Done with doorbusters and cyber deals? Come kick it with Black Friday’s woke cousin #GivingTuesday! This pop-up holiday started in 2012 by the 92nd Street Y and the United Nations Foundation encourages a day of charitable contributions as a sort of antidote to the onslaught of rampant consumerism that ironically takes place the day after we all spend twenty-four hours claiming to have all we need. I’m as guilty of loving a good discount as much as the next person but I’m happy to see that the face of philanthropy is changing as millennials disprove their reputation for being self centered Snapchat addicts and make it clear that while they’re here for a good selfie they’re also committed to change. Looking to make your mark in your community? You don’t need much! A few hours or a few dollars from someone with a big heart can help each of these non-profits reach their full potential.

1. St. Rocco’s Emergency Family Shelter, Newark

Located on Newark’s South 7th Street this Catholic organization provides refuge for women and children who find themselves uprooted and scared. Drop off a gently used coat or unwrapped toy to ease a family’s transition.

2. Curate Your Life, Trenton

Curate Your Life is a non-profit dedicated to the empowerment and encouragement of young women. Last year they hosted their first summit for teen years in Newark to teach them the basics of critical skills like media literacy, etiquette, and interpersonal communication.

3. Care More, Brooklyn

This inter-state organization seeks to help the homeless through the hosting of hyper local care package distribution and clothing drives. They’ve partnered with Afropunk and other social justice organizations to further their compassionate efforts.

4. Wise Animal Rescue, Parsippany

Champion our communities cuddly creatures by showing them a little love.

5. Community Food Bank of New Jersey, Hillside

Food insecurity is a huge issue. Lots of people are food insecure. The community Food Bank of New Jersey has partnerships with local supermarkets and universities but they welcome individual contributions.

6. Love Life Foundation, Washington D.C.

Founded by New Jersey native Raheem Devaughn this organization has supported many local efforts including Newark Mayor Ras Baraka’s fight against domestic violence.

7. Them Cloud Kids, Newark

This organization encourages children to dream and commits time and resources to facilitate those dreams while operating under the South African principle of “Ubuntu”.

8. Bridges Outreach, Summit

This Union County based organization focuses on assisting the less fortunate in New York City, Newark, Irvington, and Summit, distributing “seasonal clothing, and necessities without question and with genuine respect”.

9. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Essex, Hudson & Union Counties

Not every child has someone to stand by their side. You can change that.

10. GrassROOTS Community Foundation

This public health and social action organization operates under the four core principles of truth, order, balance and reciprocity. They provide access to mental, sexual, and physical health services.

#philanthrophy #YoungPhilanthropists #givingback #givingtuesday #charity #blackfriday #LoveLifeFoundation #ThemCloudKids