as they grow older, becoming instructors to help to continue providing the program to their communites. Many of these young people become excellent role models to their peers and to younger children. It is a win-win for the youth and for the community.
http://www.chidjembe.com

Children of the Earth United (Columbia, MD.): At this time of global imbalance, the Children of the Earth United organization believes it is imperative that children join together to create a healthier planet. They believe that an effective way to make this happen is to educate the general public about eco-logical concepts and to provide a forum for people to share knowledge and ideas.

Children of the Earth United aims to help people:

Develop a greater understanding and respect for animals, plants, water, soil, air, and energy systems.

To comprehend the positive and negative environmental effects of our actions.

To acquire a knowledge of practical, sustainable living strategies which consciously and carefully utilize our natural resources.

To obtain information about nature programs, centers, and organizations.

To share and learn from each other’s creative ideas and knowledge.

To accomplish these objectives through a free comprehensive, interactive educational information system accessible through the internet and through specific educational programs geared towards mainstream society.
http://www.childrenoftheearth.org

Clean Slate (Southern California): CleanSlate does not only assist gang members in their effort to move forward in their lives. Their client’s range from survivors of domestic violence to those effected by the justice system in various ways. They also serve those who just need a tattoo removed because they are no longer the person they were at the time they got the tattoo.
http://www.cleanslatela.org

Clinton Global Initiative: Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), a project of the William J. Clinton Foundation, is a non-partisan catalyst for action, bringing together a community of global leaders to devise and implement innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
http://www.clintonglobalinitiative.org

Cloud Forest Institute (Global): Adventures in Education! Preparing students to forge a peaceful, sustainable, diverse, healthy, respectful, equitable, and hopeful future.

CFI was formed as a 501 (c) (3) scientific and educational organization in 1996. CFI offers students educational alternatives in international settings that address issues of environmental and social significance through Service Learning while striving to exist sustainably with the natural environment.

CFI offers educational alternatives to students of all cultures and ages through learning contracts via the internet and at designated research sites around the world. The sites are self-sufficient, they utilize alternative energy technologies, and sustainable, organic food production techniques. CFI’s goals are to make quality education accessible globally, and to foster an environmentally conscious philosophy.

CFI accepts students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin, and any sexual orientation.
http://www.cloudforest.org/Cloud_Forest_Institute

Colorado Youth at Risk (Denver, Colorado): In 1993 a group of dedicated passionate community members came together to address the growing issue of youth violence and school drop out rates. Denver had just experienced what was referred to as the “Summer of Violence”, a period of intense gang activity.

In 1994 the Colorado Youth at Risk organization worked with high school dropouts, including young people associated with Crips, Bloods, and Skinheads. Since 1994 they have addressed the mentoring needs of youth who are at risk of dropping out of school.

The organization strives to re-engage students and to encourage them to examine their future possibilities if they complete high school. Their students are from diverse backgrounds and range in age from 14-16 years old. They are referred by partner schools. Teachers and counselors recommend students who are then invited to voluntarily participate in the program.

Steps Ahead for Youth: Steps Ahead for Youth is a one year intensive community-based mentoring program for ninth graders. It sets itself apart by delivering a five day residential Launch Course, monthly structured workshops with a community of mentors and youth, and one-on-one mentoring. The program serves 90 youth annually.

Touchstone Program: Touchstone is available to students who complete the Steps Ahead for Youth program. It provides support and guidance from 9th grade through high school graduation. Youth learn to take personal responsibility, to strengthened relationships, and to develop and understand their personal vision and goals.

Recent Impressive Results:

95% of students in the Steps Ahead for Youth program stayed in school

78% improved school performance

78% decreased the number of times they received disciplinary actions

Note: The staff of Colorado Youth at Risk organization wanted to make a difference. With their unique programs they lift at risk youth up on strong shoulders and enable them to see ahead. They are guiding young people to paths that will lead to brighter futures. This is a remarkable program that other communities should adopt.

http://www.coloradoyouthatrisk.org

The Colorful Flags Program: The Colorful Flags Program breaks down ethnic mistrust by teaching specific cultural facts and five basic human relations statements in the five most spoken languages in a school community or organizational community (excluding English).

This program has serviced over 130,000 K-12 students in 17 school districts in Southern California. It has also serviced police departments, social service agencies, and various other organizations.

Please visit this wonderful website and explore!
http://www.class.csupomona.edu/colorfulflags/index.html

Common Sense (Keeping Your Kids Internet Safe and Smart): The nation's leading non-partisan organization dedicated to improving the media lives of kids and families.
http://www.commonsense.com/internet-safety-guide

Common Sense Media: Family movie reviews, family movies, family films, movie rental reviews, and reviews of TV shows, video games, music CDs, books, magazines, and web sites.

Media is fun and our kids love it. We also know that kids now spend so much time absorbing its messages and images that it has become "the other parent" in their lives. As a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, Common Sense Media exist to provide parents with trustworthy information to help manage their kids' media lives.
http://www.commonsensemedia.org

The Community Foundation of Mendocino County (Mendocino, CA.): The Community Foundation of Mendocino County is a county-wide nonprofit organization that administers permanent charitable funds established through gifts and bequests from individuals, families, businesses, and other organizations. Established in 1993 by community leaders who saw the need for a common investment and grant management vehicle for private charitable gifts made by people who want to “give back” to the community the organization currently manages over sixty funds with assets of over eleven million dollars and growing.
http://www.communityfound.org

Companions Journeying Together, Inc: Companions Journeying Together, Inc., provides a forum to personally impact the emotional, spiritual, and social lives of incarcerated people and their families. Their vision is for a society that lives by the principles of restorative justice.
http://www.cjtinc.org

Computers 4 Kidz: Computers 4 Kidz provide children with the technology to achieve and succeed. They would like to see all children have access to a computer, in their home, as a valuable educational tool.

This non profit organization provides individuals and businesses an alternative method of disposing of unneeded yet valuable computer equipment which helps conserve natural resources through a cycle of re-use. They rely entirely on donations. Please visit their website to learn about their current needs.
http://computers4kidz.tripod.com

THE CONSCIOUS ALLIANCE: Since inception in 2002, CONSCIOUS ALLIANCE has successfully collected and distributed over 500,000 pounds of non-perishable food donations to local food pantries and impoverished communities across the United States, through their collaborations with musicians such as String Cheese Incident, STS9, Dave Matthews Band, Jack Johnson, Phil Lesh, and many others.

In addition, they successfully built a much needed food storage and distribution facility on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. The unit is used to store and distribute emergency food supplies to more than 100 families at the end of each month when bills are due and emergency food is critical in making it to the next month.

THE CONSCIOUS ALLIANCE began as one young, college student’s vision and drive to help others. It all started when Justin Baker, founder and executive director of THE CONSCIOUS ALLIANCE, mobilized a group of friends and fellow students to come together as food drive volunteers. Baker’s vision led him to host campus-wide food drives with the hopes of not only collecting and distributing food to impoverished Indian Reservations in the Western United States, but to also raise awareness that poverty does still exist on American Indian Reservations today.

Note: Everyone associated with THE LOOSE END OF THE RAINBOW thanks THE CONSCIOUS ALLIANCE for their concern for people in need and for their very generous support to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.

To learn more about THE CONSCIOUS ALLIANCE please visit their website.
http://www.consciousalliance.org

Conservation International: Conservation International (CI) is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., that seeks to protect Earth's biodiversity "hotspots," high-biodiversity wilderness areas as well as important marine regions around the globe. The group is also known for its partnerships with local non-governmental organizations and indigenous peoples.

CI was founded in 1987 and now has a staff of more than 900 employees. Its work occurs in more than 40 countries, primarily in developing nations in Africa, the Pacific Rim, and the Central and South American rainforests.

CI's mission is to conserve the Earth's living natural heritage, our global biodiversity, and to demonstrate that human societies are able to live harmoniously with nature.
http://www.conservation.org

The Contact Consortium: The Contact Consortium is a California 501 c (3) non-profit corporation founded in 1995 by software architect Bruce Damer, anthropologist Jim Funaro, and science fiction writer Keith Ferrel to serve as a catalyst and forum for the emerging medium of multi-user virtual worlds and virtual communities in cyberspace.

The Contact Consortium is the first global organization focused on inhabited virtual spaces on the Internet. These spaces are shared in real time by thousands of users and represent a new frontier in the experience of cyberspace. The non-profit Consortium supports special interest groups, holds conferences, sponsors research and papers, and serves as a catalyst for this new medium. A broad Consortium corporate, institutional, and individual membership is working to ensure that this "cyberspace beyond the web document" will emerge as a powerful place to learn, play, work, and interact in the 21st Century.

The Contact Consortium was born out of CONTACT: Cultures of the Imagination, a seventeen year old organization which has engaged anthropologists, space scientists, fiction writers, and others in pioneering exercises simulating human contact between speculative cultures. The Contact Consortium was built on these foundations to become a structure for the development of human contact, community, and culture in digital space.
http://www.ccon.org

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora: CITES is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
http://www.cites.org

Crazy Horse Memorial: The official site of Crazy Horse Memorial and the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation, a registered 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. Sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski and Lakota Chief Henry Standing Bear officially started the Memorial in 1948 to honor the culture, tradition, and living heritage of North American Indians.
http://www.crazyhorse.org

Culture Wrap: Culture Wrap is a nonprofit organization, with no religious or political affiliation. They are dedicated to promoting cross-cultural understanding through the use of media arts.

They connect filmmakers and film audiences around the world in an effort to engender multicultural friendships and cross-cultural collaborative partnerships.

By combining entertaining films and media projects with charitable projects that improve cross-cultural relations, they extend a film’s positive cultural message by offering opportunities for audiences to become actively involved in helping cultural communities in need around the world.

In addition to their films, they offer audiences an additional world of cultural background information and links to world culture communities.

As a nonprofit organization, the revenues made from their in-house productions return to the organization and its mission to engender cross-cultural understanding and the promotion of cross-cultural collaboration. Besides this complete dedication to recycle their entertainment revenue, their films support charitable and humanitarian cross-cultural projects by attaching their causes to our movies.
http://www.culturewrap.org

Dab the AIDS BEAR Project: The story of Dab the AIDS Bear began in San Francisco in the early 1980s, as Dab Garner’s friends, most still in the prime of life, began to be stricken -- first by an unknown disease, then by one with no cure and little possibility for treatment. Already a longtime volunteer, Garner decided to try to comfort friends who had no way out from their illness, so he created his first AIDS Bear.

"At that point in time, people usually didn’t leave the hospital because of opportunistic infections and depleted immune systems," he recalls. "I hoped my bears would be some companionship and comfort for the fear and pain they were enduring."

Today, the positive impact of antiretroviral therapy is well-documented, but it can cost as much as $40,000 a year. In 2006, four people died in South Carolina while on ADAP (AIDS Drug Assistance Program) waiting lists for medications, and Dap the AIDS Bear went back into action.

That year Garner formed a grassroots organization based on his bear called Dab the AIDS Bear Project to raise money to produce and distribute more bears and advocate more strenuously for federal support to underwrite AIDS therapies. "I could not stand by as my HIV family were dying and not use my voice," said Garner.

In addition to promoting the teddy bear and raising awareness about the crisis of the ADAP lists, Dab the AIDS Bear Project publishes a survival guide for new HIV/AIDS patients, sponsors a support group, and produces awareness events in the Jacksonville area. The organization hopes to be incorporated as a nonprofit soon.

What keeps Garner going? It’s more than just a soft-heart. Bears can get angry, too -- angry at the disease and at ignorance, too.

"If I can save one person by getting them to protect their health or one person who is on an ADAP list, that's one more person saved from the cold grip of AIDS," said Garner. "That's the best present I could ever get."

http://www.dabtheaidsbearproject.com

DARFUR: A GENOCIDE WE CAN STOP: There are a number of things you can do to help stop the killing in Darfur and bring peace and security to the region. Visit this website.
http://www.darfurgenocide.org

DARFUR PEACE & DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION: Darfur Peace and Development Organization is non-profit and non-sectarian. It seeks to restore reconciliation where conflict exists in the Darfur region of Sudan through humanitarian aid and services to the needy people in the region, without regard to race, religion, sex, or national origin.
http://www.darfurpeaceanddevelopment.org

******* ******* *******

DEAR GOD KID LETTERS: I don't know who the authors are of these letters. The letters were emailed to me. They are little gems that share the mind and heart of a child.

Dear God, Instead of letting people die and having to make new ones why don't you just keep the ones you got now? J.

Dear God, I went to a wedding and they kissed right in church. Is that okay? N.

Dear God, I think the stapler is the greatest invention. R.

Dear God, In bible times did they really talk that fancy? J.

Dear God, I think about you sometimes even when I'm not praying. E.

Dear God, I am American what are you? R.

Dear God, I bet it is very hard for you to love everybody in the whole world. There are only four people in our family and I can never do it. N.

Dear God, Please put another holiday between Christmas and Easter. There is nothing good in there now. G.

Dear God, If you watch in church on Sunday I will show you my new shoes. M.

Dear-God-if-we-come-back-as-something-please-don't-let-me-be-Jennifer-H.-because-I-hate-her. D.

Dear God, I would like to live 900 years like the guy in the bible. Love, C.

Dear God, If you give me a genie lamp like Alladin I will give you anything you want except my money or my chess set. R.

We read Thomas Edison made light. In Sunday school they said you did it. I bet he stole your idea. Sincerly, D.

Dear God, Please send Dennis C. to a different camp this year. P.

Dear God, Maybe Cain and Abel would not have killed each other if they had their own rooms. It works with me and my brother. L.

******* ******* *******

Delmarva Youth Magazine (Salisbury, MD): Delmarva Youth, a full-color, glossy cover magazine, was created in July, 2006 to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of young people living on the Eastern Shore. While their mission is to encourage the great things that kids in their community are doing, the magazine also strives to provide parents with information and resources invaluable to encouraging and raising good kids. The magazine has grown into a much-anticipated publication: informative, creative, and celebratory. It is enjoyed by readers of all ages.

Note: This is a wonderful youth magazine, check it out!
http://www.delmarvayouth.com

Dental Care for Children (Southern CA. and Mexico): Founded in 1991 by pioneer dentist and philanthropist Dr. Charles Tozzer, Dental Care for Children has delivered over $1,500,000 in free dental care to over 7,500 destitute kids, the ones who need it most. With throngs of dedicated volunteers, Dr. Tozzer has spearheaded the delivery of these crucial services to the children in orphanages and underprivileged school districts in both Mexico and Southern California. With your help, the next step is to expand free dentistry to more of the world’s poorest children.
http://www.dentalcareforchildren.org

******* ******* *******

Keenan Dietiker (Poet for Peace): Eighteen-year-old artist and poet Keenan Dietiker has published his first book, a collection of art and poetry. The volume, "Voices of the Soul," was unveiled in April, 2008. Copies can be ordered from Lulu

Profits from the sale of this book will be donated to Living Compassion's Africa Vulnerable Children Project.

Note: The staff and creative artists associated with A Starry Night Productions feel that young creative artists like Keenan Dietiker greatly impact and make a positive affect on the world. We encourage you to purchase "Voices of the Soul," and we have selected Dietiker to be our "Featured for Summer, 2008 Generous Person" because of his remarkable gift to the Living Compassion's Africa Vulnerable Children's Project. He is the youngest creative artist we've ever featured.

To learn more about the Living Compassion's Africa Vulnerable Children's Project please review the Living Compassion website.
Living Compassion

http://poetforpeace.com

******* ******* *******

Divided We Fail: Americans should have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that their futures will be financially secure. Yet, millions of Americans worry about their health and long-term financial security. For many, the American dream is eroding along with this security. We can't let this happen.

We must act and we must act now. If we don't, the next generation will be the first in American history to be less well off than their parents.

AARP, Business Roundtable, SEIU, and NFIB are stepping up to this challenge with Divided We Fail so that Americans can achieve long-term financial security and get the health care they need. We intend to rally individuals, policymakers, and business leaders to this cause, whether it be:

strengthening Social Security
making affordable, quality health care available for all
making prescription drugs more affordable for all
creating incentives to save for retirement,
or expanding job opportunities so people can keep working and contributing to society as they get older.

We believe all Americans should have access to affordable, quality health care and peace of mind about their future long-term financial security, and we're going to mobilize our members and the public to demand solutions.
http://www.aarp.org/issues/dividedwefail

Dress for Success (New York City, New York & International): Dress for Success promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support, and career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

Founded in New York City in 1997, Dress for Success is an international not-for-profit organization offering services designed to help clients find jobs and remain employed. Each client receives one suit when she has a job interview and may return for a second suit or a separates outfit when she finds work.
http://www.dressforsuccess.org

EARN (Earned Assets Resource Network): EARN, founded in 2001, is a non-profit organization based in San Francisco, California that helps working poor Americans leave poverty through investments in assets. EARN also leads change in public policy related to asset-building.

EARN breaks the cycle of poverty by matching the savings of low-wage workers and helping them invest in assets that build wealth, creating a cycle of prosperity across generations. EARN is a nationally-recognized, award-winning pioneer, engaging low-wage workers, businesses, policymakers, and other nonprofits in its efforts to fulfill its three core promises:

1. Empower low-wage workers in the Bay Area to escape poverty permanently through asset building products and services.

2. Create, demonstrate, and evaluate innovative asset-building practices that can be replicated on a large scale.

3. Champion state and local asset-building policies that open the door to financial success to low-wage workers.

Note: EARN has been awarded the Fast Company Social Capitalist of the Year Award, and was named one of the ten most innovative nonprofits in the world when it was chosen as one of the ten finalists in the Amazon.com Nonprofit Innovation Award.
http://www.sfearn.org

The Earth Organization: The Earth Organization is a non-profit, non-partisan, issue-oriented organization. Our members come from all walks of life, from all cultures, races and religious backgrounds, all motivated by a common cause: to reverse the dwindling spiral of life on Earth, and to create a healthy, habitable planet on which all life flourishes and prospers, and of which we can be proud.

The Earth Organization's international offices work in association with other environmental groups around the world in projects of mutual interest. One of these co-venture partners is The Earth Organization in the United States, a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation.

The Earth and practically all major life forms on it are currently in danger, as ecosystems become degraded and extinctions continue to escalate at an alarming rate.

It took billions of years to develop a viable, balanced relationship amongst life forms on planet Earth. In less than 100 years, Earth's survival potential has deteriorated to a point where we must now consider that man himself could one day become an endangered species. Something can be done about it.
http://www.earthorganization.com

EastSide Arts Alliance (Oakland, CA.): The EastSide Arts Alliance (ESAA) is an organization of artists, cultural workers, and community organizers of color who live and/or work in the San Antonio district of Oakland. They are committed to working in the San Antonio and other Oakland neighborhoods to support a creative environment that improves the quality of life for the communities and advocates for progressive, systemic social change.

EastSide Arts Alliance uses the voice of art and culture to nurture a genuinely multi-cultural community that benefits all people in their neighborhood and provides creative opportunities for youth and adults to share their own cultural traditions and innovations. They present community workshops, events, and festivals where Oakland residents learn to use the arts to share their views on issues which affect their lives, as well as the life and health of the communities they live in.

Through positive and progressive programming and cultural organizing, EastSide Arts Alliance promotes community sustainability for future generations through self-determination, political and cultural awareness, and leadership development. They are building a community cultural arts center to be a unifying, neighborhood gathering place that will house the organization's on-going activities and other cultural events initiated by residents and local artists.
http://www.eastsideartsalliance.com

******* ******* *******

Eastern Cherokee, Southern Iroquois & United Tribes of South Carolina, Inc.
P.O. Box 7062
Columbia, SC 29202
803-699-0446

Easter Cherokee, Southern Iroquois and United Tribes of South Carolina, Inc. (ECSIUT) is 501 (C) (3) Tax Exempt Charitable Non-Profit cultural arts and educational outreach organization. They promote scholastic research, foster accurate documentation, and inspire genealogical, biographical, historical, and heritage research associated with the Cherokee tribe and all other Native America Indian tribes, and individuals of Native American Indian descent in South Carolina.

They strive to preserve, present, protect, and document Cherokee history, material culture, and historic buildings and folkways in South Carolina. ECSIUT is dedicated to creating an increased public awareness of Cherokee and other Native American Indian art, history, culture, and the many contributions Native American Indians have indeed made to American society, particularly in South Carolina.

ECSIUT shares the unique culture of Cherokee Indians and other Native Americans Indians through publications, exhibitions, symposiums, festivals, workshops, PowWows, and other activities to foster a harmonious spirit of unified voice among Native American Indian communities in South Carolina which improves their quality of life.

******* ******* *******

EcoMall (Global): Lists environmentally friendly companies and products, news, and resources relating to the environment, information about activism, and more.
http://www.ecomall.com

Edge Foundation: Edge Foundation was established in 1988 as an outgrowth of a group known as The Reality Club. Its informal membership includes of some of the most interesting minds in the world.

The mandate of Edge Foundation is to promote inquiry into and discussion of intellectual, philosophical, artistic, and literary issues, as well as to work for the intellectual and social achievement of society. Edge Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit private operating foundation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Contributors to Edge own the copyright to their original writing posted on the website and their posting is in effect a license permitting Edge Foundation, Inc. the electronic use of this work. In the event Edge Foundation, Inc. wishes to use the work in a print medium it will not do so before asking and securing the written permission of the author. Edge Foundation, Inc. owns the cumulative copyright to the site.
http://www.edge.org

Educational Video Center (New York): Teaches documentary video production and media analysis to youth.
http://www.evc.org

The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights (Oakland, CA.): The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights is a non-profit strategy and action center based in Oakland, CA. They work for justice, opportunity, and peace in urban America and promote positive alternatives to violence and incarceration through four cutting-edge campaigns.

Instead of communities with more prisons and more police, the Ella Baker Center works to implement better schools, cleaner environment, and more opportunities for young people and working people. Their four awesome campaigns are:

Books Not Bars: Addresses the ineffective and inhumane over-incarceration of youth.

Silence the Violence: Building youth leadership and promoting cultural ventures and policies to end violence on Bay Area streets.

Bay Area PoliceWatch: Working to educate survivors and to reform police practices and policies through legal workshops, seminars, and campaigns.

Green-Collar Jobs: Addresses the lack of meaningful work opportunities for at-risk youth and formerly incarcerated people. The Green-Collar Jobs Campaign catalyzes workforce opportunities in the burgeoning “green” economy, creating dignified jobs for low-income families.
http://ellabakercenter.org

Emerald Earth Sanctuary (Boonville, CA.): Emerald Earth is an intentional community in Mendocino County located on 189 beautiful acres of mixed forest and meadows, which is owned by their non-profit corporation Emerald Earth Sanctuary. They make decisions by consensus, and they value direct, open communication and conflict resolution. They are currently seeking new members.

On their somewhat remote rural site, they practice sustainable living skills such as organic gardening, permaculture, herbal medicine, natural building, and home power generation. They teach workshops on these topics and some of their members have written books on natural building and green spirituality.

Important Note: Please do not place this website's email addresses on any mailing lists and please do not send members unsolicited advertising, large documents, images. or attachments.
http://www.emeraldearth.org

End Hunger in America (USA): Michigan State University and Second Harvest Gleaners Food Bank of West Michigan collaborated in a two-year international award-winning research project to determine if and how local communities in the U.S. can adequately address their area's hunger problem.

The research found that adequately addressing the need is possible, and is much more within reach than most people believe it could possibly be.

Between 30 and 40 million people in the United States are hungry or are just a meal or two away from it. The End Hunger in America website shares compelling information. Please take time to review it and learn what you can do to help. You can download the steps to ending hunger free.

If we each do our personal part, if we join hands together to end hunger in America, this goal will be achieved.
http://www.endhungerinamerica.org

Ethiopia Reads/Yohannes Gebregeorgis (Ethiopia): Since Ethiopia Reads opened their first free children's library in 2003, thousands of children have experienced the joy of reading for the first time. This simple act profoundly impacts and enhances young lives.
http://www.ethiopiareads.org

Eth-Noh-Tec (San Francisco, CA.): By layering ancient Asian mythologies, folktales and Asian urban legends with Asian American sensibilities Eth-Noh-Tec creates an exciting new blend of storytelling and kinetic theater. Eth-Noh-Tec performs throughout the United States and abroad.
http://www.ethnohtec.org

Faerie Films (California): Faerie Films is currently in production on All Jacked Up a full-length, theatrical release; a docu-dram-edy that explores the typical eating habits of teenagers and exposes the truth about “the system” that preys on their naiveté, keeping them on course for a dismal future if they don’t rise above it all.

Please review their beautiful website to learn more about this incredible endeavor.
http://www.faeriefilms.com

Farm Aid (USA): Farm Aid features the best that music has to offer, while remaining true to its ultimate mission.

Willie Nelson, Neil Young, and John Mellencamp organized the first Farm Aid concert in 1985 to raise awareness about the loss of family farms and to raise funds to keep farm families on their land. Dave Matthews joined the Farm Aid Board of Directors in 2001.

Farm Aid has raised more than $30 million to promote a strong and resilient family farm system of agriculture. Farm Aid is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to keep family farmers on their land.
http://www.farmaid.org

Feed The Pig: The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants ("AICPA") has created a national public service campaign to encourage people to take control of their personal finances. The campaign, Feed the Pig ™, is a component of the 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy effort which aims to educate Americans about how financial issues affect their lives. It features a website, www.360financialliteracy.org, offering free tools and resources to help people manage their finances through every stage of life.
http://www.feedthepig.org

Female Prisoners’ Poetry Collected by Sue Stauffacher: Sue Stauffacher is a professional journalist and has been writing a children's book review column for several years. She the author of Harry Sue, a novel published by Knopf (ISBN-10: 0440420644 ISBN-13: 9780440420644) for children ages 8-10.

Sue's writing workshops with women separated from their children due to imprisonment or neglect as a result of their drug use, have resulted in compelling ebook of poetry and letters.
http://www.fcnetwork.org/womens_poetry.pdf

Fight Meningitis (PROTECT YOUR TEENS): Although meningitis is uncommon, a person can catch it by having close personal contact with a person who is sick with the disease. There are also people who can carry the bacteria in their nose and throat but never become sick. Contact with these carriers can also cause someone to become infected with meningitis.

Experts believe that some behaviors can put people at greater risk for getting meningitis.

These include:

* Living in close quarters, such as college dormitories.

* Being in crowded situations for prolonged periods of time.

* Sharing drinking glasses, water bottles, or eating utensils.

* Kissing.

* Smoking or being exposed to smoke.

* Activities that make people run-down and may weaken the immune system, such as staying out late and having irregular sleeping patterns.

