What is Famine? Defining Hunger Around the World

by Elisa | Feb 28, 2012 | Fair Trade Products, Poverty

It seems there are endless famines. And they only occur in Africa. But, no, there are not endless famines. And no, they don't only occur in Africa. (But we should probably remember that Africa is actually pretty big. Really big and mostly very, very poor.) Source:...

Art of Advocacy: Wearing Hope in a Little Black Dress

by Elisa | Feb 19, 2012 | Art of Advocacy, Poverty, Seeking Justice, Ways to Make a Difference

Its been two weeks now: Pink tights. Black tights. Black and blue stripped tights. Red sash, blue sash, green belt, pink belt. Red leggings. Gray leggings. No leggings, jeans! Its hard to be original when you wear the same thing everyday. BUT I WILL WEAR SOMETHING...

Resources: Fundraising with Crowdrise

by Elisa | Feb 9, 2012 | Good Charities

2017 Update: I've researched plenty of other crowdfunding platforms and used a few others since then too. But fundraising with Crowdrise is still my go-to. (I also use Generosity.com occasionally too.) Also, notably, below I mention Action:Little Black Dress a few...

Fundraising 101

by Elisa | Jan 29, 2012 | Anthropology Psychology Sociology, Art of Advocacy, Poverty, United States, Ways to Make a Difference

Fundraising Can Be Hard Fundraising is a little like pulling teeth. Unless you are selling Girl Scout Cookies. But even then, we can all only eat so many Thin Mints. When I was a kid, I was good at fundraising. I would find empty snail shells and stuff them with my...

Action: Little Black Dress Pt.2 (The How)

by Elisa | Jan 16, 2012 | Fair Trade Products, Ways to Make a Difference

Last week I posted on the new action I will be trying out for you in February. Afterwords I will review it, describing every gory detail. Although I know you like me to go first, I am hoping we can grow our influence by having some of you join me in wearing the same...

Action: Little Black Dress

by Elisa | Jan 9, 2012 | Fair Trade Products, Good Charities, Poverty, Ways to Make a Difference

I’m getting excited. I always get excited when I am anticipating something I don’t want to do, but have finally embraced I am going to do anyway. AND, even better, I’m hoping I don’t have to do it alone, that I will be able to convince at least a few of you to join...

Book Review: More Than Rice

by Elisa | Dec 31, 2011 | Human Trafficking, Seeking Justice, Women's Empowerment

Book Review More Than Rice: A Journey Through the Underworld of Human Trafficking is written by Pamela Kennedy Chestnut. It was released in September of 2010 and has 189 pages. It is a novel about a seventeen year-old girl, Gabriela, who was abducted from her teenage...

How To Do a Sole Hope Shoe-Cutting Party

by Elisa | Dec 8, 2011 | Art of Advocacy, Children-in-Need, Global Health, Good Charities, Ways to Make a Difference

Sole Hope is an organization whose goal is to give hope to widows, orphans and other children by using a sustainable approach in foot care (never underestimate the power of feet!). A few months ago guest blogger, Steph from Encouraged in Heart, posted all about Sole...

AIDS/HIV 101: Why Should I Care?

by Elisa | Dec 1, 2011 | Global Health

Why should we care about AIDS? I was trying to figure out when I started caring about AIDS. I think I knew someone with AIDS briefly, as a kid, before he passed on. I definitely didn't care about that person. But I've never really known someone with the disease. Most...

Adventure

Swamp Wisdom: An Ecclesiastes on Human Rights

Ever heard of ancient King Solomon? He was said to be the wisest of them all as he philosophized...

Busy Moms, Community, Family & Relationships, Raising Kids

Identity Crisis #3467 – My Messy Beautiful

The other day, my daughter was excitedly expressing her admiration of the teachers and helpers at her school. I usually resist the temptation to to ask my kids what they want to be when they grow up because at some point in my...

Anthropology Psychology Sociology, Mental Health, Recovery, Safe Spaces

Understanding Terms for Poor Nations vs. Rich Nations

Terms of Poverty Whether in public political addresses or in pleas from non-profits, we have all heard some of these terms thrown around at some point or another. But just because we can infer their general meaning, I...

Ethical Fashion, Fair Trade Products, Giving Back, Socially Conscious Brands

Everyday People Doing Something About Human Trafficking And Refugees

Can an everyday person make a difference for refugees? Yep. They can! Just as I’ve seen it...

Children-in-Need, Clean Water, Conflicts, Wars, Genocides and Atrocities, Global Health, Good Charities, Helping that Doesn't Hurt, Human Rights, Poverty, Refugees and Immigration, Seeking Justice, United States

Trauma Informed Everyday Advocacy

Ice and coffee exploded over the corner table, running in rivulets to the floor. The woman started...

Human Trafficking, Sex Trafficking

Why We Need To Start Talking To Our Kids About Modern Slavery

Update 2021: This course is currently offline. Since, it has been renamed Conversations With...

Leadership

When Our Best Yes Meets Humble Service: When Should Changemakers Clean Toilets?

Often Changemakers find themselves doing the faithful background service of doing things like changing toilets. How to we balance our "best yes" with humility?

Spiritual Discipleship

When Our Best Yes Meets Humble Service: When Should Changemakers Clean Toilets?

Often Changemakers find themselves doing the faithful background service of doing things like changing toilets. How to we balance our "best yes" with humility?