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November/December 2006 Spirituality
Powerful Gift Giving: Add Community to Gift List

This holiday season, add the Pacific Northwest community to your gift list by donating to local charitable organizations.

Environmental Organizations

Oregon Environmental Council works to achieve a healthy environment through three core strategies: engaging Oregonians, finding common ground and creating strong environmental policy. Visit www.oeconline.org.

Washington Environmental Council protects Washington's environment and natural heritage for current and future generations by advocating for improved state protections and better enforcement of existing laws. Visit www.wecprotects.org.

Family Services Organizations

Albertina KerrCenters in Portland works with children with emotional or mental health challenges, individuals with severe developmental disabilities, and their families, creating new possibilities for a better life.Visit www.albertinakerr.org.

Children's Alliance, Washington's statewide child advocacy organization, champions public policies and practices that deliver the essentials that kids need to thrive -- confidence, stability, health and safety. Visit www.childrensalliance.org.

Neighborhood House brings neighbors in Portland together to feed the hungry, house the homeless and educate young and old. Visit www.nhweb.org.

Food Banks

Northwest Harvest is Washington's only statewide hunger relief agency that supplies food to a network of 300 independent hunger programs. Visit www.northwestharvest.org.

Oregon Food Bank is the hub of a network of 894 hunger-relief agencies throughout Oregon and Clark County, Wash. Visit www.oregonfoodbank.org.

Homeless and Housing Organizations

Cocoon House in Everett fosters personal growth and healthy relationships to create connections and eliminate youth homelessness. Visit www.cocoonhouse.org.

Dignity Village is home to people who might otherwise inhabit doorways and sidewalks in Portland. Visit www.outofthedoorways.org.

P:ear Mentor Program builds positive relationships with Portland's homeless and transitional youth through education, art and recreation. Visit www.pearmentor.org.

Plymouth Housing Group in Seattle works to eliminate homelessness, and stabilize homeless and very low income people in housing by developing and operating affordable housing. Visit www.plymouthhousing.org.

Transition Projects of Portland serves people's basic needs as they transition from homelessness to housing. Visit www.tprojects.org.

Interfaith Organizations

The Church Council, which represents more than 400 congregations and 15 denominations in the Seattle area, provides human services programs for homelessness, youth development, mental health and compassionate care. Visit www.churchcouncilseattle.org.

Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon is a statewide association of Christian denominations committed to working with congregations, ecumenical and interfaith organizations, and people of faith to mobilize the faith community of Oregon to service. Visit www.emoregon.org.

Women's Shelters

New Beginnings in Seattle provides services to women and children whose lives have been affected by physical, emotional or sexual abuse. Visit www.newbegin.org.

Raphael House offers shelter to women and children fleeing domestic violence in the Portland area. Visit www.raphaelhouse.com.