#but all my support to shelby and any other victims there may be <3

[silawastaken]

Hey! Slightly different post here, but i feel the need to say something important.

Lovejoy used to be my favourite band, i have been in their top 0.1% of listeners for the past two years. That being said, the frontman is an abusive asstwat.

So, friendly reminder, Spotify(not sure about other music apps) has a feature where you can access audio files from your device through a playlist usually titled 'local files'. If you download videos, or screen record them from youtube and convert them to mp3, they'll show up there. No revenue goes to artists if you listen to their music from a download in your local files, and you can add tracks from your local files into playlists.

if you want to go a step further, you can download the unofficial lyric videos from other youtube accounts, then convert those to mp3 instead of the official one.

You can do this with individual songs, or entire albums. If you have a cd or cassette already, no revenue goes to the artist per listen, so if you like the music just hold onto it imo, and you can usually rip the music from the cd or cassette onto others, or onto a laptop.

The same thing goes in reverse, if there's another album you really like, you can download the mp3 as before, and put it on a blank cd or cassette and decorate the case yourself!

I don't think I can let go of Lovejoy easily, so this is what I'll be doing, and I have such a strong attachment to ycgma and msr that I couldn't give it up. Instead, download and listen to unofficial versions so you can enjoy music without supporting an abusive person who is believed to still be dangerous :D

If Lovejoy comes out with new music, I'm unsure what I'll do then, but the same practice still applies, download from unofficial accounts and listen separately!!! I would fully support joe, mark and ash if they decided that once the tour is over they want to split lovejoy up, though unfortunately i don't think they will, given they have probably witnessed the abuse before and not done anything :/

All this to say, even if the members of your favourite band are shitheads, you can listen to their music if you go through the right processes! Just don't allow for profit to be made <3

[afewskittlesshortofarainbow]

Wilbur himself may not be on twitter, but when this has now spread across the entire fanbase and is more or less destroying his/the band's reputation, SOMEONE would have told him by now. Especially since people like niki have liked tweets about the situation and clearly know whats going on. Also, if it wasn't him, I feel like shelby would definitely have said so by now. I really really really don't want it to be true but I can't believe its anyone else at this point since no cc is denying it.

Yes, someone may have said something to him and people around him but I know how bad mental health problems can get and how bad being accused of something can make you feel, especially something as serious as abuse. He may be suffering the consequences so he hasn't said anything. As for other CC's not saying anything, Shelby might have told them not to interfere, didn't she say that she didn't want people to speculate? If she did, other CC's wouldn't confirm nor deny any names.

Shelby doesn't owe people an answer because they're speculating. She didn't name him intentionally. She's a victim, she probably doesn't want to go into depth of even talk about it any more than she already has. Speculating about who it is is so pointless because we should be supporting Shelby. She didn’t name him for a reason and that’s her decision. If she did say to not speculate, we should be respecting her boundaries and stop speculating.

I'm not trying to defend him if he turns out to be an abuser but I know how bad it can be to be falsely accused of something and I don't like speculation. Until there is something more said about it, my opinion won't change. I will continue to support both Wilbur and Shelby.

I also don't want it to be true because I've been a massive Wilbur fan since soothouse and it will break my heart but if she confirms that it is Wilbur, I will instantly stop supporting him.

I want everyone to support Shelby endlessly. She's so brave for speaking out about what happened to her and I'm so incredibly proud of her. I've loved her content for so long and I hope she's healing and doing well.

Once again, I hope everyone is feeling well. If you're overwhelmed, please don't be afraid to take a break. I love you all so much <3

[dollarstoreparadise]

i want to talk about all the shubble/wilbur soot discourse going on rq.

i have a friend who is very into dsmp/lovejoy/qsmp and loves wilbur. she told me about what the situation was so i did a little research myself.

my own personal opinion is that i have immense respect for shubble and i'm glad she spoke up. from the posts that i've seen i think wilbur did not handle it well. at all. his "apology" was incredibly lackluster and did not actually truly address the situation. i'm glad that shubble didn't accept his apology because she did not need to, nor should she. it is disgusting that he lied and pretended he didn't know about the harm he caused. maybe he didn't in the beginning, but as time went on (according to shelby) he blatantly disregarded her boundaries.

i myself have experienced very odd forms of abuse that at the time i didn't see as abuse. i too felt absolutely miserable because of it. i played it off like everything was okay because i thought it was. it progressively got worse and worse and my family was very worried because i was significantly more depressed and isolated than usual. it wasn't until our relationship was forcefully ended that i realized the ways i was being manipulated and abused. when my abuser was confronted about it he did a very similar thing where he blamed me (the victim) for his behavior. i want to make this very clear: you are responsible for your own actions and the harm it may cause others.

any form of abuse is absolutely disgusting, and i will always, always stand with the victim.

that being said, if you support wilbur soot at all then please unfollow me and do not interact with me. i am boycotting him and lovejoy. i do not want to support someone who has caused that much harm to anyone.

i think this is a very important subject to talk about. my heart goes out to all victims of abuse. you are incredibly special and i'm so sorry for any pain you may have gone through. it doesn't have to remain as a bad situation. you can grow from it and become a stronger and better person, i promise. no matter how bad it seems there is a light at the end of the tunnel. there will always be a hand for you to grasp when you feel like you're drowning. you are loved and you are deserving of so much better. <3

[avephelis]

i'm still striking this week, but i feel it's important to take a moment to acknowledge what's going on with shubble

first and foremost my heart and full support goes out to shelby. it's extremely courageous of them to have come forward, and they shouldn't have had to release information that puts them at legal and physical risk.

