"Iran: Release All Those Detained for Peacefully Opposing the Election Results"

Sign a letter to Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi, Head of the Judiciary, Iran, and Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei. Supreme Leader, Iran supporting the release of the election protesters.

Since President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was declared the winner in the June 12 elections in Iran, there have been widespread protests against the contested election results. The Iranian authorities have responded with violence and repression, killing at least 17 people and arresting hundreds of journalists, students, opposition politicians and human rights activists.

Among those arrested is prominent human rights lawyer Abdolfattah Soltani, a member of the Center for Defense of Human Rights and a close associate of Iranian Nobel Laureate Shirin Ebadi. He was arrested on June 16 and has been held in incommunicado detention at an unknown location since then.

To find out more, visit Change.org.

Notable Organization: PlayPumps International

PlayPumps is a water project that brings water to people all over the world. According the UN, one in six people don't have an access to the necessary amount of water needed to survive.

Their mission:

PlayPumps International’s mission is help improve the lives of children and their families by providing easy access to clean drinking water, enhancing public health, and offering play equipment to millions across Africa.

PlayPumps International is a 501(c) 3 organization in the U.S. with a partner organization called Roundabout Water Solutions in South Africa.

Together, we provide schools and communities throughout Africa with an innovative, uniquely sustainable, free supply of clean drinking water.

We strive to bring joy and play into the lives of African children, better health for millions, and to achieve the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals.

We will carry out our mission by installing 4,000 PlayPump® water systems in 10 countries in sub-Saharan Africa by 2010, bringing the benefits of clean water to up to 10 million people.

To find out more about PlayPumps and what they do, check out their site.

Fifth Annual Trans Day of Action: June 26

Trans Day of Action

On June 26, 2009, Trans and Gender Non Conforming People of Color and allies will take to the streets of NYC once again and demand justice to let the world know, that on the 40th anniversary of Stonewall, the rebellion is not over and we will continue fighting for justice, raising our voices until we are heard. We call on all activist and organizers for justice, both local and organizations around the country and world to endorse this call to action and to build contingents to march in solidarity together.

THE DETAILS

When: Friday, June 26, 2009 - 3:00pm – 8:00pm
Where: Union Square West to Sheridan Sq./Christopher St. Park

Trans Day of Action, June 26, 2009 – Location Announced!

STARTING RALLY 3PM, MARCH STARTS AT 4PM

Gather at Union Square West between 14th Street and 15th Street (West Side of Union Square Park

MARCHING TO

Sheridan Square/Christopher Park Across the Street from the Stonewall Inn (West 4th St. and Christopher Street/West 4th Between 7th Ave & Grove St.)

To endorse TDOA 2009, send an email to endorsetdoa@alp.org

For more info contact - info4tdoa@alp.org or Mya at 718-596-0342 x 23

Check out the Audre Lorde Project for more info on Trans Day of Action and to read the points of unity which hold together the purpose of this march.

Homelessness in NYC

The New York Times ran an article on the new policy that effects NYC's homeless shelters.

Today, with the total homeless population down only slightly, and with more families in shelters than five years ago, the administration is seeking state approval for a new set of policies designed to move families out more quickly, applying the same market-driven, incentive-based philosophy to homeless shelters that it has used in schools and antipoverty programs.

Under the new rules, nonprofit agencies that provide shelter beds under contract with the city would be paid more than the usual rate, which is roughly $100 a day, for each family that arrives. But after six months, if the agency has not been able to get the family into stable housing, the city would begin paying it less than the standard rate.

And city officials are trying to toughen rules and consequences for homeless families, forcing them to follow a strict code of conduct or risk being ejected from the shelter.

The opposition finds the new policy to be ill-advised and unnecessarily harsh:

“It’s an extraordinary change in what has been city policy for nearly three decades,” said Steven Banks, the attorney in chief of the Legal Aid Society. “It’s striking that the current city administration and the current state administration would be returning to these shelter-termination regulations, which are really a relic of another, harsher era.”

To read the entire article, check out the New York Times website.

NY Senate Extraordinary Session

Governor Paterson has called an Extraordinary Session. This is because Republicans are unwilling to agree to a arrangement that shares power with the Democrats.