While there isn’t a way to be 100 percent protected, you can help reduce the risk of getting meningitis by avoiding the behaviors that spread it. There is also a vaccination that can help prevent it. Ask your child’s health-care provider about how to protect your child.
http://www.fightmeningitis.com

Firelight Foundation (Santa Cruz, CA. and Africa): Their mission is to support and advocate for the needs and the rights of children who are orphaned or affected by HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa. They strive to increase the resources available to grassroots organizations that are strengthening the capacity of families and communities to care for children made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS.
http://www.firelightfoundation.org

First Americans in the Arts (California): First Americans in the Arts (FAITA) is a non-profit organization created to recognize, honor, and promote American Indian participation in the powerful arena of the entertainment industry, incorporating the areas of film, television, music, and theater. FAITA presents an annual award ceremony recognizing outstanding achievement, performances, and contribution by and to the Native American Indian entertainment community.
http://www.firstamericans.org

First Response Team/Tad Skylar Agoglia (USA): First Response Team of America deploys nationwide to assist communities in the first critical hours when safety is of premium importance. Using heavy equipment and advanced technology, they identify and access disaster sites throughout the United States, bringing help and hope to our neighbors in need.
http://www.firstresponseteam.org

Fotovision (San Francisco Bay Area, CA.): Fotovision is a non-profit organization founded in 2003 by a group of prominent photojournalists, media professionals, and educators from top US photojournalism programs. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, the organization's members run the spectrum from amateur photographers to professionals who have received such awards as the Pulitzer Prize and the World Press Photo Award.

Fotovision's mission is to advance documentary photography and storytelling. They do this through education, dialogue, and community. Their vision is to inspire and enable positive change by creating a global photographic community that gives voice to the human condition.

The curriculum is designed to span the various skills and techniques needed as a long-term, in-depth photo project is developed: field-work, editing, funding and marketing, book publishing, multi-media issues and more. They create opportunities for photographers to hear lectures by master photographers like Sebastião Salgado, James Nachtwey, Eugene Richards, Alex Webb, and others. In addition, they give Bay Area photographers and people interested in documentary the rare opportunity to study with these masters in small groups.
http://www.fotovision.org

The Free Child Project (Global): They are dedicated to making social change, education, and resources more accessible for young people around the world.
http://www.freechild.org

Free Rice Game (Global): For each word you get right, the organization donates 20 grains of rice through the UN World Food Program to help end hunger. As of 04-26-08 over 29 billion grains of rice have been donated.

Warning: This game may make you smarter. It may improve your speaking, writing, thinking, grades, and job performance.

http://www.freerice.com

Freedom Writers (National): The Freedom Writers Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in 1997, positively impacts communities by decreasing high school drop out rates through the replication and enhancement of the Freedom Writers Method.
http://www.freedomwritersfoundation.org

Friends of Ecuador: The challenges in Ecuador are such that the country needs as many friends as possible. There are a number of Americans, who work in or visit Ecuador, that feel strongly about the country. The single largest group of friends of Ecuador is the Ecuadorian immigrant community that lives in the United States.

The vision for Friends of Ecuador is to create an on-line community. All members may add content, talk with one another, share information, organize projects, link with organizations in Ecuador, and provide donations to help ensure a healthier and more prosperous Ecuador for Ecuadorian people.
http://friendsofecuador.org

Friends of Yemin Orde (Serving 22 Countries): Friends of Yemin Orde is a 501-C-3 organization based in Washington, DC, that supports the programs of Yemin Orde Youth Village in Israel. Yemin Orde is home to more than 500 disadvantaged youth from 22 countries. Located just south of Haifa, Yemin Orde is a home and school environment. Their success with refugee, disadvantaged, and at-risk youth has attracted widespread acclaim. Most recently, Yemin Orde has formed the "Yemin Orde Communities," a network of childcare organizations using Yemin Orde's innovative programs and methods.
http://www.yeminorde.org

Friends for Youth (San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties, CA): Friends for Youth has been serving peninsula at-risk youth for 28+ years. It is an award-winning agency that creates and supports one-to-one friendships between youth-in-need and caring adults.
http://www.friendsforyouth.org

Friendship Park (Mendocino, CA): The construction of the park was a great community effort accomplished in just four years through the dedication of local volunteers and donors who shared a common vision. Most of the materials, much of the professional labor, and all the funds needed were donated. On April 18, 1993, the park was dedicated and the familiar cry of “Let’s play ball!” echoed across the field. Members of fourteen coast Little League teams joined in the joy of the first opening day.
http://www.friendshipparkmendocino.org

******* ******* *******

Gaiam Real Goods Solar Installation Services (California & Colorado, USA): Gaiam Real Goods professionals have 200+ years of combined experience in solar and renewable energy. Plus, their staff walks its talk: many of them drive hybrid, biodiesel, and electric vehicles, have solar PV systems on thir homes and/or live off the utility grid. Collectively they endeavor to reduce the carbon footprint from 2000 levels by at least 80% by 2030 to set an example to others to help mitigate global warming.

Their experienced solar experts are typically with their company for the long haul with only minimal staff turnover. The staff receives excellent and continual training in renewable energy and sustainable living.

Please visit their website to learn more about their Solar Living Center in Hopland, California. The center has the world's greatest environmental store. The Hopland Real Goods store is open every day (except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Catalogs: You can order Gaiam Living, Gaiam Mind Body, Gaiam Real Goods, and Explorations catalogs from their website.

National Award: Real Goods founder John Schaeffer received the 2007 Green Pioneer Award on October 22, 2207. The annual national award recognizes individual renewable energy leaders that have demonstrated leadership by working to build the market for green power.
http://www.realgoodssolar.com

The Solar Living Institute (Hopland, CA.): Established in 1998 as a spin-off from Real Goods Trading Company, the Solar Living Institute is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit educational organization whose mission is to promote sustainable living through inspirational environmental education. The Institute provides practical, education by example and hands-on workshops on renewable energy, green building, sustainable living, permaculture, organic gardening, and alternative, environmental, construction methods.

The Institute is headquartered at the Solar Living Center, a gorgeous 12-acre renewable energy and sustainable living demonstration site visited by nearly 200,000 people annually in the heart of Northern California’s wine country. Since its inception nearly two million visitors have experienced the Solar Living Center.

The nonprofit Solar Living Institute depends upon donations to continue to offer rich educational programs. Please support the Institute by joining their membership program, making a gift online, becoming an intern, or volunteering.
http://www.solarliving.org

******* ******* *******

Gallery Bookshop and Bookwinkle's Children's Books (Mendocino, California). http://www.gallerybooks.com

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (Seattle Washington & Global): Bill and Melinda Gates believe every life has equal value. In 2000, they created the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to help reduce inequities in the United States and around the world.
http://www.gatesfoundation.org

******* ******* *******

GATHERING OF NATIONS (GON): It has been said by many that the GATHERING OF NATIONS POWWOW is the Mecca of Indian Country; while others have said that there is a magic about the "Gathering". Since 1983, it has grown to become more than just a powwow; it's an experience!

Held each spring at the University of New Mexico Arena in the "Pit," the GON powwow has blossomed into the most enjoyable, cultural, and entertaining native festival in North America. There you can shop at the impressive Indian Trader's Market, sample the best of native foods, and hear native music on Powwow Alley.

To learn more about this once-a-year cultural festival, Miss Indian World, A POWWOW SUMMER ACROSS NORTH AMERICA by Dr. Lita Mathews (available in paperback book and in audio book), COOKING VEGETARIAN with Melonie Mathews (available in paperback book), and for additional information about the GATHERING OF NATIONS organization, including purpose, activities, photographs, and accomplishments, please visit their website.
http://www.gatheringofnations.com

Note: I'm honored that Dr. Lita Mathews, co-founder of GATHERING OF NATIONS, has endorsed THE LOOSE END OF THE RAINBOW. She is one of those rare people who is often a dime in a room full of nickels. To read her endorsement click here and scroll down: Endorsements

******* ******* *******

Gilda's Club Worldwide: Cancer support for the whole family, the whole time.

Gilda's Club is named in honor of the amazing and wonderful Saturday Night Live comedian Gilda Radner, who died of ovarian cancer in 1989. Gilda dreamed that all people affected by cancer, as well as their families and friends, would have access to the same kind of emotional and social support that she received during her illness.
http://www.gildasclub.org

G.I.N.A (Anaheim, CA. & National): The name Gina is in honor of singer-songwriter Gina Bos. In 2001, Gina’s sister, Jannel Rap, founded G.I.N.A. to bring together recording artists in an effort to raise awareness of people who go missing every year. I urge everyone, especially musicians, to help support this organization.
http://www.jannelrap.com

The Giraffe Heroes Project: The world needs heroes, people with vision and courage, people who are willing to stick their necks out and take responsibility for solving tough problems, on the planet and on the block. For over 20 years, the Giraffe Heroes Project has been finding these “Giraffe-heroes” (“Giraffes” for short) and getting their stories told in the media and in schools. Others see or hear these stories and are moved to help solve the problems they see.
http://www.giraffe.org

Girls Incorporated (National): An organization that inspires girls to be strong, smart, and bold by providing them the opportunity to develop and achieve their full potential.
http://www.girlsincholyoke.org

Global AIDS Alliance (Global): The mission of the Global AIDS Alliance (GAA) is to galvanize the political will and financial resources needed to slow, and ultimately stop, the global AIDS crisis and reduce its impacts on poor countries hardest hit by the pandemic.
http://www.globalaidsalliance.org

Global Exchange Organization (Global): Human rights organization devoted to building people-to-people ties between first and third world nations and promoting sustainable development.
http://www.globalexchange.org

The Global Fund For Children (Global): They work to advance the dignity of vulnerable children and youth worldwide by supporting and strengthening grassroots groups and harnessing the power of books, films, and photography.
http://www.globalfundforchildren.org

The Global Fund For Women (Global): The Global Fund For Women is an international network of women and men committed to a world of equality and social justice. They advocate for and defend women's human rights by making grants to support women's groups around the world.
http://www.globalfundforwomen.org

Global Warming: Early Warning Signs (Global): This website shares the websites of organizations that produce Global Warming: Early Warning Signs. Visit these sites for more information on the global warming issue and learn what you can do to help.
http://www.climatehotmap.org

Global Warming Kids Site: This EPA site explains what global warming is, what causes it, and what we can do to help stop it. Educational but not overwhelming, the site provides definitions of scientific terms and features simple global warming-themed games.
http://epa.gov/climatechange/kids/index.html

Global Warming Organization (Global): The website of the Cooler Heads Coalition, an international group of non-profit organizations dedicated to smarter thinking on the subject of global warming and climate change. Here you will find essays and articles on the science, economics, and politics (both domestic and international) of the issue. The debate over global warming has become very heated. That's why it's time for Cooler Heads.
http://www.globalwarming.org

The Golden Carrot (Anza, CA.): The Golden Carrot was founded by Casey O'Connor and is a sanctuary for manageably disabled, elderly, mistreated, and retired horses and ponies.

The organization is also a resource for the community. If you will volunteer to do some chores, such as cleaning stalls, fixing fences, grooming, and exercising horses, Casey will give you free riding lessons.

The Golden Carrot is a 24 acre facility located in an isolated area bordering the Cahuilla Indian Reservation in Southern California. It's a great location for camping, riding, hiking, and living with wildlife and nature. They offer day camps, weekends, and more. Participants learn to ride and care for horses.

Note: The Golden Carrot is a wonderful organization. I want go there! Be sure to visit the website and sign up for the newsletter. Send Casey a donation if you can. Donations are desperately needed and greatly appreciated!
http://www.thegoldencarrot.org

Al Gore (Global): His official website includes his various environment advocacy work and global warming concerns. I urge you to watch Gore's DVD titled, An Inconvenient Truth (2006). It will cost about $3.00 to rent at your local video store, a well spend $3.00.
http://www.algore.com

Grameen: Grameen Bank (GB) has reversed conventional banking practice by removing the need for collateral and created a banking system based on mutual trust, accountability, participation, and creativity. GB provides credit to the poorest of the poor in rural Bangladesh, without collateral. At GB, credit is a cost effective weapon to fight poverty, and it serves as a catalyst in the development of socio-economic conditions of the poor who have been kept outside the banking orbit on the premise that they are poor and hence not bankable.

Professor Muhammad Yunus, the founder/director of Grameen Bank, believes that if financial resources are provided to poor people with appropriate and reasonable terms and conditions, millions of people with small pursuits can become a development wonder.

As of May, 2007, GB has 7.21 million borrowers, 97 percent are women. With 2431 branches, GB provides services in 78,659 villages, covering more than 94 percent of the total villages in Bangladesh. This is an amazing organization, just amazing!
http://www.grameen-info.org

Grandmothers for Peace International: In many cultures around the world, grandmothers are revered as the “keepers of the peace.” We are inspired and motivated by that fact, but realize that in today's dangerous world we can no longer keep or promote peace by sitting in our rocking chairs!
http://www.grandmothersforpeace.org

The Green Squad: This NRDC website shows how to identify and solve environmental problems. Explore a colorful virtual school room by room, and use the mouse to locate potential hazards. Site offers a wide range of fact sheets and environmental resources.
http://www.nrdc.org/greensquad

GREENACTION (California, Arizona & Utah): GREENACTION is a diverse, multi-racial organization which mobilizes community power to win victories that change government and corporate policies and practices to protect health and promote environmental justice. GREENACTION is engaged in several projects including the Bayview-Hunter’s Point Environmental Health and Justice Project whose goal is to close the local PG&E plant and to launch a San Francisco Environmental Justice Air Quality Coalition. GREENACTION is also working in the San Joaquin Valley around the issue of the air pollution caused by pesticide use, incinerators, and waste dumps.

There are several important projects where GREENACTION joins efforts with Native American Indians to insure human and environmental health. Please review the GREENACTION website to learn more about these partnered efforts.

Note: Here is one that needs support now:

GREENACTION and the Mohave Cultural Preservation Program are pleased to announce a new and important effort, the “Defending the Sacred” Ward Valley Film Project. Your support can make this effort a success. “Defending the Sacred” is an informative, inspiring, and compelling twenty-four minute film by independent film maker Tamara Turner that tells the story of the successful “David versus Goliath” fight by the Colorado River Native Nations Alliance and allies that saved Ward Valley, sacred Indian lands, and the Colorado River from a proposed nuclear waste dump.

The “Defending the Sacred” Project is a collaboration between the Mohave Cultural Preservation Program, a grassroots group from the Colorado River Indian Tribes, and GREENACTION. Both groups played key roles in the Ward Valley campaign and victory. In February 1998, the Fort Mojave, Chemehuevi, Quechan, Cocopah, and Colorado River Indian Tribes and supporters from all walks of life began an historic 113 day nonviolent occupation of the proposed nuclear waste dump site at Ward Valley. Defying threats of arrest and risking bodily harm, hundreds of people joined together to prevent the government from test drilling for the dump project. The occupation succeeded and led to the defeat of the nuclear waste dump.

“Defending the Sacred” features the beautiful Mojave Desert landscape at Ward Valley, dramatic images of Elders, traditional singers and dancers, scenes of protests, and the occupation. The film contains interviews with tribal leaders and activists involved in the Ward Valley campaign.

The goal of the project is to educate and inspire as many people as possible about Ward Valley and the victory won by the tribes and their supportive allies. Your financial support of this film will enable film viewers to learn about the cultural, environmental, health, and social justice issues raised by the campaign. This project inspires people from all walks of life in any community to appreciate that ordinary people can win victories against terrific odds.
http://www.greenaction.org

GreenDimes: GreenDimes is a socially conscious consumer lifestyle company that helps individuals and businesses create social change through products and services. Based in Palo Alto, California, GreenDimes' premier service to reduce postal junk mail has already stopped 257,000 pounds of junk mail and planted more than 137,000 trees around the world.

Going beyond restoring the environment, GreenDimes, a leader among socially conscious businesses, is one of the sponsors of the Nothing But Nets campaign. In eleven days, GreenDimes funded the purchase of 5,000 life-saving mosquito nets – one net for every new member who joined GreenDimes.
http://www.greendimes.com

Green People (Global): Directory of eco-friendly and holistic health products, including vagan food/products.
http://www.greenpeople.org

Green Seal (Global): An independent non-profit organization dedicated to safeguarding the environment and transforming the marketplace by promoting the manufacture, purchase, and use of environmentally responsible products and services.
http://www.greenseal.org

Guardian Angels (They are officially called The Alliance of Guardian Angels): To safeguard neighborhoods, schools, and cyberspace from crime and violence, through partnerships with educators, corporations, and community leaders, via programs that heighten risk awareness, foster character development, provide peaceful solutions, and empower individuals, especially youth, to lead positive, productive, contributing lives.

Their CYBERANGELS membership is world-wide, with members from 30+ countries on six continents. Volunteers, comprised of professional networking and computer experts and law enforcement officers, from all over the world, are a key component in remaining effective in an atmosphere that changes every few months.

By all means watch the Curtis Sliwa Gang Violence video on their website.
http://www.guardianangels.org

Guitars Not Guns (International): Provides free guitars and free guitar lessons to foster kids, at risk youth, and other deserving children. GNG is not anti-guns; the organization is anti gun violence, especially in schools, and offers an alternative to violence.
http://www.guitarsnotguns.org

Hale Reservation (Massachusetts): The Hale Reservation (HR) comprises 1,100 acres of woodland, meadows, wetland, four ponds, 20 miles of hiking trails, and Native American archaeological sites. In summers, it is the nation’s largest complex of day-camps, receiving 4,400 children daily (1,800 are subsidized) from over 70 Greater Boston communities. Year-round, over 1,000 children from 200 schools and organizations enjoy outdoor educational experiences: Learning how to swim, paddle a canoe, study environmental science, and experiencing the beauty of nature. Physically challenged children are encouraged by accessible facilities, including a wheelchair-accessible fishing pier. The Health Center gives first aid and collects public health data on the children, providing wellness education and significant primary health care for those at risk. Hale Reservation is provided to children by the philanthropy of Robert Sever Hale who died in 1941.
http://www.HaleReservation.org

Harlem Children’s Zone (New York): Founded in 1970, Harlem Children's Zone, Inc. is a pioneering, non-profit, community-based organization working to enhance the quality of life for children and families in some of New York City's most devastated neighborhoods.
http://www.hcz.org

Harlem Globetrotters (New York): The Harlem Globetrotters are an exhibition basketball team that combines athleticism and comedy to create one of the best-known sports entertainment franchises in the world.
Official Website: http://www.harlemglobetrotters.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlem_Globetrotters

Harlem Globetrotters: Lynette Woodard: The AMAZING Lynette Woodward was the first female member of the Harlem Globetrotters.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynette_Woodard

HarlemLive (New York): Internet publication covering arts and culture by local teens, including a virtual walking tour of Harlem.
http://www.harlemlive.org

Heaven Can Wait (San Miguel, CA.): Heaven Can Wait is committed to abused, neglected, and unwanted horses, providing them a safe haven where they receive food, shelter, quality care, treatment, and protection. Their horses are never sold at slaughter auctions. The staff educates children and adults about the enjoyment and rewards of owning a horse, and about the responsibility, knowledge, and costs ownership involves.
http://www.heavencanwait.us

Heifer International: Helps impoverished families worldwide become more self-reliant through the gift of livestock and training in their care. Heifer envisions a world of communities living together in peace and equitably sharing the resources of a healthy planet. Heifer works with communities to end hunger and poverty and to care for the earth.

Heifer's strategy is to “pass on the gift.” As people share their animals’ offspring with others – along with their knowledge, resources, and skills – an expanding network of hope, dignity, and self-reliance reaches around the globe.

This simple idea of giving families a source of food rather than short-term relief has continued for 60+ years. Today, millions of families in 128 countries have been given the gifts of self-reliance and hope.
http://www.heifer.org

Heifer International Read To Feed: Read to Feed is about global education, awareness, and action. Children are motivated to read books so they can help impoverished people around the world.

Read to Feed enables children to help hungry people all over the world to be better fed, proud, and self-reliant. The program challenges children to learn about the world and its people, and inspires students by introducing sustainable, hopeful solutions. http://www.readtofeed.org

Hello Friend (Ennis William Cosby Foundation): The Hello Friend/Ennis William Cosby Foundation is dedicated to fulfilling the goals and dreams of Ennis Cosby. The Foundation equips teachers, parents, and students with the practical information and educational tools needed to understand and address the needs of all learners before they experience the corrosive effects of frustration and failure. The Foundation was established in 1997 by Bill and Camille Cosby as a 501(c)(3) public charity.

Note: Please review this website. They list information and website addresses for a number of national organizations and online resources for learning differences.
http://www.hellofriend.org

Help A Horse (Westminster, Maryland): The Help A Horse organization strives to help secure loving homes for neglected or abandoned animals in need. Additionally, they join efforts with other USA horse rescue organizations to find safe homes for horses. If you cannot volunteer, provide an animal a temporary foster home, or adopt an animal they urge you to please donate funds to help pay for on-going vetcare, farrier care, food, and sheltering needs. You can also sign up for their free newsletter.
http://www.helpahorse.i67.org

Help Kids Hear: Help Kids Hear is a website founded by Tony and Alisa Hake, the parents of two hard of hearing children. The website is dedicated to helping parents of hard of hearing and deaf children. Be sure to review their For The Kids link.
http://www.helpkidshear.org

Help Our Mother Earth: H.O.M.E was founded by Ruby and Chipa Wolf. The Wolf's provide school programs designed to teach students cultural pride to help combat stereotypes and prejudices while creating a sense of unity with people of other cultures. They promote authenticity and reverence in an effort to help combat drugs, gangs, and peer pressure. Through hands-on experience and conversation they try to convey a message of deep, personal respect for nature and the environment.

The programs include Native dance, story-telling, and games. They teach primitive skills courses including fire-by-friction, tipi demonstrations, herbs, and medicines. Their instruction includes Native philosophies, re-cycling, wildlife and environmental responsibilities, and population awareness.

They offer field trips that include feeding animals, viewing buffalo and bear, and interacting with domestic livestock and other wild animals. There are nature hikes with Native Guides to talk about wildlife and what we can do to protect wildlife from disappearing.

Note: I admire Ruby and Chipa Wolf and urge other communities to use their remarkable program as a model for new programs. Be sure to review the entire Rolling Thunder website.
http://www.rthunder.com

Himalayan Health Exchange (Himalayas): Himalayan Health Exchange is a health care service program established by Himalayan Spirit Expeditions Inc., with the missions to provide medical and dental care to the underserved people living in remote regions of the Indian and Nepal Himalayas, and to uplift two orphanages located in the North Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Each trip provides a unique cultural experience and an adventure while working to help the needy.
http://www.himalayanhealth.com

Himalayan Youth Foundation (Himalayas): Himalayan Youth Foundation, Inc. (“HYF”) is a private not for profit corporation created to provide assistance and general care to the underprivileged and/or orphaned children of the Himalayas, ultimately helping the region and the world become as stable and as prosperous as possible.
http://www.hyf-us.org

Hollywood Heart (CA.): A Los Angeles non-profit organization that provides recreational and educational opportunities to at-risk youth through two unique programs: CAMP PACIFIC HEARTLAND is a summer camp program for children and adolescents infected and affected by HIV and AIDS; and THE MOVIE TEAM is a filmmaking workshop that provides children the opportunity to write, direct, produce, and star in short films.
http://www.hollywoodheart.org

HomeBoy Industries (Los Angeles, CA.): Their mission is to help at-risk youth and former gang-involved youth to become contributing and positive community members. Free programs include counseling, education, tattoo removal services, job training, and job placement assistance. They help at-risk young people to redirect their lives and provide youth with hope for productive and healthy futures.

Their first venture was Homeboy Bakery, which trained many gang members to become scratch bakers. Homeboy Industries has subsequently launched several additional income-producing ventures which are still thriving: Homeboy Silkscreen, which prints logos on apparel and provides embroidery services; Homeboy Maintenance, which provides landscape maintenance and special landscape installation projects; Homeboy/Homegirl Merchandise, which sells t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, and mouse pads with the Homeboy logo.

In providing employment services, Homeboy focuses on a segment of the community that has little opportunity to secure employment on their own -- former gang members, parolees, and at-risk youth. Although the headquarters is based in East Los Angeles, there is no organization in Los Angeles that serves a greater number of gang-involved men and women. Their programs offer a much-needed intervention to those who deserve a second chance.

In response to identified needs, Homeboy has added new services to address their clients multi-level needs and to help better prepare them for permanent employment. Their services focus on education, training, financial responsibility, and personal accounting to enable their clients to successfully retain employment.
http://www.homeboy-industries.org

HOMEY (Homies Organizating the Mission to Empower Youth): The goal of HOMEY is to transform the lives of high-risk youth and inspire them to not only choose a path of education, self-sufficiency, and non-violence, but also strive towards physical, mental, and emotional heath. Homey achieves this through their youth development practices of skill building, relationship building, youth participation in decision-making, and community involvement.

HOMEY is a cutting edge grassroots organization that addresses the unique needs of low-income 13-24 year-old Latino youth in the San Francisco Mission District. The youth served include those in gangs, those formerly incarcerated, young people at risk of becoming incarcerated, and isolated and disenfranchised youth who are exposed to unhealthy behaviors such as violence and criminal activity.

The HOMEY program is provided to the Mission District by former gang members and young leaders in the San Francisco community who are passionately dedicated to establishing effective methods to prevent youth violence and youth self-destruction. Since its inception in 1999, HOMEY youth have created publications, implemented educational programs, and hosted numerous events and resource fairs promoting heath and well being to their peers.

This is an amazing group in San Francisco. They are not "all talk" ... they hit the streets with effective action and their program is a brilliant model for other communities.
http://www.homeysf.org

Homies Unidos: Homies Unidos is a non-profit gang violence prevention and intervention organization with projects in San Salvador, El Salvador, and Los Angeles, California. The organization was founded in 1996 in San Salvador and formally began organizing in the United States in 1997.

They are a community-based organization committed to developing creative alternatives to youth violence and drugs through access to alternative education, leadership development, self esteem building, and health education programs.

Homies Unidos' core focus area has developed from relatively broad-based crisis intervention and support network for trans-national gang-affected families into a strategic, action-based, program.

Their commitment is to mobilize and support youth at risk. They coordinate and form strategic alliances with a multitude of national and international organizations to strengthen their humanitarian and community efforts. They promote and publicize their prevention and educational work through public relations and the news media.
http://www.homiesunidos.org

Hooked On Drums (African Drumming for Urban Youth, Chicago): This organization was founded in 2006 to carry on the youth drumming educational and performance programs that began in Minnesota under the banner of The Sojourner Truth Center, and have continued in Chicago as part of the Chicago Djembe Project. Please review THE CHICAGO DJEMEBE PROJECT that I have under "C" on this list.
http://hookedondrums.org

Horse Rescue United Network: This network joins efforts to provide safe environments for equines that have endured starvation, illness, injury, neglect, and physical abuse. Each horse receives medical attention and positive human contact daily. They help rehabilitate horses with hope that a permanent, caring, and loving home can be found for each horse. They strive to become a valuable advocate for horses in the fight against horse abuse, neglect, and slaughter.