it should be iterated that IT IS NATURAL to be feeling any number of emotions about the situation. but i implore everyone to direct ire, injustice, and blame towards the perpetrators who actually deserve it. don't direct your frustration at people who may have misunderstood things (let's be honest, with the history this community has with leaks and cyberstalking, having a knee-jerk reaction of caution isn't unfair), or god forbid towards shelby herself.

and a reminder: anyone can be an abuser. while it's important to hold people you admire to scrutiny, there's not necessarily "signs you should have picked up on", because abusers often present themselves differently publicly to how they act in private. the shame does not fall on victims or unaware bystanders; it falls on the abuser themself, and people deliberately choosing to ignore that behaviour.

there's no way to retroactively prevent things from escalating the way they did. so instead of beating ourselves up over it, let's make an effort to be level-headed, source information reliably, and stand with victims. other people have said other stuff better than i could, so:

[vod excerpts and shelby's words on the matter] [abuse resources]

support shubble, hold wilbur soot and all abusers accountable, look after yourselves and each other. all the love <3

[desastre-gay]

going forward

omg its been a while sorry !! writers block has me by the throat rn... straight away warning for mentions of abuse and please send all your support to shelby right now because its the victims who matter the most !!! anyways i thought i would just say that if you're hanging around for sbi content that im not sure if i can continue to write it, especially with the way i have been characterising wilbur it all just feels kind of icky which sucks because i was really proud of my work :( i do want to emphasise that i may finish my current sbi fic someday just because its one i was really excited for plot wise but it is in no way associated with ccwilbur its all character based (and i may even remove him as a whole) it honestly feels to me like cwilbur has become more of an oc at this point anyway but im still not sure what i want to do in the future, right now its all just uncomfortable and im keeping my distance fic wise. ( i will most likely focus on other fandoms if i find time and motivation so stick around for those!). im keeping my current and complete fics up simply because they were my first and most passionate works but i want to make it clear i do not support that abusive man in any way shape or form.

tldr; fuck wilbur soot, sbi fics will most likely discontinue, send love and support to shelby and take care of yourselves <3

[citraxrowan]

peaky blinders s6 theories/s5 ending discussion

okay so i recently did a full rewatch of peaky blinders because it is such a great show and i can’t wait for the next season even though we won’t get it for a while because of the pandemic. the season 5 cliffhanger ending still makes me go feral though, so i would like to go over some theories to revive the discussion and hear your thoughts on who betrayed tommy, etc. 

first i'll briefly outline a few points i’m personally speculating on: 

1. gina. i do not trust her!!! feel like she’s definitely an enemy

◦ i don’t think gina's pregnant. i believe she wanted to get close to the shelby/gray family for a greater purpose. with michael in america, she got her chance. gina doesn’t actually love michael, she’s using him. 

notice how abruptly they got married? gina probably lied about being pregnant so as not to lose michael the key for infiltrating the peaky blinders 

gina is insistent on going to the doctor’s appointment alone, not with ada. probably because there is no baby. 

when polly puts her hand on gina’s stomach, gina retracts. polly has senses that tell her about pregnancies; for example, she can tell when ada is pregnant and correctly predicts that lizzie will have a baby girl. when talking about gina’s baby, polly says something like “i wish i felt that heartbeat today” so polly knows she’s not pregnant/is suspicious of gina 

◦ gina knows mosley. they may be working together

gina corrects michael on mosley’s title/position before meeting him = they probably already know each other, possibly because they’re working together 

gina and mosley share a glance during the ballet 

the girl mosley is having intercourse with before the speech has hair that looks like gina’s, and the girl’s face is never shown. could this be gina? based on all this, i feel like it is 

◦ gina is manipulating/controlling/using michael 

she is always whispering in his ear, influencing him

for one, she holds out the papers of the proposed plan to restructure the company

i think gina is definitely an enemy, but i don’t think michael is truly on the same level as her. there are certainly tensions between him and the rest of the family, but i don’t think he is actually a traitor. gina is the puppet master and michael’s her victim. bringing me to my next point

2. michael— he is not the traitor. 

◦ michael doesn’t want to kill any of his family members

remember when michael found out polly made a deal with luca? it’s true that he ended up not telling tommy, choosing his mom over his cousin, but he told polly, “no, we don’t do that to our own” (pretty sure that’s the exact line. feel free to correct me on anything that’s wrong, i’m going off the top of my head). michael doesn’t have any desires to kill his family. he is ambitious and would like to expand on the family business, but killing them wouldn’t really be beneficial and doesn’t seem like his style 

◦ he’s a red herring. perhaps the writers are using him as a distraction

the family was suspicious of him when he first returned; he was already monitored for a period of time and tommy looked into things like his calls, meetings, etc., and he was cleared

so it may seem like he is an obvious option for being the traitor, but i think michael is no traitor, though gina the motherfucking manipulator is 

◦ he’s being controlled by gina. i already went over this but just wanted to list it again here to provide as possible evidence to back this up

3. finn & billy grade (football/singer)

◦ i love little finn but he definitely shouldn’t have said anything, even if he didn’t give exact details

◦ now once finn tells him about the shooting, billy is seen reaching towards the money finn places down for him, but ends up picking up the phone instead. there are two possibilities here: 

billy called someone and informed them of the planned shooting— i initially believed this and still do. billy's demeanor, especially when he reaches for the phone, seemed somewhat sus. however, i have heard about a second option...

billy calls a girl to have intercourse with as finn suggested— i can understand this point, but i just don’t know if he really wasn’t passing on information or was. on one hand, finn was vague but tommy was foiled pretty well. on the other hand, he still could have played a part in the betrayal, as there could have been numerous people involved and providing inside information, not only billy

next i want to quickly bring up some theories i’ve seen but personally idk if i completely believe in them: 

◦ churchill is behind it

he didn’t want mosley to become a martyr for the fascist movement so he had barney killed before he could take the shot ?

he said cutting a weed down doesn’t always work (mosley is a weed, and tommy can’t simply kill him as a solution) ?

