How a Social Change Agency Can Help Your Program
A Social Change Agency is located in Olympia, WA and is a non-profit organization. They have been providing support for civil rights and community development for over 35 years. There are many activities that they support such as political education and development, community organizing and volunteer work. They also provide a variety of direct services that include direct mail fundraising, registration drives, street parties and organizing, networking events, fund raising events, registration cards and voting polls.
A social change agency is funded by government grant money, but receives most of their funding from private donations. They strive to build up and strengthen the sectors of people most affected by poverty and social injustice. They also empower other nonprofit organizations and advocate for the social change that they represent. Because of this work, people are more likely to be aware of the problems facing the world and are more likely to take part in creating solutions. The relationships that are built between people and nonprofits are beneficial to everyone.
The activities of the social change agency build coalitions of like-minded individuals who work together to fight for social change. They advocate for policy changes that will affect everyone. In order for these policies to be successful, individuals must be made aware of their rights and the importance of voting. When the policy changes reflect the will of the majority of people, then progress can be measured and progress made.
The A.C. PA. Education Fund was created in 1992 with a grant from the National Institutes of Health to provide support for scientific research related to AIDS and HIV/AIDS. Since its inception, it has grown to become one of the nation's leading providers of information on AIDS and related issues to people in rural and low-income communities.
The AIDS Community Project develops and provides training for adults. Their focus is on building a culture of informed decision-making about health issues by organizing people at all levels of the community. By building understanding, these organizations encourage people to get tested and treated early if they display the symptoms of HIV/AIDS. They also provide information on sexually transmitted diseases and promote prevention.
In the area of immigration, the NAIA provides classes on U.S. history, law, and policy related to citizenship, immigration, and Chicano/Latino immigration issues. They conduct seminars, public workshops, and round table discussions to bring people together to discuss these important issues. These programs are designed to educate individuals, build community awareness, and provide support to policy makers and local organizations. These programs are facilitated by noted immigration authorities and legal experts. The National Association of Hispanic Lawyers (NAAL) was formed to advance the rights of Hispanic American individuals.
Another organization of this type is the Latino Advocates' National Program (LAP). The program offers legal counsel and a variety of educational programs to help people improve their lives. These programs provide legal representation to immigrants facing deportation or who have been charged with a crime that would bars them from returning to the United States. Programs also exist to help children facing neglect or abuse.
A social change agency may also offer its clients direct services, such as human rights campaigns, community organizing, housing and economic development, anti-discrimination initiatives, and anti-hate campaigns. However, in some cases a program may refer individuals to outside agencies that specialize in these kinds of endeavors. For example, a Latina Women's Center might refer individuals to an elder law firm specializing in elder law. Some programs operate as part of larger organizations, such as the National Lawyers Guild.
A social change agency may work closely with other organizations and use their combined efforts to advance their clients' causes. This kind of coordination can be a good way to get more out of the program's budget. A good example is when two groups join forces to fight for a particular cause, such as a program to prevent women from being victimized by domestic violence. In this case, the program and its affiliated organizations work to strengthen their joint effort. They may have an official program, or they might work in concert with one another on a campaign or other matter.
There are many ways in which these types of programs to serve their clients. Many provide direct legal representation to clients. In some cases, they can provide free consultations. Others can provide free or low-cost seminars or promotional events to raise awareness and funds for the program. Yet others can directly provide funds to support the client's project.
A social change agency can also coordinate fund-raising activities. Funds received from various fundraising efforts can be channeled to support the program. Some activities include scholarships, grants, and public awareness campaigns. In some instances, these organizations operate as funders' groups, raising money independently of the government. Whatever they do, they work to advance their clients' goals, often at significant personal cost.