Be The Change You Want to See in The World

So you want to "Be The Change". And you're Canadian. Here are some places to start.

Youth Empowerment Support Services (Edmonton): "YESS is a relentlessly dedicated not-for-profit organization that shapes the future of Edmonton by supporting youth facing difficult realities. YESS offers distinct and invaluable services through a variety of channels that range from immediate emergency shelter to ongoing support programs and individual guidance."

Your local food bank. Edmonton Food Bank: "To be stewards in the collection of surplus and donated food for the effective distribution, free of charge, to people in need in our community while seeking solutions to the causes of hunger."

These first two organizations are near and dear to me, and I invest heavily in them throughout the year.

Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton: "The Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton is a feminist-based not-for-profit charitable organization that supports children, adolescents, and adults who have experienced sexual abuse or assault, and educates the public about sexual violence."

Equal Voice. "Equal Voice is a national, bilingual, multi-partisan organization dedicated to electing more women to all levels of political office in Canada."

Canadian Civil Liberties Association: "CCLA fights for the civil liberties, human rights, and democratic freedoms of all people across Canada. Founded in 1964, we are an independent, national, nongovernmental organization, working in the courts, before legislative committees, in the classrooms, and in the streets, protecting the rights and freedoms cherished by Canadians and entrenched in our Constitution."

Greenpeace: "Greenpeace is an independent global campaigning organization that acts to change attitudes and behaviour, to protect and conserve the environment and to promote peace."

Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights: "Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights is a progressive, pro-choice charitable organization committed to advancing and upholding sexual and reproductive health and rights in Canada and globally."

Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada: "The only nation-wide political pro-choice group devoted to ensuring abortion rights and access for women."

Native Women's Association of Canada: "The Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC) is founded on the collective goal to enhance, promote, and foster the social, economic, cultural and political well-being of First Nations and Métis women within First Nation, Métis and Canadian societies."

Canadian Women's Foundation: "We empower women and girls in Canada to move out of violence, out of poverty and into confidence."

Feminist Alliance for International Action: "Our mandate is to advance women’s equality in Canada by working for the full implementation of the international human rights treaties and agreements that Canada has ratified."

Egale, Canada Human Rights Trust: "Canada’s only national charity promoting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans (LGBT) human rights through research, education and community engagement."

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After I started looking for amazing local & national organizations to support, I realized there were SO MANY! I am going to do a series of these posts to capture as many organizations as I can.

Times are tough right now, especially for so many in Alberta, but I believe that if you don't need charity, you can afford to give. Every penny counts. Wait...we don't have pennies in Canada anymore. Um, every nickel counts?!

xo