◦ johnny dogs is the traitor

he was in the room when tommy explained the plan in detail 

aberama said only johnny knew where he was, so how did the billy boys find him ?

johnny was reluctant to go to scotland. was tommy losing his control over johnny ?

johnny was the only one not attacked. aberama was killed and arthur was targeted but survived, though johnny was spared 

okay now i just want to go over these theories i’ve heard about but personally don’t believe and i’ll explain why: 

• alfie is a traitor

alfie is jewish, mosley is a fascist. i don’t see why alfie would want to keep mosley alive, and i can’t see mosley wanting to team up with alfie 

when alfie was listening to mosley’s speech on the radio, he said something like “whenever you’re ready tom” so it really seems like alfie was in full support of having mosley killed

alfie has betrayed tommy three times already. i think that’s enough

• michael is the traitor

already explained that he was 1) being controlled by gina, and 2) would not betray tommy this way. he may be ambitious, but he would not do this. i mean, why would he want aberama dead, arthur dead, and mosley spared? he loves his mom and polly had just gotten engaged to aberama, so ? what benefit would arthur’s death or mosley being kept alive bring? michael wants to expand the business in america, not become a fascist. i don’t think he’s responsible. his wife on the other hand... 

finally i would just like to bring up some other topics for discussion: 

1. camera effect— when tommy was explaining the plan in detail, there was a moment with a camera effect that made it look like there were doubles or lines i’m so bad at describing it but you know what i’m talking about right it was like someone was looking in or something like that. what was that about do you think? 

i’ve heard people say it was michael and gina but personally i don’t think it was michael as i’ve already expressed how i don’t think he is the traitor, and gina- idk. seems like these more high class people hire others to do this stuff like spying. i’m not sure what to make of this...

2. who really had younger killed? 

3. who is the man that tommy can’t beat? 

is it tommy himself? will he commit suicide at some point? there have been several instances and some foreshadowing it seems. charlie even said it ran in the family. idk 

4. plan b— gina brings up plan b after michael is shut down

gina orchestrated plan b. perhaps plan b is separating from the family to do the business in america, but gina may be hiding more 

is gina a fascist? this could be a part of why she would be working with mosley. a friend mentioned seeing this theory: is gina italian american, possibly related to al capone— because he was name dropped, he may play a part later on ? 

feel free to add on! agree or disagree, i’d love to continue the discussion and hear more to ponder over :) 

[tyleroakley-obsessed]

