Feel Good Friday - Housing Works

December is HIV/AIDS Awareness Month, making this the perfect time to spotlight Housing Works.

Founded in 1990 and headquartered in New York City, the mission of Housing Works is "to end the dual crises of homelessness and AIDS through relentless advocacy, the provision of lifesaving services, and entrepreneurial businesses that sustain our efforts."

Born from the AIDS activism of four ACT UP members—Keith Cylar, Charles King, Eric Sawyer, and Virginia Shubert—Housing Works emerged during a time when tens of thousands of New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS were facing homelessness and had nowhere to turn. These founders believed that stable housing was the key to helping HIV-positive people live healthy lives and prevent further spread of the virus.

Since 1990, Housing Works has served more than 30,000 homeless and low-income New Yorkers living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. Their comprehensive services include supportive housing (over 800 units), healthcare through five health centers across the city, mental health and substance use treatment, nutritional counseling, legal assistance, and their Ready For Work program—an eight-week workforce development initiative that provides job training and guarantees employment opportunities for graduates.

What sets Housing Works apart is their pioneering social enterprise model. To sustain their mission while reducing dependence on grants, they operate nine acclaimed thrift shops throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn, the beloved Housing Works Bookstore Cafe in SoHo, and even opened New York State's first legal recreational cannabis dispensary in 2022. Every purchase at these businesses directly funds their lifesaving services.

Their advocacy work is equally powerful. With offices in New York City, Albany, Washington D.C., Haiti, and Puerto Rico, Housing Works fights tirelessly for legislation ensuring all people living with HIV/AIDS have access to quality housing, healthcare, and protection from discrimination.

If you'd like to support Housing Works, there are many ways to do so. You can volunteer at their bookstore, thrift shops, or special events like their annual Design on a Dime benefit. Consider donating items to their thrift shops or bookstore, making a financial contribution, shopping at their retail locations or online store, and amplifying their message on social media. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to stay connected with their work.

Feel Good Friday - Partners In Health

Today is International Universal Health Coverage Day, a global observance advocating for accessible, quality healthcare for everyone—making it the perfect time to spotlight Partners In Health.

Founded in 1987 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, the mission of Partners In Health is "to provide a preferential option for the poor in health care. By establishing long-term relationships with sister organizations based in settings of poverty, Partners In Health strives to achieve two overarching goals: to bring the benefits of modern medical science to those most in need of them and to serve as an antidote to despair."

To hear the origin story of Partners In Health directly from co-founders Dr. Paul Farmer, Dr. Jim Yong Kim, and Ophelia Dahl, you can watch the documentary, Bending the Arc, which is available to stream for free on their website. This powerful film chronicles how three young idealists in their teens began a movement that would forever change global health.

Partners In Health operates on a revolutionary model rooted in accompaniment. That means meeting patients where they are and providing not just medical care, but addressing social determinants of health like food, housing, and clean water. Central to this approach is their community health worker program, which employs more than 12,000 trusted community members worldwide who serve as bridges between health systems and patients. These workers make home visits, provide social support, and ensure patients receive consistent care. Research shows PIH patients supported by community health workers are more likely to remain in care and less likely to die compared to patients at other facilities.

In 2024 alone Partners In Health has delivered remarkable impact: 2.9 million outpatient visits in supported clinics, 795,200 home visits by community health workers, 152,430 prenatal care visits to support healthy pregnancies. You can read the full impact report here. Their work spans 11 countries including Haiti, Peru, Rwanda, Mexico, Malawi, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Lesotho, Russia, and the Navajo Nation within the United States.

If you'd like to support Partners In Health, there are many ways to do so. You can make a donation to sustain their life-saving work, join PIH Engage as a volunteer community organizer in your area, or amplify their message on social media. Follow PIH on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn, subscribe to their YouTube channel and share their stories of hope and healing with your network.

Feel Good Friday - Oakland LGBTQ Community Center

Today’s LGBTQ+ Pride Month organization is local, well to me at least. Time to learn about the Oakland LGBTQ Community Center.

Founded in 2017 by two African American gay men, and headquartered in Oakland, California, the mission of the Oakland LGBTQ Community Center (the Center) is to enhance and sustain “the well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals, our families and allies, by providing educational, social, and health related activities, programs and services.”

