N Street Village’s Post

Friends and Colleagues, As many of you know, I am a passionate Board Member for Dallas Pets Alive! One of the biggest fundraising events for us is TODAY, North Texas Giving Day. Our goal today is to raise $115,000 so we can continue our amazing life-saving work! If you’re looking to give back, please consider donating to Dallas Pets Alive. Every bit helps and makes a big impact! ❤️ Thank you for your support! 🙏 https://lnkd.in/gsZdDbjw More about Dallas Pets Alive: Your support during North Texas Giving Day is not just a donation; it's a lifeline. Every gift you make goes directly to programs that are transforming the lives of animals and their humans. Our Foster and Adoption program is a beacon of hope for the most at-risk animals in our partner shelters, while our preventative programs—like PASS, Dogs Matter, and Bark Dorm—work tirelessly to keep pets out of shelters and in loving homes. These initiatives are not just about rescue; they're about building healthier, stronger communities where animals and people thrive together. The need is urgent. Many of the pets that come into our care have medical conditions so severe that shelters simply can't provide the care they need. Over a third of the animals we help are Major Medical Cases, requiring $1,000 or more in medical expenses. In 2023 alone, we spent more than $400,000 on treatments ranging from basic vaccinations to heartworm treatment and life-saving surgeries. This year, as we've taken on the incredible work of Dogs Matter and face the overwhelming overcrowding in North Texas shelters, the number of animals in our care has more than doubled. For the first time, we have more than 500 animals relying on our programs. While we've made strides in fundraising, the financial demands have outpaced our resources.

Where much of #philanthropy is retrenching from #RacialJustice work in the wake of SCOTUS' ban on #AffirmativeAction, the Black Led Movement Fund (BLMF) is steadfast in resourcing and supporting Black-led movement orgs. The demands and questions raised during protests to the murders of #MichaelBrownJr in 2014, #GeorgeFloyd in 2020, and countless police murders before, in between, and since, remain unaddressed. And in their work, Black organizers continue to face alarming risks—from restrictions on protesting to RICO and domestic terrorism charges for doing so. Philanthropy cannot waver. What can funders do? READ: BLMF Program Director Julia Beatty joined friends from Compton Foundation, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, and Common Defense for a panel at the Funders Committee on Civic Participation to answer this specific question. They offered five takeaways. https://lnkd.in/eKNyTs-C READ: The BLMF and Communities Transforming Policing Fund (CTPF) just launched the learnings from their Movement-Defined Learning (MDL) Project, a participatory learning and evaluation project designed to support community partners in defining their own impact and align philanthropic practices to their wisdom. https://lnkd.in/gyWa-Pgf

The Small Acts of Community campaign kicks off today. Focused on the belief that small acts of community have great worth - this is something I’m super proud to be a part of. One of the lines of the student oath for taekwondo has always been my favorite “I shall build a more peaceful world.” I have always believed that world starts with the small things and those build up, add up, and inspire others. It was the premise behind my only large scale solo art show (featured about 4000 origami cranes). Today, as part of my professional work, and in joyous activism, we will be asking people to commit acts of community. Could be an act of kindness - say hello, hold a door open. Could be a larger act of community - help pick up some trash, help your neighbor out, volunteer your time with an organization near and dear to your heart. Things that are free and don’t cost a thing. Got some spare money - donate it to a good cause. Before you say but I don’t have any money - as part of the smaller events leading up to today, I was handed $1.23 from the pocket of an obviously unhoused man after taking with him about the campaign and we were told to put it to the community. Think you can’t make a difference? Think again. Check out the Small Acts campaign online at https://lnkd.in/er7jD6GF. Sign it, live it, and start making a difference today!

My last company was a mentorship platform. Whenever I worked with young men who wanted to go to college, I told them to join a fraternity. - You'll meet veterans who've served our great nation. - You'll meet sons of immigrants who appreciate America, capitalism, and democracy. - You'll raise money for philanthropic causes. - You'll learn more about your own values. - You'll forge friendships that will last a lifetime. My crew of friends from my fraternity were in my wedding party. - You'll learn how to organize and take a stand for things you care about. - You'll have a space to make mistakes, which all college kids do. There is a certain strain of hopelessness taking over college campuses. Your tribe will keep you from falling into that pit of cynicism.