November 27, 2018 is Giving Tuesday! What better time for the annual charitable giving & volunteering guide to non-profits in Memphis and the Mid-South. I put this list here because I hope that you’ll decide to: donate volunteer spread the word I hope you’ll decide to do these things not just for Giving Tuesday but all through the year. Want to hear directly from Memphians about their personal favorite non-profits? Check out this post. This list is by no means complete – there are hundreds of incredible organizations in this city that are worthy of your love. If there are any organizations you work with or support that aren’t on the list, please leave them in the comments with some details on what they need so that everyone can see them. Here’s your list of ways to Give Back in Memphis! Alpha Omega Veterans Services What they do: AOVS provides housing and essential supportive services to disabled and displaced military veterans so that they can be empowered to reintegrate back into society. AOVS has served nearly 10,000 veterans in and around Memphis since being founded in 1987.  How you can help: Make a financial donation or email to inquire about volunteer opportunities or how to provide in-kind donations.  Alzheimer’s Association What they do: The Alzheimer’s Association Mid-South Chapter offers care support, research and advocacy for those affected by Alzheimer’s disease. They offer a 24/7 help line (800) 272.3900, facilitated support groups, care consultations, referral programs advocacy, and more. How you can help: You can donate to your local West Tennessee chapter or volunteer by calling 901-565-0011 or sign up for their next Walk to End Alzheimer’s. American Cancer Society Memphis What they do: ACS fights every cancer every day in every community through research, education, advocacy, and service. How you can help: Serve meals at their Harrah’s Hope Lodge. Provide a ride to treatment for cancer patients. Donate funds. To get involved, call 901-278-2091 or 1-800-227-2345, or email caroline.smart@cancer.org Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis What they do: BGCGM provides academic, recreational, and mentoring programs for young people in need in Memphis. Read more on my post here. How you can help: Volunteer, donate, or attend the annual Toy Bash. Boy Scouts of America: Chickasaw Council The Chickasaw Council is a chapter of the BSA that serves boys in 17 counties in TN, AR, and MS. The mission of the BSA is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law (responsible adventure, citizenship, leadership). How to help: You can support via Buy-A-Brick Campaign, donating to the Friends of Scouting campaign, play in/sponsor a golf tournament, or buy popcorn. BRIDGES What they do: BRIDGES works to inspire diverse young people to become confident leaders through camps and programs like Bridge Builders, internships, team building programs, and education. How you can help: Make a financial donation or email BRIDGES to inquire about volunteer opportunities. Camp Good Times  What they do: Camp Good Times is a weeklong sleepover summer camp at Shelby Forest for kids and adults with mental disabilities who may not be able to attend a traditional summer camp. How you can help: Volunteer to be a camp counselor, camp nurse, or make a financial donation. Child Advocacy Center What they do: The Child Advocacy Center provides services to some of Memphis’ most vulnerable, the victims of child abuse, that help them recover from abuse and return to normal childhoods. They provide counseling, prevention services and advocates to children and families in need. How you can help: Make a financial contribution to the CAC, or volunteer to serve as an ambassador, help around the CAC office or work at special events. CHOICES: Memphis Center For Reproductive Heath CHOICES is a nonprofit health clinic proudly serving the Memphis/Mid-South community that provides professional medical care in a judgement-free space and help people make informed decisions about their reproductive health. How you can help: Make a financial contribution, volunteer, or attend the annual Condomonium fundraiser party (I’ve been to this event for several years, and it’s now on my list of can’t-miss Memphis events). Church Health Center What they do: The Church Health Center provides medical, vision and dental care to Memphians who have jobs, but lack health insurance. They also run the Church Health Center Wellness, a pay-what-you-can fitness and community center (pictured above). How you can help: Volunteer to help out at the clinic or Hope and Healing center (or be an on-call volunteer for whatever’s needed most). You can also make monetary donations or  get involved in other ways. Creative Aging What they do: Creative Aging improves quality of life for Mid-South seniors by providing them access to the arts where they live and gather. How you can help: You can donate or volunteer as an Entertainment Host or help out at annual events liek Game Day, Senior Variety Show, Artist Showcase and Silent Auction. DeNeuville Learning Center What they do: The DeNeuville Center’s mission is to educate women of all backgrounds, both in school subjects (like English, art, reading math and GED classes) and practical skills (like budgeting and parenting). How you can help: The center can always benefit from monetary donations, but they’re also in need of volunteers to babysit, tutor the center’s clients in ESL, GED prep and preparing for the U.S. Citizenship test. They also need people to help maintain the building and answer the phones. Dorothy Day House of Hospitality What they do: The Dorothy Day House of Hospitality provides food, shelter and clothing to homeless families, then works to get them back on their feet, even after they’ve returned to permanent housing. How to help: The house is always in need of donated supplies, monetary donations, and volunteers to provide childcare, work on the house, tutor, prepare meals and more. Dress for Success Memphis What they do: Imagine finally landing a big job interview, but not being able to afford an outfit that will allow you to dress to impress. Dress for Success provides professional clothing, job mentoring and career services to women in need. How you can help: Donate a new or gently used (clean) suit,business casual clothing, or shoes to their closet. Or, just donate money. Friends For Life What they do: Friends For Life helps Memphis-area people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS to live well. They provide free HIV testing, prevention services, education, housing, a food pantry, pharmacy, mentoring and support, transportation and emergency financial assistance. How you can help: Make a financial donation or volunteer as a Spanish language translator, food pantry attendant or meal prepper, or for other projects. Girl Scouts Heart of the South Girl Scouts Heart of the South introduces girls to inspiring role models, offers unique skill-building opportunities in a safe environment, and sets the stage for lifelong friendships. How you can help: Donate, volunteer, or attend fundraising events. Halal Food Pantry at Masjid Al-Mu’minun What they do: The Halal food pantry at Masjid Al-Mu’minun is the first food pantry in Memphis to provide strictly Halal food to Memphians in need. How you can help: Call (901) 789-1904 or visit the food pantry’s Facebook page for details on helping out. H.O.P.E. What they do: H.O.P.E. is a Mid-South Peace and Justice Center-sponsored organization that advocates for and provides resources people who are currently or have formerly experienced homelessness. How you can help: Donate gently used or new winter clothes, sleeping bags, and blankets at the MSPJC (3573 Southern Ave.) during business hours, donate to the H.O.P.E. Women’s Caucus’ fund for self-defense classes (they are hoping for $800 this month) by calling (901) 725-4990 during business hours, make a one-time financial contribution or the MSPJC easily online, or become a member of the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center. Hope House What they do: The Hope House works with families impacted by HIV/AIDS. They’re the only organization in Tennessee that provides preschool and family-centerd care to severely impovershed families affected by HIV/AIDS. How you can help: Volunteer as a classroom or aftercare helper, or make a financial contribution. Humane Society of Memphis and Shelby County What they do: The Humane Society provides shelter, medical care and adoptions to injured and abused dogs and cats. How you can help: Adopt one of the Society’s adorable dogs or cats (some of them, who have been there the longest, have free adoption) or volunteer to walk dogs, keep kennels clean, or foster an animal. Lifeblood What they do: Lifeblood is the Memphis region’s only non-profit volunteer blood center. Through its neighborhood donor centers and full schedule of mobile blood drives that come to business, schools, and places of worship, Lifeblood provides opportunities to donate blood year round. How you can help: There is no substitute for human blood and you can save up to 3 lives by donating 1 pint of blood. It can be done on a lunch break, after work, on the weekend and is a unique way to give back to the Mid-South. