Seattle, WA. We are reflecting on the meaning of Nonprofits.
In a world often marred by economic disparities, social injustices, and environmental crises, nonprofit organizations have emerged as the unsung heroes striving to make a positive impact on our global community. These selfless entities, fueled by passion and dedication, are at the forefront of addressing some of society’s most pressing issues.
Nonprofits: The Backbone of Compassion
Nonprofits, also known as non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or charitable organizations, play a pivotal role in addressing various social, economic, and environmental challenges. They are driven by a common mission: to promote the welfare of individuals, communities, and the planet itself. Whether it’s providing humanitarian aid during natural disasters, funding medical research, supporting education, or conserving wildlife, nonprofits are the lifeline of humanity.
Diverse Causes, Common Goals
Nonprofits span a wide spectrum of causes and issues, reflecting the diversity of concerns in our society. Some focus on alleviating poverty and hunger, while others champion education and healthcare access. Environmental organizations work tirelessly to combat climate change, protect endangered species, and preserve natural habitats. The philanthropic world is a tapestry of these organizations, each contributing to a better world in its unique way.
The Power of Volunteerism and Donations
At the heart of nonprofits are the volunteers and donors who dedicate their time, resources, and expertise to the cause. Volunteers often play an instrumental role in delivering services and raising awareness. Meanwhile, the generosity of donors ensures that nonprofits have the necessary funds to continue their work. From grassroots initiatives to international organizations, it’s this synergy of passion and financial support that propels nonprofits forward.
Impact Amidst Challenges
Nonprofits face numerous challenges, from bureaucratic hurdles to fundraising obstacles. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on their operations and resources. Many nonprofits have had to adapt swiftly to meet the urgent needs arising from the pandemic, including food distribution, healthcare support, and educational resources.
However, these challenges have not deterred the indomitable spirit of nonprofit organizations. Instead, they have fueled creativity and innovation. Virtual fundraising events, online volunteering opportunities, and digital campaigns have become the norm, allowing nonprofits to continue their essential work even in the face of adversity.
A Global Network of Hope
The impact of nonprofits extends far beyond local communities. International nonprofits and NGOs often collaborate across borders to tackle global issues. Whether it’s responding to humanitarian crises, advocating for human rights, or promoting sustainable development, nonprofits bring people together from all corners of the world to work towards a common goal.
The Future of Nonprofits
As we move forward, the role of nonprofits in shaping a better world is more critical than ever. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals provide a roadmap for their efforts, guiding them in addressing poverty, inequality, climate change, and other pressing challenges. The future of nonprofits also includes leveraging technology and data-driven approaches to enhance their effectiveness and transparency.
In a world where societal issues continue to evolve, nonprofits stand as beacons of hope and catalysts for change. They remind us that even the smallest acts of kindness and generosity can have a profound impact on the lives of individuals and the well-being of our planet. As we recognize their tireless efforts, let us all be inspired to contribute in whatever way we can, for it is through collective action that we can create a brighter future for all.
Note: This article celebrates the incredible work of nonprofits and the invaluable contributions they make to society. It is a testament to their resilience and dedication to making the world a better place.
Seattle, WA. The Northwest Screenwriters Guild is a nonprofit organization aiding in further developing a screenwriter’s career by providing mentor support from the industry and show-business professionals, educational programs, and screenwriting events. Its mission statement is to, “promote professional screenwriting as a career across a broad range of ages, ethnic and gender identities, and experience levels in the Pacific Northwest.” They also hope to modernize old, traditional rules that dominated the falling industry of screenwriting.
Screenwriters from the organization reading aloud their perspective works.
Governed by a board of directors, with experience detailing screenwriting certifications to published authors or academic publications in healthcare, the Northwest Screenwriters Guild aims to advance the careers of screenwriting professionals and beginners to publish their developing stories and scripts to be on the big screen, such as for film or television, and other media, by helping them pitch to industry pros. Many compendium members have had their scripts developed onto the screen with hired actors for film festivals and submissions for awards in contests.
Screenwriters of the Northwest Screenwriters Guild rehearsing for their screenplays while adhering to a reading schedule.
