You may have heard that volunteering your time or giving a donation can boost your health and happiness. In fact, studies have shown that giving back can be good for you in myriad ways, including: lowering blood pressure, boosting dopamine and oxytocin in the brain, lowering stress levels and even helping you live longer. We rounded up a few amazing causes, both local and international, that benefit women, moms, families and children. Please consider supporting them this holiday season and all year long. Have any you love that you don’t see here? Email [email protected]
Local
Any Baby Can fulfills their mission of improving the lives of children, helping them and entire families reach their full potential through services for children with cancer and other medical needs, children with developmental delays, classes for new and expecting parents, and moms and dad seeking parenting classes.
ADRN’s trains and empowers local volunteers to to be ready to respond quickly in the event of a disaster in Central Texas. It is through the generosity of donors like you that “ADRN can fund the rebuild/repair of survivor homes and provide immediate assistance to those in crisis.”
The Austin Plastic Surgery Foundation works both locally and abroad to improve lives through “medical, surgical and therapeutic care to underserved children with cleft lip/palate and craniofacial anomalies.”
Sanctuary Project is a survivor run business providing dignifying work and community for women who are survivors of trafficking, addiction and abuse. SP sells handmade jewelry and 100% of the sales are used to provide more job opportunities and job training for survivors. Support the mission of brining hope and healing to survivors
The mission of Foster Village is to come alongside children and families within the welfare system to be a village of support through the meeting of essential needs, therapeutic services and community unifying events- so these families know they are not alone.
“Foster Angels provides immediate assistance to foster children in the form of basic needs (clothing, food, beds, medical expenses, transportation, education) and life-enhancing experiences (birthday parties, camp, sports and the arts)” to help them reach their full potential in life.
Carrying Hope collects & distributes backpacks and diaper bags filled with necessities and comfort items to foster care agencies and CPS caseworkers to help ease the very difficult transition to foster care for vulnerable children and babies.
Every child deserves an advocate who is on their side, looking out for their best interests in school, at home and in court. CASA educates and empowers a diverse community of volunteers to become dedicated advocates for children within the child welfare system in Travis County.
“The SAFE Alliance exists to stop abuse for everyone by serving the survivors of child abuse, sexual assault and exploitation, and domestic violence. We are dedicated to ending violence through prevention, advocacy, and comprehensive services for individuals, families, and communities that have been affected by abuse.” From now until December 31st every gift will be matched dollar for dollar by Michael and Susan Dell Foundation.
The mission of Beautifully Loved is “to improve confidence and self-worth for families dealing with pediatric cancer and other chronic illnesses through experiences of wellness, beauty and fashion,” so that any young person battling chronic illness, along with their families, will feel seen, empowered, cared for and beautifully loved.
National
This Giving Tuesday, Little Spoon has partnered with Christy Turlington-Burns and this national organization to raise awareness and funds to fight maternal mortality. Hashtag #oneforyearone and Little Spoon will make a donation!
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
This leading children’s hospital has been working to treat and prevent catastrophic childhood illnesses since 1962. Generous donations over decades mean that no family ever receives a bill for treatment.
This organization has helped millions of babies and moms thrive by helping them get their best possible start, for the past 80 years.
This nonprofit, started when its founder was in high school, helps sick children; they recently pledged $40 million to support two cancer hospitals.
This charity supports cancer survivors and families with tools for life after cancer, from self-care kits to other resources.
This nonprofit organization works to keep America’s runaway, homeless and at-risk youth safe and off the streets. Last year, through the organization’s crisis center (hotline, emails, texts and online forum), staff and trained volunteers connected with more than 100,000 young people and their parents or guardians.
The Rory Staunton Foundation for Sepsis Prevention
This organization was founded by two loving parents who lost their 12 year old son to sepsis in 2012. They work hard every day to help end preventable deaths to sepsis through education and more, including a recent federal grant for their maternal sepsis awareness campaign.
Childhelp has brought the light of hope and healing into the lives of more than 10 and a half million children as a leading national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping abused, neglected and at-risk children. Founded in 1959, Childhelp’s programs include residential treatment services, children’s advocacy centers, therapeutic foster care, group homes, prevention education, and the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline.
Pencils of Promise is a for-purpose organization that works across the globe to build schools and create programs around the goal of education for all. JamesAllen.com, an online jewelry boutique, has partnered with Pencils of Promise; forpurchase made on Dec 3rd and Dec 10th, they’ll be donating $50 to the charity.
EveryLibrary is launching Libraries 2020 for Giving Tuesday. EveryLibrary, an organization dedicated to building voter support for libraries and advocating in support of public funding for libraries. Donations support direct contributions to local library campaigns and enables EveryLibrary to provide services to libraries at no cost.
This nonprofit organization provides college scholarships to children who have lost a parent in the line of duty.
Healthy Humor is a nonprofit arts organization whose professional performers create moments of joy, wonder, laughter, and comfort for hospitalized children and all others who are most in need. Red Nose Docs is Healthy Humor’s flagship program.
Bird + Stone is a jewelry line founded on the idea that brands have the power to be vehicles for change. Their jewelry is made ethically and the company donates a portion of profits (explained clearly in product description) to organizations moving the needle on important global causes, from investing in women to girls education.
There are few better ways to support children and families than supporting the environment and our oceans. This is one of the oldest and most respected organizations championing our most important resources.
Want us to add a cause? Email our Editor at [email protected]! This article originally appeared on The Local Moms Network.