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit http://www.lifeblood.org or call 1-888-LIFEBLOOD. Literacy Mid-South What they do: LMS estimates that there are more than 120,000 Memphians who can’t read well enough to apply for a job. They work to improve the literacy rate in Memphis by providing literacy classes to all ages and skill levels, professional development help and one-on-one tutoring. How you can help: Donate your time to tutor one of LMS’s students or work in the office. Or, donate money to help the Council continue its programs. Memphis Center for Independent Living  What they do: The MCIL is an integrated community that equally welcomes all members, and advocates for and supports people with disabilities so they may live independently. How you can help: Donate to the Memphis Center for Independent Living online. Mid-South Peace & Justice Center The Mid-South Peace and Justice Center is a multi-issue, multi-race organization that engages, organizes, and mobilizes communities to realize social justice through nonviolent action. They educate and train new community leaders to lead campaigns for racial, economic, environmental and social justice. How you can help: You can donate, become a member, or attend an event. OUT Memphis What they do: OUT Memphis (formerly Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center) provides a safe, welcoming space for Memphis’ gay, lesbian, bi and transgendered community. They provide free HIV testing, support groups, counseling referral, and support to LBTQ youth in need of support and care. How you can help: The center always needs volunteers to answer phones, be ambassadors or serve on committees. You can also make a financial contribution. Memphis Oral School for the Deaf What they do: The MOSD focuses on developing listening and spoken language skills for thousands of children with hearing loss. How you can help: Sponsor a child, get something for their wish list, or find other ways to give. Mid-South Food Bank What they do: The Food Bank fights hunger in the Memphis area by providing food, basic necessities and nutritional education to those in need. They serve 30 counties (not just the city of Memphis) and offer over a thousand meals every weekend to school kids. How you can help: Financial donations go a really long way because the Mid-South Food Bank can buy food in bulk from manufacturers (see warehouse photo above – that’s just a tiny part of the facility). You can also volunteer. If you feel like you won’t make a difference, know that just one dollar can provide two meals to someone in need. Spay Memphis What they do: Spay Memphis offers affordable spay and neuter surgeries to pet owners in order to reduce pet overpopulation and reduce euthanasia or healthy pets,with a special emphasis on ensuring that low-income and senior citizens have the opportunity to use our services How you can help: Make a financial donation, or volunteer for clinic assistance or special events. MIFA What they do: MIFA (Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association) works directly with some of Memphis’ most vulnerable senior citizens and families. They provide Meals on Wheels, companionship services and transportation for seniors, emergency housing to families in crisis, mentoring and college prep for teens, as well as help find homeless families permanent homes. How you can help: You can donate cash to MIFA or volunteer as a college mentor, Meals on Wheels delivery person, senior ombudsman or be a senior companion. Overton Park Conservancy  What they do: The OPC is in charge of 184 acres of public parkland, including the Old Forest State Natural area, Rainbow Lake, Veteran’s Plaza, the Greensward, and more. How you can help: Make a donation, become a member, or volunteer. Planned Parenthood of Greater Memphis Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis Region offers confidential reproductive and related health care to women, men and teens regardless of ability to pay. How you can help: Click here to see a list of ways to get involved. Porter-Leath What they do: Porter-Leath works primarily with children and families. They provide Head Start preschool, parenting classes, foster grandparents, foster care and a shelter for runaway youth. How you can help: Donate a new, unwrapped toy to the Toy Truck. You can also sign up for/attend the Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival in April, or make a financial contribution. Project Green Fork What they do: Project Green Fork contributes to a sustainable Mid-South by helping reduce environtmal impacts, with a focus on strengthening homegrown restaurants. PGR has a certification system for restaurants so diners can choose to support eateries that are committed to Project Green Fork’s mission. How you can help: Choose to dine at Project Green Fork restaurants (list is here), make a donation, contact PGF for volunteer opportunies, and encourage your favorite restaurants to get certified if they aren’t already. Ronald McDonald House Memphis What they do: The Ronald McDonald House provides a comfortable home away from home to non-local St. Jude patients and their families while they’re receiving care at the hospital, free of charge. How you can help: Donate some items on the house’s wish list, take up a pop tab collection or become a House Hero. Room at the Inn What they do: Room at the Inn is a Memphis network of churches that provide shelter, food, and amenities to people experiencing homelessness during the coldest months of the year (Nov. 1 – March 31). Their philosphy is that no one should sleep in the cold while churches are warm and empty each evening. They are also working to open a facility, the Carpenter’s House, in downtown Memphis. How you can help: You can make a donation, volunteer (many different volunteer positions are needed), or sign up your congregation to be a part of the Room at the Inn network. SRVS What they do: SRVS provides job training, jobs, eductaion, clinics, housing, and a supportive community for Memphians with developmental disabilities. They also provide support to the families of the people they serve. How you can help: If you’re a warm, friendly person who likes to smile a lot (because you will smile a lot), volunteer to work with SRVS. They’ve got all kinds of hands-on opportunities, most of which come with the instant gratification of knowing that you’ve made someone’s day better. Streetdog Foundation What they do: The Streetdog Foundation rescues, rehabilitates, and re-homes stray and abandoned dogs in Memphis. They are not a shelter, so they rely on volunteers, foster dog owners, and donations. How you can help: You can adopt a dog (I’m a supporter of “adopt don’t shop!”), foster a dog, volunteer, or donate. Shelby Farms Park Conservancy What they do: At 4,500 acres, Shelby Farms is one of the largest public parks in the United States with trails, a Greenline, horseback riding, lakes, playgrounds, disc golf courses and a home for a herd of buffalo. How you can help: Shelby Farms can always use monetary donations, but the most fun way to do it is through the Adopt a Buffalo program. You can also volunteer for one-time and long-term service projects in the park. Volunteer Mid-South What they do: Volunteer Mid-South provides a network of non-profits, businesses, and volunteers to help volunteers connect with organizations and help companies create volunteer programs. How you can help: You can make a donation online here or use Volunteer Mid-South’s opportunity search to match yourself with a volunteering gig that fits your skills and availability. You can attend their yearly Volunteer Expo to speak with orgs in person (this year it was in September.) Volunteer Odyssey  What they do: Volunteer Odyssey matches volunteers with opportunities in the Memphis area. They also run a Job Seekers program (volunteer for a week while you’re in between jobs), a Corporate Teams program (for companies that want to do group volunteer projects), and VolunCheers events. How you can help: Volunteer Odyssey needs monetary donations which you can easily do here. You can also sign up for one of the programs listed above if you’re a good fit, or check out the volunteer opportunities calendar if you have a few hours here and there to volunteer in town. Bonus! Every month, I publish a list of extra-fun volunteer opportunities through Volunteer Odyssey, so be on the lookout for that throughout the year. Wolf River Conservancy What they do: The Wolf River Conservancy protects and enhances the Wolf River corridor watershed as a sustainable natural resource, as well as works to complete the Wolf River Greenway How you can help: Make a financial donation, volunteer your time, or become a member. The Conservancy also hosts occaissional happy hours where part of your drink proceeds benefit the org; follow them on Facebook for the next Green Drinks event. Women of Hope International What they do: Women of Hope is an international, Memphis-based organization that provides training, education, and support for women with disabilities living in Sierra Leone. How you can help: You can make a financial donation to one of the specific programs that WoH sponsors or volunteer for special events. Youth Villages What they do: Youth Villages provide kids and teens in Memphis with crisis services, foster care and adoption, housing, mentoring, transitional living and in-home services. How you can help: You can volunteer in a number of positions, make financial contributions, or attend the annual Soup Sunday event. — Like I said, these are only a few of the many, many local organizations that are worthy of your time and contributions this holiday season. If you know of or are involved in others, please leave them in the comments so that everyone can see them. Be sure to mention what the organization does and how people can best help them. Consider this the most positive comments section in town, a continuation of the post, and another way to spread the word about great things going on in Memphis. A special thanks to contributor Cat Evans for helping me update this post for 2017. Originally published in 2017. Updated 2018. Are you a home owner in Memphis, with a broken garage door? Call ASAP garage door today at 901-461-0385 or checkout https://ift.tt/1B5z3Pc

