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 and easy for us to contribute through. And for those not local to the Boston and NYC area, I know there are many similar organizations across the country that would appreciate wishlists contributions!
1. 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.
2. 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 / To Go Bags for those transitioning from an abusive situation to a more secure one. Their team also let me know that gift cards (Visa or AMEX) are very helpful as they are given to survivors so they can purchase food, clothing and basic items.
How to support: Purchase items from their Amazon wishlist, donate qualifying items and gift cards via drop-offs or mail, or donate funds.
3. Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence
ATASK supports pan-Asian 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 18 Asian languages and dialects. Their emergency shelter has up to 12 rooms with individuals or families staying for an average of 6 months – 1 year while they get back on their feet. The items on their Amazon wishlist are all for the use of those staying at their shelter.
How to support: Purchase items from their Amazon wishlist or donate funds.