What Can I Do Now?

by Caryl Hughan

As our nation faces unprecedented challenges, I ask myself what I can do to help until a champion group emerges with which I can align. How can I transform myself and the world during this unsettling time?

One way I try to make a difference is to support local groups who are making a positive impact in the lives of people in our Bay Area neighborhoods. I support the following four organizations because I know that their actions will ripple out across our county and perhaps, our country.

Faith in Action Bay Area is a network of congregations active in San Mateo County advocating for immigration and housing justice. If I cannot provide physical feet on the ground along with the advocates who protest ICE activity in the county or personally work for housing for all, I can be grateful by supporting them financially. Find out more about Faith in Action on their website and donate there.

Homework Central changes the lives of children who can benefit from an academic extra helping hand. The organization supports families who commit to educating their children. I tutored children at HWC and it was a life-changing experience. The growth that children exhibited was breathtaking. If I cannot tutor, I can support the organization with a financial gift. HWC provides children with a healthy snack when they arrive for tutoring sessions and healthy snacks are expensive. Explore the HWC website to find out how you can help and donate toward the welfare of so many children and families in neighborhoods close to us.

Thrive is a network of nonprofit and government organizations serving San Mateo County. It doesn’t cost a cent to subscribe to Thrive and it allows me to see the many productive activities that contribute to the well-being of our county. I attended a Climate Change Forum that was outstanding in highlighting organizations large and small working to make our neighborhoods safer and more beautiful. It was amazing. The Thrive Newsletters provide community event opportunities, environment and sustainability suggestions and events, and how to manage disasters. Check it out here.

Resistbot is an app that I support with a small monthly donation so that I can instantly

message my national Congressional representatives or my state representatives. I’ve

been messaging them frequently not only with urgent messages but with messages of

support. I hope that it helps get them through the day. It helps me get through mine.