12 Non-Profits You Should Know This Giving Tuesday
This season is a wonderful time to celebrate with our loved ones. But we shouldn’t forget those in our communities who need a helping hand. We should generously give what we can, including our time, to worthy causes that help those in need. We all have the power to make a meaningful impact in our community and make the holiday season — and indeed, the entire year — a better one for all. In honor of Giving Tuesday, below is a list of local non-profits that help make Cook County a better place to live, learn, work and play:
- Friends of the Chicago River works to improve the health of the Chicago River system for the benefit of people, plants and animals. https://www.chicagoriver.org/about-us
2. Chicago Books to Women in Prison is an all-volunteer group that distributes paperback books free of charge to incarcerated people nationwide, focusing on all women and trans/non-binary people. https://chicagobwp.org/about-us/
3. Hope For The Day achieves proactive suicide prevention by providing outreach and mental health education. https://www.hftd.org/about-hftd
4. Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation serves youth, families, and community members who are impacted by violence and the criminal justice system. https://www.pbmr.org/about-us
5. Mikva Challenge’s mission is to develop youth to be empowered, informed, and active citizens who will promote a just and equitable society. https://mikvachallenge.org/about-us/
6. American Indian Center create bonds of understanding and communication between Indians and non-Indians, foster the economic advancement of Indian people, sustain cultural, artistic, and avocational pursuits; and perpetuate Indian cultural values. https://www.aicchicago.org/who-we-are
7. The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation brings joy to cancer patients (ranging in age from birth through 18 years) at 58 children’s cancer treatment centers by providing age-appropriate toys as a reward for having the courage to undergo painful but necessary procedures. https://www.treasurechest.org/about-us-pediatric-oncology-treasure-chest-foundation/
8. Center on Halsted is a community center dedicated to advancing community and securing the health and well-being of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) people of Chicagoland. http://www.centeronhalsted.org/cohoverview.html
9. Greater Chicago Food Depository is part of a united community effort working to bring food, dignity and hope to our Cook County residents by distributing food through a network of partner agencies and programs, including mobile distributions and responses for children, older adults and veterans. https://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/about/
10. Erie Neighborhood House is a human services agency rooted in the settlement house tradition, strengthening Chicago’s immigrant communities since 1870 through education, access to critical services, advocacy, and more. https://eriehouse.org/about-us/
11. The Forest Preserve Foundation's mission is to engage in protecting and restoring the treasured natural habitats of the Forest Preserves of Cook County and to enhance the outdoor experiences of all communities. https://forestpreservefoundation.org/about/
12. Cook County Health Foundation’s focus is expanding access to and improving the quality of health care for people with the fewest resources who are in need of services ranging from Trauma Center, Burn Unit, stroke and cardiac care to supporting primary health care for people living with chronic illness such as diabetes, asthma and arthritis. http://cchealthfoundation.org/about/