Their goal is to give each horse a second chance and to insure that the horses they help never again experience starvation, neglect, or abuse.
http://www.horserescueunited.net

Horse Warriors (Wyoming): Started in 1998, Horse Warriors is a year round, equine facilitated, mentored, prevention program for at-risk youth ages 12-21. The Horse Warriors mentoring program teaches youth life skills they need to build healthy relationships with families and peers. Program activities include natural horsemanship, horse care, riding instruction, art, creative writing, journaling, trail riding, groundwork, gymkhanas, community service projects, teaching demonstrations, peer tutoring, discussion groups, in-school tutoring, job preparation/application, cooking, public speaking, participation in instructional videos, horse painting, and student designed businesses.
http://www.horsewarriors.com

Horse Welfare Organizations: Dedicated to bringing together non-profits and horse lovers from all over the world. Author Diana Tuorto created this website.
http://horsewelfare.8k.com

Cayuse's Canyon : Diana Tuorto's Official Homepage.

Huckleberry Youth Programs (The Bay Area, CA.): An organization that empowers young people to develop and maintain healthy relationships as well as promote their talents, ideas, leadership and health; to assist youth and their families in overcoming the obstacles they may encounter, which can include family concerns, drug and alcohol abuse, mental health challenges, teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, violence, social and economic inequities, and physical and sexual abuse; and to assist clients in navigating complex social welfare, educational, and juvenile justice systems.
http://www.huckleberryyouth.org

Hyphen Asian American Unabridged (San Francisco, CA.): Hyphen is a magazine about Asian America for the culturally and politically savvy. Based on clarity of image, word, and social awareness, Hyphen takes form from the artists, thinkers, and creators who are helping to shape a new multi-ethnic generation.

Hyphen provides original reporting on stories that aren't always mainstream and addresses hard issues. They explore politics, art, health, and music.

Be sure to review their links. They have great website links. This is one of the best Asian American magazines I've read. Read a copy, you may agree.
http://www.hyphenmagazine.com

I Can Fly (International): I have emailed with Sha' Givens many times. She is an amazing humanitarian and passionate person. She founded I Can Fly International to help build schools, develop food programs, and to create adult literacy education programs for women living in poor, drought-ridden villages in Kenya, East Africa. Empowering the young, old, and those who seem forgotten is her life's work. Sha' is a great person who has created an incredible program.
http://www.icanflyinternational.com

The Icarus Project: The Icarus Project envisions a new culture and language that resonates with their actual experiences of extreme states of consciousness rather than trying to fit their lives into a conventional framework. They are a network of people living with the dangerous gifts that are commonly labeled as bipolar or related 'mental illness.'

The Icarus Project is a collaborative, participatory adventure fueled by inspiration and mutual aid. They bring the Icarus vision to reality through an Icarus national staff collective and a grassroots network of autonomous local support groups across the USA and beyond.

To read more about their mission, vision, and work, check out the full text of their mission statement. To learn more about their working process, including meeting minutes, budgets, and other documents related to organizing and administration of the Icarus Project, please visit their Open Plans site. For latest news and updates, read the Icarus blog.

They are a non-profit. Please consider making a donation. Even a small donation will be appreciated and will help keep them going.
http://theicarusproject.net

Idealist.org Action Without Borders (Global): Idealist.org is launching a global network of people who want to change their communities and the world by connecting people, ideas, and resources in every possible way. On Idealist.org you can imagine a better world, connect with people who want to help build it, take action in your community, reach out to others, post and find nonprofit jobs, explore volunteer opportunities, events, and donate to help support many worthy organizations.
http://www.idealist.org

Indian Country (National): Since 1981, Indian Country Today has been a persuasive voice in American Indian journalism, leading the way with accurate and timely reporting, incisive analysis, and pointed commentary. Indian Country Today publishes more original journalistic content on American Indian issues than any other news source.
http://www.indiancountry.com

Inner City Slickers (California): The Inner City Slickers program virtually erases the color barrier between teens. With the magic of horses and expert volunteers, kids are transformed. They change right in front of your eyes. They forget about color and concentrate on what's in front of them -- a magnificent animal. You need to review their website, they have a lot going on. It is a wonderful program.
http://www.innercityslickers.org

Inner City Youth Opportunities (Cincinnati, Ohio): A very cool tennis program for inner city youth.
http://www.icyo.us

The Institute of Outdoor Drama (North Carolina): A public service agency of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, it is the only organization in the nation dedicated to the promotion and preservation of outdoor dramas.
http://www.unc.edu/depts/outdoor

Interfaith Youth Core (International): Millions of religious young people in the world are interacting with greater frequency. Where so many of the interactions stems from conflict, the Interfaith Youth Core strives to introduce a positive relationship, one that supports mutual respect and religious pluralism. Instead of focusing on political or theological differences, they build relationships on a foundation of shared values, such as hospitality, caring for the earth, and how we may embrace those values together to contribute to the betterment of our communities.

The Interfaith Youth Core is creating these relationships across the world by inspiring, networking, and resourcing young people, who are the leaders of this movement. They provide young people and supporting institutions with leadership training, project resources, and connection to a broader movement.
http://www.ifyc.org

Intermountain Youth Centers (Arizona and New Mexico): The mission of Intermountain Centers for Human Development is to provide the highest quality community based residential and support services in the most effective manner. The populations they serve includes Native Americans, families, vulnerable and at-risk children and adults, and persons with disabilities.

Intermountain Youth Centers (IYC) was established in 1973 as a private not-for-profit service organization to provide a treatment alternative to incarceration or institutionalization for Native American youth. They serve Native American youth between the ages of 12-21, referred by tribal, county, state, or federal courts. The youths typically have been identified as socially disabled, as youth in need of supervision, or as emotionally disturbed youth.
http://www.ichd.net

International Development Exchange (California): IDEX is a San Francisco-based non-profit organization that promotes economic empowerment and social change in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. IDEX partners with community- based organizations to support their initiatives by providing grants, fostering regional and international alliances, and engaging U.S.-based constituencies.

Since 1985, IDEX has helped build the institutional capacity of grassroots organizations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The organizations share a common purpose in working to bring about economic development and social change by supporting local problem-solving that engages the most impoverished and marginalized members of civil society.

Currently, IDEX works with grassroots organizations in Guatemala, Mexico, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, South Africa, and Zimbabwe that are setting the agenda for their communities. Collectively, their activities address poverty through food security initiatives, sustainable development, and women's empowerment.
http://www.idex.org

The International Dyslexia Association: The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals with dyslexia, their families, and the communities that support them.
http://www.interdys.org

International Indian Treaty Council (International): International Indian Treaty Council provides a dynamic international voice by and for Indigenous Peoples to impact policies, defend their rights, address critical situations, and combat racism on the local, national, and international levels. IITC's programs focus on urgent response to critical human rights violations and environmental justice threats. They work to establish direct, effective participation of Indigenous Peoples in national and international policy discussions and they provide training, capacity building, and leadership development for communities and youth. They also network to help increase awareness, participation and support for grassroots struggles.
http://www.treatycouncil.org

The International Whaling Commission: The International Whaling Commission (IWC) was set up under the international Convention for the Regulation of Whaling which was signed in Washington DC on 2nd December 1946. The purpose of the Convention is to provide for the proper conservation of whale stocks and thus make possible the orderly development of the whaling industry.

The main duty of the IWC is to keep under review and revise as necessary the measures laid down in the Schedule to the Convention which govern the conduct of whaling throughout the world. These measures, among other things, provide for the complete protection of certain species; designate specified areas as whale sanctuaries; set limits on the numbers and size of whales which may be taken; prescribe open and closed seasons and areas for whaling; and prohibit the capture of suckling calves and female whales accompanied by calves. The compilation of catch reports and other statistical and biological records is also required.

In addition, the Commission encourages, co-ordinates and funds whale research, publishes the results of scientific research, and promotes studies into related matters such as the humaneness of the killing operations.
http://www.iwcoffice.org

International Youth Foundation (Global): The International Youth Foundation is a global non-profit organization uniquely dedicated to preparing young people to be healthy, productive, and engaged citizens. Founded in 1990, IYF’s worldwide network of partner organizations has grown to 70 countries, helping young people to shape their futures through proven programs that tie education to work, improve employability, and enable and inspire youth to play a positive role in their communities. IYF collaborates with businesses, governments, and civil society organizations to build effective and sustainable programs that positively impact the lives of young people worldwide.
http://www.iyfnet.org

Jacaranda Foundation/Marie Da Silva: The Jacaranda Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Their mission is to educate orphans in the country of Malawi. Their goal is to build and operate a Primary and Secondary school for 480+ orphans in the city of Chigumula, Malawi, and provide the children with education, AIDS prevention programs, health services, and daily meals.
http://www.jacarandafoundation.org

Japanese Cultural & Community Center of Northern California (San Francisco, CA.): Founded in 1973, NCCCNC has been serving the community for over thirty years. JCCCNC strives to meet the evolving needs of the Japanese American community by offering programs, affordable services, and facility usage. Their goals are:

To manage and maintain a multi-service community center which is owned and operated by the Japanese American community.

To organize and provide educational, cultural, recreational, and social programs that meet the growing needs, interests, and concerns of the community.

To preserve and promote the Japanese American cultural and historical heritage.

To enhance understanding and appreciation among the Japanese American community, American public, and people of Japan.

To provide administration and program space for non-profit organizations in the community.
http://www.jcccnc.org

JEM Ministries (Ciudad Juarez, Mexico): Started in 1996 by Jesus and Maria Ruiz, JEM has worked diligently and sacrificially to build an orphanage/trade school for the most impoverished children in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Their dream is a full-scale facility and feeding center that empowers children with the skills needed to escape the cycles of poverty.
http://www.jemministriesep.org

Just Think (CA.): Works with youth to both understand and create media messages.
http://www.justthink.org

Justice Clothing: The Justice Clothing website lists websites of organizations that work to rid the world of sweatshops and promote justice in the global marketplace. They provide these website addresses to conscientious consumers. They have no direct affiliation with any of the organizations other than a mutual desire to work for justice.
http://www.justiceclothing.com/thereis/justice/organizations.html

KBOOYOUTH.ORG (Portland, Oregon): Allows youth under age 21 to become involved with youth community radio.
http://www.kbooyouth.org

Kelley House Museum (Mendocino CA.): This historic home (built in 1861) offers exhibits on the cultural heritage of the Mendocino Coast. It interprets Mendocino's logging and shipping industries and the unique Victorian architecture for which the town is recognized as a National Historic Preservation District. Kelley House Museum, Inc. maintains an extensive collection of historic photographs, local genealogical data, publications, and research materials. The setting is enhanced by a pond and gardens. The house and gardens are available for rent for small meetings and weddings.
http://www.mendocinohistory.org

The Kentucky Center for Native American Arts and Culture (Kentucky): The purpose of the KCNAAC is to honor, celebrate, and recognize Native American peoples' heritage and contributions to the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the Ohio River Valley region, and other contiguous states. One important way to accomplish this is to tell the peoples' stories, and these stories vividly live in Native American song, dance, theatre, and visual arts.
http://www.kcnaac.org

Khosla Ventures (Menlo Park, CA.): Khosla Ventures offers venture assistance, strategic advice, and capital to entrepreneurs. The firm helps entrepreneurs extend the potential of their ideas in both traditional venture areas like the Internet, computing, mobile, and silicon technology arenas but also supports breakthrough scientific work in clean technology areas such as bio-refineries for energy and bioplastics, solar, battery, and other environmentally friendly technologies.

Vinod Khosla was formerly a General Partner at Kleiner Perkins and founder of Sun Microsystems. Forbes and Fortune considers him one the nation's most influential ethanol advocates, noting "there are venture capitalists, and there's Vinod Khosla." Vinod Khosla founded the firm in 2004 and was joined by partners David Weiden and Samir Kaul, as well as chief scientific officer Doug Cameron in 2006.
http://www.khoslaventures.com

Kids for Saving Earth (Minneapolis, MN. and Global): KSE as a nonprofit organization with thousands of kids doing good Earthworks. The organization was founded by the parents of Clinton Hill. Clinton died from cancer at age eleven. Please visit this website to learn more about this remarkable boy and the organization that continues his passion and his desire to help the earth.
http://www.kidsforsavingearth.org

Kids in Common (San Jose, CA.): As the children’s advocacy and resource mobilization agency for Santa Clara County, Kids in Common’s focuses on identifying children’s needs and acting as a catalyst for strategic partnerships and alliances to address those needs. They believe that children need and deserve a strong public voice on their behalf – a voice that promotes and protects their interests, influences public policy and action, and leverages resources to improve children’s lives. They base their recommendations, policy decisions, and action plans on data and believe collaboration with community based organizations, governmental agencies, and financial supporters is essential to achieve positive outcomes for children.
http://www.kidsincommon.org

KidSingers (Anaheim, CA.): The KidSingers music program empowers at-risk youth to gain self-esteem, self-expression, and a sense of accomplishment through the discipline of quality musical training and performance opportunities creating, as their motto states, "Harmony for A Better World."
http://www.kidsingers.org

KIDS TO LOVE (Alabama): The K2L Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to meeting the needs of foster children in Alabama. This organization provides for the immediate needs at home and they are active on the state level in protecting Alabama foster children. They are the voice for these children.

K2L was started by Lee Marshall, a former foster child. She is one of the lucky ones who is able to look back and see how blessed she was to find a forever family.

Note: This is a great organization. Other states should use it as a role model.
http://www.kidstolove.org

KidTribe: KidTribe is an international fitness organization whose mission is to elevate self-esteem, create community, and promote health for the children in today's world.
http://www.kidtribe.com

KIVA (Global): Kiva lets you connect with and loan money to unique small businesses in the developing world. By choosing a business on Kiva.org, you can "sponsor a business" and help the world's working poor make great strides towards economic independence. Throughout the course of the loan (usually 6-12 months), you can receive email journal updates from the business you've sponsored. As loans are repaid, you get your loan money back in full.
http://www.kiva.org

Know Gangs (Jefferson, Wisconsin): Since 1997, Know Gangs has been a leading training provider for law enforcement, educators, and social service workers seeking to enhance their knowledge about gangs, drugs, and school violence. While serving as a police officer in California, Jared Lewis created the Know Gangs organization to better assist his coworkers with additional information and resources about gangs and dealing with gang-affiliated individuals. Know Gangs instructors have trained thousands of professionals throughout the world. In 2003, Know Gangs moved from Modesto, California to Jefferson, Wisconsin.
http://www.knowgangs.com

KZYX&Z (Mendocino County, CA.): KZYX&Z, 90.7, 91.5, and 88.1 FM is the community non-commercial radio station of Mendocino County serving several counties in Northern California. Its programming and operational philosophy is controlled by its membership, which is open to all.
http://www.kzyx.org

Laptops for the Wounded: Laptops for the Wounded is a non-profit organization striving to provide laptop computers with webcams to hospitalized military personnel so they can communicate with family and friends. The laptops stay at the participating hospitals so they can be used on a continuous basis.
http://www.laptopsforthewounded.com

Leadership Excellence (Oakland, CA.): The mission of Leadership Excellence is to educate African American children and youth toward personal and social change. LE provides long-term caring relationships, sequential leadership development opportunities, and a vital and necessary safe space where youth can examine the painful legacy of racism and begin the process of revitalizing themselves and their communities.

The four core programs: Oakland Freedom Schools, Camp Akili, Stand for Somethin', and Camp Afrique offer sequential development opportunities for children and youth ages 5-18, which foster their cultural, social, spiritual, civic, and global awareness.

This is an amazing program. The staff believes that by providing youth with a meaningful role in community problem solving, they will become more socially aware, academically motivated, and resilient in coping with community, school, and family problems.
http://www.leadershipexcellence.org

Limbs for Life Foundation (Global): The Limbs for Life Foundation is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to providing fully functional prosthetic care for individuals who cannot otherwise afford it and raising awareness of the challenges facing amputees. They have helped thousands of amputees find prostheses and follow-up care. Limbs for Life was founded by Craig Gavras, an ex-Dallas police officer, who lost his leg in the line of duty in 1994.
http://www.limbsforlife.org

Live and Let Live Farm, Inc. (Chichester, New Hampshire): Live and Let Live Farm, Inc. is a, charitable, non profit 501c3, animal rehabilitation rescue shelter and sanctuary for abused, neglected and unwanted animals; mostly horses. The farm is located in the heart of New Hampshire in Chichester, just a few miles east from the capital city of Concord, NH.

Live and Let Live Farm has served and helped animals and their humans all over New Hampshire and the surrounding New England states including the rescue of Premarins (pregnant mares, foals and stallions) out of Canada and some of America's Mustangs.

Their work is done by volunteers. They survive on tax deductible donations, sponsorships, grants, volunteers, and supporters who hold various fundraisers to help and feed the animals in their care. If you know of a fundraiser or can hold one please contact the staff.
http://www.liveandletlivefarm.org

Living Compassion (Africa): Living Compassion is creating a more conscious, compassionate world, moment by moment, one person at a time. Their vision is of global community, connecting like-hearted people from around the world, each working toward a caring, peaceful planet.

They practice conscious, compassionate awareness. As they practice, they see the ways in which we cause ourselves to suffer, the illusion of being separate from life. They also see inherent goodness and oneness with all that is. Awareness practice allows them to drop suffering and to live from center, from their generous and kind authentic being. As their lives are transformed, they are able and willing to open to the suffering in the world. They see where their actions can make a difference, and they say “yes.”

The projects of Living Compassion exist because they see possibilities and ask how they can participate. This has led to many wonderful partnerships around the world. They invite us to join them as they discover where life will lead them next.
http://www.livingcompassion.org

Keenan Dietiker (Poet for Peace): Eighteen-year-old artist and poet Keenan Dietiker has published his first book, a collection of art and poetry. The volume, "Voices of the Soul," was unveiled in April, 2008. Copies can be ordered from Lulu

Profits from the sale of this book will be donated to Living Compassion's Africa Vulnerable Children Project.

Note: The staff and creative artists associated with A Starry Night Productions feel that young creative artists like Keenan Dietiker greatly impact and make a positive affect on the world. We encourage you to purchase "Voices of the Soul," and we have selected Dietiker to be our "Featured for Summer, 2008 Generous Person" because of his remarkable gift to the Living Compassion's Africa Vulnerable Children's Project. He is the youngest creative artist we've ever featured. Check back for his showcase on June 2, 2008.

http://www.livingcompassion.org

******* ******* *******

Locks of Love (USA and Canada): Locks of Love provide hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under age 18 in the US and Canada regardless of race, creed, or religion. They meet a unique need for children by using donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics.
http://www.locksoflove.org

The Lodi Animal Shelter (Lodi, CA.): The Lodi Animal Shelter is a loving organization. Their staff strives to secure good homes for every stray or abandoned animal that come to their facility. They are devoted animal rescuers, not animal exterminators.
http://www.lodi.gov/animal_shelter/index.htm

LA Youth (Los Angeles, CA.): Since 1988, LA Youth has been the only independent Los Angeles newspaper written by and about teens. Through their newspaper, website, and journalism training program, LA Youth fosters job and educational skills, in addition to providing a communication forum that gives young people a voice in civic life. Check out their cool links.
http://www.layouth.com

Lund Family Center (Burlington, Vermont): Lund Family Center focuses on three goals: strengthening families, reducing child abuse and neglect, and helping to create new families through adoption. Their mission is to help children thrive by serving families with children; pregnant or parenting teens and young adults, and adoptive families. Be sure to review the resources they have on their website.
http://www.lundfamilycenter.org

MacKerricher State Park (Mendocino County, CA.): MacKerricher State Park is near the town of Fort Bragg on the coast of Northern California. It is one of the finest coastal parks in California. The park encompasses approximately 2299 acres with 454 offshore acres designated as underwater park. The park consists of a mixture of headlands, a small lagoon, and a stretch of sand dunes.

The park was at one time part of the Mendocino Indian Reservation.
http://www.mcn.org/1/mendoparks/macker.htm

Madagascar: Madagascar has long been known as home to unique and diverse species of wildlife. Today, under the capable leadership of Marc Ravalomanana and embracing a new philosophy of responsible development with increased emphasis on biodiversity and cultural richness, Madagascar may be turning the corner after the political turmoil of 2002. This site will examine Madagascar's uniqueness and explain why the Malagasy people can look toward a brighter future.
http://www.wildmadagascar.org

Magic Johnson Foundation (National): The mission of the foundation is to identify and support community-based organizations that address the educational, health, and social needs of children, young adults, and inner-city communities throughout the nation.

MJF also donates needed funds to organizations that provide HIV/AIDS prevention and health care education to the minority community.
http://www.magicjohnson.org

Making Music Magazine (Global): Making Music Magazine provides inspiration, instruction, and information to the amateur musician. They feature stories about music makers from all walks of life, they share information about medical research associated with music, and they give great music tips.
http://www.makingmusicmag.com

Marketing Green (Green Marketing Strategies fo a Sustainable Future): Marketing Green is an exploration of one of the most vexing business and societal challenges today: how to successfully market “green” products or services to consumers and drive mass market consumption. Please join the dialogue or email mkt_green@yahoo.com.

David Wigder is a Senior Vice President at Digitas, a leading direct and digital marketing agency that is now part of the Publicis Groupe. In his role, he develops marketing strategies for Fortune 100 companies. He has significant experience as a business strategist, entrepreneur, and environmental engineer. This is his personal blog.
http://marketinggreen.wordpress.com

Anthony Matzke (Artist): Anthony Matzke, a disabled U.S. Air Force veteran, is a self-taught artist of custom-made Native American-style Mandelas, using mostly traditional materials. His interest began in 2005 when he donated a Mandela in tribute to a Vietnam veteran at a powwow. While making that first Mandela he was delighted to discover that he has a creative talent for constructing this popular wall hanging art.

Elders from various tribal affiliations have since urged him to not waste the artistic gift he has been given by the Creator, and they encouraged him to teach others the time-honored craft. He strives to deserve the Elders respect with each Mandela he makes and with each lesson he gives.

He incorporates loom and other styles of beadwork to complement some of his pieces. A Choctaw friend, who is a retired nurse, suggested that he include beading to enhance his art and to strengthen fine motor skills in his left hand. It is his hope that everyone that owns one of his Mandelas will experience the calm joy of spirit that he experienced when he made the piece.

Anthony Matzke is:

Webmaster and board member for the Native American Center of South East Minnesota (NACSM) in Rochester, Minnesota. nacsm.org

Webmaster for the National Native American Veterans Association (NNAVA). www.nnava.org

Webmaster for the Thor Detachment of the Marine Corps League. The Marine Corps League is for Active Duty and Honorably Discharged Marines, and Fleet Marine Force Corpsmen. www.thormarinecorpsleague.org

Webmaster for Web of Life Enterprises, Inc. (WOLE), a Native American organization in partnership with the Native Indian Heritage Organization (NIHO) on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota. www.wole.org

About the Mandela: The traditional symbols presented in Mandela art provide protection and prosperity. Initially designed as a protective shield during battle, the Mandela is usually decorated with symbols that honor spiritual and tribal values. Mandelas serve as decoration for one’s dwelling, and is believed to protect one’s home from negative spirits. Traditional Mandela’s are generally made from rawhide or leather, and are decorated with organic paints, beads, feathers, shells, and other natural fibers and materials.

MAZON (Global): MAZON is a citizens’ movement, the outgrowth of tens of thousands of American Jews who have stepped forward to solve one of the world’s most devastating – and most preventable – problems. MAZON works in the United States and around the globe to bring critical relief to millions of hungry families.
http://www.mazon.org

Oseola McCarty, A Very Special Lady (The University of Southern Mississippi): Miss Oseola McCarty -- the humble washerwoman who became The University of Southern Mississippi's most famous benefactor -- passed away Sept. 26, 1999, after a bout with cancer. Her generous gift of $150,000 established an endowed Oseola McCarty Scholarship, with "priority consideration given to those deserving African-American students enrolling at The University of Southern Mississippi who clearly demonstrate a financial need." Miss Oseola McCarty is an incredible American role model.
http://www.usm.edu/pr/oolamain.htm

The McKnight Foundation (Minnesota): The McKnight Foundation, a Minnesota-based private philanthropic organization, seeks to improve the quality of life for present and future generations. Through grantmaking, coalition-building, and encouragement of strategic policy reform, they use their resources to attend, unite, and empower those they serve.
http://www.mcknight.org

Mindless Eating by Brian Wansink, Ph.D: Review the website and read the darn book. You'll be glad you did.
http://www.mindlesseating.org

Mendocino Art Center (Mendocino, CA.): The Mendocino Art Center has been a haven for artists since 1959. Today the Art Center is a highly regarded artistic and educational institution offering nearly 300 unique retreat-style workshops each year in ceramics, computer arts, fine arts, jewelry, sculpture, and textiles. Four art galleries feature monthly exhibitions spotlighting the creative works of local and national artists. The Mendocino Art Center continues to be at the heart of what makes the Mendocino Coast an enchanting and vibrant place to visit. Rejuvenate your soul and rekindle your spirit in this unique, retreat-like setting.
http://www.mendocinoartcenter.org

Mendocino Brewing Company (Ukiah, CA. & Saratoga Springs, NY.): Mendocino Brewing Company is internationally renowned as a brewer of full-flavored, traditional ales. The company was established in 1983 as California's first Brewpub at Hopland, CA. and is recognized as a pioneer in the American Craft Brewing renaissance. They have two state-of-the-art breweries, one at Ukiah, 110 miles north of San Francisco and the other at Saratoga Springs, NY.
http://www.mendobrew.com

Mendocino Coast Audubon Society (Mendocino, CA.): The mission of the Mendocino Coast Audubon Society is to help people appreciate and enjoy native birds, and to conserve and restore local ecosystems for the benefit of native birds and other wildlife.
http://www.mcn.org/j/audubon

Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens (Mendocino, CA.): Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens was founded in 1961 by retired nurseryman Ernest Schoefer and his wife, Betty. By 1992, the Gardens had been purchased with grants from the California Coastal Conservancy and transferred to the Mendocino Coast Recreation and Park District. It is now a public trust, nonprofit membership organization supported through membership fees, admissions, fundraisers, and sales in the shop and nursery. Over 50,000 people visit annually.

Note: My novel is descriptive but here you can see Mendocino's beauty with your own amazed eyes.
http://www.gardenbythesea.org

The Mendocino Coast Children's Fund (Mendocino County, CA.): MCCF is a 501-3 (c) non-profit organization. They operate a grass roots program staffed by local volunteers, providing financial assistance, essentials, basic needs, and opportunities to low income children.

MCCF staff strives to create a level economic playing field for children. They provide a simple and direct opportunity for community members and youth advocates to make a difference in the lives of Mendocino Coast children.
http://www.mccf.info

Mendocino Coast Humane Society (Fort Bragg, CA.): Mendocino Coast Humane Society was created by coastal residents who wanted a “no-kill” alternative to the County’s Animal Control. To increase adoptions, the Mobile Pet Adoption truck was purchased in 1998 and can be seen every weekend on the headlands in Mendocino Village, weather permitting. The new shelter was completed in July 2001 with the help of many donors and the tireless efforts of staff and volunteers. The shelter provides animals a warm, comfortable, and secure home. Improvements to the property continues; including an in-house surgery, large outside kennels, additional facilities for kittens/puppies, noise abatement panels in the dog kennel area, and a fenced grass lawn area for daytime exercise.

