If you are searching for an opportunity to volunteer, or a nonprofit to support, there are three nonprofits with local ties that are making a national impact. You may have missed these women led organizations, which are making strides to help children, people in underserved communities and homeless women veterans and in the United States.
Bess the Book Bus
Jennifer Francis runs Bess the Book Bus (“Bess”). Although Francis is based in Florida, she travels around the country giving free books away to underprivileged youth and families through mobile literary outreach. Bess makes trips to Baltimore several times a year. Francis shares the joy of reading and has partnered with Transitional Optical to help children receive free comprehensive eye exams and free glasses. You can help Bess’ team by donating $1, which pays for up to three new books for children. The organization also accepts gift cards and hotel point donations. To learn more about Bess the Book Bus, visit: www.bessthebookbus.org.
Black and Missing, Inc.
Black and Missing Foundation, Inc. (BAMFI) is a nonprofit based in Landover, Maryland and is making a national impact. BAMFI is a free resource to help find missing people. Derrica N. Wilson, the president of BAMFI, became the first and only African American female officer with the City of Falls Church in 2002. Along with her sister-in-law and co-founder, Natalie Wilson, she leads a movement to provide free tools to find missing people of color, and raise awareness about their disappearance, using a variety of media. The founders also educate the community about personal safety, create profiles of missing loved ones online when loved ones are reported missing and offer additional support to family of missing people at no charge. In-Kind and monetary donations as little as $5 can help the black and movement missing to continue. For more information and or to make a donation, visit: www.blackandmissing.org for more information.
Final Salute, Inc.
Jaspen (Jas) Boothe is a disabled Army Veteran who provides housing for women veterans and their children through three transitional homes.
While serving in the Army Reserves, Boothe learned that she would soon deploy to Iraq. During her mobilization, two significant evens occurred. Hurricane Katrina destroyed. Due to her illness, she could not deploy and was facing discharge from the military, while raising a young son. After cancer treatment, Boothe never forgot the limited options that were available in her time of need. In 2010 she founded Final Salute, Inc.
The organization provides housing for women veterans and their children, transportation, employment support, clothing and other services. Boothe has been nationally recognized for her commitment to never leave a fallen comrade behind.
Through Final Salute’s S.A.F.E program, assistance to veterans in over 15 states and territories have been supported to prevent homelessness, by providing emergency financial assistance.
It only costs $25 to provide support services, food and housing for a woman veteran in need. No more than 10 percent of every dollar donated goes toward administrative costs.
Toys, gift cards donations are accepted during the holiday.
To learn more about Final Salute and the services provided, email leadership@finalsalute.org to inquire.