http://ilovememphisblog.com/2018/11/2017-i-love-memphis-volunteering-and-giving-guide/

[tyleroakley-obsessed]

Today is Giving Tuesday, and what better time for the annual charitable giving & volunteering guide to non-profits in Memphis and the Mid-South. I put this list here because I hope that you’ll decide to: donate volunteer spread the word I hope you’ll decide to do these things not just for Giving Tuesday (Nov. 28, today) but all through the year. Want to hear directly from Memphians about their personal favorite non-profits? Check out this post. This list is by no means complete – there are hundreds of incredible organizations in this city that are worthy of your love. If there are any organizations you work with or support that aren’t on the list, please leave them in the comments with some details on what they need so that everyone can see them. Here’s your list of ways to Give Back in Memphis! Alpha Omega Veterans Services What they do: AOVS provides housing and essential supportive services to disabled and displaced military veterans so that they can be empowered to reintegrate back into society. AOVS has served nearly 10,000 veterans in and around Memphis since being founded in 1987.  How you can help: Make a financial donation or email to inquire about volunteer opportunities or how to provide in-kind donations.  Alzheimer’s Association What they do: The Alzheimer’s Association Mid-South Chapter offers care support, research and advocacy for those affected by Alzheimer’s disease. They offer a 24/7 help line (800) 272.3900, facilitated support groups, care consultations, referral programs advocacy, and more. How you can help: You can donate to your local West Tennessee chapter or volunteer by calling 901-565-0011 or sign up for their next Walk to End Alzheimer’s. American Cancer Society Memphis What they do: ACS fights every cancer every day in every community through research, education, advocacy, and service. How you can help: Serve meals at their Harrah’s Hope Lodge. Provide a ride to treatment for cancer patients. Donate funds. To get involved, call 901-278-2091 or 1-800-227-2345, or email caroline.smart@cancer.org Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis What they do: BGCGM provides academic, recreational, and mentoring programs for young people in need in Memphis. Read more on my post here. How you can help: Volunteer, donate, or attend the annual Toy Bash. Boy Scouts of America: Chickasaw Council The Chickasaw Council is a chapter of the BSA that serves boys in 17 counties in TN, AR, and MS. The mission of the BSA is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law (responsible adventure, citizenship, leadership). How to help: You can support via Buy-A-Brick Campaign, donating to the Friends of Scouting campaign, play in/sponsor a golf tournament, or buy popcorn. BRIDGES What they do: BRIDGES works to inspire diverse young people to become confident leaders through camps and programs like Bridge Builders, internships, team building programs, and education. How you can help: Make a financial donation or email BRIDGES to inquire about volunteer opportunities. Camp Good Times  What they do: Camp Good Times is a weeklong sleepover summer camp at Shelby Forest for kids and adults with mental disabilities who may not be able to attend a traditional summer camp. How you can help: Volunteer to be a camp counselor, camp nurse, or make a financial donation. Child Advocacy Center What they do: The Child Advocacy Center provides services to some of Memphis’ most vulnerable, the victims of child abuse, that help them recover from abuse and return to normal childhoods. They provide counseling, prevention services and advocates to children and families in need. How you can help: Make a financial contribution to the CAC, or volunteer to serve as an ambassador, help around the CAC office or work at special events. CHOICES: Memphis Center For Reproductive Heath CHOICES is a nonprofit health clinic proudly serving the Memphis/Mid-South community that provides professional medical care in a judgement-free space and help people make informed decisions about their reproductive health. How you can help: Make a financial contribution, volunteer, or attend the annual Condomonium fundraiser party (I’ve been to this event for several years, and it’s now on my list of can’t-miss Memphis events). Church Health Center What they do: The Church Health Center provides medical, vision and dental care to Memphians who have jobs, but lack health insurance. They also run the Church Health Center Wellness, a pay-what-you-can fitness and community center (pictured above). How you can help: Volunteer to help out at the clinic or Hope and Healing center (or be an on-call volunteer for whatever’s needed most). You can also make monetary donations or  get involved in other ways. Creative Aging What they do: Creative Aging improves quality of life for Mid-South seniors by providing them access to the arts where they live and gather. How you can help: You can donate or volunteer as an Entertainment Host or help out at annual events liek Game Day, Senior Variety Show, Artist Showcase and Silent Auction. DeNeuville Learning Center What they do: The DeNeuville Center’s mission is to educate women of all backgrounds, both in school subjects (like English, art, reading math and GED classes) and practical skills (like budgeting and parenting). How you can help: The center can always benefit from monetary donations, but they’re also in need of volunteers to babysit, tutor the center’s clients in ESL, GED prep and preparing for the U.S. Citizenship test. They also need people to help maintain the building and answer the phones. Dorothy Day House of Hospitality What they do: The Dorothy Day House of Hospitality provides food, shelter and clothing to homeless families, then works to get them back on their feet, even after they’ve returned to permanent housing. How to help: The house is always in need of donated supplies, monetary donations, and volunteers to provide childcare, work on the house, tutor, prepare meals and more. Dress for Success Memphis What they do: Imagine finally landing a big job interview, but not being able to afford an outfit that will allow you to dress to impress. Dress for Success provides professional clothing, job mentoring and career services to women in need. How you can help: Donate a new or gently used (clean) suit,business casual clothing, or shoes to their closet. Or, just donate money. Friends For Life What they do: Friends For Life helps Memphis-area