If Not Now, When?

by Kimi Mann and Elisa Waggoner

Millions of Americans are out of work. Joblessness is a fact of life for millions more across the globe, as the economy remains sluggish.

Co-founder of Sun Microsystems Vinod Khosla, a billionaire who invests in social enterprise such as SKS Microfinance, encourages other Indian billionaires to give through profit-making ventures that help people emerge from poverty. He states in a New York Times article that there is not enough money in the world to help through nonprofit organizations. Capitalism – through microfinancial lending practices that benefit the very poor – is more likely to help, in his opinion (“Sun Co-Founder Uses Capitalism to Help Poor,” New York Times, October 6, 2010, B1).

Others may passionately disagree, and see the work of non-governmental and nonprofit institutions – not to mention government departments -- as vital to alleviating dire circumstances. Whatever the stance, there is agreement that people around the world and around the corner need clean water, adequate food, safe surroundings, vital infrastructure (plumbing and sanitation among them), medical care, and ideally an excellent education and meaningful work. Plus safety nets for times of crisis.

Helping a continent, a country, a county or a city may take the interwoven actions of multiple ethical doctors, firefighters, police officers, politicians, bankers, teachers, and everyone else, but here are individual ways that you can know that you are making a difference:

Volunteer & Join

Through churches, nonprofit organizations, governmental outreach, and individual efforts, people make a difference every day in the lives of others. One small gesture can be multiplied many times, and can have a meaning greater than its effort.

Consider cooking and feeding people at homeless shelters. One woman brought her harp to a shelter and played gratis.

Your local library might have a program that links volunteers to adults who need to learn to read. You can, one letter and one sound at a time, open a new world of understanding.

If you have experience, consider applying for the Peace Corps. Although young volunteers with energy and verve are much appreciated, the program has found that those with experience and know-how can bring a great deal to the work.

If you have time and money to give, consider joining a service club, such as Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, or Civitan. The camaraderie is wonderful, since you are with like minded people, and the chances to give back are varied and meaningful.

Adopt

Consider adopting a child. Some counties have programs to make the process understandable and positive for families and children, so you do not have to go through it feeling alone.

If caring for a child for the rest of the person’s life is not feasible, consider adopting a pet. You will be changing an animal’s life for the better, and reap the rewards of affection and loyalty. (Ask staff at animal shelters for insights to see if a specific pet might be compatible with you and your family. The shelter staff are there because they love animals and they want the best outcomes for them.)

Be Green

From “How Stuff Works” on the Internet, a top-ten list of ways to be more environmentally conscious. In the aggregate, efforts matter. “10 Things You Can Do to Help Save the Earth”:

http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/save-earth-top-ten.htm

Donate

Knowing that your funds help people, animals, or the environment can be a source of satisfaction. Search the fine print of information to see how much of an organization’s money goes directly to help its mission, versus how much is used for administration and advertising. Administration is necessary to get things done and to keep correct records, and advertising helps to gather donors – these things are not bad. However, it feels better to know that most of your hard-earned cash is going to help children, rescue animals, or give clean water to a town.

Doctors Without Borders is a reputable organization that helps people in the most impacted areas overseas. Their website is easy to navigate and donating can be done in one’s own name or for a loved one or friend: www.doctorswithoutborders.org.

Close to home, figuratively, Elisa's stepmother Sandra Evans Ward helped to found and is treasurer for a nonprofit – Amigos de los Animales de Guanajuato -- that helps the stray dog and cat population in Guanajuato, Mexico. They are the closest thing to the Humane Society that the area has: http://www.amigosanimalesgto.org/.

Close to our hearts in downtown Los Angeles is Alexandria House, a not-for-profit that provides safe and supportive transitional housing for women and children and, also, serves as a multicultural neighborhood center. Organizations like these make a real difference in the lives of those they touch, including volunteers and donors.

Search

A wealth of possibilities appear if you do an Internet search for philanthropic organizations, or just type, “How can I help?” Be careful when selecting organizations to support that you take the time to find out a little bit about them. See if they are mentioned in third-party reports, request their annual reports or other information about them, and do an informal poll of friends to see if others have had good experiences. Your heart, mind, time and treasure are worth taking steps to protect, and you want your efforts to have a direct, positive effect.

It’s not just about donating money. Sometimes a pair of hands, an informed mind, or a warm and caring heart contribute to improving someone’s life. Let’s all make a positive contribution to our families, our neighborhoods, our country, our world.