For the Love of Controversy: The Kony 2012 Campaign

by Elisa | Mar 10, 2012 | Good Charities, Human Trafficking, Refugees and Immigration, Seeking Justice

On Wednesday morning I woke up to a world which was talking about Joseph Kony. My husband and I sat there, refreshing the Invisible Children's Facebook page to see the number of likes go up by the second. I am always bitter that stupid things trend on twitter like...

International Women’s Day 2012

by Elisa | Mar 7, 2012 | Good Charities, Human Trafficking, Seeking Justice, Women's Empowerment

So this day which is yearly acknoledged, is here once again. March 8th: International Women's Day. We celebrate it because women are so often not celebrated. In fact, they are the most oppressed group on earth. Why women? Women are 1/2 the population of the world....

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...

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

Storm Chaser; Change Chaser: On Saying Goodbye

How Can Anyone Say Goodbye? I’m starting to feel all panicky that I am leaving all 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

The Honest Truth About Loving Deeper (Art of Advocacy)

Loving others seemed good and something to be defined by. Until it was loving the same small group...

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

Considerations From A White Man

This is part of the series, Your Voice on Racism. Do you have a story to share? We need to hear...

Human Trafficking, Sex Trafficking

How Stories Heal Us and Prevent Burnout for World Changers

Working through our own stories and triggers are essential as we make a difference if we want to be fully alive and prevent burnout. Check out this interview covering this.

Leadership

A New Year, They Said: A Poem for Changemakers in January

Its a New Year, and with it, demands for volunteering, ministry, activism, and more more more! This satirical poem addresses giving from fullness and restful changemaking

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?