people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS to live well. They provide free HIV testing, prevention services, education, housing, a food pantry, pharmacy, mentoring and support, transportation and emergency financial assistance. How you can help: Make a financial donation or volunteer as a Spanish language translator, food pantry attendant or meal prepper, or for other projects. Girl Scouts Heart of the South Girl Scouts Heart of the South introduces girls to inspiring role models, offers unique skill-building opportunities in a safe environment, and sets the stage for lifelong friendships. How you can help: Donate, volunteer, or attend fundraising events. Halal Food Pantry at Masjid Al-Mu’minun What they do: The Halal food pantry at Masjid Al-Mu’minun is the first food pantry in Memphis to provide strictly Halal food to Memphians in need. How you can help: Call (901) 789-1904 or visit the food pantry’s Facebook page for details on helping out. H.O.P.E. What they do: H.O.P.E. is a Mid-South Peace and Justice Center-sponsored organization that advocates for and provides resources people who are currently or have formerly experienced homelessness. How you can help: Donate gently used or new winter clothes, sleeping bags, and blankets at the MSPJC (3573 Southern Ave.) during business hours, donate to the H.O.P.E. Women’s Caucus’ fund for self-defense classes (they are hoping for $800 this month) by calling (901) 725-4990 during business hours, make a one-time financial contribution or the MSPJC easily online, or become a member of the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center. Hope House What they do: The Hope House works with families impacted by HIV/AIDS. They’re the only organization in Tennessee that provides preschool and family-centerd care to severely impovershed families affected by HIV/AIDS. How you can help: Volunteer as a classroom or aftercare helper, or make a financial contribution. Humane Society of Memphis and Shelby County What they do: The Humane Society provides shelter, medical care and adoptions to injured and abused dogs and cats. How you can help: Adopt one of the Society’s adorable dogs or cats (some of them, who have been there the longest, have free adoption) or volunteer to walk dogs, keep kennels clean, or foster an animal. Lifeblood What they do: Lifeblood is the Memphis region’s only non-profit volunteer blood center. Through its neighborhood donor centers and full schedule of mobile blood drives that come to business, schools, and places of worship, Lifeblood provides opportunities to donate blood year round. How you can help: There is no substitute for human blood and you can save up to 3 lives by donating 1 pint of blood. It can be done on a lunch break, after work, on the weekend and is a unique way to give back to the Mid-South. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit http://ift.tt/Y58SjC or call 1-888-LIFEBLOOD. Literacy Mid-South What they do: LMS estimates that there are more than 120,000 Memphians who can’t read well enough to apply for a job. They work to improve the literacy rate in Memphis by providing literacy classes to all ages and skill levels, professional development help and one-on-one tutoring. How you can help: Donate your time to tutor one of LMS’s students or work in the office. Or, donate money to help the Council continue its programs. Memphis Center for Independent Living  What they do: The MCIL is an integrated community that equally welcomes all members, and advocates for and supports people with disabilities so they may live independently. How you can help: Donate to the Memphis Center for Independent Living online. Mid-South Peace & Justice Center The Mid-South Peace and Justice Center is a multi-issue, multi-race organization that engages, organizes, and mobilizes communities to realize social justice through nonviolent action. They educate and train new community leaders to lead campaigns for racial, economic, environmental and social justice. How you can help: You can donate, become a member, or attend an event. OUT Memphis What they do: OUT Memphis (formerly Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center) provides a safe, welcoming space for Memphis’ gay, lesbian, bi and transgendered community. They provide free HIV testing, support groups, counseling referral, and support to LBTQ youth in need of support and care. How you can help: The center always needs volunteers to answer phones, be ambassadors or serve on committees. You can also make a financial contribution. Memphis Oral School for the Deaf What they do: The MOSD focuses on developing listening and spoken language skills for thousands of children with hearing loss. How you can help: Sponsor a child, get something for their wish list, or find other ways to give. Mid-South Food Bank What they do: The Food Bank fights hunger in the Memphis area by providing food, basic necessities and nutritional education to those in need. They serve 30 counties (not just the city of Memphis) and offer over a thousand meals every weekend to school kids. How you can help: Financial donations go a really long way because the Mid-South Food Bank can buy food in bulk from manufacturers (see warehouse photo above – that’s just a tiny part of the facility). You can also volunteer. If you feel like you won’t make a difference, know that just one dollar can provide two meals to someone in need. Mid-South Spay & Neuter Services What they do: MSNS offers affordable spay and neuter surguries to pet owners in order to reduce pet overpopulation and reduce ethanasia or healthy pets,with a special emphasis on ensuring that low-income and senior citizens have the opportunity to use our services How you can help: Make a financial donation, or volunteer for clinic assistance or special events. MIFA What they do: MIFA (Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association) works directly with some of Memphis’ most vulnerable senior citizens and families. They provide Meals on Wheels, companionship services and transportation for seniors, emergency housing to families in crisis, mentoring and college prep for teens, as well as help find homeless families permanent homes. How you can help: You can donate cash to MIFA or volunteer as a college mentor, Meals on Wheels deliver-er, senior ombudsman or be a senior companion. Overton Park Conservancy  What they do: The OPC is in charge of 184 acres of public parkland, including the Old Forest State Natural area, Rainbow Lake, Veteran’s Plaza, the Greensward, and