I hope you and your families are having a wonderful holiday weekend and New Year’s week! We had a cozy Christmas at home with visiting family, and enjoyed our traditional Filipino pancit noodles on Christmas Eve and delicious homemade cinnamon rolls the next morning (this simple dairy & egg-free recipe is always a hit!).
I know that this happiest season for many of us can also be the toughest for some, and wanted to highlight a few local organizations doing important work that we’re supporting this year. We’ve reached out to confirm their biggest needs right now, and that their Amazon wishlists are up to date – please feel free to leave a comment below if you purchase something off a list and hopefully we can check some of these off together!
And for those not local to the Boston and NYC area, I know there are many similar organizations across the country that would appreciate support, supplies, and wishlists contributions!
1. Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence
ATASK supports survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence in the Greater Boston area through several services including legal guidance, community-based advocacy, an ESL program and an emergency shelter. Most of their clients are immigrants and refugees and ATASK currently provides services in 20 Asian languages and dialects. Their emergency shelter has up to 12 rooms with individuals (often with young kids) staying for an average of 6 months – 1 year while they get back on their feet. **Update: A big thank you to the EP community for clearing all of the products and supplies off their list!!**
How to support: Purchase items from their Amazon wishlist or donate funds.
2. Room to Grow (Boston + NYC)
Room to Grow supports low-income families with babies from newborn to age three through a preventative three-year program, starting from the mother’s 3rd trimester of pregnancy throughout the baby’s first three years of life. Currently, they have the biggest need for toddler clothing sizes 2T to 5T, in excellent or new condition.
How to support: Purchase items from their Amazon wishlist, donate qualifying baby items via contactless drop-offs or via mail, or donate funds.
3. Healing Abuse Working for Change
HAWC provides services to victims of domestic violence in 23 cities and towns in the Greater Boston area. Their services include a 24-hour hotline, emergency family shelter, hospital and legal advocacy, support groups and children’s services. Their Amazon wishlist is divided into a few sections: Shelter Supplies, Children’s Services and Welcome Bags for those transitioning from an abusive situation to a more secure one.
How to support: Purchase items from their Amazon wishlist, donate qualifying items and gift cards via drop-offs or mail, or donate funds.
Jean – So happy to see you continue the charity recommendation each year. I recently had a fabulous Marie Kondo expert (SparkJoyBoston) go through the process with me at my home and it became crystal clear that we all have plenty…. but plenty more still to give. This year, in lieu of physical Christmas gifts, I matched a charity with the interests of each family member and made a donation in their name. Thank *you* for the joy this blog brings to me. May 2022 be happy, healthy and prosperous for you! – Gwen Kennedy
Thank you for this!!!
Or another, perhaps more direct, way to impact others in need is to pay for the groceries of a mother with small children ahead of you in the Stop & Shop line, or for the elderly couple on a limited income, or for the lonely single who buys meals for just one.
Pure direct giving with no overhead or administration fees!
Thank you for this thoughtful post. Your blog is by far my favorite. It’s always classy and genuine, offering super helpful suggestions for style and life.
Hi Denielle, thank you so much for your kind words. Wishing you a very happy and healthy new year!