Equity in Action: How You Can Make a Difference 

Real change is built on everyday actions, sustained over time. Here are steps you can take—whether you have five minutes or an afternoon—to support women, minorities, children, older adults, and the LGBTQ+ community. 

Volunteer Your Time 

1. Join Local Advocacy Groups: Attend community group meetings, grassroots coalitions, or volunteer with political or social organizations.

2. Support Nonprofits: Organizations working with marginalized communities rely on volunteers for everything from direct services to administrative support.

Educate Yourself & Others 

A well-informed advocate is a powerful advocate. Taking time to educate yourself and those around you—with accurate, unbiased information—strengthens your ability to effectively support marginalized communities and push back against misinformation. Here are ways to become a better-informed advocate:

Seek Fact-Based, Nonpartisan News Sources

Misinformation can spread quickly, especially on social media. To advocate effectively, it’s essential to rely on sources committed to factual, balanced reporting.

Cross-Check Information

• If a headline seems designed to provoke anger or fear, pause and verify it across multiple sources.

• Fact-checking websites like Snopes (snopes.com) and PolitiFact (politifact.com) can help confirm the accuracy of claims.

Diversify Your News Diet

Even the most trustworthy sources can have subtle biases. To understand an issue fully, consider reading from multiple outlets, including international sources like BBC, to see how different perspectives frame the same topic.

Engage in Difficult Conversations

Talking about politics, discrimination, and injustice can be hard—but necessary.

• Practice empathy when engaging with family, friends, or colleagues who may see the world differently.

• Ask questions to understand their perspective, and share evidence-based information without judgment or condescension.

Lead by Example

• Model responsible information sharing on social media.

• Pause before sharing: Ask yourself if it’s from a credible source and factually accurate.

• Encourage others to consult reliable sources and stay informed.

Donate to Trusted Organizations 

If you are financially able, donating to trusted organizations helps protect civil rights, expand access to resources, and uplift vulnerable communities. Every Dollar Helps. Whether you contribute to a national organization fighting for systemic change or a local group meeting immediate needs in your community, your support matters. 

National Organizations Supporting Equity & Justice 

• ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) – aclu.org
  Defends civil liberties through legal action, advocacy, and public education.

• Human Rights Campaign (HRC) – hrc.org
  Advocates for LGBTQ+ rights through policy change and public education.

• Justice in Aging – justiceinaging.org
  Fights for economic security, healthcare, and legal protections for low-income older adults.

• League of Women Voters (LWV) – lwv.org
  Promotes nonpartisan voter education and advocacy to strengthen democracy.
  Tip: Donate directly to your local League for the greatest impact in your immediate community. Find your local league here.

• NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) – naacp.org
  Advocates for racial justice through legal efforts, policy reform, and community empowerment.

• National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) – transequality.org
  Works to improve policies and advance equality for transgender people.

• Planned Parenthood – plannedparenthood.org
  Provides reproductive healthcare, education, and advocates for reproductive rights.

• SAGE – sageusa.org
  Supports LGBTQ+ older adults through direct services, advocacy, and community-building.

• Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) – splcenter.org
  Combats hate, defends civil rights, and advocates for systemic change through legal action and education.

• The Trevor Project – thetrevorproject.org
  Provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services specifically for LGBTQ+ youth.

Organizations Supporting Immigrants & Refugees 

• Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC) – cliniclegal.org
  National organization offering legal support, education, and advocacy for immigrants and refugees.

• National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) – heartlandalliance.org/justice
  National organization providing legal services, policy advocacy, and public education to defend immigrant and refugee rights.

• Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) – tnimmigrant.org
  Empowers immigrants and refugees in Tennessee through grassroots organizing, advocacy, and leadership development.

• Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors (TN JFON) – tnjfon.org
  Provides affordable and free legal services to immigrants and asylum seekers across Tennessee.

• United We Dream – unitedwedream.org
  National organization supporting immigrant youth through advocacy, leadership development, and community organizing.

Local Organizations (Chattanooga Area) 

• Bridge Builder Collective – bridgebuildercollective.org
  Fosters racial equity, civic engagement, and youth leadership in Chattanooga.

• Bridge Refugee Services – bridgerefugees.org
  Provides refugee resettlement support and community integration assistance in East Tennessee.

• Catholic Charities of East Tennessee – Office of Immigrant Services – ccetn.org
  Delivers immigration legal services and emergency support to families in need.

• Chatt Free Store – chattfreestore.org
  Offers free essential goods to individuals and families in need through a mutual aid model.

• Chatt Foundation (formerly Community Kitchen) – chattfoundation.org
  Provides shelter, meals, and supportive services for individuals experiencing homelessness.

• Girls Inc. of Chattanooga – girlsincchatt.org
  Inspires and equips girls to be strong, smart, and bold through education, mentorship, and leadership programs.

• La Paz Chattanooga – lapazchattanooga.org
  Empowers the Latino community in Chattanooga through advocacy, education, and support services.

• League of Women Voters of Chattanooga – lwvchattanooga.org
  Encourages informed and active participation in government, promotes voter education, and works to ensure fair elections.