Note: The Mendocino Coast Humane Society has a thrift store: The Ark, located on Hwy 1 and Simpson Lane, Fort Bragg CA. Staff stock the shelves with gently used and new donations. Furniture, collectables, antiques, clothing, house wares, books, tools, electronics, and toys are available. The staff also accepts larger donations, such as cars and boats.
http://www.mendocinohumane.org

The Mendocino Community Network (Mendocino County, CA.): The Mendocino Community Network is a business owned and operated by the Mendocino Unified School District. Their central offices are located in greater downtown Mendocino, California, atop the highest hill in town overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean. Their mission is to provide high-quality, personal Internet services to their school district, their customers, and the communities they serve.
http://mcnsite.mcn.org

Mendocino County Animal Shelters (Mendocino County, CA.): This website is a collaborative of animal shelters and rescues in Mendocino County, so staff and community members can better communicate with one another. They want to increase their public visability about events and pets available for adoption. As a cohesive Rescue Network, they strive to coordinate ideas, plans, and activities. They work to address ways to manage and reduce pet over-population, and they are devoted to securing good homes for abandoned and neglected animals.
http://www.mendocinoshelters.com

Mendocino County Farmer's Market Association (Mendocino County, CA.): There are several farmer's markets in the Mendocino County region. Customers buy certified fresh produce directly from the people who raised and harvested the fruits and vegetables. The markets are open seasonally from late spring to late fall.

Some of the items available: Fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, fresh flowers, finely crafted cheeses, honey, tea, jams, jellies, preserves, juices, baked goods, homemade salsas, garlic, herbs, olive oil, prepared foods, fresh fish, fresh meats and sausage, perennial plants, dried flowers, and unique crafts.

Please visit this website for information about ventors, market locations, and market dates.
http://www.mcfarm.org

Mendocino County Recycling Organization (Mendocino County, CA.):

The average U.S. household discards 13,000 paper items, 500 aluminum cans, 500 glass bottles, and 1,800 plastic items each year.

Each week more than 500,000 trees are used to produce the two-thirds of newspapers that are never recycled.

American consumers and industry throw away enough aluminum to rebuild our entire commercial airfleet every three months.

It takes 1,050 recycled milk jugs to make a 6-foot long "plastic wood" park bench.

Note: This is a valuable and informative Mendocino Coast website serving Albion, Boonville, Caspar, Covelo, Fort Bragg, Laytonville, Point Arena, Potter Valley, Ukiah, Westport, and Willits.
http://www.mendorecycle.org/index.html

Mendocino Mustard (Fort Bragg, CA.): Mendocino Mustard's original Hot & Sweet mustard first appeared in 1977 in the coastal town of Mendocino and soon became a word-of-mouth best seller. As founder Devora Rossman recalls, " I was an underpaid preschool teacher and my former partner was a struggling artist. We were about to begin selling worms for extra cash when her mother suggested we try to market her mustard recipe instead.

Mendocino Mustard is a woman-owned and operated business, and a family friendly work environment. Their company philosophy statement says: "We take pride in hand-preparing excellent mustards, using quality ingredients, in paying fair wages, charging fair prices, and contributing part of our profit toward ensuring a healthy and fair future for the world's children."

Note: Their certified kosher mustards are incredible.
http://www.mendocinomustard.com

******* ******* *******

Mendocino Organic Network (Mendocino, CA.): Mendocino Organic Network/Mendocino Renegade was founded in 2001. They support and promote local organic and biodynamic farms and businesses. The network is structured to stay small, local, informal, independent, non-governmental, and non-bureaucratic. They maintain open books and have a steering committee of unpaid volunteers who have equal voting power. The network is supported by non-tax-deductable donations. The Renegade Project is also supported by farm and business annual fees.

The Mendocino Renegade Weblog provides information about products that are available from Mendocino family farmers. The weblog is kept updated on a regular basis during the season. News, views, and activities associated with local food and how to obtain it is available year round on the weblog.

Mendocino Renegade: Their aim is to create an inexpensive, credible program of labeling local organically produced products for the benefit of producers (farmers/ranchers), processors (retailers, wholesalers, restaurants), and consumers. They offer this service at a reasonable cost to local producers and processors with minimal paperwork. This makes organic claims manageable for the "certifier" and minimizes the role of government and politics in organic agriculture.

Mendocino Organic Network is a project of Cloud Forest Institute, a 501 c 3 non-profit organization.

http://www.mendocinorenegade.com

Cloud Forest Institute (Global): Adventures in Education! Preparing students to forge a peaceful, sustainable, diverse, healthy, respectful, equitable, and hopeful future.

CFI was formed as a 501 (c) (3) scientific and educational organization in 1996. CFI offers students educational alternatives in international settings that address issues of environmental and social significance through Service Learning while striving to exist sustainably with the natural environment.

CFI offers educational alternatives to students of all cultures and ages through learning contracts via the internet and at designated research sites around the world. The sites are self-sufficient, they utilize alternative energy technologies, and sustainable, organic food production techniques. CFI’s goals are to make quality education accessible globally, and to foster an environmentally conscious philosophy.

CFI accepts students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin, and any sexual orientation.

******* ******* *******

The Mendocino Woodlands Camp Association (Mendocino, CA.): MWCA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that has operated and maintained the facilities at the Mendocino Woodlands State Park since 1949. The Park is a National Historic Landmark built in the 1930s and is nestled in 700 acres of redwood trees, ferns, and glades along both sides of the Little North Fork of the Big River in Northern California, near the coastal village of Mendocino.

The developed area of the Park is for group camping only and consists of three large, private, rustic campgrounds—each with cabins and a dining/recreation hall—for camps from 30 to 250 people. Twenty-five miles of hiking trails in and around the Park, an open meadow, large beaver pond, river otters, deer, fox, and other flora and fauna complete the magic of the Woodlands.

Even though the Woodlands is set up for large groups, individuals and small groups can also enjoy the camp in several ways. Check out their Uncommon Vacations page which tells how you can join existing groups for music, dance, and/or cultural sharing. Or, you can volunteer to help on-site in Spring and Fall. Visit the Friends of the Woodlands page for volunteering information.

Environmental education is an essential and special component offered by MWCA. In several different programs, qualified professional staff members guide campers and students in exploring and learning about wildlife and plant communities to better understand and respect our natural world.

Many campers have been coming for generations. The peaceful setting at the Woodlands provides a unique environment for retreats, training seminars, dance, music, church, youth, nature study groups and special celebrations, particularly weddings. Your group will be a welcome addition.

Note: Visit this remarkable place even if you never read my novel.
http://www.mendocinowoodlands.org

MendoJams (Mendocino, CA.): I think when you have tasted the best jam in the world (in your own humble opinion) that you should tell others where to get it.
http://www.mendojams.com

The Messages Project/Carolyn LeCroy (Virginia): The Messages Project is focused on the children left behind when a parent is incarcerated. Since 1999 the Messages Project has visited six state prisons in Virginia three times a year to create videotapes from incarcerated parents to children. The tapes are mailed to children and families, often with a book or poems and messages that might have been read on the tape. Some of the messages have even gone international, though most are throughout the U.S. The mission is to maintain, or in many cases re-build, the connection between imprisoned parents and the children that are left behind. The Messages Project is a project of Women in Transition, a freelance film and video production company in Norfolk, Va.
http://www.themessageproject.org

Miracle Horse Rescue (Pahrump, Nevada): A federally-recognized 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to abused, neglected, and unwanted domesticated horses. Miracle Horse Rescue does not receive Federal or state funding. They rely solely upon the generosity of public donations. They strive to rehabilitate and then to secure safe and loving "forever" homes for each horse. They are anti-slaughter. Horses deemed unadoptable will live at the Miracle Horse Rescue facility, receiving the loving care they justly deserve. At the end of their lives, when healthcare treatments have been exhausted, Miracle Horse Rescue arranges humane euthanasia for sick horses by a certified/licensed equine veterinarian.
http://www.miraclehorse.com

Moblize.org (Washington DC, Berkeley, CA., & National): Mobilize.org, formerly Mobilizing America's Youth, is an all-partisan network dedicated to educating, empowering, and energizing young people to increase their civic engagement and political participation. The organization works to show young people how their lives are impacted by public policy and how they can impact public policy.

Educate: With thousands of books in circulation, the Mobilizer’s Guidebook is a compilation of lessons learned over time; and as an easy-to-use guide, it walks students through the ten Steps to Mobilize.

Empower: With 100+ member organizations and a combined list-service of two million youth and youth advocates, the Youth Policy Action Center (YPAC) is the one-stop shop for learning about policy impacting youth, finding local decision makers and media outlets, and contacting elected officials.

Energize: With 75+ Mobilizer teams on college campuses, high school campuses, and in communities across the United States, Mobilizers organize around issues that are important to local communities.
http://www.mobilize.org

Modern Guitar Magazine (Global): This is one of my favorite online music related publications. The staff of Modern Guitar Magazine are terrific people who generously help spread the word about non-profit music programs and organizations (such as Guitars Not Guns) in addition to providing cutting edge news and information about the music industry.

If you are involved with music, certainly if you are a guitarist, you should be reading this magazine.
http://www.modernguitars.com

Modest Needs: Founded in 2002, Modest Needs is an award-winning charity that works to stop the cycle of poverty before it starts for low-income workers struggling to afford emergency expenses like the unexpected auto repair, the unanticipated trip to the doctor, or the unusually large winter heating bill.

Since 2002, donors' 'small change' has stopped the cycle of poverty for 3711 individuals and families who stood to lose everything because of a short-term financial emergency.
http://www.modestneeds.org

Mondesa Youth Opportunities (MYO) West Namibia, Africa: A boutique charity located in Western Namibia. They are focused exclusively on providing youth development programs and services to this impoverished community. Mondesa is the township located directly outside of Swakopmund. Population is approximately 25,000 residents, the vast majority of which live below the poverty line.
http://www.mondesayouth.org

The Montel Williams MS Foundation: The Montel Williams MS Foundation is dedicated to furthering the scientific study of multiple sclerosis. Its goals are to provide financial assistance to select organizations and institutions conducting the most current research, to increase allocations for research from the federal government, and to raise national awareness about MS.

The Foundation contributes 100% of funds from individuals to research. Administrative funding is personally underwritten by Montel Williams and by corporate donors.
http://www.montelms.org

Movement Strategy Center (Bay Area in California): In 2001, veteran organizer Taj James founded the Movement Strategy Center (MSC) to help transform the common challenges many of us face in the movement for racial justice. Through his dedicated work as a Bay Area organizer, Taj saw the need for local campaigns to increase their impact by forming powerful alliances that could affect state-level policy. He recognized the effectiveness of building alliances around a proactive vision, instead of a defensive reaction to right wing assaults. And like his many allies around the country, Taj wanted to build an alternative to the culture of despair and burnout that made it difficult to attract new people to the movement, and stifled the possibility of long-term change.

Taj developed innovative and effective solutions to these challenges. With a team that has grown steadily over the years, he built MSC to expand and share those solutions. Today, MSC continues to help build a more strategic, collaborative, and sustainable progressive movement.

The MSC team includes organizers, community-based researchers, organizational consultants, political strategists, and communications specialists. As an intermediary, MSC’s strength is their ability to work at a national scale in a way that is guided by grassroots work and base-building organizations. They work alongside community partners in order to help them realize their goals within a movement-building frame.

MSC has worked with 300+ organizations nationwide and now operates with a budget of one million dollars. They have eleven key staff members and a trained group of consultant associates who teach and advance their frameworks and tools.
http://www.movementstrategy.org

Music4Peace: Music for Peace supports peace through music.
http://www.music4peace.com

My New Red Shoes San Francisco Bay Area, California: Founded in 2006, My New Red Shoes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides brand new clothing and shoes to underprivileged children so that they may start their first day of school with pride.
http://www.mynewredshoes.org

Namac (National): The National Alliance for Media Arts and Culture (NAMAC) is a nonprofit association whose membership comprises a diverse mix of organizations and individuals dedicated to a common goal: the support and advocacy of independent film, video, audio, and online/multimedia arts.
http://www.namac.org

National American Indian Heritage Month (National): National American Indian Heritage Month is November. The purpose is to honor the original peoples of this land and to recognize the many contributions and accomplishments of American and Alaska Indians.

"Our bridge to the 21st century will rest upon the foundation we build today. We must teach our children about our past -- both the good and the bad -- so that they may learn from our successes and mistakes. We must provide our children with the knowledge and skills to permit them to surpass our own achievements and create a stronger, more united American community. We must provide them greater opportunity. It was the Iroquois who taught that in every deliberation we should consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations."

"In recognition of the important contributions of American Indian and Alaska Native peoples to our country and in light of the special legal relationship between the tribes and the Government of the United States, and obligations pursuant thereto, we celebrate National American Indian Heritage Month."

"NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 1996 as National American Indian Heritage Month. I urge all Americans, as well as their elected representatives at the Federal, State, local, and tribal levels, to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities."

President Bill Clinton, October 29, 1996
http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/feature/indian

National Center for Homeless Education: The National Center for Homeless Education (NCHC) provides research, resources, and information enabling communities to address the educational needs of children and youth experiencing homelessness.
http://www.serve.org

The National Center for Learning Disabilities : The National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) works to ensure that the nation's 15 million children, adolescents, and adults with learning disabilities have every opportunity to succeed in school, work, and life.

NCLD provides essential information to parents, professionals, and individuals with learning disabilities, promotes research and programs to foster effective learning, and advocates for policies to protect and strengthen educational rights and opportunities.

Since its beginning, NCLD has been led by passionate and devoted parents committed to creating better outcomes for children, adolescents, and adults with learning disabilities.

Founded in 1977 by Pete and Carrie Rozelle as the Foundation for Children with Learning Disabilities, the organization provided leadership, public awareness, and grants to support research and innovative practices in learning disabilities.

Throughout its history, NCLD has been guided by a passionate commitment to promoting the success and dignity of individuals affected by learning disabilities.

NCLD Credo:

Let no children be demeaned,
or have their wonder diminished,
because of our ignorance or inactivity;

Let no adults be deprived of discovery,

because we lack the resources to
discover their learning needs;

Let neither children nor adults -- ever --

doubt themselves or their minds because
we are unsure of our commitment.

http://www.ncld.org

National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association: The mission of CASA, together with its state and local members, is to support and promote court-appointed volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children so that they can thrive in safe, permanent homes.

In 1977, a Seattle judge conceived the idea of using trained community volunteers to speak for the best interests of abused and neglected children in court. So successful was this program that soon judges across the country began utilizing citizen advocates. In 1990, the US Congress encouraged the expansion of CASA programs with passage of the Victims of Child Abuse Act.

Today, CASA have grown to a network of more than 50,000 volunteers that serve 225,000 abused and neglected children through 900+ local program offices nationwide. CASA advocates, also known as volunteer guardians ad litem in some jurisdictions, are appointed members of the court. Judges rely on the information these trusted advocates present.

CASA is the only volunteer organization that empowers everyday citizens as appointed members of the court. In an overburdened social welfare system, abused and neglected children often slip through the cracks among hundreds of current cases. CASA volunteers change that. Appointed by judges, CASA volunteers typically handle just one case at a time—and commit to staying on that case until the child is placed in a safe, permanent home. While others may come and go, CASA volunteers provide that one constant that children need in order to thrive.

Are you ready to stand up for a child who needs you? Visit the CASA website to learn about the power you have to change a child's life.

Thoughts from Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and bestselling author Anna Quindlen: "You go into a courtroom and you will see lawyers who know the law and have dozens of kids' files, or you have social workers who know the regulations and have dozens of kids' files. But if a CASA volunteer is in the room, you will see they have just one file, and what they know is that one child. And that can make all the difference to a judge's decision regarding how the rest of that child's life is going to go."
http://www.nationalcasa.org

National Gang Crime Research Center (National): The NGCRC exists as a non-profit independent agency with the mission statement to:

(1) Promote research on gangs, gang members, and gang problems in cooperation with federal, state, and local government agencies.

(2) To disseminate up-to-date valid and reliable information about gangs and gang problems through the official publication of the NGCRC, the Journal of Gang Research.

(3) To provide training and consulting services about gangs to federal, state, and local government agencies.
http://www.ngcrc.com

National Indian Youth Leadership Project (National): The National Indian Youth Leadership Project is a 501 C-3, nonprofit organization, incorporated in New Mexico. NIYLP has been serving Native American and other youth for 20 years and has developed nationally recognized programs in outdoor adventure, service-learning, leadership, and peacemaking.

NIYLP has been designated as one of the Milestone Programs of the WK Kellogg Foundation, for their 75th Anniversary celebration. NIYLP was recently recognized by the First Nations Behavioral Health Association as one of their Effective Models and Practices for Children of Color.

Please visit their wonderful website to learn more about their remarkable work.
http://www.niylp.org

The National Marine Sanctuaries: The mission of NOAA's National Marine Sanctuaries is to serve as the trustee for the nation's system of marine protected areas, to conserve, protect, and enhance their biodiversity, ecological integrity, and cultural legacy. Review the website to find information about NOAA's history, the steps taken in designating a marine protected area, and the legislation that helped to create our marine sanctuaries.
http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov

******* ******* *******

The National Native American Veterans Association (Oklahoma): NNAVA was founded in Oklahoma by Tom Berry. Tom had long wished for there to be one place that Native American Veterans could turn to for information and assistance.

Each veteran deserves representation which understands his/her unique needs and Native American Veterans have been overlooked in this regard. Tribal and local veterans organizations have strived to fill this void, but now, for the first time, a National Association has being established that specifically targets the needs of the Native American veteran. Please help to spread the word about NNAVA by downloading the flyer from their website that you can share with others.

MISSION STATEMENT:

NNAVA educates and assists Native American Veterans and their families, enabling them to obtain Veteran Rights, Entitlements, and Benefits regardless of Tribal Affiliation, degree of Indian Blood, branch of the Armed Forces, or Combat Status.

NNAVA assists Tribal Entities by partnering with them to develop Veteran Groups within each Tribe, if desired, and by providing resource centers for the Tribal Entities with updated information regarding Veteran Rights, Entitlements, and Benefits which can help to augment current Tribal Programs.

The NNAVA Warrior Moccasin Project:

A Native American tradition, especially among the Plains Tribes, was that any time a warrior went into battle he would wear new moccasins. The new moccasins were to help insure his safe return home from the pending battles he would face. Should he be mortally wounded, the new moccasins would help to ease his transition into the afterlife.

The Warrior Moccasin Project respectfully draws from this ancient tradition and serves as an honorable symbol of appreciation for the selfless sacrifice being made by our Native American troops currently serving in harm’s way in the Middle East.

Each pair of new moccasins is handcrafted from deer hide and decorated with hand beaded work on the vamp of the moccasins. They are blessed and smudged according to Native tradition, and then mailed with a combination of healing herbs and an informational sheet explaining the reason for the gift being given to the Native American service member.

The moccasins are free to NNAVA members and non-members may be charged a minimal fee to defray the cost of materials and shipping.

All work is done by volunteer craft-artists with no compensation for their time and art.

Donations of time and/or materials are always welcome. To learn how you can help with The Warrior Moccasin Project and to learn more about NNAVA please visit their impressive website.

Note: This organization deserves and needs your support. Please give it.
http://www.nnava.org

******* ******* *******

National Runaway Switchboard (USA): Call 1-800-RUNAWAY

Website: http://www.1800runaway.org

The 24-hour crisis line has an experienced front-line team member ready to help you now. It’s anonymous, confidential, and free.

National Space Society: The National Space Society (NSS) is an independent, educational, grassroots nonprofit organization dedicated to the creation of a spacefaring civilization. Founded as the National Space Institute (1974) and L5 Society (1975), which merged to form NSS in 1987, NSS is widely acknowledged as the preeminent citizen's voice on space. NSS counts thousands of members and over 50 chapters in the United States and around the world. The society also publishes Ad Astra magazine, an award-winning periodical chronicling the most important developments in space.
http://www.nss.org

Note: you can read their magazine online: Ad Astra Magazine

National Wildlife Federation (National): The link I am providing is for kids and families. It offers sections for children 1-4, 3-7, and 7+. It also has a parent monthly e-newsletter.
http://www.nwf.org/kids

The Native American Center of SE Minnesota (Rochester, Minnesota): The Native American Center of Southeast Minnesota (NACSM) is a 501(c) 3 charitable organization based out of Rochester, Minnesota. The purpose of this organization is to encourage and promote:

Native American Cultural Awareness and Activities for the Native American Group and Southeast Minnesota Community.

Education of Native Americans

Emergency financial assistance for Native American visitors here for medical treatment at Mayo or Olmsted Medical Centers.

Social Functions

Better understanding of Native American Culture and History within the Southeast Minnesota Community.

Self Determination

Note: Very good website, check it out.
http://nacsm.org

Native American Music Awards: Each year the annual awards show program features over a dozen performances by some of today’s leading Native American artists along with awards presentations in 30+ categories including: Lifetime Achievement and Hall of Fame. The awards show is a celebration of today’s best contemporary and traditional musical performances and recordings by Native American artists. This critically acclaimed show and its high production values have been featured in Billboard Magazine, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Associated Press, NY Times, Boston Globe, and on CNN.
http://www.nativeamericanmusicawards.com

NativeEnergy: NativeEnergy helps build Native American, farmer-owned, community based renewable energy projects that create social, economic, and environmental benefits. Native Americans and farmers traditionally care for and care about the environment because they are also very dependent on the gifts of the Earth for their survival. They are seeking a way to build their economies and their communities. This is one of the reasons NativeEnergy developed their novel approach to renewable energy; they want their business - their work - and so also their customers' purchases, to make a real difference.
http://www.nativeenergy.com

Native People’s Magazine (National): The magazine started with an initial Heard Museum-member circulation of 3,000; since then it has grown to a circulation of about 50,000 copies per issue (and a readership of 155,000 per issue).

It is now published six times each year and while its focus remains on the arts, culture, and life ways of Native peoples of the Americas, it also reports on topics related to business, health, education, politics, sports, travel in “Indian Country”, the environment, food, language, history and other subjects associated with Native American past and present life.
http://www.nativepeoples.com

Native Vision: The guiding principle for Native Vision is to cultivate the core strengths, values, and positive relationships for American Indian youth that will make them resilient to prevailing risks, and help them transition to healthy, productive, and fulfilling adulthood.
http://www.nativevision.org

Native Voices Foundation (Sedona, AZ.): Their mission is to create better understanding and joyful unity through sports to help heal Mother Earth for children. By inviting Native Americans back to their majestic ancestral mountains for skiing and honoring celebrations, the wisdom of Native Voices is being heard clear and strong. NVF creates a bridge between our co-existent but different cultures that have different values and priorities, so we can enrich each other, and share mutual respect and appreciation through skiing, cultural ceremonies, travel, and good times. Snow sports at ski resorts build health, self-esteem, leadership skills, and foster friendships, in addition to making educational, job, and career opportunities more accessible outside the reservation.
http://www.nativevoices.org

Native Wind: Native Wind was formed to protect the environment and promote the welfare of indigenous people by facilitating the development of renewable energy resources on tribal lands.
http://www.nativewind.org

Native Youth Magazine: Native Youth Magazine.com is an online lifestyle magazine about Native youth on and off the reservation. Young Native people find out what their peers are doing, thinking, and wearing in all regions of the U.S. and Canada. This magazine is designed to encourage and inspire Native youth by promoting positive messages through articles, profiles, illustrations, and photos.

Select Native youth serve as advisors for the site and others will continue to be asked for their input. The target age group is mostly between the ages of 12-25. Native Youth Magazine.com will not only showcase profiles but the target population will be given an opportunity to explore the world of journalism by becoming guest writers and contributors. Focus groups and surveys will help determine topics and issues Native youth want to read about in the magazine. This is a website parents can visit to see all the good things Native youth are doing around the country.

Are you a Native youth between the ages of 12-25 and you love to write? Native Youth Magazine.com is looking for submissions of articles, poetry, profiles, photos, and illustrations. Articles can be about events or issues happening in your community and school. Profiles are stories about you, your family, and where you come from. All stories must be 500 words or less and must be sent via email to submissions@nativeyouthmagazine.com. All submissions will be reviewed and edited if necessary. Profanity will not be allowed. You are encouraged to send a photo as an attachment along with your article. The photo can be of yourself or of your subject matter.

Photos and illustrations are also needed for the photo gallery. They are especially interested in photos of Native youth attending various events or in photos that focus on fashion. Please email your ideas for the photo gallery before submitting your photos or illustrations. Youth are encouraged to give comments, story ideas, and suggestions for the website.
http://www.nativeyouthmagazine.com

New Global Citizens (San Francisco, CA. & Global): New Global Citizen's mission is to mobilize young people in the United States to help solve the world's biggest problems. The organization helps young leaders establish and run Global Action Clubs in their high schools. Through these clubs, New Global Citizens trains high school students to raise awareness about critical global issues and use their voices and resources to support communities around the world contending with poverty, disease, and environmental challenges.

This unique program connects students directly with communities. It leads worldwide projects that enables American youth to develop a deeper connection to pressing concerns and with the people most affected.

New Global Citizens links the remarkable enthusiasm and commitment of American youth with the workable solutions created by grassroots leaders abroad.
http://www.newglobalcitizens.org

New Mexico Horse Project: The New Mexican Wild Horse Project brings together key individuals that love wild horses for the purpose of promoting healthy herds, enhancing and protecting their habitat, and encouraging community involvement.

Goals:

1. To locate and DNA test, all free-range horses in New Mexico and surrounding regions that appear to be similar to those that have been tested and proven to be New Mexicans.

2. To research and archive the history of the horse in the United States of America and Canada.

3. To establish preserves where these animals that are proven to be New Mexicans may live and prosper as free animals without interference from human intervention.

4. To share this information, as requested, with individuals or groups that share the same goals as those of the New Mexican Wild Horse Project.

5. To reestablish this breed of horse and its descendants in the United States and throughout the world.

The project is concerned only with the preservation and protection of the breed. These horses will never be sold.
http://www.nmhp.org

New York Scores (New York): They empower students in urban communities using soccer, writing, creative expression, and service-learning. With teamwork as the unifying value, they inspire youth to lead healthy lifestyles, to become engaged students, and to become agents of change in their communities.
http://www.newyorkscores.org

Newman's Own: Paul Newman and the Newman’s Own Foundation donate all profits and royalties after taxes for educational and charitable purposes. Paul Newman and the Newman’s Own Foundation have given over $200 million to thousands of charities worldwide since l982. The Newman's Own Foundation makes grants to charities within the United States and abroad.
http://www.newmansown.com

NOT ON OUR WATCH: Their mission is to focus global attention and resources to stop and prevent mass atrocities. Drawing on the powerful voice of citizen artists, activists, and cultural leaders, they strive to generate lifesaving humanitarian assistance and protection for the vulnerable, marginalized, and displaced.
http://www.notonourwatchproject.org

North Coast Artists Gallery (Mendocino County, CA.): A cooperative gallery of Fine Arts and Crafts representing the finest of Mendocino County's artists.
http://northcoastartists.org

The Northern California Indian Development Council, Inc.

