The holiday season looks a little different this year, as the COVID-19 pandemic has touched and changed our lives in countless ways. Even giving back looks a little different this year.
For MW Gives 2020, we’re supporting four different organizations in our own backyard, the greater Lansing area, that are doing truly amazing things in our community and taking care of those in need. The organizations are Cristo Rey Community Center, Salus Center, The Turning Point of Lansing, and the Michigan Prisoner Release Campaign, an arm of the Last Prisoner Project.
As you may know, we launched MW Gives a decade ago to show gratitude and appreciation at the holidays for people and organizations working to make Michigan and our community a better place. Below is a little bit more information about the four organizations we are proud to support with financial gifts this holiday season.
Cristo Rey Community Center provides essential services to Lansing community members in need. They are a basic-needs provider, serving the vulnerable populations within our community with an emphasis on access to medical care, mental health services, food, and financial counseling. Their efforts to keep these programs available to the public are costing more than ever. Costs have increased at their community kitchen so that they can continue to safely provide meals with disposable packaging to go, and their health center is in constant need of PPE, with extra fees for more frequent and more intensive cleaning due to COVID-19. You can support Cristo Rey Community Center with financial contributions here.
Salus Center is Lansing’s only LGBTQIA+ community center. It serves as a gathering space and information hub, and advocate for the rights of community members by honoring and affirming the interconnectedness of oppression. Salus Center has been severely affected by COVID-19, and needs your help to keep the lights on and futures bright. They are currently accepting financial support and donations from community members. Financial support can be given via GoFundMe here or by check made payable to Salus Center. They are also looking for office furniture including sofas, desks, meeting tables and chairs, and any other meeting/office related items. You can support Salus Center with financial contributions here.
The Turning Point of Lansing provides African American males in grades 7 to 12 with an Afrocentric group mentoring experience. Its mission is to transform boys to men by providing an Afrocentric group mentoring experience that gives young African American males an opportunity to explore life’s challenges all while developing strategies for success in their lives, school, and communities. The organization has served over 1,000 young men since 2001, and currently has about 40 young men in its virtual program. The Turning Point is challenged due to COVID-19, a pandemic that has disproportionally affected the African American community, but moving forward. You can support The Turning Point of Lansing with financial contributions here.
The Michigan Prisoner Release Campaign is an arm of the Last Prisoner Project, which is a nonprofit coalition of cannabis industry leaders, executives, and artists dedicated to bringing restorative justice to the cannabis industry. During COVID-19, cannabis businesses adjusted to providing their services safely – while nonviolent prisoners spend years behind bars for something that is no longer a crime. Your donation will support their efforts to release Michigan cannabis prisoners as well as support their reentry and provide much needed financial resources for housing, transportation, other needs as they reenter society and rebuild their lives. You can support The Michigan Prisoner Release Campaign with financial contributions here.
After a year that looks so different, saying “thank you” to these organizations for continuing to step up is the least we can do. As they take care of others, we hope you can join us in helping so they can continue to lift spirits and spread hope to those who need it most. Join us by saying “thank you” to those in your network who have gone above and beyond in 2020. Wishing you a peaceful, safe, and wonderful holiday season.
