The organizations highlighted below are FOUR of the 32+ causes we’ve covered so far this year in our #52Causes campaign. In case you haven’t seen previous posts, each week of 2016 we will be covering nonprofits in the Houston area. 

Partnership for the Advancement and Immersion of Refugees
Up to 3,000 refugees arrive in Houston each year, making it the number one destination for refugee resettlement nationwide. PAIR‘s mission is to empower refugee youth to navigate American society, reach their academic potential and become community leaders. Newly arrived refugee youth face a variety of challenges: social, emotional and educational. But arriving in the U.S. also opens a myriad of new opportunities for refugees, most notably the chance for secondary or higher education. You know that we’re already huge fans of education, so we’re inspired by the drive and tenacity PAIR’s volunteers show up to work with everyday. But they still need help. If you’d like to be a part of PAIR’s story, volunteer to help refugee youth reach their highest potential. 

Salvation Army: Houston
The Salvation Army’s summary statement: Doing the Most Good. The MOST good? That’s a lot of good, and a bold statement. But The Salvation Army here in Houston doesn’t back down from a challenge. Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties are all served by The Salvation Army, who’s implementing various programs and services intended to meet human needs without discrimination. Across the Unites States, over 33 million Americans rely on the services provided by The Salvation Army. Fun fact—The Salvation Army has been in Houston since 1889. #GIVEHOU for life! If you want to help out, volunteer or donate, head this way.

The Center for Houston’s Future
The Center for Houston’s Future was founded in 1992 as a research organization of the Greater Houston Partnership. As a think tank, The Center for Houston’s Future works to solve our region’s toughest problems by engaging diverse leaders, providing impactful research and defining actionable strategies. The Center conducts research, cultivates leadership within the region and works to engage the community. In essence, they recognize the GREATNESS that is Houston, and are working hard to make sure that the world knows. 

The Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce
Women are the largest economic force in America. The Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement and empowerment of women through avenues of leadership, education, advocacy and mentoring. The GHWCC has taken some incredible steps towards advancing and empowering Houston women, from a health series that encapsulates the issues of preventive health, to governmental affairs, to programs propelling female entrepreneurs to the next level. As a whole, the Chamber is a united force for prosperity for ALL women.

Scout’s Honor Rescue
There’s always been a special place in our hearts for the abandoned, the lost and the hurt. Last year, 7.6 million animals entered U.S. shelters. Scout’s Honor Rescue is a nonprofit animal rescue organization that focuses on rescuing and placing homeless, neglected or abused dogs and cats in Houston and surrounding areas. The program is “foster based,” that is, each of the rescued animals is placed in a temporary foster home, where it receives much-needed love, care and structure while it waits for its permanent home. Did we mention that Scout’s Honor is a NO KILL shelter? *praise hands* If you’d like to get involved, volunteer or adopt (!!!!), Scout’s Honor is always in need of helpful faces. 

If you’re curious about providing clean underwear for everyone, creating educational resources for students or just want to peruse the list so far, we feature these boss organizations every month on the Black Sheep blog.

Whether you’re a fan of puppies, the future of Houston, civic engagement or maybe a cause we haven’t covered yet this year—there’s somebody somewhere who’s doing real things to create real impact. And you should join us!

Y’all, Houston has placed NUMBER ONE in charity rankingsin the nation.

#52Causes: Houston’s On The Come Up

Y’all, Houston has placed NUMBER ONE incharity rankingsin the nation. With a city that’s relentless when it comes to getting shit done, Houston has firmly made a name for itself throughout the nation when it comes to charitable work.

Condensed

This morning, through the “he said—she said” Twitter noise, I stumbled upon a PSA series released as a passion project by Anonymous Content. The campaign launched much like others we’ve all seen at this point in the election covering issues that may or may not check the boxes you care about. The staggering difference here is you’re hearing the why—the heartbeat that keeps these issues existing in the US. 

In one emotional moment, Wilmer Valderrama’s voice cracks as he explains, “Our community comes here, waves a flag like everybody else—in unity. We take the jobs that people assume don’t exist … And somehow we’re taking those jobs from people.”

These videos reminded me what all this politicking is for: elections affect us, we the people, and the people we care about, in ways we sometimes can’t comprehend. Even when we know this, we often forget that we, too, can impact the outcome.

So what do you care about? Is it the poverty line? Equal pay for women? Reproductive rights? Gun control? Justice for sexual assault victims? Healthcare? Mental health? Immigration? Whatever it is, get back in the driver’s seat and VOTE.

“You’re the boss. So, hire the right person to make this country what you think it should be.”

After last night’s Presidential debate, I went to bed feeling like I was out of options.

100 Reasons To Vote

After last night’s Presidential debate, I went to bed feeling like I was out of options. Whether you lean left or right, the 2016 campaign approach from both candidates has, sadly, divided our nation into two Americas. Which, frankly, seems to be the root of several major issues that will significantly impact how we live our lives today and how future generations will live in tomorrow’s America.