From the Working Families Party:

An Extraordinary Session will only conduct business on the issues that Gov. Paterson announces in advance. What if our most important issues don't make the cut? How can we make sure the Senate votes on green jobs, stronger rent laws, paid family leave, campaign finance, marriage equality, subsidy reform and unemployment insurance?

...As most people know, the Senate is deadlocked at 31-31. The Republicans are balking. They hold the view that they are in charge because of the disputed vote two weeks ago that may (or may not) have been legitimate. Whatever their view, the balance of power right now is even-steven, and there's no way to govern in such a situation without compromising.

We have to show Governor Paterson that the citizens of New York are watching closely. We'd like him to hear from at least 1000 of you in the next 12 hours. Tell him that you think the Senate should actually take on the real issues of the day. The key legislation that we and our allies have been working on deserves to be considered on the floor of the Senate, and the Governor has the power to make that happen.

To write to the governor and have your voice heard or find out more, check out the WFP website.

MADRE in Kenya: Women's Wheels: Bicycles for Rural Development

Vivian Stromberg, the executive director of MADRE, recently traveled to Kenya to meet with their sister organization.

She writes:

When I was in Kenya, I spoke with our partners at the Umoja Women's Group about their most urgent needs. We talked about the backbreaking work of hauling drinking water from a distant river everyday. We talked about how far the nearest health clinic is and what it's like to watch a sick child die because you can't carry them there in your arms. We talked about the relentless drought that has decimated Umoja's traditional herding economy, leaving many families with no income at all.

We talked about these problems - and then we talked about what to do about them.

The women of Umoja know that times are tough even in the US. They know they have your support, but that these days, you're probably stretching to give what you can. So we figured out how to do more with less.

The solution: bicycles. And not just any bicycles - load-carrying bicycles that are designed to carry extra passengers and heavy jugs of water.

With durable, motor-assisted bicycles, the women can:

* bring drinking water to their families without sustaining the spinal injuries that plague them now
* drive sick and elderly people to the health clinic
* earn income by providing taxi services to tourists at the nearby wildlife reserve

By supporting MADRE's newest initiative, Women's Wheels: Bicycles for Rural Development, you can help the women of Umoja meet three urgent needs with one great bike.

To find out more, check out MADRE.

So you want to do something?

Check out VolunteerMatch where you can find a number of volunteer opportunities. This is a great place to start if you are interested in participating in the Summer of Service.

From VolunteerMatch:

VolunteerMatch strengthens communities by making it easier for good people and good causes to connect. The organization offers a variety of online services to support a community of nonprofit, volunteer and business leaders committed to civic engagement. Our popular service welcomes millions of visitors a year and has become the preferred internet recruiting tool for more than 66,000 nonprofit organizations.

Bikes for Indigenous People in Kenya

From MADRE:
Reliable transportation for Indigenous Samburu women in Kenya

MADRE is supporting women in 8 Indigenous Samburu communities in rural Kenya (including Umoja) by providing providing load-carrying bicycles. With these specially designed bikes, the women can transport sick or elderly people to the doctor, haul drinking water for their families, and earn income from taxi services.

Working with Worldbike and a local bike shop in Nairobi, MADRE will provide one motor-assisted pedicab for each of 8 communities.

The vehicles are built to carry loads on the rough terrain of rural Kenya and withstand travel on dirt roads. These unique, non-factory-built vehicles will each cost $1,200.

To find out more about MADRE or the bike initiative, check out their site.

Fifth Annual Trans Day of Action: June 26

Trans Day of Action

On June 26, 2009, Trans and Gender Non Conforming People of Color and allies will take to the streets of NYC once again and demand justice to let the world know, that on the 40th anniversary of Stonewall, the rebellion is not over and we will continue fighting for justice, raising our voices until we are heard. We call on all activist and organizers for justice, both local and organizations around the country and world to endorse this call to action and to build contingents to march in solidarity together.

THE DETAILS

When: Friday, June 26, 2009 - 3:00pm – 8:00pm
Where: Union Square West to Sheridan Sq./Christopher St. Park

Trans Day of Action, June 26, 2009 – Location Announced!

