Blog Action Day 2008
Today is Blog Action Day, an annual nonprofit event wherein bloggers, podcasters, and videocasters from around the world post about the same issue on the same day. The online event aims to raise awareness on a global level.
This year, online media members are discussing the complex issue of poverty. Obviously, there is no simple answer to this worldwide problem, but Blog Action Day enables thousands of people to openly give their own perspectives, creating discussion, ideas, and hopefully real-life action.
Here in Chicago, a city with numerous resources, there are plenty of ways to get involved in the effort to end poverty:
Tutor/Mentor Connection: This program's mission is to 'improve the availability and quality of comprehensive long-term, volunteer-based tutor/mentor programs in high-poverty areas of the Chicago region and other large U.S. cities through an ongoing, dynamic exchange of ideas.' The T/MC connects volunteers and business leaders with disadvantaged youth, helping them find jobs and careers.
Greater Chicago Food Depository: The nonprofit food distribution and training center provides food for hungry people in the community. The Depository works through a network of 600 food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters. Last year, the GCFD distributed more than 46 million pounds of nonperishable food, fresh produce, dairy products, and meat.
The Blue Gargoyle: Founded in 1968, this organization assists children and adults in developing the skills necessary to become self-reliant in today's competitive society. Their Adult Learning Program helps over 350 students a year with reading, writing, math, and job readiness skills.
Big Brothers Big Sisters: BBBS is the oldest, largest, and most effective youth mentoring program in the United States. The organization serves children, ages 6-18, in communities across the country, including right here in Chicago. BBBS aims to empower children through positive one-to-one relationships.
Chicago End Poverty Meetup: This event invites concerned citizens to gather, get to know each other, and brainstorm ideas on how to end poverty in our community.
The Anti-Poverty Blog: Written by a Chicago-based individual, this blog provides the latest news on the movement to end hunger and poverty.
This post is part of Blog Action Day 08 - Poverty Tags: benefits, blogs, charities, chicago, links, News
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POSTED IN: News
2 opinions for Blog Action Day 2008
Alex
Oct 15, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Great post, Thank you for sharing, I myself wrote about it here: http://www.guruofsales.com/general/427/fight-poverty-its-blog-action-day-today and got a huge respond from readers and other bloggers. Would you please honor us and share your thoughts by leaving a comment on our post? I am trying to come up with something new tomorrow and I will include and encourage readers to visit your blog back so we can all unite to fight poverty.
Dan Bassill
Oct 18, 2008 at 11:09 am
Thank you for taking the initiative to write about the Tutor/Mentor Connection and other volunteer opportunities in Chicago. If we can create blog events like this every three months, pointing to stories about the various tutoring/mentoring programs in Chicago, or pointing to maps showing where such programs are needed (such as http://mappingforjustice.blogspot.com) we can create more consistent advertising and awarness, and a better distribution of programs, volunteers and learning opportunities to kids in all poverty areas of the city.
The T/MC is hosting a conference at the Field Museum on Nov. 21. I hope readers will spread the word and attend this event. It is part of an on-going public awareness and networking strategy that began in 1993.
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