The Center is the first multi-ethnic, intergenerational, multi-service center for the LGBTQ community in Oakland. It’s also the first all-inclusive LGBTQ community center led and founded by African Americans in the state of California. 

In addition to blazing trails, the Center lives up to it’s multi-service description. In this 5-minute video staff from the Center talk about the work they do and the impact it has on both them and the community. One of the main services offered is support groups. Whether you’re young, old, trans, Latinx, Black, or in recovery, there’s a support group for you. Check this calendar to see the schedule for group meetings and other activities.

The Center also runs a wellness clinic where people can address their physical health and schedule an appointment for sexual health testing. They have a small food pantry and a lending library where you can borrow both fiction and non-fiction books that center the LBGTQ community and history. Biography of Grace Jones anyone?

Other programs offered by the Center including mental health resources and emergency housing and rental assistance have been suspended due to funding cuts. However, you can still visit this community resources page to find a list of other organizations that can provide assistance.

If you’d like to help the Oakland LGBTQ Community Center achieve their vision “to become Oakland and Alameda County's premier network of programs and services for the LGBTQ community” there are many ways you can do so. Those of us who live in the Bay Area can volunteer our time. No matter where you live you can make a much needed donation to the Center and amplify their work on social media. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Happy Pride!

Feel Good Friday - UnidosUS

Cinco de Mayo is coming up and while it celebrates Mexico’s victory in the Battle of Puebla, it’s also a good reason to learn more about today’s organization, UnidosUS.

Founded in 1968 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., UnidosUS is the largest Latino civil rights organization in the United States. Their mission is “to build a stronger America by creating opportunities for the Latino community.”

As they state on their website, 64 million Latinos live in the United States and they contribute $3.6 trillion to the U.S. economy. UnidosUS uses a combination of expert research, advocacy, programs and a national network of nearly 300 community-based Affiliate organizations to challenge the social, economic, and political barriers that affect Latinos in the United States.

Key focus areas include civil rights and immigration, education, health, housing & financial empowerment, racial equity, voting & political empowerment, and workforce development. Examples of what that looks like in action are college-readiness programs, a training program for housing counselors, supporting policies that prioritize the integration of immigrants and their path to citizenship, job training and voter registration drives. You can view details on all issues on the website.

In 2023, the most recent impact report available, UnidosUS awarded $17.3 million in grants to Affiliates to support their programs and invested $4 million in the HOME initiative which aims to create four million Hispanic homeowners by 2030. Advocacy efforts enabled 2.7 million women and their children to gain access to food and 500,000 people had their Medicaid coverage restored after it was wrongfully terminated.

In addition to all of this, UnidosUS has an extensive collection of research on the Hispanic community in their Publication Library and they also provide information and resources on immigrants rights and what to do if you’re stopped by ICE, getting health care coverage and applying for U.S. citizenship.

If you’d like to help UnidosUS build, stronger communities and a stronger America you can make a donation and amplify their work on social media. Follow UnidosUS on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn and subscribe to their YouTube channel.

Feel Good Friday - BlaqOut

We’re closing out Black History Month by highlighting BlaqOut, an organization working to improve health and social outcomes for Kansas City's Black LGBTQ+ community.

Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, BlaqOut's mission is “to create a community where Black people of queer and trans experience are connected and supported, have access to safe spaces, and enjoy sufficient resources to help them thrive.” They achieve this through a variety of programs and easily accessible, no-cost services.

Programs include: Let’s PrEP, designed to reduce HIV incidence and prevalence; the LEAD Fellowship Program, an immersive 12-month program designed to cultivate and empower the next generation of Black LGBTQ+ leaders; Level Up, which uses peer-driven recruitment to connect to populations at high risk for contracting HIV; Mpox, providing education and vaccination resources for this infection formerly known as monkeypox; SWAG (Sexual Wellness and Growth), providing holistic sexual education; and VEAP (Vaccine Equity and Awareness Program), promoting vaccinations, boosters and encouraging good health practices for all. Whew!

Examples of the no-cost services BlaqOut provides include primary care, health insurance navigation, HIV testing, medication delivery, transportation and supportive services such as emergency housing, food and clothing. To access any of these services, fill out this request form. Their website also has links to numerous resources specific to housing, mental health, substance abuse and more.

