What to do this week of December 16, 2018

by Dec 17, 2018Opinion, What To Do This Week0 comments

109 weeks down, 98 weeks to the presidential election.

The AoC Checklist features clear, well-researched actions for Americans who value democracy, equality, voting, and decency. We practice gratitude, self-care, and celebration to stay engaged.

Spread the light this season: Below are our suggestions for how to do good while giving for the holidays. When you choose among these action options, you can print out the receipt and wrap it up as a gift for someone you love. 

I value democracy.

With respect and collaboration, we create a government for the people, by the people.

▢ Action 1: Purchase quality journalism for your loved ones.
Give the gift of quality journalism and trustworthy news. Consider:

I value equality.

Stand with your rainbow of neighbors from every religion, race, ethnicity, culture, gender, sexual orientation, economic status, age, and ability. Out of many, we are one.

▢ Action 1: Give people behind bars opportunities for self-improvement.

DonateCash or donate requested books to the Prison Book Program. (We’ve already purchased over 80 books this December!)

▢ Action 2: Support the education of a literacy justice advocate.

We featured Jamarria Hall in Good News for his efforts to sue Detroit Schools for the right to literacy. Jen had the honor of meeting him at the YCBA 100 Summit in San Francisco. Let’s support his next semester’s fees in college.
Donatehttps://www.gofundme.com/jamarria-hall039s-funding-for-school

▢ Action 3: Support youth advocates with complex needs.

Little Lobbyists work to expand the rights of all America’s kids with special needs.
Donate: https://littlelobbyists.org/

▢ Action 4: Give clean, lead-free water to Flint residents.

Donate: Give to the Flint Water Fund through the United Way of Genesee County. Click the red bar at the top.

I value secure, convenient voting and fair elections.

Democracy thrives when all citizens can freely elect those who represent their values.

▢ Action 1: Protect our constitutional democracy.

Support non-partisan advocacy and legislation that strengthens our democracy.
Donate: To the Brennan Center here.

I value showing hospitality to all people, no matter where they were born.

People who immigrate are fellow human beings whom we treat with respect and decency. We oppose inhumane treatment and vilification of people who immigrate and the government bodies that perpetuate it.

▢ Action 1: Give direct aid to people deported by the US.

Recently-deported people are vulnerable and are left with nothing. 
Donate: 

To Kino Border Initiative here. https://www.kinoborderinitiative.org/humanitarian-aid/

▢ Action 2: Provide legal representation for vulnerable, unaccompanied children.

With a legal representative, people seeking asylum have statistically higher chance of their claims succeeding.
Donate: To Raices’ LEAF fund here.

▢ Action 3: Support reuniting moms and their kids.

Give 360 support: legal, bond payment, emergency housing, clothing, food and more to reunite families.
Donate: To Immigrant Families Together here.

Acts of Gratitude

Get out your stamps, postcards, and sparkle markers for some gratitude mail.

Thank Sens Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) for longstanding pursuit of reauthorizing the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act. [Share why trauma-informed screening and community-based alternatives to detention for at-risk youth matter to you.] Addresses:

  • CG: 120 Federal Building, 320 6th Street, Sioux City, IA 51101
  • SW: 170 Westminster St., Ste. 200, Providence, RI 02903

Thank the American Friends Service Committee for organizing an interfaith protest at the San Diego/Tijuana border this week. [Share why you appreciation interfaith action against inhumane immigration policy.]Address: 1501 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102

Thank Sens. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) for your bipartisan effort to grant Temporary Protected Status for eligible Venezuelans. [Share why bipartisan immigration efforts matter to you.] Addresses:

  • BM: One Gateway Center, Suite 1100, Newark, New Jersey 07102
  • MR: 1650 Prudential Drive, Suite 220, Jacksonville, FL 32207
  • DD: 230 S. Dearborn Street, Suite 3892, Chicago, IL 60604
  • PL: 199 Main Street, 4th Floor, Burlington, VT 05401

Thank Reps. Charlie Crist (D-FL), Francis Rooney (R-FL), Ted Deutch (R-FL), Dave Trott (R-MI), John Delany (D-MD), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) for demonstrating bipartisanship is possible through co-sponsorship of a bill addressing climate change. [Share why you appreciate bipartisan efforts to solve complex problems facing our nation.] Addresses:

  • DT: 625 East Big Beaver Road, Suite 204, Troy, MI 48083
  • CC: 696 1st Avenue North, Suite 203, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
  • FR: 3299 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 105, Naples, FL 34112
  • TD: 7900 Glades Road, Ste. 250, Boca Raton, FL  33434
  • JD: 9801 Washingtonian Boulevard, Suite 330, Gaithersburg, MD 20878
  • BF: 1717 Langhorne Newtown Rd. Suite 400, Langhorne, PA 19047

Good news

Decent people everywhere are doing kind and just things. #GoodNews

National

State

Local

Corporate/business

Groups and organizations

News with heart

Spread the word

Know someone who could use some good news and clear actions? Please share!

Tweet: Need a boost? This week’s @AoCChecklist is full of good news for our democracy. Encouragement in 3… 2…  https://americansofconscience.com/12-16-2018/

Post on Facebook: Need a boost? This week’s Americans of Conscience Checklist is full of good news for our democracy. Check it out here: https://americansofconscience.com/12-16-2018/

Print: The Americans of Conscience Checklist flier and share at in-person events.

Housekeeping

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