When the scripts for screenplays are finished or drafted by compendium members, before they are submitted to film festivals or industry professionals for a chance to have live stage or on-screen performances, there are chances to further improve and receive critique on their screenplays. Due to the global pandemic, their services and events have shifted to a completely online remote environment, where on Tuesdays they promote a free “Weekly Scene Analysis Workshop” from 6:30-8:30 PM that aims to “assist fellow screenwriters hone the craft of writing scenes—both action and dialogue—that are cinematic, engaging and correctly formatted.” Fellow professional screenwriters or beginners in the industry are to bring a 10-page draft of their screenplay for this particular workshop. They also have an upcoming event for current members on Thursday, July 22nd about the importance of entertainment law for the screenwriting profession. However, to attend the NwSG events and most partner events, individuals must pay a membership fee of $60, but they do get eligibility to be a compendium member and have an exclusive chance of pitch sessions with professional screenwriters or industry professionals.
Actors and performers from SAG-AFTRA who helped perform multiple characters from written screenplays by members of NWSG
From the Northwest Screenwriters Guild:
The Northwest Screenwriters Guild is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to advancing the careers of screenwriters, filling a major gap in the education and training available to screenwriters and filmmakers from across the spectrum, namely, how to take care of the business side of show business.
The newest generation of filmmakers will be pivotal. They consume—and create—film and video in huge volumes, in dozens of formats, on at least five form factors. The technological barriers to filmmaking have been reduced to nearly nothing, and so many of the old rules about when, where, and how audiences will watch the film have been shredded. These filmmakers will be at the leading edge of reinventing this industry yet again. We are here to help them get down to business.
Whether it’s a web series, TV, or feature films, breaking into the industry can be harder than writing a great script or making a great short film. While the barriers to filmmaking have crumbled, the barriers to becoming a professional filmmaker are as high as ever. To learn more, review the NwSG bylaws that govern the board.
Seattle, WA. The Asian Counseling and Referral Services, or commonly known as ACRS, is a non-profit organization based on Martin Luther King Jr. Way, in Seattle. The Covid-19 pandemic has not stopped this organization from providing health services, such as mental health and behavioral support and community-building activities and social events for the Asian-American, Pacific Islanders, and underserved immigrant and refugee communities in Seattle. The global pandemic has not hampered the organization’s operations, and yearly events, if anything, have made it as equally as accessible for social promotion and justice advocacy via their online social platforms and web streaming their events for others who could not join physically, could in a remote location.
ACRS has largely impacted the Asian-American and Pacific Islander community for almost 50 years. There are currently over 25 individuals on their Board of Directors.
ACRS, which has recently celebrated its 45th anniversary in celebrating the large network, foundation, and bond within the Asian community in Seattle, was founded in 1973. Wanting to bring social awareness and injustice to the inequities that the Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities in the Pacific North West have faced, to recount for years of mistreatment and misdiagnoses due to inability to understand these individuals on a cultural level, ACRS developed 14 programs. Their health services and programs include chemical dependency treatment, comprehensive mental health services, consultation and education for children and families, aging and adults services, and domestic violence batterers treatment. For communities that are struggling financially and economically, ACRS is connected with the local food bank to provide congregate meals and emergency feeding. The other services range from information and referral services that include a legal clinic, citizenship/immigration assistance, and civic engagement, and training services to prepare those seeking employment.
Going from walk-in takeaways, ACRS, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic now delivers hot meals, groceries, and other basic needs to families in the King County area.
So what’s currently happening at ACRS? Every year, for the past 31 years, ACRS holds the event “Walk For Rice” where participants register online and help raise funding for the ACRS’ Food Bank to provide enough culturally nostalgic, familiar foods, and hot ready-to-go meals for King County residents (immigrants, refugees, and other families who have been hit hard by the pandemic) for two months: April 5 – June 26th. However, since this year’s Walk For Rice event was conducted fully remote and virtual, ACRS has been able to strategize competently. Instead of their normal walk-in distribution, they have decided to do home deliveries (at a safe distance). Despite this large success, and the countless volunteers, helpers, and community partners, to keep maintaining such an efficient scale, ACRS is in need of more support from the community. As seen in the photo above and below.
ACRS volunteers and community partners helping out with the ACRS Food Bank.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, ACRS has not stunted their services. They have managed to continue providing countless and accessible support for those who need it (particularly consultation services) through an appointment-based system from 9 AM – 4 PM Mondays to Fridays to protect those immunocompromised, and for more immediate services, they have a hotline that can be contacted: Crisis Connections.
From Asian Counseling and Referral Services:
ACRS promotes social justice and the well-being and empowerment of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other underserved communities – including immigrants, refugees, and American-born – by developing, providing and advocating for innovative, effective, and efficient community-based multilingual and multicultural services.