Vision Statement:

Our Native people and most importantly our youth are sacred and deserve to be proud of their culture, heritage, traditions, languages, and ancestors. We want our people to succeed in all aspects of an integrated life, work, family, spirituality, social relations, physical well being, and cultural pride. NCIDC provides resources and services to assist American Indians to meet these goals.

Mission Statement:

The Northern California Indian Development Council works to meet the needs of American Indian communities by researching, developing, and administering social and economic development programs. NCIDC provides support and technical assistance for the development of such programs in addition to working to conserve and preserve historic and archeological sites and resources.

NCIDC fosters culturally appropriate communication and services needed by American Indian people to achieve self-determination in the economic, social service, cultural, educational, employment, and related fields.
http://www.ncidc.org

Nothing But Nets (Africa): The initial outreach for Nothing But Nets was accomplished through Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly's May 5, 2006 column titled "Nothing But Nets" which raised $1.2 million. The reaction to Reilly's request proves thousands of people will help the million children dying unnecessarily each year of malaria.
http://www.nothingbutnets.net

NOVAC’S Teen Digital Filmmaking Camp (New Orleans, LA.): Louisiana Film Crew Training Program offers a one-week digital filmmaking camp for area teens that introduces students to digital filmmaking productions and they discuss career opportunities in film/TV productions with area youth.
http://www.novacvideo.org

Omega Boys Club/Street Soldiers (San Francisco, CA. & National): Education and violence prevention program which has helped kids get out of gangs and get into college.

The Omega Boys Club/Street Soldiers mission is to keep young people alive and unharmed by violence and free from incarceration. They provide youth with opportunity and support to build positive lives for themselves, and move into contributing roles in society.

The Nationally-Syndicated Street Soldiers Radio Show: This award-winning call-in radio talk show deals with the pressing issues that young people face, particularly those related to keeping neighborhoods and communities safe. The weekly three-hour call-in show is on 12 radio stations nationwide and reaches over 300,000 listeners. Sinbad, Malik Yoba, and Jada Pinkett-Smith are just a few of the many guests who have appeared on the show. The host is Dr. Joseph Marshall, Executive Director of the Omega Boys Club, assisted by Club staff.

To learn more please visit their great website.
http://www.street-soldiers.org

On Your Mind (San Mateo County, CA.): Onyourmind.net is a website that provides information and support for teens. The website is run by volunteer high school students from the Bay Area in San Mateo County, CA. The website shares various resources. Youth can check out their chat room, submit questions, and find resources. They started this project to provide a safe place to find information and support.
http://www.onyourmind.net

One Earth Organization Click on the listed titles to watch ECO's awarding-winning environmental messages.
http://www.oneearth.org

One Laptop Per Child Most of the nearly two–billion children in the developing world are inadequately educated, or receive no education at all. One in three does not complete the fifth grade.

The individual and societal consequences of this chronic global crisis are profound. Children are consigned to poverty and isolation—just like their parents—never knowing what the light of learning could mean in their lives. At the same time, their governments struggle to compete in a rapidly evolving, global information economy, hobbled by a vast and increasingly urban underclass that cannot support itself, much less contribute to the commonweal, because it lacks the tools to do so.

OLPC's goal is to provide children around the world with new opportunities to explore, experiment, and express themselves.
http://www.laptop.org

ONE (The ONE Compaign): The ONE Campaign is 2.4 million+ American people seeking to raise public awareness about the issues of global poverty, hunger, disease, and efforts to fight such problems in developing countries.

In furtherance of these purposes, the ONE Campaign will:

Mobilize people from all 50 states and America's leading non-profit, advocacy, and humanitarian organizations to expand awareness of these issues.

Publish educational information about the impact of overseas development assistance and reformation of unfair international trade regimes on global poverty, hunger, and disease.

Raise awareness about, and promote, the framework of the Millennium Development Goals to eradicate poverty and improve public health and education.

The ONE Campaign is nonpartisan and is organized and operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
http://www.one.org

Operation Iraqi Children: Operation Iraqi Children is a grass-roots program founded in early 2004 by actor Gary Sinise (Forrest Gump, Apollo 13, CSI: NY) and author Laura Hillenbrand (Seabiscuit: An American Legend). Sinise and Hillenbrand created OIC to give concerned Americans a way to reach out to war-stricken Iraqi children and support American troops in their efforts to assist them.

Since its inception, OIC has delivered to Iraq nearly 200,000 school supply kits, along with more than half a million toys and thousands of Arabic-language books, shoes, blankets, backpacks, and sets of sports equipment, all of which have been distributed to Iraqi children by our troops. While their focus remains on Iraq, in recent months, OIC has extended its reach, sending shipments of school supplies to Afghanistan and the east African nation of Djibouti, where American troops are distributing them to children in need.

Whether you would like to make a monetary donation-100% of which will go to purchase supplies for children and offset shipping costs, build and send school supply kits yourself, or start a school supply kit drive in your community, you can help our troops foster goodwill between themselves and the communities they work in, and bring brighter futures to children in desperate need.
http://www.operationiraqichildren.org

Operation Paperback (Recycled Reading for Our Troops): Operation Paperback is a non-profit, grassroots program founded in 1999. They collect gently used books and send them to American troops deployed overseas.
http://www.operationpaperback.org

One America-United National Indian Tribal Youth, Inc. (National): UNITY works to provide a mechanism for mobilizing American Indian and Alaska Native youth so they can identify and address their concerns and issues at both the local and national levels. UNITY's goal is to promote "unity" within individual families and tribes, and also among American Indian tribes and other peoples. Currently, there is a network consisting of more than 140 UNITY-affiliated youth councils in 28 states, representing roughly 16,200 young people. Issues currently being addressed by the National UNITY Council include: education, alcohol and drug abuse, teen pregnancy, cultural heritage, gang violence, and the environment.
http://clinton4.nara.gov/textonly/Initiatives/OneAmerica/Practices/
pp_19980729.6628.html

Operation Hope (USA): Their mission is to eradicate poverty in our lifetime through the Silver Rights Movement. Through a series of public/private partnerships and strategic alliances, OHI has developed and implemented programs focused on connecting the minority community with mainstream, private sector resources, and empowering under-served communities. While OHI is actively and directly involved in the communities it serves, the long range programmatic objective of OHI is to literally “drive itself out of business.”

OHI seeks to create sustainable change within under-served communities by consistently promoting opportunity, self-esteem, self love, optimism, and future aspiration. OHI advocates the positive merits of inner-city communities to big business interests, encouraging them to, in the words of OHI founder John Bryant, provide “a hand up, and not simply a hand out,” and to “do well by doing good.”

In communities it serves OHI views the residents as customers, deserving of first class “customer service” and priority attention. In this regard OHI believes that America has suffered far too long with two Americas; one served, bustling with economic, educational and social opportunity, utilizing all of the tools of a capitalist society (i.e. capital access, cutting edge technology, information services, and high level personal relationships), and one grossly under-served, overly dependent, and historically neglected by the private sector.

OHI helps to level the playing field of fair and equal opportunity between the haves and the have nots.
http://www.operationhope.org

Operation Smile (Global): Throughout the world, Operation Smile volunteers repair childhood facial deformities while building public and private partnerships that advocate for sustainable healthcare systems for children and families. They create smiles, change lives, and heal humanity.
http://www.operationsmile.org

Organic Consumers Association (Global): This organization support health, justice, and sustainability to help bring positive changes to the planet.
http://www.organicconsumers.org

Orphan Foundation of America (OFA) (USA): Founded in 1981 in a community center basement, the remarkable Orphan Foundation of America (OFA) has grown to serve thousands of foster teens across the United States. Whether they are providing young people with scholarships, connecting them with internships, sending them care packages, or testifying before Congress and state legislatures, OFA is a passionate champion of foster youth.

Each year 25,000 young people "age out" of the foster care system. OFA is united with partners and sponsors in helping these young people become tomorrow's productive good citizens. Today OFA is focusing on connecting foster teens with mentors, increasing support for their post-secondary education goals, and mobilizing other segments of the community to assist them.

OFA is bricks and mortar as well as a special place in the hearts of many. Their young scholars, alumni, donors, volunteers, and youth care workers recognize the uniqueness of their work and think of the OFA as a place where they belong.

These are amazing people.
http://www.orphan.org

Oxfam International (Global): International group of independent non-governmental organizations that work together to make a real impact on poverty and injustice world-wide. The Oxfams operate in 100+ countries worldwide joining with local partners to alleviate poverty and injustice.
http://www.oxfaminternational.org

Pacific Textile Arts (Mendocino, CA.): Pacific Textile Arts, formerly known as Pacific Basin Center of Textile Arts, moved in 1990 to the Mendocino Coast of California and has re-dedicated itself to furthering education, dialogue, and support for a broad range of textile and related arts. Most recently they have purchased a piece of property for a center, and have increased their board of directors to a nine member team.

Their primary objectives are:

1. To provide ongoing textile art classes.
2. To maintain a uniquely equipped open studio involving all aspects of textile arts.
3. To nuture the educational/professional goals of textile artists and students.
4. To be a resource that provides speakers, lectures, a slide collection and textile library, and a community access gallery for historical and contemporary textiles.

While the vision and membership goal of the organization is international, many activities are closer to home. Pacific Textile Arts supports and collaborates with other north coast arts organizations, including the Mendocino Art Center, the Mendocino Coast Handweaver's Guild, and the College of the Redwoods.

Grassroots Effort: They are diligently fundraising to restore the old Victorian house that sits at the front of their property. Time and money donations for this effort are appreciated and gratefully accepted. The house will become an thriving center for meetings, work, study, and exhibitions. It will showcase an extensive library, magazine, video, slide collection, and expanding textile research collection.

Additional plans include:

Building classrooms.
Offering lectures.
Presenting slide shows.
Sponsoring symposiums.
Providing meeting and exhibit spaces.
Providing workspace for professionals, students, and visitors.
Offering textile study.
Creating a conservation lab.
Providing a technology center with computers, fax machines, copiers, etc.
Cooperative efforts associated with marketing, incubating small businesses, and economic development.
Providing on-site living quarters.
Creating a dyer's garden.

All forms of fiber arts will be encouraged at this wonderful center for textile arts. Located next to the College of the Redwoods Fine Woodworking Program, the Fort Bragg Middle School, and the Fort Bragg Senior Center, some interesting collaborations are anticipated.

Pacific Textile Arts is a 501 (c) (3) organization. Donations are tax deductible to the extent of the law. Visitors are always welcome. Call ahead and let them know you're coming.

Membership dues are $15.00 per year and include three interesting and informative newsletters. Pacific Textile Arts strives to insure that textiles continue to be widely represented through educational activities, exhibits, speakers, and slide lectures.
http://www.mcn.org/b/lolli/PTA.html

PALS (People Assisting Lodi Shelter): PALS is a 100% debt-free volunteer organization. If you are age 14+ and can make a commitment to volunteer for a few hours a week, they want and need you. If you are affiliated with a church, school, club, or organization that performs community service projects in the Lodi, CA. area think of PALS. Many high school students volunteer with PALS for their Senior Project or for community service hours. If you love animals and enjoy working with animal-loving people, please visit their facility.
http://www.palslodi.org

Pan American Whole Health Alliance: PAWHA is a vision, an idea, a philosophy of self-reliance and self-sufficiency through education and self-care practice. It is people coming together to bring complementary healthcare training to needy areas within all the Americas. It is sharing knowledge and resources to make a healthier world.

There are gross inequities of available allopathic (western) medical healthcare throughout the Americas. Many rural areas are without adequate safe drinking water and sanitation service. Many more without access to medicines or doctors. There are several humanitarian groups going into rural and remote areas bringing in medical care and western drugs. Although needed this can leave people more dependent on western medications that are often neither available or affordable to them. PAWHA's goal is to provide education on prevention of illness and also education in complementary healthcare skills.

Through education of how to care for ailments without the use of pharmaceuticals, how to prevent illness and promote wellness, the people of the Americas can enjoy a better quality of life at lower or no cost. This makes sense. It is called self-sufficiency and self-power. It is not becoming further dependent on resources that are not affordable or accessible in many areas of the world.
http://www.pawha.org

Paradigm Productions (Berkeley, CA.): Paradigm Productions is a 501 (c) 3 documentary film production company created by Rick Tejada-Flores and Raymond Telles. Paradigm produces films, provides fiscal sponsorship, and acts as a convergence point for independent, progressive filmmakers.

Paradigm Productions mission is to develop, produce, and distribute to the public, educational media materials including but not limited to films, television programs, radio programs, and print materials that illuminate a wide range of historical, social, and cultural issues, and which lacking commercial viability would not otherwise be produced and distributed to the public.

Please visit their website to learn about their remarkable projects including the film “Race the Place” which offers a compelling look at one of the most explosive issues in America today. This video performance documentary presents a bold, lyrical, and often poetical montage of performances by established artists and up-and-coming young talent from minority communities who use words—spoken, sung or chanted—to get their message across.

Each artist explores racism and its continued survival in America, sharing new and innovative ways to engage and challenge audiences to think beyond traditional conceptions, viewing race through the lens of creativity and performance to stimulate thought and constructive debate.
http://www.paradigmproductions.org

Parenting With Purpose (Minnesota): Parenting With Purpose (PWP) began in 1995 providing parent education classes and support groups in prisons and jails. PWP remains committed to serve as a positive influence in the lives of children affected by a parent's incarceration and to provide the necessary guidance for incarcerated parents to restore their family relationships. PWP is unique in that it works with entire families and plays an integral part to bring healing and restoration.

There are more than 10,000 children in the State of Minnesota who have an imprisoned mother or father. Children of incarcerated parents are seven times more likely to repeat behavior similar to their parents.
http://copsrun.org

******* ******* *******
Partnership for Prescription Assistance (USA): The Partnership for Prescription Assistance Organization brings together America’s pharmaceutical companies, doctors, other health care providers, patient advocacy organizations, and community groups to help qualifying patients who lack prescription coverage get the medicines they need through the public or private program that’s right for them. Many people get their prescriptions free or nearly free.

The organization's mission is to increase awareness of patient assistance programs and boost enrollment of those who are eligible. Through their website they provide a single point of access to 475+ public and private patient assistance programs, including 180+ programs offered by pharmaceutical companies.

To contact Partnership for Prescription Assistance by phone you can call toll-free, 1-888-4PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669).
https://www.pparx.org

Partnership for Prescription Assistance KIDS (USA): Kids.PPARx.org is a program that connects qualified, low-income people with discount prescription drugs, direct from the pharmaceutical manufacturer. To make it easier for parents and others to learn about assistance programs for children, the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA) – an effort sponsored by America’s pharmaceutical research companies to help low-income, uninsured, and underinsured Americans access prescription medicines – has created a single point of access through a user-friendly Web site kids.pparx.org. Parents, guardians, and others can visit this Website to find public and private programs that may provide help for their children. To learn more about the PPA visit www.pparx.org.
http://kids.pparx.org

******* ******* *******

Peace Corps (Global): In 1961, President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps to promote world peace and friendship. Their mission has three goals: 1. To help people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women. 2. To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served. 3. To help promote a better understanding of peoples on the parts of Americans. To date, more than 187,000 Peace Corps Volunteers have been invited by 139 host countries to work on issues ranging from AIDS education to information technology, and environmental preservation.
http://www.peacecorps.gov

PeacePlayers International: Peace Players International was founded in 2001 on the premise that “children who play together can learn to live together.” Peace Players International effectively blends together proven theories of social modeling, conflict resolution, and public diplomacy to operate basketball and life-skills programs in historically divided regions that bring together thousands of children from different religious, racial, and cultural backgrounds. The programs attract children to participate in basketball and life-skills activities that enable them to learn leadership skills and how to live as friends and neighbors.

A key component to Peace Players International's effectiveness is that the programs target children aged 10-14. These are the children old enough to pick up the basics of the sport, but young enough wherein many prejudices have not yet been cemented. Through the power of sport and education and the strategic integration of public diplomacy, Peace Players International is altering the pattern of preconceived prejudice and equipping children with the skills and education needed to address the serious social and health issues they face.
http://www.peaceplayersintl.org

The Daniel Pearl Foundation (Encino, CA.): The Daniel Pearl Foundation was formed in memory of journalist Daniel Pearl to further the ideals that inspired Daniel's life and work. The foundation's mission is to promote cross-cultural understanding through journalism, music, and innovative communications.
http://www.danielpearlfoundation.org

Pedals for Progress (Putting used bikes to good use.)

Mission Statement: Pedals for Progress envisions a day when:

1. North America recycles over half of the 5 million used bicycles discarded each year, as well as unused parts and accessories for reuse overseas.

2. Poor people in developing countries have bicycles to get to work, obtain services, and meet other needs.

3. The bicycle is an effective tool for self-help in all developing countries.

4. Trade regulations enhance international commerce in bicycles and parts.

5. Policy makers in developing countries respect and support non-motorized transportation.
http://www.p4p.org

People Improvement Organization/Phymean Noun (Cambodia): PIO is a dedicated group of 23 Khmer people headed by Phymean Noun. They believe in the PIO mission and in the children they serve. Education is a top priority for the students and staff. PIO provides non-formal education and livelihood training to marginalized groups, ultimately reducing the level of poverty in the area.
http://peopleimprovement.org

Performing Arts Workshop (San Francisco, CA.): Performing Arts Workshop is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping young people develop critical thinking, creative expression, and basic learning skills through the arts.
http://www.performingartsworkshop.org

PERSONAL PONIES (International): PERSONAL PONIES Ltd. is incorporated in New York and they are a 501-C-3 registered organization serving children internationally. Their staff all volunteer. Almost 100% of their funds are used to purchase ponies for special needs children.

They give special needs children UK Shetland ponies to love. The ponies are bred by volunteer breeders, or are imported from the UK. Ponies may also be transferred from other placements as families outgrow the need for them, or as they become available from other volunteers. Once a pony is accepted into this program they receive lifetime care. They are never sold or given to someone outside of the program.

I urge you to help spread the word about this organization and to help them raise funds so they can buy more ponies. The waiting list for a pony can be long. The organization doesn't have enough ponies to meet the requests they receive from families with special needs children.

Important Note From Their Website:

PERSONAL PONIES wishes to acknowledge that while "disabled" is the most commonly used word to describe children and adults whose abilities may be different, we believe that it carries a negative tone--implying that our children are NOT-able. We much prefer terms like "DIFFERENTLY-ABLE" "SPECIAL NEEDS," and "HANDI-CAPABLE" because they more accurately reflect the truth: that while the children we serve may have SPECIAL NEEDS, they are ABLE to do many, many things. However, because "disabled" IS the most commonly used term used to search for a site like ours, and because if we did not use the term consistently it is likely that you would not find us, we have reluctantly chosen to conform to common usage. We hope, however, that this note will encourage others to use alternative terms so that one day soon, terms like "DIS-abled" and "DIS-ability" will no longer be the standard descriptors.
http://www.personalponies.org

Pets & Pals (Lathrop, CA.): Pets and Pals has been serving Central California for over ten years. The shelter is a non-profit organization which receives no government funding. It operates strictly on private donations.

Note: This is where we got our two dogs. The people that work here are wonderful and the care they give to the animals in their care is terrific.
http://www.petsnpals.org

PIPO Missions Inc./ Limbs and Braces to Mexico (David M. Puckett): Positive Image Prosthetics and Orthotics, Inc., expanded medical care outside of the USA in November 2000 by establishing the Non-Profit 501(c)3 Charitable Arm- PIPO Missions Inc./ Limbs and Braces to Mexico which partners with many Hospitals/ Clinics in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico and Chiapas, Mexico to provide indigent, handicapped patients with no charge Artificial Limb and Orthopedic Brace Care. The first trip to Mexico was in November 2000. As of October 2008, they have held 42 "trip clinics", providing Prosthetic and Orthotic treatment to 450+ people, and have additionally provided clothing, corrective Orthopedic surgery, medicine and medical supplies, Bibles, food donations, and other materials to 1250+ people, and have assisted 520+ families with life-needs.

They collect pre-owned, donated limbs and braces in their Savannah, GA. and Beaufort, SC. offices, and thanks to generous donors, consistently have a storage unit (in Savannah) full of braces and limbs ready for refurbishment, repair, and replacement. They then utilize some of these components, customizing and fabricating new limbs and braces for in-need patients living in the surrounding communities and villages in Southeast Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and Chiapas region. They travel to remote regions to provide help for the "poorest of the poor."
http://www.pipoinc.com/mexico.htm

PLAN!T NOW: PLAN!T NOW is a non-profit organization which provides people, communities, and companies who are in high-risk regions the information they need to protect their families, homes, businesses, resources, and documents from the effects of storm and hurricane-related disasters. Their goal is to empower people through information and connection and to provide a dialogue between hurricane-affected communities and those yet to be affected in high-risk coastal or island geographies.
http://www.planitnow.org

Planet Slayer: "Greena, the Worrier Princess" is an animated Australian teenager with a sense of purpose -- to save the earth. Visitors will have fun watching cartoons about her environmental adventures and playing the Planet Slayer game.
http://www.abc.net.au/science/planetslayer

Planet Youth (The Native American Indian Youth Connection): Planet Youth connects American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian youth to people, cultural resources, and fun using the internet. Parents, researchers, and teachers will find the site a useful resource for providing opportunities to Native and non-Native youth and their families. The site provides information about American Indian history, facts, and culture.
http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/ih/codetalk/planet/index.html

Plugged In (East Palo Alto, CA.): They provide a very cool production program for web design and video production to youth.
http://www.pluggedin.org

Polly Klaas Foundation (National): The Polly Klaas® Foundation is a national nonprofit that helps find missing children, prevents children from going missing, and promotes laws like Amber Alert that help keep children safe. The foundation makes and distributes posters of missing children for families of missing children, and has a national volunteer force that distributes posters of missing children in their communities. The Polly Klaas Foundation's hotline is 1-800-587-4357.
http://www.pollyklaas.org

Pongo Publishing (Seattle, WA.): Pongo offers writing therapy to adolescents who are homeless, in jail, or in other ways leading difficult lives. Pongo volunteers go to shelters, detention centers, and other sites to work with youth providing six-month poetry projects. Many of Pongo's teen authors are victims of childhood abuse and neglect, and Pongo particularly helps those who have difficulty expressing themselves. Through creative writing, Pongo's teen authors learn about their emotions, feel better about themselves, and discover constructive ways of dealing with their trauma. Pongo publishes its authors' writing in chapbook collections.
http://www.pongopublishing.org

Portals Of Wonder: Portals Of Wonder is a 501(c)3 charitable non-profit that brings magic, mime, music, and myth to children facing critical illness such as AIDS and cancer, to homeless youth, to frail elderly, and to the general public via original high-end theatrical productions, such as Adventures of a Wizard, inspired by the vaudeville shows of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and the golden age of Broadway musicals.

From these productions they also create customized arts education workshops and therapeutic programs in theaters, schools, places of worship, hospitals, homeless shelters, and other non-traditional settings. Through non-competitive, multi-cultural, and gender-sensitive activities, Portals Of Wonder has served almost 10,000 children and frail elderly in the NYC area alone. Productions and programs are designed to bring hope, wonder, and inspiration into lives that may have lost it.
http://www.portalsofwonder.org

The Posse Foundation: The Posse Foundation identifies, recruits and trains student leaders from public high schools to form multicultural teams called “Posses.” These teams are then prepared, through an intensive eight-month Pre-Collegiate Training Program, for enrollment at top-tier universities nationwide to pursue their academics and to help promote cross-cultural communication on campus. The Posse Program has exhibited great success over the past 18 years placing 1,850 students into colleges and universities. These students have won over $175 million in scholarships from Posse partner universities and are persisting and graduating at 90 percent—a rate higher than the national averages at institutions of higher education. Posse currently has sites in six major cities across the United States: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Washington, D.C., and its newest site in Atlanta.
http://www.possefoundation.org

The Power of Hope (Washington State and British Columbia): A non-religious, non-profit organization operating in Washington state and British Columbia. The Power of Hope unleashes the positive potential of youth through arts-centered intergenerational and multicultural learning programs that value self-awareness, leadership, community, and social change.
http://powerofhope.org

PreventViolence.org (CA.) Homicide is the leading cause of death in California for youth ages 15-19. Youth ages 12-17 are nearly three times more likely than adults to be victims of serious violent crimes.
http://www.preventviolence.org

Project Compassion: Artist Kaziah Hancock (and associate painters) volunteer to paint 18"x24" portraits of American servicemen and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice for America, their lives. These beautiful, framed canvas paintings are gifted to the families of servicemen and women free of charge.
http://www.heropaintings.com

Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. (National): Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc., initiated and conducted by members of the Federation of Fly Fishers and Trout Unlimited, serves military personnel who have been wounded, injured, or disabled to aid their physical and emotional recovery by introducing or rebuilding the skills of fly fishing and fly tying, and by using and enjoying these skills on fishing outings and as lifelong recreation.

While initially focusing on the military personnel in the Washington, DC area, the Project has expanded nationwide and is offering its services and program to active military personnel and veterans in Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals throughout the country.

The Project’s program provides basic fly fishing, fly casting and fly tying classes, and clinics for the wounded and injured personnel ranging from beginners to those with prior fly fishing and tying experience who are adapting their skills to their new abilities. All activities and services are provided to the participants at no cost. Fly fishing and tying equipment and materials are provided to the participants, including equipment that accommodates their special needs.

The Project’s training and educational activities are designed to ignite or rekindle the participants’ appreciation and enthusiasm for a wide variety of fly fishing outings. While most of these fishing trips are conducted within a half-day’s travel from a hospital, the Project actively seeks opportunities to offer outings in quality fishing sites across the county.

The trips, near and far, are provided at no cost to the participants. The Project relies on Federation of Fly Fishers, Trout Unlimited, and independent fly fishing clubs to conduct the program at the DOD and DVA hospitals across the nation. The volunteer staff and outings leaders include professional educators and fishing guides as well as experienced fly fishers, all of whom donate their time and knowledge to support the Project participants. Other volunteers help meet the educational, equipment, outings, training, and transportation needs.

All Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing activities are dependent on tax deductible financial donations under the provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code. The organization is incorporated in the state of Maryland.

Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. strives to effectively serve the deserving past and present members of our armed forces who have made great sacrifices in the service of our Nation.
http://www.projecthealingwaters.org

Note: This is an awesome organization!

Partner Organizations:
Trout Unlimited
Federation of Fly Fishers

Project Row Houses (Houston, Texas): Project Row Houses is a non-profit, 501 (c)(3) organization and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age or disability. PRH is committed to affirmative action and equal opportunity in all its endeavors.

