With all of the charitable organizations around nowadays, you would think that it would be easy to figure out a way to help make the world a better place. Unfortunately – at least for people like me – having all of these worthy nonprofit organizations makes things harder. You always see people saying that the more choices you have, the better you have it, but I've never really agreed with that saying. With charity organizations, as with everything else, I like to have my choices narrowed down a little bit for me before I get started. That way, I will be able to choose from a small group and will not get overwhelmed.
Nonprofit organizations come in all shapes and sizes, and it is hard to decide who is more worthy of your money. Should you give to charitable organizations that try to make a difference in the lives of individuals directly, or to charity groups that are out there trying to change the political system? A lot of people swear by one or the other. I have a friend who considers herself apolitical, but gives to many different charities and even volunteers her time in a charitable organization. She focuses, however, on groups that provide job training, food for the homeless, and alternatives for at risk youth. Another friend of mine, however, is just the opposite. He won't participate in what he sees as “reformism”. He is out to change the system, and that is all that interests them.
The problem is that I can't make up my mind one way or another on charitable organizations. Some days I am very optimistic about the chances that concerned citizens have of changing the world. On those days, I write letters to Congressman, volunteer my time and money at charitable organizations, and even hand out fliers on the street. Another days, however, I believe that the only changes are made one person at a time. On those days, there seems to be no chance of changing the world as a whole. The only thing to be done is to try to help individuals.
I guess the only way to settle it is to realize that both types of charitable organizations are needed. There are many concerned people working nonprofit jobs both to serve the community and to change it. Rather than competing with each other, they should find the best ways to work together. Together, after all, we can make the best biggest difference.
|
