Michael Swayze's Community Resources

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  • Cool Down for Warmth Event – Feb. 1&2

    On February 1 & 2 there will be an event in Newark, New Jersey called “Cool Down for Warmth”. The purpose is to raise funds so families can stay warm this winter. My goal is to raise $1,000 for the cause.

    A little history. In December, 1992 I wished there was a place to refer families to when no other energy assistance resources were available. Little did I know, it would lead to the creation of New Jersey SHARES, our statewide energy fund – which is now celebrating its 20th anniversary.

    Today, I need your help to keep my dream alive and to help New Jersey families stay warm. On February 1 & 2 New Jersey SHARES will be holding “Cool Down for Warmth” to both raise funds and to make our mission better known in our state of New Jersey.

    We’re building an Ice House – yes, an ICE HOUSE – in Newark to highlight the critical importance of heat during the cold winter months.

    You can help by making a donation. Your donation makes a difference and may be eligible to be matched dollar for dollar by your utility company. So if you can give $50, it can have the impact of $100.

    Donate now. Go to my Ice House Challenge fundraising page. If you want more information then read my personal story.

    You can follow Cool Down for Warmth on the NJ SHARES website or on Twitter, #CoolDown4WarmthNJ or @njshares on Facebook.

    Thanks for your help.

  • Five Ways To Make A Difference In 2018

    Last week I received an email from the Southern Poverty Law Center, an organization I contributed to in 2016 following the presidential election. SPLC is a nationally recognized group that fights hate groups and bigotry. The email caught my attention since I’ve yet to make a New Year’s Resolution.

    Their “five ways to make a difference” is not so much a personal promise you have to make to yourself but a pledge to remake our country, to take it back, all in a way that can work for you. I’ll be doing my best to follow their suggestions.

    You can follow it by reading their article. It starts out with the following: “What will you do this year to be an engaged member of a democratic and tolerant community? Here are five items to add to your New Year’s resolution list.” 1)Pledge to start a conversation. 2) Pledge to be informed. 3) Pledge to stay engaged. 4) Pledge to make your voice heard. 5) Pledge to take real-world action.

    I’m going to take a good look at the pledges suggested by Southern Poverty Law Center and see how I can incorporate them in my resolutions for 2018.

    Btw, I continue to contribute to the Southern Poverty Law Center as long as we have a racist sleeping in the White House.

  • Resistance, Part III

    People of conscience change history. 2017 began as a movement of people fighting for Democracy all across our country. At first it was rallies and letter writing. It has since become more organized with amazing election results in Virginia and Alabama.

    Earlier this year a list of Resistance and progressive groups were posted here and on my blog, titled Philadelphia Resistance and Progressive Groups and Resources For The Resistance. Today, a number of additional organizations and campaigns are highlighted. Working together we can make a difference.

    Listed below are organizations worth joining or supporting. They are:

    New Jersey groups that stepped up in 2017 include:

    Below is a description of each group in their own words; and links to their social media sites.

    ACLU of Pennsylvania. “The ACLU of Pennsylvania is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, membership organization dedicated to defending and expanding individual rights and personal freedoms.” Facebook Twitter

    Citizens for Better Elections. “A nonpartisan Montgomery County, Pennsylvania group dedicated to promoting election security and efficiency in both our county and our state. Our mission is to ensure accurate, verifiable and secure elections.” Facebook Twitter

    Committee of Seventy. “Learn how to run for committeeperson in May 2018. Nomination petitions are due March 6.” Facebook Twitter

    Fair Districts PA. “Pennsylvania has some of the most unfair congressional districts in the country. Gerrymandered district lines weaken the power of our votes – and politicians are working behind closed doors to keep it that way. We all pay the price.” Facebook Twitter

    Pennsylvania Together. “Pennsylvania Together is a statewide coalition of more than 100 grassroots resistance groups. Our members come together to build a better future for all, especially those who face oppression on a daily basis and now have reason to fear that it will be state sanctioned. Together, we resist racism, misogyny and fascism; advocate for policy change; increase civic engagement; reduce voter registration and turnout gaps; and demand accountability from our elected leaders to put people and planet first.” Facebook Twitter

    Philadelphia 3.0. “Our mission is to bring new voices into the city’s political discussions. We want to support leaders in their efforts to make smarter and better policy.” Facebook Twitter

    POWER. “Through the discipline of relationship building and the empowerment of everyday people, we hope to make lasting racial and economic policy change that benefits all.” Facebook Twitter

    Sara Johnson Rothman for State Representative (151st District). “A former prosecutor, a school board member, and a mom.” Facebook Twitter

    Swing Left. “It starts with the House. Don’t despair. Mobilize.” Facebook Twitter

    Turn PA Blue. “Turn PA Blue is changing the political landscape in PA by bringing volunteers together to work outside the gerrymandered boundaries that divide us.” Facebook Twitter

    Blue Jersey. “The voice of Progressive New Jersey since 2005.” Facebook Twitter

    Mikie Sherrill for Congress (11th Congressional District). “Naval Academy graduate, Navy pilot, former federal prosecutor and mother of four – Mikie Sherrill is running to represent New Jersey’s 11th District in Congress to fight back against Donald Trump and to fight for our future.” Facebook Twitter

    New Jersey Citizen Action. “NJ Citizen Action is New Jersey’s largest progressive citizen watchdog coalition.” Facebook Twitter

    New Jersey Working Families Alliance. “New Jersey Working Families Alliance is a grassroots independent political organization fighting for a government that represents the needs and values of working families.” Facebook Twitter

    NJ 11th For Change. “1643 days since Rep. Frelinghuysen’s last town hall.” Facebook

    STAND Central New Jersey. “Join the fight for social justice, economic opportunity and basic human rights.” Facebook Twitter