STARTING RALLY 3PM, MARCH STARTS AT 4PM

Gather at Union Square West between 14th Street and 15th Street (West Side of Union Square Park

MARCHING TO

Sheridan Square/Christopher Park Across the Street from the Stonewall Inn (West 4th St. and Christopher Street/West 4th Between 7th Ave & Grove St.)

To endorse TDOA 2009, send an email to endorsetdoa@alp.org

For more info contact - info4tdoa@alp.org or Mya at 718-596-0342 x 23

Check out the Audre Lorde Project for more info on Trans Day of Action and to read the points of unity which hold together the purpose of this march.

An Interview with Suneet Bhatt, co-founder of Dream Village

From ChubbyBrain:

A Social Entrepreneur Finds Opportunity in the Downturn: A Conversation with Dream Village

There is no magic bullet as needs vary from company to company and team to team. But there are things to be learned from aspiring entrepreneurs doing things to not only make it but who are actually using the economic downturn as a catalyst to position themselves for success later on.

One such venture is Dream Village (company website), a start-up that uses picture books and the web to teach kids about global issues, and its CEO, Suneet Bhatt who we recently spoke with. Dream Village recently won Advanta’s IdeaBlob contest and was also a finalist in NYC Entrepreneur Week’s - NYCENT - business plan competition. Dream Village is a social venture that is aiming to give a meaningful portion of profits to associated causes and nonprofit organizations around the world.

Check out the interview at ChubbyBrain Blog

Rutgers University Names Dream Village as a "Difference Maker"

Rutgers names Dream Village as a Difference Maker

Dream Village presents true stories about children worldwide who have overcome difficult environmental, economic, or social challenges. Beginning with a picture book that raises awareness for people in need, Dream Village extends the experience through an interactive website that encourages proactive efforts to make the world a better place.

To read the whole article, check out the Difference Makers page.

Volunteer in NYC

There are many volunteer opportunities in the city.

NYC Service is a great place to start.

Also, check out New York Cares.

And Idealist.

You can become a tutor in the NYC public schools as a Learning Leader.

You can also check out the website or call your favorite organization to inquire about volunteer opportunities.

NYC Venture Summit 2009

NYC Venture Summit 2009:

The New York Venture Summit, presented by youngStartup Ventures, is the premier industry gathering connecting senior executives of early stage and emerging growth companies, venture capitalists, angel investors, technology transfer professionals, university researchers, incubators, successful entrepreneurs and premier service providers.

Whether you are an investor seeking access to new early stage deals, or a CEO or Founder of a new venture looking for funding, visibility and growth, the New York Venture Summit is one event you won’t want to miss.

June 17, 2009. Check it out.

Jobs for Change

From Change.org:

Jobs for Change is being launched at a time of both crisis and opportunity.

The crisis we face is rooted not only in our faltering economy but also in our national failure to confront major challenges, from education to energy to health care. At the same time, President Obama has inspired renewed interest in public service, providing a historic opportunity to mobilize people to address problems that have been ignored for too long.

The mission of Jobs for Change is to help take full advantage of this opportunity by recruiting a new generation of leaders into the nonprofit, government, and social enterprise sectors.

We believe

* People are the most important factor in advancing social change. To address the social and environmental problems we face, we need to attract a diverse range of people and the most promising leaders from across the country to work on issues both local and global in scope.
* To attract these people, we need to enhance the social sector's ability to recruit, develop, and retain talent. Too many people interested in a career in service do not end up or remain in the sector because of a range of obstacles that include misperceptions about work and compensation, insufficient information about how to take the first steps, or limited recruiting resources from budget-strapped organizations. We need to address these issues.
* Innovative businesses should join as partners with nonprofits and government in the pursuit of social good. One of the most promising movements in social change is the use of business as a vehicle for advancing the common good, and the rapidly expanding social enterprise sector should be embraced and encouraged.

This is a moment of incredible potential. If together we harness the renewed interest in public service by recruiting and developing the next generation of leaders in the social sector, we can overcome the challenges we face and build a better future for us all.

Visit the Change.org's Jobs for Change website.

