Serviceplan Group’s Post

This exciting news of young women using a petition and saving a forest in Maryland is great news. Yes, young people organizing, petitioning, educating, and thereby saving our planet, one tree, one forest, at a time. Thank you, #GirlScouts, for honoring our social contract to promote the general welfare for all of us because that's how our democracy succeeds. Here's the language of our nation's founders normalizing petitions: Our Constitution: We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. The text preserving the right of the people to petition our government, Amendment I: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

As an individual, you have the power to take action in your community to help end human trafficking. Here are 6 ways you can stand up for human rights: 1️⃣ Educate yourself and others. Take time to learn about the root causes of human trafficking, which industries it most commonly happens in, and who is most vulnerable to exploitation. 2️⃣ Volunteer in your community. Find a cause that you are passionate about, and get involved. All social justice issues are connected. 3️⃣ VOTE! Do some research on your local candidates and make sure you are supporting those who are willing to support and prioritize anti-trafficking legislation and policy — as well as human rights. 4️⃣ Have conversations with youth. Talk to the kids in your life about online safety, being aware of strangers on social media, and protecting their personal information. 5️⃣ Shop and travel consciously. Consider how the goods and services you use might fuel exploitation, both locally and globally. Research each of your expenses. 6️⃣ Get creative in your giving. Over the years, we’ve seen supporters dedicate their birthday, artists donate their sales, and marathon runners race for a cause. Everyone has unique talents to share! Read more on our blog: https://lnkd.in/eDTfXn5e #EndHumanTrafficking #HumanTraffickingAwareness #MakeADifference #ColoradoNonprofit #ActLocally #BlogPost

An overwhelming majority of Americans believe our democracy is under attack. And it's no wonder why – voter suppression efforts targeting Latinx voters and other communities of color are on the rise, making it harder for nuestra comunidad to use our voice.     In Candid Philanthropy News Digest, HF President and CEO Frankie Miranda sheds light on how nonpartisan organizations like ours are stepping up and the role philanthropy can play: “It’s critical that Latinx communities are able to make their voices heard in our democracy...In order to realize this potential, philanthropy must invest in the community-based, Latinx-led and -serving organizations nationwide who are hard at work to empower Latinx voters.”    Read the piece by clicking the link below:    https://lnkd.in/e9NQEkQs

Here is an event iEmpathize has coming up soon in Denver,CO: https://lnkd.in/egKc9X2J I will be there helping in some capacity. iEmpathize is an organization that helps prevent and combat Human trafficking. Here is their story: After learning of and encountering the atrocities of human trafficking, several socially-minded creative activists partnered together to start iEmpathize. We came from varied backgrounds with varied skills sets, but each understood that because exploitation is all around us, we all can and should do something to engage it. The core values and methodologies championed by iEmpathize grew out of our collective experiences working with vulnerable youth and what we learn from others making a difference. We have learned that empathy-driven responses at local levels are most effective and while our projects have spanned the globe, our commitment to community-based partnership and empowerment continues to drive our work. Our programs empower youth and adults alike with active empathy and always prioritize prevention. Some of our most impactful projects include the following: The Empower Youth Program, a multimedia prevention curriculum for youth and youth serving professionals now empowering thousands of youth each year. The documentary Be Relentless (2017), the story of a Mexican human trafficking survivor who teamed up with iEmpathize to break the Guinness World Record for the longest triathlon as an anthem for survivors and for empathetic engagement. The Apathy Effect Exhibit, an interactive multi-media outreach tool educating audiences with an understanding of the issue of child exploitation and a call to action to engage it. Media strategies that inspire community based change, such as our Intersect Response Platform equipping adults in strategic sectors to recognize and respond to exploitation. Every year, iEmpathize programs and partnerships result in the creation of safety plans for thousands of youth, the recovery of survivors, and the prosecution of perpetrators. We continue to expand a library of resources that engage specific intersections of culture with empathetic and effective responses to exploitation. Impact partnerships statistics: More than 200 impact partners More than 20,000 youth empowered More than 500,000 adults trained More than 10 million online media views Our work has garnered international attention from the Nobel Peace Prize Forum, the United Nations, BBC, CNN, international film festivals and more. With a culture of collaboration and empathy as our foundation, we move our mission forward with a tribe of creative activists, dedicated advisors, talented team members, passionate volunteers, and strategic partnerships. We invite you to join us. Be a part of the movement of empathy to transform the lives of vulnerable and victimized children and youth. Empathy = Ending It

Just a few hours left in #GivingTuesday. Here's another highlight about the changes we are making in the world: For 2023-2024, the main work of our Justice & Civic Engagement Committee is centered on the theme of DEMOCRACY AT RISK. The committee's work focuses on issues and activities related to Protecting Voter Rights, mobilizing voter empowerment and voter registration, JusticeAid's Black Voters Matter initiative, Gerrymandering, and others. You can learn more about their work at https://lnkd.in/guHpuAgD

As we strive to build a more inclusive society, it’s crucial to remember that our public spaces play a significant role in shaping our communities. Teenaged girls are the future leaders, innovators, and change-makers of our world, and they deserve spaces that cater to their needs and interests. Creating public spaces for teen girls is not just about providing a place to hang out. It’s about acknowledging their presence, their voices, and their importance in our society. It’s about giving them a platform where they can express themselves freely, engage with their peers, and contribute positively to their communities. As we continue to shape our public spaces, let’s ensure they are welcoming, safe, and inclusive for all - especially our teen girls. Because when we invest in our youth, we invest in our future.  #Parks #PublicSpaces #UrbanDesign #Teenagers #GenderEquality #CommunityEngagement