Want to help Black kids get a great education? Check out our latest article for easy ways to help! From donating to scholarships to supporting programs, every little bit counts.  👉 https://lnkd.in/eaxY_vDN #SupportEducation #BlackStudents #MakeADifference #EducationForAll #realimpact

If you know anyone in Junior League of The Woodlands, Inc. - you know that this week is our "Little Black Dress Initiative". For 5 days, League Members will either wear a black dress or a black t-shirt and will raise funds/awareness around the programs we support as a league. We focus on teen empowerment on the second day of our LBDI campaign. Through InSTEP (In Support of Teen Empowerment and Progress), a Junior League of The Woodlands program, helps improve social skills, academic achievement, and self-esteem. One issue that InSTEP tackles is Period Poverty—a growing public health crisis and stigma that keeps girls out of school. 1 in 4 young women has missed school as a result of their lack of access to period products. Since the coronavirus pandemic, chronic absenteeism has increased nationwide, and Period Poverty is contributing to the rise. One study found that by 9th grade, every week a student misses school reduces that student’s chance of graduating by about 20%. Your donation makes a real impact. In the last two years, In STEP distributed over 100,000 feminine hygiene products across 8 school districts in North Harris and Montgomery County, combating the effects of Period Poverty and chronic absenteeism. Just $60 provides a 3-month supply of hygiene products through our Period Project program. All funds raised contribute to addressing poverty issues and supporting youth in our community. To support my campaign, please visit: https://lnkd.in/gtE5dRem #JuniorLeague #LBDI #WearBlackGiveBack #ItStartsWithAWoman #JLTW #LittleBlackDress2024

🎓 Excited to share my journey to higher education! 🚀 In the fall of 2011, my path to higher education began, but it was far from typical. As an undocumented student, I faced numerous hurdles that added layers of complexity to my college experience. It was a journey marked by challenges, hope, and resilience. Back in 2012, financial aid for undocumented students was practically non-existent. However, in 2013, Assembly Bill 131 came into effect, opening doors for undocumented AB 540 students like me to access private financial aid totaling approximately $88 million in scholarships and grants. Additionally, AB 130 empowered colleges and universities to award institutional scholarships to qualified undocumented students under AB 540. Simultaneously, DACA, initiated in 2012, offered temporary lawful status to young unauthorized immigrants brought to the U.S. as children. This policy shift infused hope into the hearts of many Dreamers, myself included, reigniting the possibility of immigration reform or amnesty. Yet, despite these glimmers of hope, navigating the higher education system remained a daunting task. The system wasn't designed for individuals like me—those juggling full-time work, family responsibilities, and the challenges of being a first-generation college student with limited resources. Fast forward to 2018, and Rivet School emerged as a beacon of hope. Their commitment to student success, personalized support, and flexibility in earning a Bachelor's degree renewed my confidence. Rivet not only helped me achieve my Bachelor's degree after a decade of perseverance but also opened doors to further opportunities. Through Rivet School, I discovered Presidio Graduate School, where I secured another scholarship, unlocking the possibility of pursuing not one but two master's degrees. This opportunity is beyond what I ever imagined, and it's a testament to the transformative impact of organizations Rivet and Presidio. Soon, I'll proudly become the first member of my family with two master's degrees, a milestone made possible by the unwavering support and opportunities provided by these incredible institutions. #HigherEducation #UndocumentedStudents #Dreamers #RivetSchool #PresidioGraduateSchool #TransformativeEducation

Celebrating Black Philanthropy Month: A Call to Action August is Black Philanthropy Month, a time to honor and elevate Black philanthropy throughout history and today. It's a moment to recognize the impact of giving within Black communities and explore meaningful ways to support causes that make a difference. I might be biased, but Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS)/USA is a powerful way to celebrate and contribute! JRS is dedicated to serving refugees and displaced people globally, with a strong focus on Africa. Programs provide emergency assistance, healthcare, mental health and psychosocial support services, education, and livelihoods training to those in need, embodying the spirit of compassionate and impactful philanthropy. Here’s how supporting JRS aligns with the goals of Black Philanthropy Month: ♥ Global Impact: JRS’s work directly benefits communities in 58 countries by providing essential services and support to those displaced by conflict and crisis. ♥ Empowerment Through Education: JRS educational programs offer refugee children and adults a lifeline, giving them the tools to rebuild their lives and create brighter futures. ♥ Commitment to Human Dignity: JRS’s approach is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves respect and a chance to thrive, reflecting the values of equity and justice central to Black philanthropy. Let’s celebrate by making a meaningful impact by supporting JRS’s initiatives in Africa through the gift of education, advocacy, volunteering, or spreading the word about JRS’s impactful work. https://lnkd.in/ehcVnig3

On Day One of the Little Black Dress Initiative, we’re spotlighting Junior League of The Woodlands’ efforts in addressing education and literacy gaps. Did you know, in neighborhoods surrounding Title I Schools, only one book is available for every 300 children, compared to an average of 12 books for more affluent peers? This contributes to 70% of fourth-grade students from under-resourced environments with access to appropriate learning materials. Keys to Learning, a JLTW initiative, focuses on boosting access to books and educational resources for elementary school-aged children, emphasizing literacy and STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Math) for youth development. Your donation makes a real impact. In 2023, Keys to Learning distributed over 464 books at their annual Literacy Carnival. A small $20 donation puts five books in the hands of local elementary children. All funds raised help tackle poverty issues like literacy in our community. To support my campaign, please visit: https://lnkd.in/gsdiKERR #JuniorLeague #LBDI #WearBlackGiveBack #ItStartsWithAWoman #JLTW #LittleBlackDress2024