organizations & causes
that are important to me
About-Face is a media literacy organization focused on the impact mass media has on the physical, mental and
emotional well being of women and girls. Through practical and activist methods they challenge our culture's
overemphasis on physical appearance. By encouraging critical thinking about the media, and personal empowerment,
About-Face works to engender positive body-esteem in girls and women of all ages, sizes, races and backgrounds.
About-Face provides a place where all women count, from the tiniest among us to the very largest.
Click on their logo above to be taken to their awesome web site!
KQED 88.5FM informs, educates, and entertains listeners throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, the state of
California, and beyond with a wide variety of news, public affairs, and cultural affairs programming. The KQED
program schedule is comprised of the work of station, independent, and network producers, including productions
by NPR, PRI, and the BBC. KQED 88.5FM reaches approximately 925,000 listeners each month. With such a large listener base, you would think that funding would present little challenge for KQED. Unfortunately, like many public radio stations, only about 1 in 7 listeners is a contributing member. If you enjoy the benefits of the rich programming public radio offers, I urge you to become a member of your local public radio station today.
Click on their logo to be taken to KQED's web site to learn more about their award winning programs or click here to become a KQED member today.
Planned Parenthood Golden Gate - Planned Parenthood is a leader in advocating for reproductive
rights, accessible heath care, and clinic safety. Their mission is to provide comprehensive reproductive and
primary health care services and educational programs; advocate public policies that guarantee individual
rights, dignity, and privacy; and promote health care research.Each year over 65,000 women, men, and teens throughout the counties of San Mateo, San Francisco, Alameda, Marin, Sonoma and Mendocino visit their locations for contraceptive services, general gynecological care, cancer screening, mid-life services, primary health care, HIV/AIDS testing and counseling, tubal ligation, and vasectomy procedures. For many of their clients, they are the only health care provider.
Where this Planned Parenthood affiliate really shines is in their education department. Their educators present medically accurate, age-appropriate information to over 35,000 youths and parents each year. Many of their educational programs have been used as benchmarks for other PP education departments across the country. Subjects include postponing sexual involvement, ending cycles of violence, growing up female or male, and sexual decision making.
To make a donation, click here.
VH1 is using their media voice to further the cause of music programs in schools. Hurrah!!!The VH1 Save The Music initiative is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of education in America's public schools by restoring and supporting music programs in cities across the country, and by raising public awareness about the importance of music participation for our Nation's youth.
I can't even imagine what it would have been like to go through school without music programs. Music programs in our schools are vital. Not only because they help with math and science skills, but because it is one way to bring the arts into the lives of our children.
And, as one who has been there, I can tell you that band is often the great equalizer. During the challenging years of adolescence, band is the one place that accepts almost anyone. My high school band was composed of people that, when not working together to make music, belonged to such diverse "cliques" as the brains, the nerds, the jocks and even a couple of what we called "hoods". Where else can you find such a wonderful vehicle to bring kids of different backgrounds together for a common cause? Not many places.
Music programs in schools are AWESOME!
Villa Montalvo is a non-profit arts organization dedicated to advancing the appreciation of the arts and
music through diverse programs. Their programs include - The Gallery at Montalvo, Children's Education
Outreach, and the internationally-recognized Artist Residency Program. 
Project Open Hand provides nutrition services to thousands of men, women and children living in San Francisco and Alameda counties in California. Various nutrition services are available to: people living with symptomatic HIV and AIDS; seniors 60 years and older; and homebound people living with serious illness.
© allison baerin, 2006