PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible.
Founded in 1922, PEN America is the largest of the more than 100 centers worldwide that make up the PEN International network. PEN America works to ensure that people everywhere have the freedom to create literature, to convey information and ideas, to express their views, and to access the views, ideas, and literatures of others. Our strength is our Membership—a nationwide community of more than 7,500 novelists, journalists, nonfiction writers, editors, poets, essayists, playwrights, publishers, translators, agents, and other writing professionals, as well as devoted readers and supporters who join with them to carry out PEN America’s mission.
Insulin For Life’s mission is simple: to bring the necessary resources to individuals with diabetes. To do this, we actively accept supplies from patients that would usually go to waste. Once those resources are donated, we take care of the rest, shipping these critical supplies to the communities who need them most. This cuts down waste within a medical community where many go without, using already made goods to solve a problem that can save someone’s life. It’s because of our generous partners, board of passionate directors, and consistent support from individuals in and out of the diabetes community that IFL USA is able to make a difference. Every donation, whether resources or financial assistance, goes toward helping someone in need.
VoteRiders’ mission is to ensure that no eligible voter is prevented from casting a ballot that counts due to voter ID laws, either directly from lack of acceptable ID or indirectly because of voter confusion. VoteRiders educates voters and assists citizens to secure their voter ID. We inspire and support organizations, volunteers, and communities to sustain such voter ID education and assistance efforts.
Our Freedom to Vote is Under Attack
Voter ID laws prevent or intimidate millions of eligible Americans from casting a ballot that counts.
To address this crisis in our democracy, VoteRiders works nationwide to provide voter ID education and assistance to all eligible voters who are in need. We equip voters with what they need to vote with confidence, knowing they cannot be turned away.
BARRIERS TO THE BALLOT
Tens of millions of voters find that obtaining an ID that fulfills voting requirements is costly and confusing. It often requires navigating arcane systems and bureaucratic barriers that cost time and money. All to exercise a basic freedom that should be equally accessible to all Americans.
We also see massive confusion about voter ID rules in EVERY STATE – among voters and poll workers alike. State laws are complicated to understand and often changing. Confusion can easily lead to disenfranchisement for too many Americans unless we take action.
UNEQUAL IMPACT
Voter ID laws present a challenge for millions of eligible voters. But they impact some Americans more than others. A Brennan Center survey of US citizens found significant disparities between who has current, government-issued photo ID.
11% of voting-age citizens – more than 25 million individuals by current census figures – do not have current (unexpired) government-issued photo identification.
25% of Black Americans (1 in four!) voting-age citizens do not have current government-issued photo ID compared to eight percent of white voting-age citizens. Using current census figures, there are about 7,750,000 adult Black citizens without photo identification.
18% of American citizens age 65 and above do not have a current government-issued photo ID. Using current census estimates, this amounts to about 7,250,000 senior citizens.
18% of citizens aged 18-24 do not have photo ID with current address and name. Using current census tallies, about 5,500,000 young adult citizens are in jeopardy of not being able to vote.
Voter ID laws also disproportionately impact women. Because most married women change their name, they may still have their maiden name on their driver’s license or voter registration.
The Brennan Center survey found that 48% of voting-age women don’t have easy access to their birth certificates with their current legal name.
Based on current census data, the only available proof-of-citizenship documents possessed by almost 37 million voting-age women do not reflect their current name.
We believe that human beings are image bearers, endowed with God’s image in them, and because of that, all human beings matter, regardless of their ability, age, gender, race, socio-economic status, or religion. Human beings have worth, given and determined by God, simply because they are.
The belief in the worth of human beings leads us to believe that steps should be taken to lead to human flourishing wherever necessary. Generations have had selfish goals, instead of loving justice and seeking the peace and life of our neighbor, leading to the disparities we see in health care and in every other arena in our nation.
The Campaign for Southern Equality is working to build a South where LGBTQ people are equal in every part of life. A South where your zip code doesn’t determine your rights. Where all of us are free to be who we truly are and love who we truly love. At this unprecedented time of anti-LGBTQ attacks – and as public support for LGBTQ equality across the South continues to grow – we invite you to join us in Meeting the Moment in the LGBTQ South.
Jews United for Justice mobilizes Jews and the Jewish community to move our region closer to social, racial, and economic justice by advancing campaigns for immediate and concrete improvements in people’s lives. Through these campaigns we develop leaders, build our base, shift the consciousness of our community, and alter relations of power. In all cases, we seek to work in partnership with organizations made up of and/or accountable to those who have personal experience with the challenges we are hoping to address. We have helped win higher minimum wages, paid family leave, police accountability, affordable housing, and many other progressive policies. We continue to move resources and power into the hands of people of color who have been systematically blocked out of the political process to benefit the ultra-wealthy and their interests. To power our advocacy efforts, we build a Jewish community that is dedicated to pursuing justice, understands the key issues in our region, and that has the tools and skills to make change.
There is something about playing baseball that lights up a youngster’s eyes. Sadly, for children with physical or mental challenges, that opportunity can often be a difficult or impossible experience. The Miracle League of Montgomery County (a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization) was formed by the Kiwanis Club of Bethesda to give these children the opportunity to play baseball as a team member in an organized league.
The Miracle League gives ALL children the opportunity to get out in the sunshine, and enjoy playing the game of baseball in its purest form. It is the first of its kind in Maryland, and serves children in the regional DMV, including Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, Frederick County, DC, and Northern Virginia.
Our Mission
Provide opportunities for children with disabilities to play Miracle League baseball, regardless of their abilities and their financial circumstances.
Promote community support and sponsorship of a Miracle League.
Promote the construction of special facilities that meet the unique needs of Miracle League players and families.
Carroll County CASA was established as a non-profit 501(c)(3) in 1998, to advocate for abused and neglected children. The mission of Carroll County CASA is to recruit, screen, train, and supervise volunteers to work with children involved in Juvenile Court dependency proceedings in Carroll County. The goal is to ensure each child finds safety and permanency as quickly and appropriately as possible.
Founders, Russ and Mary Sarner organized and implemented the CASA program in Carroll County after serving as CASA volunteers in Haralson County, Georgia, and after serving for many years as Citizen Panel Review members.
Our program is now housed at 110 Dixie Street, Suite 100 in Carrollton. This location has allowed us to expand our staff, conduct initial and ongoing volunteer training and to present a professional appearance to the community.
Carroll County CASA, Inc. is funded by the generosity of community members, civic clubs, Carroll County government, churches, local foundations and the funds from the state legislature under the Department of Human Resources.
Complete the form to add the organization, and we will do all the backend paperwork needed to get everything set up to receive gifts.