Project Row Houses is a neighborhood based art and cultural organization located in Houston's Third Ward. PRH was established in 1993 on a site of 22 abandoned shotgun houses (c. 1930) to connect the work of artists with the revitalization of the community. It was inspired by the work of African-American artist Dr. John Biggers who celebrated the social significance of the shotgun house house community in his paintings. After a decade of successfully generating programs that combine arts and cultrual education, historic preservation, and community development, the future of the Third Ward is threatened by gentrification. To preserve and protect the irreplaceable historic and cultural legacy of the community, PRH spawned a sister organization, the Row House Community Development Corporation.

Together, they are expanding the original campus which now includes thirteen units of low-income housing, two of which are long-term artists residencies and two commercial buildings, one of which houses the historic Eldorado Ballroom, an artist-initiated bike cooup, and an artist residency/gallery space.

With the financial and material resources of Houston's corporations, foundations, and art organizations, volunteers have been able to renovate the site of 2500 Holman and the twenty-two shotgun houses that sit upon it. Ten of the twenty-two row houses are dedicated to art, photography, and literary projects, which are installed on a rotating six-month basis. When a group of artists is commissioned, each is given a house to transform in ways that speak to the history and cultural issues relevant to the African-American community. Located in seven houses adjacent to those dedicated to art, The Young Mothers Residential Program provides transitional housing and services for young mothers and their children.

Note: This is a great organization, please visit their website to learn about their projects and programs, especially their awesome Young Mothers Residential Program.
http://www.projectrowhouses.org

Public Policy Institute of California (CA.): Private, nonprofit organization dedicated to independent, nonpartisan research on California's economic, social, and political issues.

Policy Areas:

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
EDUCATION
EMPLOYMENT AND INCOME
ENVIRONMENT
GOVERNMENT
HEALTH
HOUSING
IMMIGRATION
INFRASTRUCTURE
POLITICAL PARTICIPATION
POPULATION
PUBLIC FINANCE
SOCIAL POLICY
TRANSPORTATION
WATER

http://www.ppic.org

Pump 'Em Up! Pump 'Em Up! is a fuel conservation call all over the world to spread the word to drivers that the power to conserve fuel is in their own tires! Pump 'Em Up! was born in 2001 when nine-year old Savannah Walters, concerned by proposals to drill for oil in the Arctic, learned that the U.S. could save as much oil as would be produced by the new drilling if drivers simply pumped up their car tires to proper inflation levels. In 1995 the US Energy Department said that under-inflated tires waste an estimated 4 million gallons of gas daily in America.
http://www.pumpemup.org

Pure Water for the World: Pure Water for the World is an organization that provides sustainable clean drinking water to families and communities in developing countries–helping ensure healthier and more productive lives for children and their families.
http://www.purewaterfortheworld.org

The Q Foundation, Inc. (North Carolina): The Q Foundation is a non-profit organization headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. They provide GED academic learning, work experience, life skills, Cognitive Behavior Intervention Training, and year round employment opportunities to youth ages 14-21.

Founder and President, Mr. Stepha’n T. Askew "Q" established the organization in 2002 to serve youth with academic and athletic aspirations. The organization is dedicated to the growth and development of youth and their families in North Carolina. The Youth Education and Job Development Unit (YEJDU) focuses on education, job-readiness, and occupation. They strive to offer programs and activities that fosters long term vision, self-sufficiency, and alternatives to the negative influences that plague today’s young leaders through mentoring, tutoring, and Life Skills training with individual guidance.

In addition, with the increase of surrounding gang violence, YEJDU focuses on educating participants with positive alternatives to joining gangs. The Q Foundation enhances training and strives to eliminate employment barriers.

Note: It is so great to read on their website that the students they serve are young leaders. That degree of positive reinforcement and faith in their students certainly helps to insure that they are indeed young leaders. Be sure to read about their Man Up! program. It rocks!
http://www.qfoundation.com

r.a.d. KIDS (Massachussetts & National): radKIDS is a national leader in children's safety, with headquarters based in South Dennis, Massachussetts. radKIDS is brought to children and parents by the training and development of nationally certified instructors drawn from their own communities. By empowering a community with certified local instructors, the radKIDS Personal Empowerment Safety Education package is not just a program but a true gift to the community.

radKIDS Curriculum topics include:
Home, School and Vehicle Safety
Out and About Safety
Realistic Defense Against Abduction
Good-Bad-Uncomfortable Touch and more.
Stranger Tricks (including Physical Defense against Abduction)
Self-realization of personal power

Note: Take two minutes, check out this incredible organization.
http://radkids.org

The Reading Tub: The Reading Tub® is yet another example of how nurturing a small idea can lead to big things. A simple comment from Aunt Susie about helping parents pick out books for their kids generated an idea for a website to help them do just that. Within a few weeks, two other families jumped in with their energy and creativity.

In June 2003, they started brainstorming and building a business plan. By late October 2003, they created thereadingtub.com to help people with children in their lives (parents, grandparents, godparents, extended family members, and friends) sort through the shelves of children’s books and select the books that are best for their child(ren). What started as a small group of parents is now a larger group of volunteers.

Their collection of children's literature and activity books covers all ages and interests for kids 0 to 13. There are a handful of reviews for classics and popular literature, but their emphasis is on the less publicized or hyped. Children’s books with adoption-related themes are a mainstay of their “book bag,” offering adoptive parents and extended families descriptions of books best-suited to their unique family situation. Similarly, they have—and will continue to grow—their collection of foreign-language literature for children.

Their ULTIMATE goal is to get kids excited about reading and learning. They want to help young readers see that their successes--and the opportunities that create them--are directly tied to their ability to read.

What's in it for you? They read the book for you and answer all your questions. When you spend less time searching for a book you have more time to read. They read every book in their collection (some more than once) to ensure that their profiles are honest, balanced, and appropriately represent the book itself. They help you make more time for your kids by minimizing the time you spend culling through generic booklists.

They want The Reading Tub® to be a first-stop for people who want to find great books to share with children, from infancy to fifth grade.

Yes, there is a Reading Tub. It is the inspiration for their name. The Reading Tub sits in Mrs. Stoddert's Library at an elementary school in Vermont. It's porcelein, painted yellow and white, and outfitted with a pillow. Children select a book, climb into the tub, and enjoy their story.

Take a moment to register with The Reading Tub® and keep up-to-date on new books, great reviews, articles on literacy, and more. Want to volunteer? Just send them an email.
http://www.thereadingtub.com

Reconcile New Orleans (New Orleans, LA.): Housed in a five-story, 12,000 square foot building reclaimed in the economically distressed Central City neighborhood of New Orleans, the work of Reconcile New Orleans is to provide at-risk youth an opportunity to learn life and interpersonal skills and operational training for successful entry into the hospitality and restaurant industries; to provide an economic development cornerstone for the blighted and declining but slowly returning Central City neighborhood, and to provide services to address unmet neighborhood needs (such as quality family-based literacy instruction for adults and children) until other organizations can establish additional programs in the community.
http://reconcileneworleans.org

Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (Princeton, New Jersey & National): For 60 years, Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D), a national nonprofit, volunteer organization, has been the leading producer of accessible educational materials for students with disabilities such as visual impairment or dyslexia that make reading standard print difficult or impossible. With titles available in every subject area and grade level from kindergarten through graduate studies, RFB&D’s digitally recorded textbooks are effective learning tools for students challenged by the printed page.
http://www.rfbd.org

Redwings Horse Sanctuary (Carmel, CA.): The mission of Redwings Horse Sanctuary is to eliminate the causes of equine suffering through education and community outreach programs, rescue abused and neglected equines, and provide permanent sanctuary or selected foster homes for those equines.

Note: They are doing excellent work, please visit their website to learn more.
http://www.redwings.org

Redwire: Native Youth Media (Canada): Redwire Native Youth Media Society is a media and arts organization dedicated to Native youth expression. Redwire Magazine published its first issue in April 1997 with the support of the Native Youth Movement, a grass roots Native youth group, and The Environmental Youth Alliance. Redwire Magazine is a quarterly magazine.

Redwire, published by Redwire Native Youth Media Society, is the first-ever Native youth run magazine in Canada. It operates with Native youth staff, writers, artists, and publishers.

Redwire's mandate is to provide Native youth with an uncensored forum for discussion, in order to help youth find their own voice. Redwire is by, for and about Native youth; all content, editorial decisions, and associated media projects are initiated and led by youth, inspiring creativity, motivation and action.

Note: They also have a wonderful links section provided on their webiste. I encourage youth and youth advocates to sign up for this magazine!
http://www.redwiremag.com

******* ******* *******

Redwood Coast Watersheds Alliance (Mendocino Coast, CA.): Redwood Coast Watersheds Alliance (RCWA, say: reck' wah) is an alliance of citizen organizations on ridges, valleys, and waterways of the Mendocino Coast. They are a tax exempt IRS approved non-profit organization.

The Ocean Protection Coalition (Elk, CA): The Ocean Protection Coalition is a nonprofit group formed to prevent offshore drilling off the Mendocino Coast.

Environmental Commons (Gualala, CA.): Environmental Commons educates the public on important environmental issues by providing scientific information, policy analysis, and instructive materials necessary for effective change. They support democratic involvement in conserving and recovering biological resources. They believe that by encouraging community involvement, we can collectively effect change for a healthier environment.

Environmental Commons Website: They are based in northern California and operate on a local, regional, and state level. They hope to inspire citizen involvement in environmental issues that could impact, detrimentally or beneficially, our air, water, food, and biodiversity conditions.

Friends of Big River (Elk, CA): The Friends of Big River web-page is currently under construction.

Friends of the Gualala River (Gualala, CA.): FoGR is a non-profit, grassroots watershed protection association formed to share common concerns and research regarding the welfare of the Gualala River, its estuary and habitat. FoGR's goal is to protect the Gualala River watershed and the species that rely on it.

Location: The Gualala River enters the Pacific Ocean approximately 110 miles north of San Francisco, marking the border of Mendocino and Sonoma Counties. Just past the mouth of the river lies the town of Gualala, a three-hour drive from San Francisco over narrow, twisting roads and stunning ocean and mountain views. Tourism and logging are the primary local industries.

Friends of the Ten Mile (Fort Bragg, CA): FOTTM members have successfully resisted commercialization of the undeveloped estuary and neighboring MacKerricher Natural Dune Preserve. They have protected the forests by commenting on and litigating THPs, lobbying for stream monitoring, and participating in the TMDL process.

FOTTM sponsored the "Birdfeeder Hat Project" to educate the public about watersheds. They're currently working with CalTrans to insure the Ten Mile Bridge re-build will be as environmentally sound and as aesthetically pleasing as possible. Also FOTTM is protecting the Natural Dune Preserve from the negative impacts of a 7,000 square foot mega-mansion.

Albion River Watershed Protection Association / Friends of Salmon Creek (Elk, CA): ARWPA/FOSC is an unincorporated association of persons residing in the community of Albion who are organized to protect, restore, and preserve the environmental integrity of the Albion River and Salmon Creek. ARWPA/FOSC is composed of persons whose economic, personal, aesthetic, and spiritual interests are directly connected with the preservation and protection of water, wildlife, and timber resources.

Mendocino Community Network: Space for this website is provided as a community service by the Mendocino Community Network. MCN is an Internet Service Provider owned and operated by the Mendocino Unified School District.

******* ******* *******

Reef Relief (Protecting Living Coral): Reef Relief is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to Preserve and Protect Living Coral Reef Ecosystems through local, regional, and global efforts.

Reef Relief's Mission:

*Increase public awareness of the importance and value of living coral reef ecosystems.

*Increase scientific understanding and knowledge of living coral reef ecosystems.

*Strengthen grassroots community-based efforts to protect coral reef ecosystems.

*Design, develop, and help implement marine protected areas associated with coral reef ecosystems.

*Encourage and support eco-tourism as part of sustainable community development that protects and preserves coral reef ecosystems.

*Strengthen our organizational capacity to carry out our mission.

http://www.reefrelief.org

Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide (Global): Frustrated by meager attendance at Reggae concerts and hit-or-miss service by Reggae Labels, Papa Pilgrim and Rastaman Nane' formed Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide in the Summer of 1992.

Rastaman Nane', a concert promoter and Papa Pilgrim, a writer, are Reggae radio deejays. Joining creative forces, they brought to fruition a seed planted by Inner Circle's guitarist, Roger Lewis. Lewis, recognizing that there are committed Reggae enthusiasts worldwide, suggested a massive Reggae network to serve the best interests of Reggae performing artists, and the Reggae industry.

Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide increases public awareness, acceptance, and understanding of Reggae music, and creates on-going opportunities for Reggae performing artists.

Reggae music, once considered by some as a fad, now has a strong and secure presence in the music world. It is a music that is truly the beat of the heart. Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide unifies the Reggae music community and helps create a growing demand for widespread recognition and appreciation.

Reggae Ambassadors worldwide is an international network of committed Reggae enthusiasts who join forces to spread the positive vibe of Reggae music. They passionately educate the world about Reggae music, always remembering the vision of One Love!
http://www.ReggaeAmbassadors.org

Rescue a Million (New York & Global): Rescue a Million is currently working in over 50 countries to save our earth's most precious resources, children and the environment.
http://www.rescueamillion.org

Return to Freedom (Lompoc, CA): Return to Freedom is a non-profit wild horse sanctuary founded in 1997 by Neda DeMayo, and is the realization of her life-long dream: to protect the freedom and natural lifestyle of America’s free ranging wild horses. The sanctuary also serves to benefit people by providing a direct experience with animals and the environment, thereby enriching the human spirit. Through sanctuary, education, and conservation Return to Freedom protects the freedom, diversity, and habitat of America’s wild horses for generations to come.

Just 4 Kids: Return to Freedom is an environment where young people can directly experience America's wild horses in a natural setting. Within nature's classroom, the wild horse herds educate young people about their living heritage - the American wild horse. Whether by surfing their website or directly experiencing wild horse herds at their sanctuary, they hope to foster an environment where learning and understanding can take place. It is their hope that in doing this, they will help nurture a generation that values the natural world around us and seeks to protect the environment and the animals we share this planet with.
http://www.returntofreedom.org

Ricochet Ridge Ranch (Fort Bragg, CA.): Beach and redwood forest riding vacations on Northern California's magnificent Mendocino coast.

The Redwood Coast Beach & Forest Riding Vacations began in 1985. These riding holidays are unique in offering extraordinary horses, both Western and English style, to carry riders for miles over deserted beaches, through extensive cattle ranches, and through magnificent Redwood forests.

Note: This is a for-profit business, not a non-profit organzation. I have listed it as a resource because many people who have read The Loose End of the Rainbow want to know if there is any horse riding available to tourists on Mendocino beaches.
http://www.horse-vacation.com

The Robin Hood Foundation (New York City): Since 1988, Robin Hood has targeted poverty in New York City. By applying sound investment principles to philanthropy, they’ve helped the best programs save lives and change fates.
http://www.robinhood.org

Role Models on the Web: They showcase outstanding role models (example: Tiger Woods and the late Christopher Reeves) to help inspire youth and young adults to think about what they want to be, what they wish to do, and how they can contribute back to society.
http://www.rolemodel.net

Room To Read (Global): Room to Read partners with local communities throughout the developing world to establish schools, libraries, and other educational infrastructure. They seek to intervene early in the lives of children in the belief that education is a lifelong gift that empowers people to ultimately improve socioeconomic conditions for their families, communities, countries, and future generations. Through the opportunities that only an education can provide, they strive to break the cycle of poverty, one child at a time.
http://www.roomtoread.org

******* ******* *******

ORGANIZATIONS SERVING RWANDA

(There are more organizations worthy of mention serving Rwanda. I researched the following listed, but there are several more.)

Note: If you would like to better understand the 1994 genocide in Rwanda (if understanding can ever be possible) read Shake Hands with the Devil: The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda, (ISBN 0-7867-1510-3 / ISBN 0-7867-1487-5) a book by Lieutenant-General Roméo Dallaire of the Canadian Forces, with help from Major Brent Beardsley. It was first published by Knopf Canada in September 2003.

Documentary: A documentary film, entitled Shake Hands With the Devil: The Journey of Roméo Dallaire, shows Dallaire's return to Rwanda after ten years. The documentary was produced by the CBC, SRC, and White Pine Pictures, and released in 2004. It was nominated for two Sundance Film Festival Awards, winning the 2004 Sundance Film Festival Audience Award for World Cinema - Documentary (Peter Raymont) and a nomination for Grand Jury Prize for World Cinema - Documentary (Peter Raymont).

About Roméo Dallaire : Wikipedia provides this good biography.

AVEGA-AGAHOZO: AVEGA-AGAHOZO, is a non-profit organization conceived and finally created on January 15, 1995, by fifty widows who themselves are genocide survivors.
http://www.avega.org.rw/English.html

The International Rescue Committee in Rwanda: The International Rescue Committee serves refugees and communities victimized by oppression or violent conflict worldwide. Founded in 1933, the IRC is committed to freedom, human dignity, and self-reliance. This commitment is expressed in emergency relief, protection of human rights, post-conflict development, resettlement assistance, and advocacy. The International Rescue Committee began emergency and relief operations in Rwanda immediately following the 1994 genocide.
http://www.theirc.org/where/the_irc_in_rwanda.html

Nibakure Children's Village in Rwanda: The vision of NCV is to create/build a village (orphanage) of family-style homes in Rwanda that will be house up to 150 children ages 8 to 18 years old by 2008. The goal of NCV is to nurture ten children per home with a mother and aunt figures. NCV will focus on the whole child's needs through on-site education, healthcare, counseling, spiritual development and career planning. NCV's desire is to build bridges for a unified and globalized Rwanda.
http://www.nibakure.org

Orphans of Rwanda: ORI is dedicated to helping orphans and other socially vulnerable young people in Rwanda pursue a university education and ultimately become leaders in driving economic development and social reconciliation.
http://www.avega.org.rw/English.html

Rwanda Development Trust: The RDT was set up in 1994. Although considerable aid was being given to Rwandese refugees in Goma (Congo DR) and other places outside Rwanda during 1994, not much was being done to help the five million or so who remained inside their country. The Trusts assists projects which are considered to be of lasting benefit to Rwandese communities. It never initiates projects itself but relies upon local Rwandese planning and participation. Its main aim is to support self-help activities which can overcome problems caused by ethnic tension, poverty, and the resulting instability. The financial assistance given by the Trust ranges from purchasing of necessary medical equipment for hospitals to sponsoring development schemes such as income generating projects which have been carefully planned by the intended beneficiaries themselves.
http://www.charitynet.org/~rwanda-dt

Rwanda Hope: Rwanda Hope Society is committed to empower the grass-root community projects through education, sustainable development and global partnerships for poverty alleviation.
http://rwandahope.com

******* ******* *******

RUNNING STRONG FOR AMERICAN INDIAN YOUTH® (Alaska, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Virginia, and Wisconsin.):

The organization began in 1986 as a project of Christian Relief Services Charities. Today, Running Strong is led by an American Indian Board of Directors that strives to build the capacity of communities, grassroots Indian organizations, families, and individuals to leverage their strengths and solve problems. Their advisory board is composed of a special group of leaders in American Indian communities across the United States. They are an important resource to ensure that their programs preserve, promote, and respect Indian culture and values.

Their mission is to help American Indian people meet their immediate survival needs – food, water, and shelter – while implementing and supporting programs designed to create opportunities for self-sufficiency and self-esteem. Their programs include: Food distribution and nutrition, water wells, youth programs, cultural and language preservation, and housing assistance.

Too often, American Indian youth are surrounded by challenges that no child should have to face. Rates of school drop-outs, alcohol and drug abuse, and teen suicide are alarmingly high for American Indian youth across the US.

While Running Strong strives to support all segments of the American Indian community, they are motivated by the need to create a new generation of leaders who demonstrate healthy lifestyles and pride in their heritage.

To achieve this, they work with local youth initiatives throughout the country, ranging from cultural and language camps to summer feeding programs.
http://www.indianyouth.org

Ryan's Well Foundation: The Ryan's Well Foundation aims to inspire and encourage children, adults, schools, and service organizations to engage in activities that will develop funds for water and health-related projects in African countries and other developing nations.
http://www.ryanswell.ca

The Sacramento Children's Home (Sacramento, CA.): Founded in 1867, the Sacramento Children's Home offers 24 hour, community and educational programs that serve 1,800+ families and 3,500+ children of the Greater Sacramento Area each year. Their programs address the needs of children, prenatal to young adulthood: from early intervention to intensive trauma care — from new-born to emancipated youth. They believe in prevention and finding long-term care for children.

The Sacramento Children's Home provides a broader continuum of care than any agency of its kind in the region, operating nine programs in ten locations. The expertise and extensive skills of their staff insures the highest quality of care for children at every developmental stage. Their unique youth services are recognized for innovation and quality.

The Sacramento Children's Home is committed to helping build strong families, to opening doors of opportunity to the future, to maximizing potential, and to ending the cycle of child abuse.

The home and program sites are not open for public tours, and the staff does not facilitate interviews with current or past residents. Confidentiality and privacy for their residents is one of their primary concerns. For more information please visit their website.
http://kidshome.org

The Sacramento Crisis Nurseries (Sacramento, CA.): The Sacramento Crisis Nurseries focuses on infant to five-year-old children because they are believed to be at greatest risk for abuse and neglect. The parents they serve are frequently single mothers who have little skills to cope with crises and stressful situations. Many of these women are victims of violence and abuse. Additionally, their lives are often impacted by alcohol and drug abuse, severe mental health problems, poverty, homelessness, and isolation.

Respite is also provided to fathers, grandparents raising grandchildren, foster parents, and other caregivers in need of a break from stress.

Children enjoy developmentally and culturally appropriate activities in a nurturing setting and have access to medical services. Skilled Case Managers counsel parents and help them address the issues that affect their family's well being.

Note: This is a much needed program in most communities and it truly deserves support. Please visit their website.
http://www.crisisnurseryonline.com

Sacramento Mandarins Drum & Bugle Corps (Sacramento, CA.): The Sacramento Mandarins Drum & Bugle Corps began in 1963 as a wholesome activity for youth of Chinese ancestry. Membership is open to dedicated youth 14-21 years-old who demonstrate maturity and skills. No prior experience is required, just the desire to experience the joy of performing, the thrill of competion as a postive path to excellence, and the ability to learn to compete at the world class level. This is a great program, check it out.
http://www.mandarins.org

Safehaven Youth Center (Nevada & California): SafeHaven Youth Center was founded in 1997 as a non-profit Nevada corporation to address the needs of homeless and runaway youth and their non-nuclear/nuclear families. Based in Reno, Nevada with their main business office located in Vacaville, California they are centrally located to serve Northern California and Nevada regions.

SafeHaven Youth Center provides a loving, caring, and accepting environment for displaced youth regardless of their ethnicities, religion, disabilities, or sexual orientation. The staff provides education and training in life skills along with case assessment and management to help at-risk youth lead productive and prosperous lives.

Their current projects include the locating, funding, and approval of centers in Napa, Fairfield, and Vacaville communities in Northern California and identifying property suitable for summer camps in the Trinity National Forest area of Northern California.
http://www.youth-aid.org

St. Jude Children's Hospital (Memphis, Tennessee): Center for research and treatment of catastrophic diseases in children, primarily pediatric cancers.
http://www.stjude.org

Samburu Project (CA.): The Samburu Project (TSP) is a non-profit organization based in Santa Monica, California and founded in the Fall of 2005 by Kristen Kosinski, a former television executive at Paramount Pictures. TSP's mission is to collaborate with communities in developing countries to enhance the daily lives of men, women, and children by addressing immediate needs and promoting long-term sustainability, self-sufficiency, and cultural integrity.

Their first mission project is to build twenty five wells in the Samburu District of Kenya. The Samburu are a pastoral nomadic tribal community of over 150,000 people living in an arid, remote area of Northern Kenya just above the equator. The biggest issue in Samburu, Kenya is not HIV/AIDS, poverty, or genital mutilation. It’s the lack of clean water. Samburu women walk up to twelve miles every day looking for water and often return home to their children with nothing.

Please review their website. TSP needs our help to build these wells.
http://www.thesamburuproject.org

San Diego Dance Institute (CA.): The San Diego Dance Institute is an arts education organization whose mission is to develop in at-risk youth their innate capacity to express themselves through dance and related arts, via community-based programs guided by trained professionals who nurture each individual's creativity and self-esteem.
http://meded.ucsd.edu/HCOE/COPC/SDDI/index.html

The San Francisco Children of Incarcerated Parents Partnership: The San Francisco Children of Incarcerated Parents Partnership (SFCIPP) is a coalition of social service providers, representatives of government bodies, advocates and others who work with or are concerned about children of incarcerated parents and their families. Formed in 2000 under the auspices of the Zellerbach Family Foundation, SFCIPP works to improve the lives of children of incarcerated parents, and to increase awareness of these children, their needs and their strengths.
http://www.sfcipp.org

Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos (Santa Cruz, CA.): The California Coalition of Barrios Unidos began as a community based peace movement in the violent streets of urban California in 1977. Incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1993, the national office of Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos established the mission to prevent and curtail violence amongst youth within Santa Cruz County by providing them with life enhancing alternatives. Over the years Barrios Unidos has developed a model that seeks to reclaim and restore the lives of struggling youth while promoting unity amongst families and neighbors through community building efforts. They are amazing.
http://barriosunidos.net

SATELLIFE (Massachusetts & Global): An international non-profit organization and a global leader that delivers lifesaving health information to caregivers in the most remote corners of the world. In the world’s poorest countries millions of people die every day simply because health workers don’t have access to the information they need to heal and save lives.

SATELLIFE’s achievements in connecting health workers to the information they need has gained worldwide recognition which includes winning the 2002 Stockholm Challenge for Outstanding Achievement in Health and Technology.
http://www.healthnet.org

Save Darfur Coalition (International): The Save Darfur Coalition is a diverse alliance of 160+ faith-based, humanitarian, and human rights organizations representing 130 million Americans, assembled to raise public awareness and to mobilize efforts to end the genocide in Darfur and reduce the suffering in nearby refugee camps.

The coalition seeks U.S. pressure to win immediate international action to protect victims of genocide and “ethnic cleansing,” and to allow survivors a safe and dignified return to their homes and villages.
http://www.SaveDarfur.org

******* ******* *******

SaveDaHorses: Note: This website is heartbreaking to review.

The Truth about Horse Slaughter and the Sellouts that profit from the slaughtering of our American Icons and Pets.

What you can do: Contact Members of Congress and urge them to sponsor the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, H.R. 503 and S. 1915. A permanent ban on horse slaughter is the only way to ensure that America’s horses will truly be safe.

To find out more about these bills and what you can do to help, please visit: http://www.saplonline.org/horses.htm.

You can also buy shirts, hats, and bracelets that show your support. The profits from your purchases will help rescue horses that end up in slaughter plants.

Note From D. B. Pacini: The Society for Animal Protective Legislation website is also on my Resources list, just scroll down from this section a few inches.

