By: Ashmar Mandou

Giving Tuesday is a global movement that inspires people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. This Tuesday, November 29, people all over the world are encouraged to donate their time, money, and/or voice to an organization that makes a difference in their community. Celebrate this holiday season with the gift of giving to a few wonderful Chicago organizations around the city. We compiled a few non-profits to help get your #GivingTuesday started.

Chicago Public Library Foundation
Public libraries are one of the most important public services in the nation and Chicago’s 80-branch system is one of the best in the world. Chicago Public Libraries not only offer free books to check out, but also provide important services like job hunting, safe public spaces, language resources, free digital media, printing services, children’s programming, study rooms, and more. You can support this organization by visiting www.cplfoundation.org. 

SOS Children’s Villages
SOS Children’s Villages Illinois offers an innovative approach to traditional foster care. Our model of care gives children the opportunity to live in a nurturing, stable, single-family home with their brothers and sisters in the care of a full-time, professionally trained Foster Parent in one of our Villages. Children benefit from the stability of remaining with their siblings as well as the support of neighboring SOS Illinois Foster Parents and the entire community. You can support the organization by visiting, www.sosillinois.org.

Chicago Children’s Theatre
Chicago Children’s Theatre aspires to enrich our community through diverse and significant theatrical and educational programming that engages and inspires the child in all of us. The vision of Chicago Children’s Theatre is to be Chicago’s premier professional theatre company dedicated to creating awe-inspiring theatrical productions and programs for our communities through inclusion and accessibility while inspiring young people and families to lead lives of adventure, courage, and curiosity. You can support the organization by visiting, www.chicagochildrenstheatre.org.

Free Spirit Media
Free Spirit Media provides teens and young adults in communities of color on Chicago’s West and South sides with a comprehensive foundation in media literacy and hands-on media production experience. Free Spirit Media runs in-school arts education, after school and summer digital media programs, and advanced creative workforce development programs. You can support the organization by visiting, www.freespiritmedia.org.

The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless
The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless advocates for the wellbeing and advancement of those experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity. Their main focus is fighting for public policies to eventually end homelessness such as increasing accessibility to public education, health care, public housing, and job opportunities. You can support this organization by visiting www.chicagohomeless.org.