more. How you can help: Make a donation, become a member, or volunteer. Planned Parenthood of Greater Memphis Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis Region offers confidential reproductive and related health care to women, men and teens regardless of ability to pay. How you can help: Click here to see a list of ways to get involved. Porter-Leath What they do: Porter-Leath works primarily with children and families. They provide Head Start preschool, parenting classes, foster grandparents, foster care and a shelter for runaway youth. How you can help: Donate a new, unwrapped toy to the Toy Truck. You can also sign up for/attend the Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival in April, or make a financial contribution. Project Green Fork What they do: Project Green Fork contributes to a sustainable Mid-South by helping reduce environtmal impacts, with a focus on strengthening homegrown restaurants. PGR has a certification system for restaurants so diners can choose to support eateries that are committed to Project Green Fork’s mission. How you can help: Choose to dine at Project Green Fork restaurants (list is here), make a donation, contact PGF for volunteer opportunies, and encourage your favorite restaurants to get certified if they aren’t already. Ronald McDonald House Memphis What they do: The Ronald McDonald House provides a comfortable home away from home to non-local St. Jude patients and their families while they’re receiving care at the hospital, free of charge. How you can help: Donate some items on the house’s wish list, take up a pop tab collection or become a House Hero. Room at the Inn What they do: Room at the Inn is a Memphis network of churches that provide shelter, food, and amenities to people experiencing homelessness during the coldest months of the year (Nov. 1 – March 31). Their philosphy is that no one should sleep in the cold while churches are warm and empty each evening. They are also working to open a facility, the Carpenter’s House, in downtown Memphis. How you can help: You can make a donation, volunteer (many different volunteer positions are needed), or sign up your congregation to be a part of the Room at the Inn network. SRVS What they do: SRVS provides job training, jobs, eductaion, clinics, housing, and a supportive community for Memphians with developmental disabilities. They also provide support to the families of the people they serve. How you can help: If you’re a warm, friendly person who likes to smile a lot (because you will smile a lot), volunteer to work with SRVS. They’ve got all kinds of hands-on opportunities, most of which come with the instant gratification of knowing that you’ve made someone’s day better. Streetdog Foundation What they do: The Streetdog Foundation rescues, rehabilitates, and re-homes stray and abandoned dogs in Memphis. They are not a shelter, so they rely on volunteers, foster dog owners, and donations. How you can help: You can adopt a dog (I’m a supporter of “adopt don’t shop!”), foster a dog, volunteer, or donate. Shelby Farms Park Conservancy What they do: At 4,500 acres, Shelby Farms is one of the largest public parks in the United States with trails, a Greenline, horseback riding, lakes, playgrounds, disc golf courses and a home for a herd of buffalo. How you can help: Shelby Farms can always use monetary donations, but the most fun way to do it is through the Adopt a Buffalo program. You can also volunteer for one-time and long-term service projects in the park. Volunteer Mid-South What they do: Volunteer Mid-South provides a network of non-profits, businesses, and volunteers to help volunteers connect with organizations and help companies create volunteer programs. How you can help: You can make a donation online here or use Volunteer Mid-South’s opportunity search to match yourself with a volunteering gig that fits your skills and availability. You can attend their yearly Volunteer Expo to speak with orgs in person (this year it was in September.) Volunteer Odyssey  What they do: Volunteer Odyssey matches volunteers with opportunities in the Memphis area. They also run a Job Seekers program (volunteer for a week while you’re in between jobs), a Corporate Teams program (for companies that want to do group volunteer projects), and VolunCheers events. How you can help: Volunteer Odyssey needs monetary donations which you can easily do here. You can also sign up for one of the programs listed above if you’re a good fit, or check out the volunteer opportunities calendar if you have a few hours here and there to volunteer in town. Bonus! Every month, I publish a list of extra-fun volunteer opportunities through Volunteer Odyssey, so be on the lookout for that throughout the year. Wolf River Conservancy What they do: The Wolf River Conservancy protects and enhances the Wolf River corridor watershed as a sustainable natural resource, as well as works to complete the Wolf River Greenway How you can help: Make a financial donation, volunteer your time, or become a member. The Conservancy also hosts occaissional happy hours where part of your drink proceeds benefit the org; follow them on Facebook for the next Green Drinks event. Women of Hope International What they do: Women of Hope is an international, Memphis-based organization that provides training, education, and support for women with disabilities living in Sierra Leone. How you can help: You can make a financial donation to one of the specific programs that WoH sponsors or volunteer for special events. Youth Villages What they do: Youth Villages provide kids and teens in Memphis with crisis services, foster care and adoption, housing, mentoring, transitional living and in-home services. How you can help: You can volunteer in a number of positions, make financial contributions, or attend the annual Soup Sunday event. — Like I said, these are only a few of the many, many local organizations that are worthy of your time and contributions this holiday season. If you know of or are involved in others, please leave them in the comments so that everyone can see them. Be sure to mention what the organization does and how people can best help them. Consider this the most positive comments section in town, a continuation of the post, and another way to spread the word about great things going on in Memphis. Are you a home owner in Memphis, with a broken garage door? Call ASAP garage door today at 901-461-0385 or checkout http://ift.tt/1B5z3Pc

http://ilovememphisblog.com/2017/11/2017-i-love-memphis-volunteering-and-giving-guide/