I need reply to this Discussion . The two charities that I selected and that I recommend are Young Women’s Christian Association Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia (YWCA NETN and SWVA) and th

I need reply to this Discussion . 

The two charities that I selected and that I recommend are Young Women’s Christian Association Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia (YWCA NETN and SWVA) and the American Red Cross.  After much research, I feel both of these charities are worthwhile and make good use of their resources to meet their stated mission. 

The first organization that I highly recommend is the YWCA NETN and SWVA.  This organization located in Bristol, Tennessee and started in 1953.  According to GuideStar, their mission is “to draw together members who strive to create opportunities for women’s growth, leadership and power in order to attain a common vision; peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all people” (GuideStar, 2020)

            YWCA NETN and SWVA has a wide range of programs and services that help to ensure women and children are able to support themselves and their families.  They include affordable childcare, which the organization has been providing for over 25 years, teen pregnancy education and support, and a STEM based afterschool program for girls.  The organization has been a steadfast leader in early childhood education for over 31 years and they are the largest childcare center in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.

            Their early childhood education program offers a stable and safe environment for the children they serve.  Nearly 73% of the families they serve receive reduced childcare rates based on household income, and last year they had 121 children enrolled in their childcare program.  In addition, they also have a partnership with Ballad Health and provide childcare at one of the Hospital’s in their service area that has nearly 120 children enrolled (GuideStar, 2020).  Their current board of directors is made up of 30 volunteers who work diligently to carry out the organizations’ mission. 

            The second charity that I recommend is the American Red Cross.  The American Red Cross is an accredited charity and meets the standards for charity accountability.  Their mission is “to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors” (BBB Wise Giving Alliance, 2020).

            The American Red Cross provides emergency services to those in need in the areas of disaster relief, lifesaving blood, training and certification, international services, and military families.  Another valuable service that they offer is CPR and First Aid training.  It is astounding to me to learn that over 45 million people a year receive CPR training and participate in health and safety courses.  They utilize around 17 million volunteers each year who help with disaster relief recovery efforts and activities.  Another commendable service that they offer is providing support and services to members of the armed forces, veterans and their families, to help deal with the challenges they face with serving in the military. The organization has a governing board that is comprised of 17 members and they have around 19,345 staff.  They use various fundraising methods and their fundraising costs are low coming in at 13%.

 We as Christians have an obligation to help those in need and make the world around us a better place to live.  “But this I say, he which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (King James Bible, 2020, 2 Corinthians 9:6-8).