Rhonda Austin’s Post

Hate is Not Patriotic Hate is not British. It’s cowardly, deplorable, and wrong. Criminality, especially in the name of hate, must face the full force of the law. Diversity is Our Strength No racist can ever change that. The actions of Far Right thugs across the UK this past week have been shocking and scary. Today, I am thinking about all my BAME friends and connections. Some have told me how scared they now feel. I am here to listen, understand, and stand up to the thugs. What We Can Do One thing we can do as librarians is continue to fight the disinformation that fuels racism. A good place to start is by advocating for Full Fact, an independent fact-checking organization https://lnkd.in/eJ_jv6kw We can also educate people on evaluating sources, particularly using the CRAAP test https://lnkd.in/eUbGaE5u This helps ensure information is credible and reliable. Let's work together to make a difference.

ICMYI: I had the amazing opportunity to interview Renee Bebee, the executive director of Crossfire Ministries, for my podcast "Beyond the Dais." Crossfire Ministries has been serving the El Paso County, Colorado area for 32 years, providing essential services to families in need. Here are some of the key takeaways from the insightful conversation: 1. **Community Impact**: Crossfire Ministries provides no-cost groceries, clothing, personal hygiene items, and utility assistance to families in need, serving approximately 450 families a day, with no zip code restrictions. 2. **Partnerships and Collaboration**: Through key partnerships with organizations such as Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado, Mercy's Gate, The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities of Central Colorado, and others, Crossfire Ministries maximizes its impact and ensures that families are connected with the resources they need, including support for rent and utilities. 3. **Volunteer Opportunities**: The organization relies on volunteers to support its operations, with a constant need for 50 to 60 volunteers daily. Whether it's volunteering, holding food drives, or making financial contributions, there are numerous ways for the community to get involved. If you're interested in learning more about how you can support Crossfire Ministries or access their services, visit their website at https://lnkd.in/gTpvXK4H. #CommunityService #VolunteerOpportunities #NonprofitOrganization #localgovernment https://lnkd.in/g-BxguEF

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

🌟 Empowering Communities: Bridging the Gap Between Corporations and Non-Profits 🌟 As professionals, we often find ourselves deeply committed to fostering positive change in our communities. Today, I want to share a vision that holds immense potential for impact: the powerful collaboration between corporations and non-profit organizations. Regardless of our roles within our respective companies, we possess the ability to forge meaningful partnerships that can uplift and empower those in need. If there's a non-profit you deeply resonate with, take a moment to envision the transformative impact that could be achieved by joining forces. For me, that organization is Cradles To Crayons Inc, specifically their Philadelphia Chapter. Their dedication to providing essential resources and educational support to children in need resonates deeply, particularly in a city like Philadelphia, where over 300,000 children grapple with poverty. It's crucial to recognize that these children are not just statistics; they are the future of our community. By empowering them with the tools they need to thrive, we're investing in a brighter tomorrow for everyone. So, I urge you: if there's a cause close to your heart, don't hesitate to reach out. Forge connections between your company and the non-profit sector. Together, we can create a ripple effect of positive change that reverberates far beyond our individual efforts. Let's work hand in hand to build a future where every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential. Together, we can make a difference. 💫 #CommunityEmpowerment #CorporateSocialResponsibility #PartnershipsThatMatter https://lnkd.in/dw4VTbUs

Earning #backlinks for your piece of writing/infographic/report becomes difficult because instant value-creation is a tough task for development organisations in general. Also, big organisations like the United Nations in this space have built such a high authority, credibility and legacy over time that you have to really stand out for your work to reflect in the mentions of others. Let’s not forget that real impact— both qualitative and quantitative— after all, takes time, a considerable amount of it. What works best for nonprofits to create linkable assets is in-depth research like ASER Centre does or case studies with intensely humane and succinct data points that can be replicated by others. Or, which gives others, real hope. This 🔻 https://lnkd.in/gsaUMTgA seemingly unrelated, but highly valuable infographic got hundreds of backlinks because they created something that touched a chord with its viewers and detailed themes considered to be universal— ‘Family’ and ‘Keeping them safe and happy’. 💡I am thinking about how to create linkable assets for the different organisations I work with. Meanwhile, go through the above infographic, and determine for yourself ‘What the grand American dream is actually made up of?’ PS: I still have NYC dreams 😅 #Nonprofits #NGOs #Infographics #IdeasAndActionsChangeTheWorld 🗺️🇮🇳

The Texas Tribune membership drive is officially underway! As the most widely read publication on Texas policy and politics, our members are critical to our success. They let us know what's working, what's not, and help us gauge what questions to ask. Our members sustain us and are vital to our mission of providing reliable and credible information for free. But as we all know, journalism isn't free. It takes time to develop, verify, distribute, and design stories. Our goal is to provide Texans with the information they need to make informed decisions, understand policy, build businesses, and continue to make Texas even better. We believe in our community and engaging Texans, as well as those interested in Texas. That's why we're aiming for 500 new members during this drive. Will you help us reach our goal? Become a member today and join us in building a more engaged Texas. Visit https://lnkd.in/giWzygue to become a member and support our mission. #TexasTribune #MembershipDrive #SupportLocalJournalism #TexasPolitics #TexasPolicy #ReliableNews #CredibleInformation #Community #JoinUs #EngagedTexas

Are we in a generosity crisis? Check out this Vox article covering the state of charitable giving in the US and continue to follow JFC for #TuesdayTips on increasing your donations and more: https://lnkd.in/gGm3zjTY.

New PBS series 📽️ "The Invisible Shield" examines how #publichealth makes modern life possible, but it is often underfunded, undervalued and misunderstood. Learn more and stream here ➡️ https://hubs.la/Q02rjFhV0

What a year 2023 was! From forging relationships with community partners to new events like our SuperK, there's a lot we accomplished in those 12 months. Read all about these things and more in our 2023 Impact Report! https://lnkd.in/e8AZ9QPt #nonprofit #2023 #report

Is there a cost of giving crisis? BBC Children in Need’s 2023 appeal (on-the-night total) £33.5m BBC Children in Need’s 2022 appeal (on-the-night total) £35.3m BBC Children in Need’s 2021 appeal (on-the-night total) £39.4m BBC Children in Need’s 2020 appeal (on-the-night total) £37.0m (Covid-19)