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Chasing Change: How to Take Action for Causes in Your Community by Karen Weeks

Chasing Change: How to Take Action for Causes in Your Community

 

Despite how far the world has progressed, statistics show that there is a massive imbalance in the distribution of wealth, resources, and opportunities, resulting in poverty, lack of access to education and healthcare, and exploitation. Fortunately, change is possible when people come together and take action for the causes they believe in. Today, Quitman Public Library presents some ways you can get involved in your community and make a difference.

 

Choose Your Cause

 

If there's not already an organization working on the issue you care about, consider starting a non-profit. This will give you a platform to raise awareness, apply for grants and public funding, and organize people to take action. You'll need to create bylaws that detail how you'll operate, including how the corporation is governed, how often it holds board meetings, how voting works, and rules on conflicts of interest.

 

Once you have your nonprofit started, you should make invitations to get the word out. Use this free tool to add your personal touch then share your invitations with the neighborhood. You can use your non-profit to get involved in one, or more, of the following areas:

 

Social Justice

Human Rights Careers explains that social justice refers to the fair and just treatment of all people, regardless of race, gender, sexuality, or economic status. It includes issues like racism, sexism, homophobia, and classism. To create a more just and equal world, it is important to be an active ally to marginalized groups. Stand up to hate speech and bigotry when you notice it within your social circle or community, and hold fundraisers or donation drives to support social justice organizations.

 

Neighborhood Safety

Making your neighborhood a safe and welcoming place for everyone is important for building a strong community. Begin by getting to know your neighbors. You can band together to start a neighborhood watch and report any suspicious activity to the police. You can also advocate for better lighting and security measures in your neighborhood or volunteer to mentor kids or clean up your community.

 

Voter Registration

The politicians who are in office make decisions that can impact your everyday life, so it's important to make your voice heard by voting. Aside from voting yourself, it's important to help others in your community exercise their right to vote too. You can register voters, help them update their registration if they've moved, or provide transportation to the polls on election day.

 

Childhood Education

There are plenty of ways that you can support childhood education missions. You could create a nonprofit tutoring program, form an alliance that supports inner city schools, or provide free meals to kids in need, to name just a few. Depending on the focus of your efforts, pursuing a bachelor of science in education could be helpful. Find a good online program so that you can pursue your nonprofit while also accomplishing your educational goal.

 

Environmental Awareness

There are loads of environmental issues plaguing the planet, but measures like recycling, composting, and reducing energy consumption are not always implemented by government organizations or businesses. Soulful Concepts notes that it's important to be proactive in your community to make sure it is as sustainable as possible. Start a compost bin in your neighborhood, organize a community garden, or lead a beach or park clean-up.

 

Substance Abuse Prevention

Substance abuse is a major problem in many communities and often prevents certain groups within a population from real progression. Fortunately, there are resources available to help. You can also get involved in prevention efforts in your community. This could include organizing a talk at schools on the dangers of drugs, volunteering at a rehab center, or starting a support group for families affected by addiction.

 

Healthcare Access

Everyone should have access to quality healthcare, but unfortunately, this is not the reality in many parts of the world. You can get involved in healthcare access initiatives in your community by setting up a free clinic, organizing a blood drive, or collecting donations for a local clinic. The more people have access to quality healthcare, the greater the chances of improving the overall quality of life in your area.

 

Plan Community Events to Increase Awareness

 

Nonprofits always need more exposure, so plan an event that you can use to increase awareness of the organization and cause. One great way of achieving this is to get people involved in a walkathon, which not only gets the community involved but conveys the importance of exercise in the fresh air. Once you’ve decided on the details, you’ll want to create an invitation to disburse to residents and local businesses.

 

Find a Way to Make a Difference

 

Rather than spending free time on social media or watching TV, getting involved to improve the lives of those in your community will bring fulfillment, a sense of purpose, and lasting change. Take the time to identify the issues that matter most to you, and remember that a little bit of effort goes a long way in making the world a better place for everyone.

 

Quitman Public Library is here to serve our community. Call 903-763-4191.

 

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