As I read the incredible contributions of Independent Sector members in this month’s ChangeWorks newsletter, I am in awe. The awe comes from a personal sense of exhaustion that I am sure I am not alone in feeling. I think we all feel it. There is just so much work to do. If you are even remotely conscious of the world outside our own sector or country, you know that higher rates of vaccination among our communities is only going to solve one small problem, while we continue to fight battles and make progress on all the other fronts. But reading about the work of our members, I feel like I can exhale just a little more deeply. The IS community’s work to strive toward a healthy and more just nation shows that there is strength in our collective relentlessness.
In the May edition of ChangeWorks, you’ll read about Washington, DC-based UnidosUS and their work on voting rights and the importance of continued work to organize, build community, and advocate for the critical right for Latino/a/x people to exercise their voice in our democracy. You’ll learn more about the Seattle-based National Urban Indian Family Coalition and their work to ensure that the Native community is no longer an invisible population in our justice work. We also have amazing stories about the work in heath care, particularly mental health, by the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, and Canopy Children’s Solutions, based in Alexandria, Virginia and Jackson, Mississippi, respectively.
Our newsletter follows an incredible Upswell Pop-Up event that also featured the work and contributions of our members. Sindy Marisol Benavides of the League of United Latin American Citizens, Brian Miller of Nonprofit VOTE, Leslie Starsoneck and Tamela A. Spicer of the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy, and Nathan Moore of Fetzer Institute all shared incredible insights on civil rights, voting rights and engagement, the role of our boards of directors in advocacy work, and the critical need for self and community care right now.
Between the discussions at the Upswell Pop-Up and the stories in ChangeWorks, we hope you all gain perspective, insights, and inspiration you need to fill your cup and move forward in your missions. Make sure to join us for future Upswell events. And if you’re an IS member who would like to be featured in an upcoming ChangeWorks, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at changeworks@independentsector.org.