" LEARN TO DO RIGHT; SEEK JUSTICE. DEFEND THE OPPRESSED. TAKE UP THE CAUSE OF THE FATHERLESS, PLEAD THE CASE OF THE WIDOW." -Isaiah 1:17
It has been a few weeks since we have launched a new 40-for-FORTY fundraiser, so this week we thought we would highlight two organizations at the same time. In light of the current circumstances that our country has been facing, I wanted to highlight charities that support issues that I feel most tied to. As you already know from the last story we posted that highlighted the International Justice Mission and the life of Harriett Tubman, Justice and equal rights are important to me. There is so much I do not know and so much I still have to learn, but the reality is, there is a disparity in our country. Disparity between the rich and poor and disparity between races. The issues are complicated and there is no easy answer, but that does not mean we should not strive as individuals and families to right the wrongs. I know for a fact that Jesus would stand in the gap for the marginalized, hurting and the wrongly accused (heck He stood int he gap for rightly accused!) As followers of Jesus, we are called to do the same- and not just when it is convenient or beneficial for us. If you are not a follower of Jesus, the simple fact that we all belong to the human race should bring value to all people. Whatever your motivation to bring healing, hope, justice and reconciliation, I hope you will consider helping one or both of these organizations this week. Financial support of organizations is not the end all be all of doing our part in a call to make this world a better place, but it is a start. There are many people out there that are doing great work already and the reality is, it takes money to make change happen.
EQUAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE
The first organization that I would like to highlight is the Equal Justice Initiative or EJI for short. “The Equal Justice Initiative is committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the United States, to challenging racial and economic injustice, and to protecting basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society.” It’s director, Bryan Stevenson founded EJI in 1989. He is a prominent public interest lawyer and the author of Just Mercy. The work of this non-profit includes Racial Justice, Criminal Justice Reform, and Public Education. Read more about their work, here.
Mr. Stevenson shared some of his heart in this TED Talk. We hope it INSPIRES and ENCOURAGES you to see others through a similar lens and to check out the work of EJI for yourself. As usual, Prodigal Overland has made an initial donation of $40 and is issuing a challenge for 40 additional people to match that donation. Find out more about the Equal Justice Initiative by going to their website and consider joining us in supporting their work by making a donation (GIVE) and/or volunteering your time (ACT).
Bryan Stevenson founder of Equal Justice Initiative
Ending mass incarceration, particularly of Black men is one of the top priorities of EJI and I agree with them that our judicial system needs reform. However, I feel it would be grossly negligent to minimize the men and women who put their lives on the line everyday to protect our citizens. ‘These people’ I am referring to are the police or law enforcement officers throughout our country. My heart is sickened with the horrific acts of certain cops who allow power and hatred to rationalize murder. It is not officers like him that I am referring to. I am referring to the ones that leave their families to protect ours, night after night. Most men and women that get into law enforcement do it because they want to help, they believe in true and fair justice. Most are selfless when it comes to protecting their neighbors. And many have lost their lives doing so. These men and women have left behind families and loved ones and it is not fair to minimize their sacrifices because of corrupt and hateful cops. As a result, the second charity I would like to highlight this week is Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.).
Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.)
C.O.P.S. is a nationwide non-profit that provides “programs for survivors include the National Police Survivors' Conference held each May during National Police Week, scholarships, peer-support at the national, state, and local levels, "C.O.P.S. Kids" counseling reimbursement program, the "C.O.P.S. Kids" Summer Camp, "C.O.P.S. Teens" Outward Bound Adventure for young adults, special retreats for spouses, parents, siblings, adult children, extended family, and co-workers, trial and parole support, and other assistance programs.”
“C.O.P.S. knows that a survivor's level of distress is directly affected by the agency's response to the tragedy. C.O.P.S., therefore, offers training and assistance to law enforcement agencies nationwide on how to respond to the tragic loss of a member of the law enforcement profession. C.O.P.S. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. C.O.P.S. programs and services are funded by grants and donations.” (Excerpts taken directly from their website)
Watch this brief video to see some of the programs C.O.P.S. has to offer.
Growing up in a family full of civil-servants, I cannot grossly categorize any one group on the actions of a few. And just as my heart aches for those wrongly treated, imprisoned or killed due to systemic racism and injustice, my heart aches for the families of those who have lost their loved ones in the line of duty. So many of the police officers out there on the streets want what we all want - peace, equality and justice for all. And I want them to know that we still have their backs in the midst of these tumultuous times.
Please join us in supporting this organization or another one of your choice in recognition of those that step out on the front lines daily to protect our families. Find out more about Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) here and donations can be made here.
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I realize grouping these two issues of Black American Civil Rights with Police Support may seem contrary, but I truly believe it is not. It is certainly a complicated relationship that needs reform, but both deserve our attention and backing. When I decided to launch this 40-for-FORTY Campaign, it was meant to be a celebration of my 40th year by highlighting people and groups that have impacted my life and that have worked to make this world a better place. Both the Equal Justice Initiative and the Concerns of Police Survivors are taking active roles in doing just that. We appreciate your consideration of supporting one or both of these organizations and as always, Prodigal Overland has nothing to gain from your participation except the joy and satisfaction of sharing our hearts and their stories.***
***No monies will be handled by Prodigal Overland. All donations will go directly to the organizations. We have no professional ties to any of these organizations and will not receive any monies or privileges by highlighting them.***
More ways to you participate in the 40-for-FORTY Campaign:
1: DONATE $40 or more to one of the highlighted organizations. Here are the direct links to the EJI.org page and the concernsofpolicesurvivors.org page. To see other organizations highlighted in this campaign, look here.
2: NOMINATE an organization or non-profit to be highlighted in the 40-for-FORTY Campaign and share the story of the people or person behind it the INSPIRES and ENCOURAGES you. All Stories are to be 1,000 words or less. Please include contact information and a website link for the organization you are nominating. Email your nominations to contact@prodigaloverland.com
3: SUBSCRIBE to our mailing list for regular updates on the 40-for-FORTY Campaign and Prodigal Overland. (Click here to subscribe now.) You can also scroll to the bottom and subscribe there.
4: FOLLOW our Instagram Account for day to day happenings with Prodigal Overland. (Click here to Follow now). We are also on Youtube and Facebook.
5: CHALLENGE your friends by REPOSTING, SHARING and LIKING the 40-for-FORTY organizations/stories so that more people can participate and be INSPIREd and ENCOURAGEd. Use the hashtag #40forfortycampaign and we can repost and follow your stories.
6. ENCOURAGE people you know that Fight the Good Fight everyday, not for themselves, but for others. Look for ways to volunteer and help. As we said at the beginning of this post, this is a very difficult time for everyone, and the at-risk populations that many non-profits serve need our help! If you are interested in volunteering or finding other ways to support EJI or C.O.P.S. you can email them at …… contact_us@eji.org and cops@nationalcops.org, respectively.
“ Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. ~ ~ ~ Isaiah 1:17”
It has been a few weeks since we have launched a new 40-for-FORTY fundraiser, so this week we thought we would highlight two organizations at the same time. In light of the current circumstances that our country has been facing, I wanted to highlight charities that support issues that I feel most tied to. As you already know from the last story we posted that highlighted the International Justice Mission and the life of Harriett Tubman, Justice and equal rights are important to me. There is so much I do not know and so much I still have to learn, but the reality is, there is a disparity in our country. Disparity between the rich and poor and disparity between races. The issues are complicated and there is no easy answer, but that does not mean we should not strive as individuals and families to right the wrongs.