Finally, BlaqOut recently launched a community-based pubic awareness campaign called "Give A F_ck", which is designed to spark conversations, bridge gaps, and inspire action to protect the lives, health, safety, and acceptance of the Black LGBTQ+ community.”

If you’d like to support BlaqOut’s vision of “a world where all Black people of queer and trans experience live with dignity and are free from racial injustice and health inequity” there are many ways you can do so. Volunteer your time, donate your money, and spread the word on social media. Follow BlaqOut on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn and subscribe to the BlaqOut YouTube channel.

Feel Good Friday - California Community Foundation

Another week and fires are still burning around Los Angeles so again we’re going to highlight an organization providing support to the impacted communities. Today, it’s the California Community Foundation.

Established in 1915 and headquartered in Los Angeles, California, the mission of the California Community Foundation (CCF) is “to lead positive systemic change that strengthens Los Angeles’ communities.” They do this through fundraising and awarding grants to organizations that provide “long-term, comprehensive solutions that address the vital issues concerning quality of life in Los Angeles County.”

Let’s start with the wildfires. This falls under CCF’s focus area on community resilience and empowering communities to adapt and thrive in the face of climate change. In response to the current wildfires, CCF created a Wildfire Recovery Fund. As of January 17th, they have raised over $30 million from a cross-section of donors, including major corporations, foundations, and more than 27,000 individual donors. Over $15 million in grants has already been awarded to nearly 130 nonprofit organizations and future donations will help people in the region recover and rebuild.

Other areas of focus for CCF include housing and homelessness, education, health, immigration, arts and culture, and civic engagement. Examples of what the funding provides includes: low-interest loans and grants to create and preserve affordable housing, making art accessible for all, healthcare and health education for economically disadvantaged residents in greater South Los Angeles, creating more equity and inclusion so immigrants and their families can thrive, and education initiatives for students from underserved communities.

In the last fiscal year, CCF gave out more than 9,837 in grants, which totaled just over $440 million. Since 2004, they have given more than $3.9 billion in grants, which has impacted hundreds of thousands of lives across Los Angeles County.

If you’d like to help the California Community Foundation respond to the wildfires or otherwise help strengthen Los Angeles communities, you can. Make a donation and spread the word on social media. Like the CCF Facebook page and follow them on Instagram and LinkedIn. 

Feel Good Friday - Providence Hospice of Oregon

I’ve been highlighting organizations in Oregon the last few weeks because I’ve been here taking care of a relative in hospice care, which leads me to today’s organization, Providence Hospice of Oregon.

Part of Providence Health System, Providence Hospice of Oregon “provides expert, compassionate care for individuals” facing the end of life. Their vision is “health for a better world.”

The hospice team at Providence works with the patient’s primary caregivers, people like me, to provide the support needed to keep the patient in their own home, living as fully and completely as possible and being able to spend time with family and friends.

Hospice is covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance. The team at Providence Hospice brings the care to the patient’s home. We had regular visits from a Registered Nurse and speedy deliveries of equipment, medications and supplies. There is a 24/7 hotline staffed by RNs available to answer questions and coordinate logistics for the caregivers.

They also provide chaplains, social workers and additional therapies such as massage, acupuncture and music thanatologists who “use harp and voice to create an atmosphere of serenity and comfort to calm and soothe the patient.” You can view the full list of services here. 

It’s been a difficult time, which has come to an inevitable end. Throughout it all, the team at Providence Hospice of Oregon was professional, attentive and caring. You can let more people know about this service by supporting them on social media. Like the Providence Health System Facebook page and follow them on Instagram or LinkedIn.

Feel Good Friday - Zdravotní Klaun (The Healthcare Clown)

Happy Feel Good Friday from the Czech Republic! I’m in Prague and want to highlight the local organization, Zdravotní Klaun, which translates into the Healthcare Clown.

Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Prague, Zdravotní Klaun has helped both pediatric patients and seniors endure the process of medical treatment with a smile. Their mission is “to bring joy, good spirits, and hope to places in need”. Those places are primarily hospital rooms and specialized clinics and care centers for seriously ill children or seniors.

Let’s start with their programs for children. The most common is pairs of medical clowns dressed as doctors and nurses visiting children’s wards to “prescribe laughter, banish stress and sadness, encourage small patients and prescribe more than a large amount of humor.” The medical clowns consult with medical staff on the condition of the children before their visit. You can watch this short video to see the clowns in action without having to translate the website.