Notable Organization: Kiva

About Kiva:

Kiva's mission is to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty.

Kiva is the world's first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowering individuals to lend directly to unique entrepreneurs around the globe.

The people you see on Kiva's site are real individuals in need of funding - not marketing material. When you browse entrepreneurs' profiles on the site, choose someone to lend to, and then make a loan, you are helping a real person make great strides towards economic independence and improve life for themselves, their family, and their community. Throughout the course of the loan (usually 6-12 months), you can receive email journal updates and track repayments. Then, when you get your loan money back, you can relend to someone else in need.

Kiva partners with existing expert microfinance institutions. In doing so, we gain access to outstanding entrepreneurs from impoverished communities world-wide. Our partners are experts in choosing qualified entrepreneurs. That said, they are usually short on funds. Through Kiva, our partners upload their entrepreneur profiles directly to the site so you can lend to them. When you do, not only do you get a unique experience connecting to a specific entrepreneur on the other side of the planet, but our microfinance partners can do more of what they do, more efficiently.

To learn more about Kiva, check out their site.

Notable Organization: Pathfinder Inerational

The mission of Pathfinder, a global leader in women's reproductive health:

Pathfinder International’s mission is to ensure that people everywhere have the right and opportunity to live a healthy reproductive life.

Reproductive health is essential for creating better opportunities throughout life. When people take charge of their life choices such as when and how often to have children, they gain confidence and strength. They can better pursue their education, contribute to the local economy, and engage in their communities.

Pathfinder International places reproductive health services at the center of all that we do—believing that health care is not only a fundamental human right but is critical for expanding opportunities for women, families, communities, and nations, while paving the way for transformations in environmental stewardship, decreases in population pressures, and innovations in poverty reduction.

In more than 25 countries, Pathfinder provides women, men, and adolescents with a range of quality health services—from contraception and maternal care to HIV prevention and AIDS care and treatment. Pathfinder strives to strengthen access to family planning, ensure availability of safe abortion services, advocate for sound reproductive health policies, and, through all of our work, improve the rights and lives of the people we serve.

To find out more about Pathfinder and reproductive rights, visit Pathfinder International.

Remembering George Tiller

Very true words from Kate Michelman, the former president of NARAL:

Dr. Tiller's murder is a stark reminder that women are still subject to indignities and dangers when exercising personal responsibility for their lives and those of their families. The work of our movement is far from finished, and there could be no more fitting tribute to Dr. George Tiller than renewing our commitment to it and ensuring that women who need services and those who provide them have safe and dignified access to them.

Remembering George Tiller

This is an excellent piece on Dr. George Tiller from Democracy Now.

Working Families Party Survery for NYC Mayoral Choice

From Working Families Party:

"The WFP wants to hear from you. Pick the 3 questions you would most want to ask New York City's next mayor -- or suggest your own.

We'll put the most popular questions directly to the candidates when they come to ask for the Working Families endorsement."


To find out more or take the survey, click here.

"Why Clinic Violence is Obama's Problem?"

By Ann Friedman

"The only way to ensure that there is someone to take Tiller's place in the future is to find a way to actively combat the daily violence faced by women's health providers in this country. That doesn't mean ending the abortion debate, which is impossible. It means convincing all Americans, even those who don't feel they have a stake in this battle, that it's important to ensure women can access legal medical services safely -- and doctors can perform them safely, too."

For the entire article, click here.

Vanessa Gibson is the newest Assembly Member in the Bronx

VANESSA GIBSON has been declared the Assemblywoman for the 77TH Assembly District Bronx County.

Congratulations!

Gibson for Assembly

In Memoriam: George Tiller

From the New York Times:

"George Tiller, one of only a few doctors in the nation who performed abortions late in pregnancy, was shot to death here Sunday in the foyer of his longtime church as he handed out the church bulletin."

The American Prospect writes:

"Tiller's death is an incalculable loss to women's health care. There are two other clinics that do late-term abortions, but neither are known for taking patients regardless of their ability to pay or for ministering so comprehensively to their emotional needs. Tiller's murder leaves a void that could imperil women across the country."


More on Dr. George Tiller:
Feministing
The Huffington Post
Kansas City.Com