A list of Representives that support these bills is available on this SaveDaHorses website.

A list of companies and individuals that are Sellouts is available on this SaveDaHorses website.

Also, on this website: Willie Nelson, Bo Derek, Morgan Fairchild, and Jennifer Lee Pryor sit down on Willie's bus and talk about the brutal practice of horse slaughtering and discuss the national campaign to end the slaughter of American horses. © Society for Animal Protective Legislation. (If you wish to see this video you will need Flash 8 Player.)

Please urge people to watch the Willie Nelson and friends video. Alert your family, friends, and everyone you know who cares about horses that the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, H.R. 503 and S. 1915 urgently needs support.

http://www.savedahorses.com

******* ******* *******

The Save-the-Redwoods League (CA.): The Save-the-Redwoods League is an organization dedicated to the protection of the remaining Coast Redwood trees in California. It was founded in 1918 by Frederick Russell Burnham, Madison Grant, John C. Merriam, and Henry Fairfield Osborn.

It relies on private donations and funding from the state and other partners to buy land, and has protected more than 177,000 acres of forestland. Over 60% of the redwoods in California's state redwood parks have been protected by the organization, in particular Humboldt Redwoods State Park, and the Redwood National and State Parks.

The League also supports redwood education, and gives small grants to other organizations involved in ecological conservation.
http://www.savetheredwoods.org

Science Club for Girls (Massachusetts): Science Club for Girls, founded in 1994, partners girls in grades K-12, focusing on minorities and girls who will be the first in their family to attend college, with women scientists who become mentors and role models, igniting excitement and enthusiasm for science. The girls receive hands-on experience in labs, and participate in museum and university activities. They are taught leadership skills by participating in board meetings and hiring committees, and planning and writing curriculum.

When the girls are ready, they start their own clubs and become peer mentors. Statistics are enciting, 83% of the girls say the program has positively stimulated their attitude toward science, and 96% plan to attend college. Having focused solely on Cambridge Public Schools, Science Club for Girls is now dealing with expansion requests from other cities. You can become a part of this wonderful program by helping to advance opportunities for young girls in your own community.
http://scienceclubforgirls.org

Service for Peace (International): Service For Peace is an international not-for-profit organization that brings diverse groups together in service in order to cross barriers of race, religion, class, creed, or national origin, and address urgent social needs.
http://www.serviceforpeace.org

SETI Institute: The Mission of the SETI Institute is to explore, understand, and explain the origin, nature, and prevalence of life in the universe. They believe they are conducting the most profound search in human history - to know our beginnings and our place among the stars.

The SETI Institute is a private, nonprofit organization founded in 1984. The organization is dedicated to scientific research, education, and public outreach.
http://www.seti.org

Seven Tepees Youth Program (San Francisco, CA.): Seven Tepees Youth Program is a non-profit, community-based organization that provides comprehensive services to at-risk young people, ages 11-18, in San Francisco. Their mission is to work with urban youth entrusted in their care to foster the skills the youth need to make lifelong positive choices and to create their own opportunities for success.

The name Seven Tepees represents the diversity of the seven continents as well as the Native American tradition of connection to nature and care of the land. The richness of the world's cultures is an integral part of all program components.
http://www.7tepees.org

Singing Moon Press (South Dakota): Micropublisher Singing Moon Press LLC publishes four titles each year with an emphasis on socially responsible, multicultural stories. They are modeled on a classic editor-author relationship that nurtures new talent while developing their fan base.

SMP embraces new technology in production methods and promotional opportunities. Their books are created and delivered using a Just-In-Time system to keep inventory low. The multi-state editorial staff creates and communicates via the internet, and authors are given bonuses for blogging, creating merchandise, and using MySpace®. SMP donates at least 10% of profits from retail to charities approved by each author.
http://www.singingmoonpress.com

Sioux Falls Area Humane Society (Sioux Falls, South Dakota): The Sioux Falls Area Humane Society is a non-profit organization that is operated by loyal staff members and generous volunteers. They provide loving care to abandoned, abused, homeless, and unwanted animals until they secure a permanent home. Their mission is to help animals find homes, to prevent animal cruelty, and to educate people about the humane treatment of animals.

The SFAHS serves 5000+ animals each year. These animals are mostly dogs and cats as well as rabbits, gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, lizards, snakes, and birds.

SFAHS depends on contributions, donations, their endowment fund, a portion of sales from their retail store, PETAPALOOZA, and some of the fees for services they provide.
http://www.sfhumanesociety.com

Sky Foundation: Kliptown, Soweto is a shantytown plagued by poverty and crime. As an orphaned street child, Bob Nameng grew up there. As an adult, he founded SKY -- the Soweto Kliptown Youth Foundation. Each week, SKY provides hundreds of children meals, sports, and cultural activities -- all for free.
http://www.sky-foundation.org

Small Press Distribution (SPD): SPD is a non-profit literary arts organization located in Berkeley, California. As their name indicates, the core of their mission is to act as an umbrella distributor and marketer for hundreds of smaller literary publishers. SPD's primary mission is to get the books of their publishers out to bookstores, libraries, book wholesalers, and directly to readers and writers.

SPD was founded in 1969 by Peter Howard of Serendipity Books and Jack Shoemaker of Sand Dollar Press. The fledgling organization provided small-scale distribution services for only five publishers. Initially called Serendipity Books Distribution, it was renamed Small Press Distribution by the late 1970s. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the organization periodically assembled the new titles of their publishers into printed catalogs, thus providing a vital link to underground literature for writers and readers around the USA.

By 1980, SPD was distributing the books of about 40 small publishers; by 1990, the number had grown to 330. Today, SPD distributes books for approximately 450 publishers, each of whom produces anywhere from one to twenty books a year.

SPD became an official 501c3 non-profit in 1996. Since that time, its sales and staff have grown despite the demise of many independent bookstores that previously operated as its most consistent customer base.

Given the nature of commercial publishing and for-profit book distribution, a case can be made that SPD plays a vital role in keeping grassroots, noncommercial poetry and fiction continuously available in the USA to new generations of readers.
http://www.spdbooks.org

Snow Riders of the American Indian Nations (A World-Wide Collaboration): Snow Riders of American Indian Nations is sponored by Native Voices Foundation: www.nativevoices.org

Please review the Snow Riders of the American Indian Nations website to learn how you can help make the dream come true of having a Native American Olympic Team at the 2008, China and the 2010, Vancouver Olympics.
http://www.snow-riders.org

The Society for Animal Protective Legislation (A division of the Animal Welfare Institute): The Society for Animal Protective Legislation was the first non-profit organization formed in the United States specifically dedicated to the passage and promotion of federal, international, and local legislation to ensure and protect animal welfare.

GIVE YOUR SUPPORT & BECOME AN ADVOCATE FOR THE ANIMALS: As a SAPL constituent, you will receive important action alerts about pending legislation. Your letters, phone calls, and emails to your legislators are heard--your voice does make a difference for the animals!

When you receive the action alerts, ask your family and friends to write and call on behalf of the animals. If they will also tell others the collective impact we can have on the legislative process will be great.
http://www.saplonline.org

The Solar Living Institute (Hopland, CA.): Established in 1998 as a spin-off from Real Goods Trading Company, the Solar Living Institute is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit educational organization whose mission is to promote sustainable living through inspirational environmental education. The Institute provides practical, education by example and hands-on workshops on renewable energy, green building, sustainable living, permaculture, organic gardening, and alternative, environmental, construction methods.

The Institute is headquartered at the Solar Living Center, a gorgeous 12-acre renewable energy and sustainable living demonstration site visited by nearly 200,000 people annually in the heart of Northern California’s wine country. Since its inception nearly two million visitors have experienced the Solar Living Center.

The nonprofit Solar Living Institute depends upon donations to continue to offer rich educational programs. Please support the Institute by joining their membership program, making a gift online, becoming an intern, or volunteering.
http://www.solarliving.org

Solar Utilities Network: This not-for-profit informational website is sponsored by the Caspar Institute in support of global efforts to reform energy use.

The Solar Utilities Network Plan:

One lightbulb, one home, one village at a time, making incremental improvements in our energy use. This website shares proven ideas for living well while reducing dependence on fossil fuels. The stone age didn't end because our distant ancestors ran out of stones. The petroleum era is ending because people worldwide are finding safer, better, cheaper, more nature-friendly ways to harvest and use energy. Solarnet gathers project plans and strategies that help reform energy habits one step at a time.
http://www.solarnet.org

Sound of America (SOAR) Records (Albuquerque, New Mexico): This is a wonderful Native American Indian company that specializes in traditional and contemporary Native American Music.
http://www.soundofamerica.com

Something Fishy (Eating Disorders): This organization is dedicated to raising awareness about eating disorders, emphasizing that eating disorders are NOT about food and weight; they are only the symptoms.

Something Fishy reminds sufferers of anorexia, bulimia, compulsive overeating, and binge eating that they are not alone, and that complete recovery is possible.

If you are the loved one of someone suffering with an eating disorder, use this website to educate yourself. Enable yourself to provide the support your loved one needs.

If you have an eating disorder, you can find help from this website.
http://www.somethingfishy.org

The Southwest Youth Collaborative (Southwest Side of Chicago): SWYC is a community-based network of youth and community development organizations working together in five diverse neighborhoods on the southwest side of Chicago. Their mission is to work with youth between the ages of 5-19 from diverse racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds to unleash their potential to become successful and actively contributing members of society.
http://www.swyc.org

Space Foundation: Their mission is to advance space-related endeavors to inspire, enable, and propel humanity.

In 1983, a small group of visionary leaders in Colorado Springs saw a need to establish an organization that could, in a non-partisan, objective, and fair manner, bring together the various sectors of America's developing space community and serve as a credible source of information for a broad audience - from space professionals to the general public. The Space Foundation was founded March 21, 1983, as an IRS 501 (c)(3) organization "to foster, develop and promote, among the citizens of the United States of America and among other people of the world ... a greater understanding and awareness ... of the practical and theoretical utilization of space ... for the benefit of civilization and the fostering of peaceful and prosperous world."

As the global space community has evolved, so has the Space Foundation - embracing all facets of space - commercial (including telecommunications and other satellite-based services), civil, and national security. In fact, the Foundation is one of few "ecumenical" space-related organizations that embraces the totality of this community rather than focusing on a narrowly defined niche.

In the 24 years since its founding, the Space Foundation has become one of the world's premier nonprofit organizations supporting space activities, space professionals, and education. Its education programs - accredited through 17 universities and colleges — have touched teachers in all 50 U.S. states and Germany. It conducts two of the top three conferences for space professionals anywhere in the world today: the National Space Symposium and Strategic Space and Defense.
http://www.spacefoundation.org

SSSSH (Hiram, Ohio & Global): SSSSH: Secret Society of Serendipitous Service to Hal. The basis of SSSSH is giving to total strangers anonymously. Creating more goodness in the world just for the sake of creating more goodness, that’s what SSSSH is all about – giving to strangers while partaking in little adventures, giving without stroking our egos. SSSSH members call this ego-free compassion.

We are all surrounded by a selfish materialistic world. SSSSH can reward us with the benefits of giving anonymously, emphasizing that performing good deeds without rewards can be a special experience. This is an especially wonderful and enlightening experience for children. Visit the SSSSH website to learn about school programs and to read their children's page.

SSSSH is designed to promote a healthy, peaceful society that will welcome and celebrate diversity, embrace all humanity, and through acts of kindness, instill in ourselves and others compassion, creativity, imagination, and sacrifice - the true values of being human.

The website provides a kindness performed card that you can leave behind for the recipients of your good deeds. The card is available in ten different languages and can be downloaded and printed for your use.

SSSSH has an estimated 40,000 members. The anonymous-giving organization was started in honor Hal Reichle, an individual who performed anonymous acts of kindness for strangers. A graduate of Hiram College, Hal was killed in the 1991 Gulf War.

This organization is awesome, check it out!
http://home.hiram.edu/hal/ssssh!!.htm

St. Bernard Project/Liz McCartney (St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana): The mission of the St. Bernard Project is to remove barriers for families who wish to move back into their homes in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana. St. Bernard is a uniquely tight-knit, working/middle class community adjacent to New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward and is arguably the area hardest hit by hurricane Katrina. The St. Bernard Project, a nonprofit, community-based organization carries out its mission through three primary programs: Rebuilding Program, Center for Wellness and Mental Health, and Senior Housing Program.
http://www.stbernardproject.org

Stand Up for Kids (National): Their mission is to help homeless and street kids in cities across America. They carry out their mission with volunteers who go to the streets everyday to find, stabilize, and help homeless and street kids improve their lives.

This is an excellent organization.
http://www.standupforkids.org

Stop It Now! (National): Stop It Now! is a national program founded in 1992, seeking to prevent childhood sexual abuse. They teach adults and communities about the problem, and persuade them to take responsibility for helping to prevent it. Only 12% of childhood rapes are reported, 500,000 cases of abuse occur nationally every year, 25% of girls and 15% of boys are sexually abused, and 40-50% of cases are perpetrated by minors on minors. The problem crosses all socio-economic classes, races, and ethnicities. Stop It Now! speaks to professional, government, and civic groups, providing and disseminating information resources. They develop prevention programs for widespread use in communities and they have created a Vermont model program involving facilitated public discussions for victims, recovering offenders, families, and practical workshops for staff of sexual violence programs.
http://www.stopitnow.org

Storybook Project: Storybook Projects throughout the United States provide children of incarcerated parents the gift of a book and the voices of their parents on tape reading the book. This gives the children an opportunity to hear their absent parent's voice whenever they wish. The Lutheran Social Services Illinois Storybook Project began in 1998 at Logan Correctional Center in Illinois. It now is in eleven prisons and jails, mainly in central and southern Illinois.

These projects were based on Aunt Mary's Storybook Program at Cook County Jail in Chicago. The originator of that program was Companions, Journeying Together, Inc.
http://www.fcnetwork.org/storybook.pdf

Street-Level Youth Media (Chicago): Street-Level Youth Media educates Chicago's urban youth in media arts and emerging technologies for use in self-expression, communication, and social change. Street-Level's programs build critical thinking skills for young people who have been historically neglected by public policy makers and mass media. Using video and audio production, computer art and the Internet, Street-Level's youth address community issues, access advanced communication technology, and gain inclusion in our information-based society.
http://www.street-level.org

The Student Pledge Against Gun Violence (National): Check out this website. Since 1996, more than ten million students nationwide have signed the Pledge.
http://www.pledge.org

The Sword and The Spirit Band (Vermont, USA, & Canada): I know many creative artists and this long list would be twice as long if I included all the talented people who deserve to be listed. I have decided to make an exception and include The Sword and the Spirit Band because a resource list that strives to provide information about services and programs for youth would be incomplete without them.

Their music is a labor of incredible love. Band members Tony DeLorenzo, Eric Lea, and Richard Ferreira are lifelong friends and they started the band as a way to reach out to children in the foster care system. Foster children are too often the forgotten children in society.

Their music relates to the pain and sense of abandonment that foster children endure. The band's goal is to be a voice for these children and to encourage society to not forget them.

The band members do not only give their music to foster kids, they also open their homes to these children. Tony with his wife Carrie, and Richard with his wife Beth, are foster parents.

Please buy their music and support their efforts to help foster children. They deserve our support and admiration.
http://www.swordspirit.net

Suitcases for Kids (Hickory, North Carolina & International): An organization that collects suitcases for foster children who typically move their belongings in trash bags.

Please click on this website and read about Aubyn Burnside (ten-years-old in 1995). The world sure does need more kids like her!
http://www.suitcasesforkids.org

Taking It Global (Global): An online community that connects youth, helping them to find inspiration, access information, get involved, and take action in local and global communities.
http://www.takingitglobal.org

The Taproot Foundation: Nonprofits have the greatest potential for addressing our society’s most challenging social and environmental problems, but often lack the operational resources to be effective. The Taproot Foundation exists to close this gap and ensure all nonprofits have the infrastructure they need to thrive.

Every year, hundreds of nonprofit organizations rely on the Taproot Foundation’s award winning Service Grant program to provide millions of dollars worth of pro bono marketing, HR and IT consulting services that better equip them to tackle our society’s toughest challenges.

Taproot partners with corporations, universities, and trade associations to infuse the pro bono ethic into every business profession – increasing the resources available to the nonprofit sector. By 2020, they strive to have all business professionals consider pro bono work an integrated and esteemed part of their careers.

Impact: The Taproot Foundation has attracted over 3,000 business professionals to volunteer their skills on pro bono projects. To date, these projects have provided over $25 million worth of professional services to the nonprofit sector and supported over 500 different nonprofits that are tackling critical issues in health, education, the environment, and poverty.
http://www.taprootfoundation.org

The Tattoo (Teen Newspaper/Global): From its beginnings in 1994, as a small group of teens in Bristol, Connecticut with an interest in journalism, The Tattoo has grown into a respected, award-winning teen newspaper with writers spanning the globe. Relying on a network of volunteer teen journalists, the newspaper addresses a wide range of subjects, from proms to pregnancy. The newspaper has been online since 1996, covering such subjects as school violence, teen suicide, the struggle against terrorism, and the nightmare of Hurricane Katrina. Student contributors also provide comics, movie and television reviews, and sports coverage.

The Tattoo offers students the opportunity to have their work published and read. Hundreds of teens have been involved with the newspaper, and 50 have won journalism awards. They seeks out news stories, features, opinion columns, comics/cartoons, and photographs. The newspaper does not print poetry or fiction.

Veteran reporters Steve Collins and Jackie Majerus donate hundreds of hours and personal funds yearly leading and guiding the teen staff. Donations are always welcome. Collins covers politics and government for The Bristol Press while Majerus writes about economic development.
http://home.comcast.net/~majerus-collins/whatisit.htm

Ten Thousand Girls/Viola Vaughn (Kaolack, Senegal, West Africa): To offer education and employment opportunities for 10,000 Girls in rural Senegal, enabling them to develop as self-reliant and capable women, through a self-sustaining organization run by the girls themselves.
http://www.10000girls.org

TeenCentral.Net (National): A professionally monitored anonymous help-line website for teens, by teens, developed by experts in teen counseling and psychology. This is a password-protected, safe cyber-space for teens to work out their issues, provided by KidsPeace, a leader in teen crisis counseling. Access to this site is directed at pre-teens, teens, and young adults. If you're a parent checking out TeenCentral.Net, please read their Note to Parents and review their Parent's Resource Page. Information about Kidspeace.org is on the TeenCentral.Net website.
http://www.teencentral.net

TeenHelp.org (Global): An anonymous and free support and advice online website where youth can go for help with a problem or question. They help users of all ages and from all walks of life, all around the world. Their staff members are volunteers.

Whether you're seeking advice or you like to help others, TeenHelp.org is a friendly and safe environment for everyone to work together. The HelpLINK system consists of a staff of about 50 e-mail mentors who are available to answer questions. Their Support Forums are popular with an online community of 30,000+ teens, where everyone can ask questions or help others. They also have a chat room.

Be sure to review their resources section. The section has numerous resources for: Depression/Suicide, Disorders, Sex/Contraception, Sexuality, School/Homework, Self Harm, Miscellaneous, General Health, Eating Disorders, Sponors of TeenHelp.org, and Link Exchange sites.
http://www.teenhelp.org

Testing411.org (Get Tested): Get information about HIV/AIDS and find an HIV testing site in your area.
http://www.testing411.org

The Thousand Smiles Foundation: The Thousand Smiles Foundation is a non profit 501 (c) (3) California Corporation dedicated to provide free maxillo-facial surgeries and dental work to underprivileged children in Mexico. The Foundation owns a modern dental clinic at Ave México #124, Colonia Buenaventura, Ensenada, Baja California, México. Surgeries are performed at the Ensenada General Hospital in the same town. The foundation and it's clinics are completely staffed by volunteers, mostly from The United States and México.

Thousand Smiles was formed by Rotarians from The National City Rotary Club, National City, California in 1985 and has operated continuously since that time. It is considered a Rotary International project and has been the recipient of several grants from The Rotary Foundation and individual Rotary Clubs. Its Board of Directors now consists of Rotarians from San Diego, CA Rotary District 5340 and NW Mexico Rotary District 4110.

Four two day clinics are held yearly, generally the first Friday and Saturday of February, May, August and November. The clinic and its volunteers comply with all Mexican Government and Health Department Regulations.
http://thousandsmiles.org

TONGAN YOUTH OF AMERICA: To restore pride through their heritage by returning to their roots to see, feel, and affiliate with their ancestors. To provide Tongan youth the opportunity to learn and understand certain values and traditions that are worth holding on to. To appreciate the work done by the older Tongan generation which helped make Tongan youth what and who they are today. Tongan youth will be motivated to make a firm commitment to do their best in all that they do.
http://www.tonganyouth.org

Traces of the Trade: A Story From the Deep North (Boston. MA.): Ebb Pod Productions is an independent production company formed to produce and distribute Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North. The documentary explores the role of the North in slavery and the legacy of that complicity, as uncovered by descendants of the DeWolf family of Bristol, Rhode Island - the largest slave-trading family in early America.

The goals are to produce the documentary; have it broadcast on television (nationally and internationally); and to collaborate with established non-profit organizations, schools/universities, and religious denominations to distribute the video, and organize community dialogues and classroom use nation-wide.

Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North is a feature documentary that tells the story of Producer/Director Katrina Browne's wealthy New England ancestors, the largest slave-trading family in U.S. history. Cameras follow as Browne and nine fellow descendants undertake a journey of discovery that leads them to Rhode Island, Ghana, and Cuba. Retracing the steps of the notorious Triangle Trade, they uncover a hidden past.

Viewers follow the descendants of the DeWolf family as they grapple with the contemporary legacy of slavery, not only for black Americans but for themselves as white Americans.
http://www.tracesofthetrade.org

Training for Change (Global): Training for Change was founded on Martin Luther King's birthday in 1992, a carefully chosen day for a group that strives to spread the skills of democratic, nonviolent social change. They help groups stand for justice, peace, and the environment through strategic non-violence.
http://www.trainingforchange.org

Trees Foundation (Redway, CA.): Trees Foundation mission is to restore the ecological intergrity of California's North Coast by empowering and assisting regional community-based conservation and restoration projects.
http://www.treesfoundation.org

Treehugger: Treehugger breaks it down for you in a series of in depth how-to articles that will help green your life.

Note: I am adding the Treehugger website link to this web-address list on September 15, 2007. On this date Treehugger has the number #20 Technorati Ranking out of 75,000,000 blogs, a bit impressive if you ask me.
http://www.treehugger.com

TreePeople: TreePeople is a California based nonprofit environmental advocacy group founded in 1973 by Andy Lipkis. They focus on promoting the creation of sustainable urban ecosystems through education and the planting of trees.

Key Accomplishments:

1981-1984 - Persuaded Los Angeles residents to plant one million trees in time for the Olympics.

1986 - Coordinated volunteers to rescue thousands of water logged books from the Los Angeles Central Library.

1986 - Planted 6000 bare root fruit trees in Africa.

1990 - Organized 3,000 volunteers to plant nearly 400 trees along the Martin Luther King Boulevard in one day.

To date has planted over two million trees in the Los Angeles area.

Note: Yeah, they're awesome.
http://www.treepeople.org

TrenchTown Reading Centre (Jamaica): I am pleased to announce that Roslyn Ellison, who is the 1993 Co-Founder and Director of TrenchTown Reading Centre in Jamaica, took my manuscript to youth at the Centre in July, 2007. I am honored that these young people will be members of the Youth Dream Team.

The TrenchTown Reading Centre in Jamaica was founded in December 1993. It is in Trench Town, part of Kingston's ghetto enclave. It is a non-profit, secular, community-based development, started from the roots up and was created from the desire to find a postive path forward that will lead out of the cycle of violence and lack of opportunity.

The Centre focuses on knowledge, the exchange of ideas, literacy, and the development of critical thinking skills. It is also a lending library with the primary goal of providing a comprehensive book collection for all ages, as well as providing numerous educational and community activities, including child centered reading activities to make life-long readers. In addition, the Centre provides children and adults with materials that are relevant, current, and otherwise unavailable.

A place where life is enriched by reading and learning.

Please visit their website to learn more about their program, to see wonderful photographs, and to learn how you can help.

Needs:

Books - the positives cannot be overstated!

* Children: Culturally friendly starter books, storybooks, picture books, big books, beginning literacy, and nature series.

* Juvenile: Chapter books, early science, history, and reference books.

* Mature Readers: Biographies, history, nature, fiction, politics, geography, creative arts (especially music), sports, culture, health, and reference (Encyclopedias, Atlases, 'How To').

* Educational Games: Math materials, learning puzzles, maps, word games, including crossword puzzles.

* Learning Cards: Math, alphabet, first words, colors, shapes, animals, the body.

* Curriculum Books: Particularily science, geography, nature, and reference (Atlases, Dictionaries, etc.)

* Video: Educational, nature, and children stories.

* The Basics: Pencils, pens, color pencils, crayons, color markers, felts, paper (all types including construction paper), art supplies, book dividers, book spinners, (circular racks that hold books) and so much more.

* Musical instruments.

* Computers.

No donation is too small, or too great. Every contribution will be greatly appreciated. Your help is essential ~ Please make a difference!

In 1997, Roslyn Ellison formed, 'Friends of the Trenchtown Reading Centre' (FTRC). FTRC is a non-profit society, based in Vancouver, Canada with an international membership. FTRC supplies books, educational materials, administration services, stationery, international communication, and on-going support and development.

Membership for 'Friends of the Trenchtown Reading Centre' is $25.00/yr. Any amount is welcome.

Tax deductible receipts are available to residents of Canada through the British Columbia Library Association. Please visit the website for more information.
http://www.trenchtownreadingcentre.com

The Tribal College Journal: On behalf of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium's member tribal colleges and universities, they provide information for everyone interested in American Indian higher education. Their culture-based publication addresses subjects important to the future of American Indian and Alaska Native communities utilizing both journalistic and scholarly articles.

Tribal College Journal (ISSN 1052-5505) is a quarterly publication of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium, an organization of 35 Indian-controlled colleges in the United States and Canada. It is published with assistance from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and the American Indian College Fund. It is printed on recycled paper.
http://www.tribalcollegejournal.org/about/history.html

United for Sight (Global): Opportunities for High School Students: Unite for Sight high school chapters collaborate with university chapters to provide free preliminary vision screening and vision education programs in soup kitchens, homeless shelters, schools, and libraries. High school chapters also hold eyeglass drives to collect eyeglasses that are distributed to people in developing countries who are unable to afford glasses. High school youth also raise funds for international eye care programs. Unite for Sight also has internship opportunities for high school students.