Our agency’s largely bilingual and bicultural staff of about 280 collectively speak 40 languages and dialects. ACRS staff, many of whom speak the same language and come from the same cultures as the people we serve, touch the lives of more than 35,000 people annually.Asian Counseling and Referral Service helps clients attain the highest levels of self-sufficiency in Western society while maintaining their cultural identities. In most cases, clients are served by professional staff who speak the same language and come from the same culture. ACRS provides programs and services listed below in a culturally appropriate setting in order to improve the lives of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, whether immigrant, refugee or native-born.
A Lifestyle Story: Seattle, WA. Rian Robison, designer, textile artist, and owner of Tuesday, is turning her craft fair boutique into a fully virtual experience. Featured in the picture above, Robison stands proudly in front of her boarded-up shop with @tonycoconuts. Photo by @matthewsumi. Robison invites curious patrons behind-the-scenes into her studio through a series of livestreams which can be viewed on instagram:
As shown above, Robison demonstrates painting each piece using an eco-friendly dye, thickened with algae, on a bamboo rayon fabric and shares “There’s a reason I paint each one of these by hand. I love seeing each unique brushstroke.” She enjoys the process, experimenting to reach a balanced outcome, almost as much as seeing how her following relish them.
Hand-dyed kimono dress painted by Rian Robison
Within this past year, Robison, alongside many small business owners, has had to adapt to the safety restrictions and uncertainty of the pandemic. Robison appreciated craft fair organizers like Urban Craft Uprising and Renegade having stepped up and transitioned to an online platform to accommodate the vendors after being forced to postpone all events.
Instead of hiring models to showcase her collections, Robison has taken on that role and offers live sessions to sport new pieces and answer questions. The permanent dyes are fade-resistant, making each unique piece easy to care for washing on a gentle cycle.
Robison focuses on making things she would want herself; considers her pieces as something to treat oneself, making an effort to dress up and feel beautiful, even around the house. The designs are thoughtfully versatile, gender-neutral, both in color palette and chic flow. Limited run, hand-dyed kimonos have been released on Tuesdays and have sold out within minutes.
Rian Robison modeling her hand-dyed sweatshirt dress.
Robinson is gaining notoriety. King 5 interviewed Rian Robison recently about her work.
Robison uses eco-friendly dye with zero-waste designs, utilizing full rectangular pieces of fabric. Known for vibrant hand-painted and patterned vintage fabric, sewn into dresses, inspired by the traditional Japanese kimono. For updates on new arrivals visit: _tuesdayshop
Seattle, WA. Mary’s Place has exceeded a two million dollar campaign goal, despite the present economic impacts, with more than 6,000 individuals and over 200 local businesses generous contributions. As a result, Mary’s Place – the region’s largest family emergency shelter provider was able to create a Rapid Response Fund ahead of the eviction moratorium end date, to bring families inside into safe shelters and provide permanent housing beyond the Covid-19 pandemic.
To celebrate the end of the campaign, captured in the feature image, Mary’s Place released the following video:
Marty Hartman, Mary’s Place Executive Director expressed her heartfelt thanks, “We are so grateful to our community for this incredible outpouring of support. When the eviction moratorium comes to an end, we know that many families who are struggling will face homelessness. The new Rapid Response Fund will help us meet the increasing need and keep families housed by providing flexible funding solutions.”
With help from the community, Mary’s Place provides shelter and housing to families through the successful campaign.
In previous years, several festive events and activities had been celebrated during the campaign. This year, observing Covid-19 related safety measures, events were held virtually and included the following: a weekend at-home scavenger hunt, a game night, an online concert by the Amazon Symphony Orchestra, and Dick’s Drive-In Burger Box “virtual” Bingo. Continuing its ongoing commitment to the issue of family homelessness, the campaign kicked-off with a 250,000 dollar contribution from The Starbucks Foundation.
Mary’s Place exceeded the campaign goal to protect families.
To hear more and view updates from Mary’s Place visit the Facebook page at:
Mary’s Place believes that no one’s child should sleep outside. They provide safe and inclusive shelter and resources for women, children and families on their journey out of homelessness. Mary’s Place currently operates five crisis response family shelters providing refuge and community for 500 family members experiencing homelessness. To learn more about this organization and get involved, visit Mary’s Place Seattle
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