In addition to children’s hospital wards, the medical clowns also visit intensive care units, emergency rooms and host virtual clown parties. For children with long-term illnesses, there is a weekly program that teaches them skills such as magic and juggling and culminates in a performance for their parents, other patients and staff.

The programs for seniors include medical clown visits to geriatric departments of hospitals, homes for the elderly, treatment centers for the chronically ill, and hospice centers. The clowns enlist the seniors to perform in variety shows based on their memories and favorite activities. Zdravotní Klaun also provides seminars for healthcare professionals to share techniques and methods of open communication the professionals can use with their patients.

Currently, there are 93 professional healthcare clowns in the Czech Republic who make over 300 visits each month to 66 hospitals, 11 nursing homes and one hospice center. That’s a lot of laughter and joy.

If you’d like to support the work of Zdravotní Klaun there are many ways to do so. If you live in the Czech Republic you can become a healthcare clown . The rest of us can make a donation and spread the word on social media. Like the Zdravotní Klaun Facebook page, follow them on Instagram and subscribe to their YouTube channel.

Feel Good Friday - Every Mother Counts

Today is the start of Women’s History Month and we’re kicking it off by highlighting Every Mother Counts.

Founded in 2010 by Christy Turlington Burns, the mission of Every Mother Counts (EMC) is “making pregnancy and childbirth safe for everyone, everywhere.”

The statistics on the website are alarming. Every year, approximately 287,000 women around the world, or one woman every two minutes, dies from complications of pregnancy and childbirth. 99% of maternal deaths take place in the developing world and the majority of them can be prevented by ensuring that women have access to quality, respectful, and equitable maternity care. That’s where EMC comes in.

Every Mother Counts partners with local, community-based organizations around the globe to identify and develop effective, appropriate solutions to improve maternal health. They provide grants to support programs that strengthen healthcare workforces, facilitate access to resources, advance proven models of care, place mothers at the center, and promote human rights, equity and birth justice. Currently, work is being done in Guatemala, Haiti, Tanzania, Bangladesh and the United States.

In addition to providing grant funding, EMC advocates for policy and systems change on local, national and international levels to advance improvements in maternal health. They have also created over 40 documentary films to raise awareness of the issues faced by both pregnant woman and healthcare providers. Last, the website has resources for people who want to learn more about the issues and a guide designed to educate people about their pregnancy and birth options called Choices in Childbirth.

Since they began, EMC has provided over $24 million in funding to more than 40 programs in 16 countries. In turn, these programs to advance maternal health have impacted over one million people!

If you want to help Every Mother Counts improve maternal health outcomes around the world, there are many ways you can do so. Download the advocacy toolkit, shop for gifts that give back or make a donation. As always, help spread the word on social media. View and share their films on Vimeo and follow Every Mother Counts on Facebook and on Instagram @everymomcounts.

Feel Good Friday - Doctors Without Borders

Another Friday with people around the world impacted by conflict and natural disasters. Another post about an organization doing something to help. Today we focus on Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières, also known as MSF. 

Founded in 1971 by a group of doctors and journalists in France, MSF provides “independent, impartial medical humanitarian assistance to the people who need it most.” 

What started as a group of a few hundred volunteers 50 years ago has grown into an international movement of more than 63,000 staff providing over 10 million medical consultations in more than 70 countries and territories every year. This short video gives a great overview of their work as told by the people who do it.

MSF provides care where the needs for their expertise are greatest regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or politics. Nearly 25% of their projects are dedicated to assisting people living in conflict. In the current Israel-Gaza war, MSF offered support to Israeli hospitals treating large numbers of casualties following attacks by Hamas militants. They are also treating people at the MSF-supported Al-Awda hospital in Gaza. You can find the latest updates at this link.

MSF aid workers respond to natural disasters like the recent earthquakes in Afghanistan and Morocco. Because they have a worldwide network, they are often the first group to deploy rapid, lifesaving medical care. This network can also be activated during an outbreak of infectious disease. MSF will set up temporary facilities to treat patients, run mass vaccination campaigns and improve water and sanitation services to help prevent the spread of disease.