Opportunities for Elementary and Middle School Students: An eyeglass drive or fundraising initiative can make a world of difference for children and adults in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

More than 1 billion people in developing countries need eyeglasses but cannot afford them. More than 4 million pairs of eyeglasses are thrown away every year in North America. Many blind people can see again after a 15 minute operation that costs an average of $50.00 in developing countries.
http://www.uniteforsight.org

United Nations Foundation: The United Nations Foundation (UN Foundation) was created in 1998 with entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner’s historic $1 billion gift to support UN causes and activities. The UN Foundation builds and implements public-private partnerships to address the world’s most pressing problems, and also works to broaden support for the UN through advocacy and public outreach. The UN Foundation is a public charity.
http://www.unfoundation.org

United States Burn Support Organization: The United States Burn Support Organization helps those who have suffered minor to severe burns and their families rebuild their lives, which have been forever changed as a result of the burn injuries.
http://www.usburn.org

U.S. Dream Academy: U.S. Dream Academy is an after-school program that aims to break the cycle of incarceration by giving children the skills and vision necessary to lead productive and fulfilling lives.  It was founded in 1998 by Wintley Phipps, who had witnessed firsthand in his work with prison inmates the destructive influence of incarceration on children, families, and communities.

  Since its inception, U.S. Dream Academy has served over 1,500 students in neighborhoods where incarceration is a major problem.  The first Dream Academy Learning Center was opened in partnership with D.C. Child and Family Services at the Ferebee Hope Elementary School Complex in Southeast Washington, D.C., in 2000.  They were honored to have former President William Jefferson Clinton address a crowd of 300+ parents, students, community members, school, and public officials in the auditorium of the Ferebee Hope School to help them officially open their first Center and publically recognize the work of the U.S. Dream Academy.

  The U.S. Dream Academy organization currently operates eleven learning centers in low income neighborhoods with high incarceration rates in ten communities: Southeast Washington, D.C., East Baltimore, South Philadelphia, East Orange, Third Ward in Houston, Watts-Los Angeles, Memphis, Indianapolis, Salt Lake City, and Orlando.  Local collaborations are key to the success of a Dream Academy Learning Center.

  They are proud to partner with other committed community groups, churches, and public schools to provide more comprehensive programming for their students.
http://www.usdreamacademy.org

United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation: The purpose of the Foundation is to promote the geospatial-intelligence tradecraft, and to develop a stronger community of interest between Government, Industry, Academic, and Professional organizations and Individuals who share a mission focus around the development and application of geospatial intelligence data and geo-processing resources to address National Security objectives.
http://www.usgif.org

U.S. PARALYMPICS: The U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, was created in May 2001 to focus efforts on enhancing programs, funding, and opportunities for persons with physical disabilities to participate in Paralympic sport.

The U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) is a non-profit tax-exempt organization based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The USOC works with more than 50 member organizations to provide programs and services to develop athletes and coaches that one day dream of participating in the Olympic, Paralympic, and Pan Am Games and to promote the Olympic and Paralympic ideals throughout the United States.

U.S. PARALYMPICS MISSION: To be the world leader in the Paralympic movement by developing comprehensive and sustainable elite programs for their athletes. To utilize their Olympic and Paralympic platform to promote excellence in the lives of persons with disabilities.

There are more than 54 million Americans with physical disabilities in the United States and more than 143 million family members of persons with disabilities. For more information about Americans with disabilities visit the links provided on the U.S. PARALYMPICS website.
http://www.usaparalympics.org

The Virgin Earth Challenge: The Virgin Earth Challenge is a prize of $25m for whoever can demonstrate to the judges' satisfaction a commercially viable design which results in the removal of anthropogenic, atmospheric greenhouse gases so as to contribute materially to the stability of Earth’s climate.
http://www.virginearth.com

The Walker Art Center (Minneapolis, Minnesota): The Walker Art Center, a catalyst for the creative expression of artists and the active engagement of audiences, examines the questions that shape and inspire us as individuals, cultures, and communities.
http://www.walkerart.org

Warm Woolies (Denver, Colorado): Warm Woolies is a non-profit organization whose volunteers knit warm clothing for poverty-stricken children who would otherwise suffer from cold. Their mission is to provide the very neediest children with wool sweaters, vests, hats, mittens, and socks.

In 2008, they are knitting for children living in orphanages in Russia, Kazakhstan, China, and Mongolia, and on the Rosebud and Pine Ridge tribal reservations in South Dakota. Their goal for 2008 is to knit 7,000 pieces of warm wool clothing for these children!

Note: Everyone associated with THE LOOSE END OF THE RAINBOW thanks Warm Woolies for their concern for children in need, and we especially appreciate their very generous support to children living on the Rosebud and Pine Ridge tribal reservations in South Dakota.

Warm Woolies supplies yarn, patterns, and needles to knitters throughout the Denver area. If you're outside Denver and need wool yarn in order to participate, please visit their website.
http://www.warmwoolies.org

******* ******* *******
Web of Life Enterprises, Inc. (Kansas and South Dakota): Web of Life Enterprise (WOLE) seeks to bring some justice and comfort to those who are suffering on the Indian reservations in South Dakota. Money, goods, and services are all required to bring change there, to better the housing, to bring warm clothing and blankets to the elderly, and to provide boots and coats to children in a place where winter seems to begin just after it has ended.

Your contribution of money and/or goods that are so hard to come by in these often remote places will not only alleviate discomfort but can also provide the means for the people on these reservations to work towards bettering the future for their children. Deliveries are FREE to the recipients.

Thank you for your generosity. Where there is a need we will go, and your donations will help us get there.

“One hundred years from now, it will not matter what kind of car I drove or what kind of clothes I wore. All that will matter is that I made a difference in the life of a child.” ~Author Unknown~

Items of Constant Necessity:
Tools and building supplies of any kind
Clothing: new and gently used (not stained, torn, missing buttons, etc.)
Personal care items, including: slippers, curlers, bobby pins, brushes, combs, manicure items, soaps, towels, shampoo, toothbrushes, etc.
New underwear: ladies’ (all sizes) and men’s clothing up to size 42 for the elderly
Cooking skillets
Household items
Non-perishable foods
Scrap yarn needed for crocheting slippers, hats, and lap blankets for the elderly.
Christmas gifts
Craft and art supplies for teens and adults
Items for newborns
Baby items (layettes, blankets, clothing, formula, disposable diapers, etc.)
Children's safety seats
Quilts, blankets, and afghans.
Scarves, hats, and gloves for children and adults.
Warm winter clothing for children and adults.
Toilet paper
Laundry detergent, bar, and/or liquid soaps.
Flashlights, batteries, etc.
Furniture
Working appliances (specifically propane)
Heaters, both propane and electric.
Water heaters

Critical Needs:
During bitter cold winter months heating fuel is critically needed, especially for the elderly and for families with children. Many use propane. Funding to purchase propane is always needed.

Gas Funds:
WOLE staff appreciates donations to purchase gas for the monthly delivery drives up to Rosebud Reservation.

Make a Child Smile:
Like children everywhere, our children are thrilled to receive:
Games
Sports equipment without any questionable logos or sayings. (If in doubt, email us.)
Toys
Books
Dolls (with dark hair, please)
School, craft, and art supplies.

Many of the children live under very poor conditions. New (or gently used and as good as new) clothing and new shoes for school are greatly appreciated.

Ongoing School Supply Needs:
Pencil boxes
#2 pencils
Hand held pencil sharpeners with two sizes of holes.
Pocket folders
Glue sticks
Crayons
Watercolor paints
Children’s markers
Colored pencils and boxes
Boxes of tissues
Antibacterial soap hand sanitizer
Erasers
Papermate and Erasermate pens
Composition Notebooks
Packages of Index cards (3×5)
Rulers
Student scissors (small and large sizes)
1-subject spiral notebooks
Compasses with measuring guide
Loose leaf ruled 3-hole filler paper
3-ring binders
Book covers/booksoxs
Packages of pens (blue and black ink)
Erase pens
Red ink pens
Highlighter pens
Calculators
POST-IT® NOTES
Wire bound weekly planners
Drafting kits
Tabbed Dividers
USB Flash Drives (256MB)

From J.P. Selman, WOLE Founder:

"A lot of the goods WOLE delivers to the Reservations are new or nearly new, and yes, I would wear the clothing myself. Many items still have the manufacturers' tags on them. The appliances are in good working condition, as is the furniture. I take nothing I wouldn’t use myself. That would be disrespecting the people to take trashy stuff up there. I would be insulted if someone gave me less than good clothing, so I don’t give poor quality items to others. The beds/mattresses are unstained and in good condition as well."

"WOLE doesn’t deliver junk food. There is a problem with diabetes on the Reservations and we won’t contribute to it. Our food donations are usually good wholesome food, boxed or canned, and distributed to those in need, elderly and families with children. The food consists of canned vegetables and fruits, baby food and formula, and boxed foods of every kind. When donations are low we go to food warehouses ourselves to buy foods, laundry products, health and beauty aids, and so much more."

"When a need is brought to our attention, WOLE tries to fill it the best it can."

In 2008, Warm Woolies is knitting for children living in orphanages in Russia, Kazakhstan, China, and Mongolia, and for children on the Rosebud and Pine Ridge tribal reservations in South Dakota. Warm Woolies goal for 2008 is to knit 7,000 pieces of warm wool clothing for these deserving children.

Warm Woolies (with a summary) is also listed on our resources page under "W" ... here is their link: Warm Woolies

Note: Creative artists associated with THE LOOSE END OF THE RAINBOW began a drive in April, 2008 asking friends and associates to mail yarn to WOLE. The yarn we are donating will be used by WOLE staff to make warm hats for children living on the Rosebud reservation.

To learn more about WOLE please visit their website. http://www.wole.org

******* ******* *******

Wheelchair Foundation (Global): The Wheelchair Foundation is a nonprofit organization leading an international effort to create awareness of the needs and abilities of people with physical disabilities, to promote the joy of giving, create global friendship, and to deliver a wheelchair to every child, teen, and adult in the world who needs one, but cannot afford one. For these people, the Wheelchair Foundation delivers Hope, Mobility and Freedom.
http://www.wheelchairfoundation.org

The White Bird Appaloosa Horse Rescue (Virginia): The White Bird Appaloosa Horse Rescue is a Virginia 501 (c) 3 non-profit corporation dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of abused, neglected, and at-risk Appaloosa and other horses, especially those in urgent need and in danger of slaughter. They provide shelter, care, medical and rehabilitation services to horses in need, and whenever possible, they place them in loving and permanent homes. Horses that cannot or should not be adopted are given permanent sanctuary so that they may live the remainder of their lives in safety and dignity. Horses in the care of White Bird Appaloosa Horse Rescue are housed in Burkeville, VA, as well as at affiliate foster farms. Here, they are loved and cared for by unpaid volunteers who generously donate their time and talent.

Note: They have a number of website addresses for organizations on their website. They also have excellent information about Horse Slaughter in America and Horse Fraud.
http://whitebirdapps.com

Wind Youth Services (Sacramento, CA.): Homelessness is more than a lack of shelter and represents the visible fault line transmitted by multiple traumatic forces. Each child bears a unique story of pain, often unspeakable. They typically face a harsh and almost unimaginable existence within community, lack of support and social support.

These young people have been failed by the adults and the system that were supposed to protect them. Some are second or third generation homeless. Others are million dollar group home kids that end up homeless as an 18th birthday present.

We can't undo their histories, but we can help homeless teen shape a healthy future by lifting them out of the downward spiral of the streets. At WIND Youth Services, they engage youth experiencing homelessness who need safety from the streets and access to resources to help them move from street life and into healthy functioning and independence through four main programs:

WIND Center
WIND Educational Program
WIND Crisis Youth Shelter
WIND Outreach Program

http://www.windyouth.org

Wiretap (National): A cool national online magazine by and for young people.
http://www.wiretapmag.org

The Women’s Projects & Productions (New York): Women’s Project & Productions (WPP), with its flagship Julia Miles Theater burning brightly on Manhattan’s West 55th Street, is the nation's preeminent theater for producing and promoting theater created by women.

Women's Project was founded in 1978 by Julia Miles in response to the lack of opportunities for women in theater. Since then, Women's Project has produced over 120 mainstage and over 450 developmental productions, and published ten anthologies of produced plays.

Woven through WP's colorful tapestry are some of this country's most esteemed writers; among them are Julie Ann Boyd and Joan Micklin Silver (My Name is Alice), Rinne Groff (Inky), Emily Mann (Still Life), Naomi Wallace (Birdy), Maria Irene Fornes (Abingdon Square), and Eve Ensler (Ladies). An impressive roster of directors have made their mark here, including Anne Bogart (Go Go Go), Lisa Peterson (The Chemistry of Change), and Diane Paulus (Best of Both Worlds).

Countless actors began their careers on the boards of WP. Sarah Jessica Parker was completing high school by day and performing at night in Paula Cizmar's The Death of a Miner co-starring Academy Award® winner, Mary McDonnell. Before Jimmy Smits joined "NYPD Blue" and "The West Wing", he was pounding it out with Linda Hunt in Lavonne Mueller's Little Victories. And speaking of "The West Wing", John Spencer won his first Obie here for his stellar performance in Still Life and political observer/social commentator/solo tour de force, Anna Deveare Smith, originated one of her first pieces Aye, Aye, Aye, I'm Integrated in 1983.

Every year, the Women’s Project honors women of exceptional achievement, such as Whoopi Goldberg and Lauren Bacall, at an annual awards gala.

In addition, WPP serves predominately at-risk public school students through its award-winning curriculum-based arts education program, Ten Centuries of Women Playwrights.
http://www.womensproject.org

Tiger Woods Foundation (Urban American Cities): Tiger Woods Foundation grants focus on providing opportunities to underserved youth, ages 5-17. The average grant range is between $2,500 and $25,000.
http://www.tigerwoodsfoundation.org

World Computer Exchange (Massachusetts & Global): WCE was created in 2000 by Tim Anderson, a mid-career student at the Kennedy School of Government (KSG). He had learned that 250 million computers would become obsolete in the U.S. from 1999-2005, and his fellow KSG students from developing countries were saying that their homelands, especially schools, needed to bridge the digital divide and connect their youth to the Internet.

Applying the former to the latter was fairly obvious, but how could it be done well and cost-effectively? Tim figured all that out, and WCE is today the largest North American charity providing computers overseas — over 24,000 so far.

They have 355 formal partner organizations in 53 developing countries. Project plans are posted on WCE’s website. They have 600 volunteers: 145 in-country program officers, assisting the partner organizations in project planning, fundraising, training, implementation, and evaluation; 300 in 30 U.S. cities gather sister schools, more volunteers, press, funds, and computers; 75 offer online consulting services in e-waste disposal, partnership development, technology, local content development, digital libraries and telecenter management; 75 advise on educational development.

All this will grow and evolve, and you can share the innovation.
http://worldcomputerexchange.org

Wordsmith Organization: The music and magic of words--that's what A.Word.A.Day (AWAD) is all about. AWAD (ISSN: 1524-6884) is a daily electronic publication from the wordserver at Wordsmith.Org. AWAD includes a vocabulary word, its definition, pronunciation information with audio clip, etymology, usage example, quotation, and other interesting tidbits about words to subscribers every day. You can think of it as a word trek where we explore strange new words. Words are usually selected around a theme every week. There is no charge to subscribe to AWAD.

Currently AWAD is subscribed by 600,000+ people in 200+ countries. This number includes only subscribers who receive AWAD directly from Wordsmith.org -- it does not include people who get AWAD via mail exploders, local Usenet newsgroups, WWW pages, and other bulletin board systems.

You don't have to be a PhD in literature to be a AWAD Guest Wordsmith. All you need is a love of words. If you are selected to be a Guest Wordsmith, your idea will be read by 600,000+ people in 200+ countries. You can count on hearing from lots of people about your theme. The website provides guidelines that will help you identify a suitable theme. It is a good idea to subscribe for several months before attempting to be a Guest Wordsmith. This will help you get a feel for the list, acquire an understanding of how themes and words are featured, and how this whole thing works.

Here is a little something The New York Times had to say about AWAD:

"The most welcomed, most enduring piece of daily mass e-mail in cyberspace." The New York Times

I have added Wordsmith/AWAD to this Resourses page in October, 2007. At this time their website has a few awards listed. I imagine they will continue to win awards.

USA Today Hot Site (May 2, 2000)
Yahoo!'s Pick of the Week (May 6, 1996)
Snap! Online's Best of the Web (October 1997)
NetGiver Award
Magellan Four Star Award
LookSmart Editor's Choice Award
Education World's Education Site Award

Note: The five words I personally select to describe AWAD are:
Extraordinarily impressive and very cool.

Anu Garg is the founder of wordsmith.org, now in its twelfth year. He is the author of the bestselling books A Word A Day: A Romp Through Some of the Most Unusual and Intriguing Words in English, and Another Word A Day. Garg speaks frequently about words and language internationally.
http://wordsmith.org

World Health Organization: WHO is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries, and monitoring and assessing health trends.

In the 21st century, health is a shared responsibility, involving equitable access to essential care and collective defense against transnational threats.
http://www.who.int/en/

World Music Central: World Music Central is a portal dedicated to World Music. They feature the latest news, CD and concert reviews, articles, an events calendar, and resources for music fans, industry professionals, and researchers. By World Music they mean traditional and contemporary folk and roots music from the entire globe, as well as cross-cultural fusions and hybrids.

Angel Romero is the founder of World Music Central. He is a world music collector, researcher, and experienced producer.
http://www.worldmusiccentral.org

World Peace Before 2021
Copyright © 2007 Music by Ross Baratta. Lyrics by Jill Kollist and Ross Baratta.

This is great, please take a moment and listen to their awesome song.


World Wildlife Fund (Global): For 45+ years, WWF has been protecting the future of nature. The largest multinational conservation organization in the world, WWF works in 100 countries and is supported by 1.2 million members in the United States and close to 5 million globally. WWF's unique way of working combines global reach with a foundation in science, involves action at every level from local to global, and ensures the delivery of innovative solutions that meet the needs of people and nature.
http://www.worldwildlife.org

Wounded Warriors: The Wounded Warriors organization's mission is to provide support to the families of those who have been wounded, injured, or killed during combat operations. The families of our casualties suffer in many ways: some financially, some psychologically.

Wounded Warriors mitigates their trauma by allowing them to find peace and solace as a family once more in family-friendly resorts that are provided free of charge. The resort condominiums the organization owns in Orlando, Florida and Galveston, Texas are quiet havens where war torn families can reunite and become stronger.

You can sign up for their newsletter, read archived newsletters, and make secure tax-deductible donations on their website. Please take a few minutes to learn what you can personally do to help support the families of those who, as Abraham Lincoln said, "... gave the last full measure of devotion."
http://www.woundedwarriors.org

"Write On!": "Write On!” is a non-profit organization that encourages children to discover joy, self-confidence, and expression through reading and writing. The founder, Dallas Nicole Woodburn, hopes to motivate young people to have a life-long love for reading and writing.

I am a fan of this talented young author. Check out her website for “Write On!”
http://writeon.zest.net

WriteGirl (California): WriteGirl is a nonprofit organization for high school girls centered on the craft of creative writing and empowerment through self-expression. Through one-on-one mentoring and monthly workshops, girls are given techniques, insights, and hot tips for great writing in all genres from professional women writers.

Workshops and mentoring sessions explore poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, songwriting, journalism, screenwriting, playwriting, persuasive writing, journal writing, editing and more.

WriteGirl was launched in December 2001 to bring the skills and energy of professional women writers to teenage girls who do not otherwise have access to creative writing or mentoring programs. After a mere six months, WriteGirl published Threads, their premier anthology of members’ work. A standing-room only public reading at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood helped to kick off the book’s release.

Their second season brought double the membership and the publication of a second anthology, Bold Ink. This book was ushered in with a sold-out event at the Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills, a reception that confirmed the overwhelming support for WriteGirl’s unique programming and individualized mentoring services.

Note: This is an incredible program, please visit their website.
http://www.writegirl.org

XPrize Foundation: Peter Diamandis, the founder and chief executive officer of the X Prize Foundation, is issuing a worldwide challenge for teams to come up with an efficient car model that can be mass produced. Teams will have about a year and a half to build their vehicles before the first qualifying race in 2009.

An X PRIZE is a multi-million dollar award given to the first team to achieve a specific goal, set by the X PRIZE Foundation, which has the potential to benefit humanity. Rather than awarding money to honor past achievements or directly funding research, an X PRIZE incites innovation by tapping into our competitive and entrepreneurial spirits.
http://www.xprize.org

YES Reading (San Francisco Bay Area, CA.): YES Reading is a children's literacy nonprofit that operates Reading Centers at struggling elementary schools in underserved communities throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. At the Centers, students reading below grade level receive free one-on-one tutoring from volunteers recruited, trained, and overseen by YES Reading staff.

YES Reading currently serves more than 300 at-risk students each year. On average, students advance one grade level for every 30 hours of tutoring they receive.

YES Reading began at Belle Haven Elementary School in East Palo Alto when members of the community joined together to help students struggling with reading skills. At the time, fewer than 1 in 5 students at Belle Haven could read at grade level and more than 80% of students qualified for the the federal Free and Reduced Price Lunch program. Starting with just three volunteers working in the school library, YES Reading quickly grew to serve more than 50 children at Belle Haven.

After formally incorporating as a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit, YES Reading began an expansion phase, opening 5 new Reading Centers in Santa Clara County and San Mateo County between 2002 and 2006. Two new Centers are planned for 2007, in San Francisco and Oakland.
http://www.yesreading.org

YO! Youth Outlook (CA.): An award-winning literary journal in the Bay Area that features reporting pieces, first-person essays, comic strips, and poetry produced by youth between the ages of 14-25.
http://www.youthoutlook.org

Young Media (Australia): Advocacy for the interests of children and young people in relation to print, electronic, and screen based media.
http://www.youngmedia.org

Young Native Scholars (San Diego State University, San Diego, CA.): Provide youth the resources to pursue higher education and develop innovative programs to re-connect cultural inner-strengths and natural ancestral abilities to education.
http://www.nativescholars.org

Youth Advocacy Center: YAC’s mission is to teach young adults and at-risk youth in foster care to advocate for themselves and take control of their lives.
http://www.youthadvocacycenter.org

Note: The Youth Advocacy Center is a very important program. According to their website 25,000 young people age out of foster care systems each year. These young people are in the world on their own. Betsy Krebs and Paul Pitcoff, lawyers for children in family court, founded Youth Advocacy Center (YAC) in 1992 because of a deep belief in the aspirations and potential of teenagers in foster care. YAC developed a philosophy and program of self-advocacy, which empowers individual teens to take on significant responsibility for planning for their futures.

This is a terrific program.
http://www.youthadvocacycenter.org

Youth ALIVE! (Oakland, CA.): Public health activist Deane Calhoun is the founder and Executive Director of Youth ALIVE! She was inspired to work on preventing youth violence when she discovered in the mid-80’s that gun violence had become the leading killer of young people in this country and that Oakland had the highest rate of gun homicide of any city in the state of California.

Ms. Calhoun combines innovative and effective approaches to preventing gun violence and youth violence.
http://www.youthalive.org

Youth Arts (Multi-State): Art programs for at-risk youth.
http://www.americansforthearts.org

Youth Focus (CA.): Creative Arts: Youth Focus provides well-structured programs to enhance the lives of youth. Their programs are available at minimum cost and in some cases at no cost.
http://www.youth-focus.org

Youth for a New World (US and Global): Their mission is to inspire and connect youth globally to contribute to a world that works for all. Youth for a New World is a global, intercultural educational program linking students and schools from around the world. They focus on issues of peace, social and economic justice, ecological sustainability, as well as cultural and biological diversity.
http://www.youthnewworld.org

Youth Horizons (San Francisco and the Bay Area, CA.): A nonprofit organization dedicated to introducing awareness practices to youth, with an emphasis on at-risk and incarcerated teens. They offer classes which include meditation, yoga, "council" discussion groups, and free books and tapes to youth in a variety of settings.

At this time they work primarily with youth involved with the juvenile justice system, and most of their classes are held in juvenile halls in the San Francisco Bay Area. They are working to bring these classes to teens in substance abuse treatment programs and continuation schools as well.

They work with youth who are struggling with issues such as gang-related violence, substance abuse, and isolation.

Without the tools to respond to the inner and outer challenges they face, these at-risk teens often react in ways that are harmful to themselves and others. Too many youth today find themselves in juvenile halls, and from there they frequently end up in our overcrowded prisons, costing not only a heavy financial burden on society but also an even greater loss of heart and spirit.

This organization is terrific.
http://www.youthhorizons.org

Youth Media (Oakland, CA.): They combine the skills students learn from producing live-television shows, video documentaries, and websites, along with visual literacy, to help youth develop critical thinking skills that increase their overall learning ability.
http://www.youth-media.org

ATTENTION TEENAGERS: CHECK THIS GREAT WEBSITE OUT!
Youth Noise (Global): Across the globe, youths everywhere are making a difference. Combating issues without blinking an eye, they possess the spirit and strength, along with the heartfelt belief, that they can change the world. And change the world they do!

YouthNoise gives these world-changing hope-givers a voice, a place to connect, and a place to inspire and become inspired. An activist haven, a socially conscious sanctuary, YouthNoise invites youths to write, learn, think, and act. A virtual conference hall, playground, coffee shop, and classroom, YouthNoise is where the difference begins.
http://www.youthnoise.com

Out of the Shadows:
A campaign to end youth homelessness:
http://www.youthnoise.com/homelessyouthmain

Youth Performance Company (Minnesota): Founded in 1989, YPC is rich in character and commitment to serving young artists, young audiences, and the community. Their mission is dedicated to igniting and fueling the artistic spirit of youth by developing, empowering, and advancing young artists. YPC works towards this mission by targeting excellence in theatre performance, arts education, and diversified youth-centered programming which promotes artistic quality, arts advocacy, self-determination, leadership, volunteerism, and community service–facilitated by a professionally staffed theatre arts organization.
http://www.youthperformanceco.com

YouthCare (Seattle, WA.): Founded in 1974, YouthCare was the first shelter for homeless youth in the Western United States and continues to be a leader in providing services to this vulnerable population with six sites serving the greater Seattle area. Their services range from street outreach and residential housing to employment training.

There are close to 1,000 homeless youth in Seattle every night. They sleep in cars, abandoned buildings, under bridges, and on friend’s couches. These young people are often homeless because the streets are safer than their homes were.
http://www.youthcare.org

YOUTHLINE (San Francisco, CA.): A confidential free phone line run by youth for youth that is open everyday (including holidays) from 12:00 PM until 10:00 PM. The phones are answered by youth between the ages of 14-18 who have received 80+ hours of training to support callers dealing with crisis or callers who need information.
http://www.youthline.org

Yum-o!: Launched in 2006 by Rachael Ray, Yum-o! is a nonprofit organization that empowers kids and their families to develop healthy relationships with food and cooking. This is achieved by teaching families to cook, feeding hungry kids, and funding cooking education.
http://www.yum-o.org

The Zellerbach Family Foundation (The Bay Area, CA.): The Mission of the Zellerbach Family Foundation is to be a catalyst for constructive social change by initiating and investing in efforts that strengthen families and communities.
http://www.zellerbachfamilyfoundation.org