Finally, MSF teams work with refugees and internally displaced people to conduct rapid needs assessments and provide services such as vaccination; primary care and mental health counseling; nutrition support; and clean water and sanitation. Because MSF is financially independent they are able to reach communities in need without restriction and directly provide high quality medical care.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the state of the world and unsure of how you can help, supporting an organization like  Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières is one way to make an impact. You can get involved by fundraising, joining a college chapter of MSF or volunteering. You can also make a donation and spread the word on social media. Like the MSF Facebook page, subscribe to their YouTube channel follow them on Instagram @doctorswithoutborders. 

Feel Good Friday - Women's Reproductive Rights Assistance Project

Another Feel Good Friday, another opportunity to talk about reproductive rights and access to abortion. Today we highlight the Women’s Reproductive Rights Assistance Project, also known as WRRAP. 

Founded in 1991 by Joyce Schorr, WRRAP is the largest independent, nonprofit abortion fund in the United States. Their mission is to ensure that “financially-disadvantaged individuals of all ages, ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, gender identities, and sexual orientations can access abortion care and emergency contraception.”

 

According to information on WRRAP’s website, “U.S. abortion patients are disproportionately poor or low-income individuals, and most do not have access to insurance coverage that pays for abortion care. Private health insurance does not always cover abortion, and public health insurance only covers abortions within certain circumstances. As a result, the majority of abortion patients incur high out-of-pocket costs when receiving abortion care.”

 

WRRAP bridges the gap between public and private funding and what low-income women can afford for both abortion care and emergency contraception. They work with a network of more than 700 clinics and provide funding to people in all 50 states. 

 

Women in need of abortion care services start by choosing a provider from one of the pre-screened, pre-qualified health clinics, making an appointment, and discussing their financial need. Next, they use these resources to identify any local funds that can help cover their expenses. Meanwhile, the clinics will contact WRRAP to refer patients for assistance. WRRAP evaluates patients solely on the basis of financial need and, once approved, funds are earmarked for the patient and sent directly to the WRRAP-affiliated health clinic or doctor of the patient’s choice. 

 

Currently much of the available funding is given to “patients who are living in states that are hostile or very hostile to women’s reproductive rights.” In states where abortion is still legal, clinics are seeing a higher demand for their services. To help free up space in those clinics, WRRAP has created an “abortion pills by mail” program to fund telehealth abortion providers in those states. You can read more details in this article from Ms. Magazine.

 

If you want to ensure people get access to the healthcare they need, there are various ways to support WRRAP. Become a volunteer, write a letter of support to a clinic or a woman, shop for merch,  make a donation and spread the word on social media. Like the WRRAP Facebook page and follow them on Twitter @WRRAP and Instagram @wrrapreprojustice.

Feel Good Friday - Black Women for Wellness

Today is the last Feel Good Friday during Black History Month, and Women’s History Month is just around the corner. What a perfect day to talk about Black Women for Wellness. 

Founded in 1997 and based in Los Angeles, California, Black Women for Wellness (BWW) is an organization that is “committed to the health and well-being of Black women and girls through health education, empowerment and advocacy.” What began as a group of women concerned about the health and well-being of their babies has grown into an organization with a variety of health and wellness programs.
 
At the root of all BWW’s work is the belief that “we have the solutions, resources and responsibility to create the shifts and change needed to impact our health status. Each of us must develop our personal power, hold accountable and support acknowledged leadership, and most importantly, contribute to our survival and growth as a community.”
 
BWW programs that help the community fall into five major categories:

• Sisters in Control – programs here include policy work on reproductive justice, comprehensive sex and sexuality education for people ages 12-30, civic engagement, and voter education work.

• Sisters in Motion – is a program with goals to decrease the incidents of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity through education, lifestyle change, prevention and physical activity.

• Sisters with Options – includes strategies for women to advocate for themselves when seeking quality health services. Specific programs here address mental health and colorectal cancer.

• Sisters @ Eight – is a community forum for education and engagement held on the 2^nd Friday of every month.

• Daughters and Sons of Technology – promotes educational and career opportunities in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) for people of color, especially women and girls.

There are also programs focused on environmental justice information and resources on COVID-19, and weekly events such as cooking demonstrations, interactive discussions and community outreach.
 
If you’d like to support Black Women for Wellness, there are many ways to do so. Become a member, make a donation and amplify their work on social media. Like their Facebook page and follow them on Twitter @BW4WLA and Instagram @bw4wla.