Causes
This is a list of ecological and social justice causes that Treesong supports. Currently, his focus is on local efforts. Regional, national, and global efforts are listed for people who don't live in Southern Illinois and people who are looking for organizations that currently have no local chapter.
You can support these causes too! You don't need to wear special costumes or adopt a superhero identity in order to make a difference. You can be an everyday hero by supporting these causes in whatever ways are most suited to your abilities, resources, and desires.
Causes are listed in alphabetical order unless otherwise noted. If you would like your organization, project, or cause to be listed here, contact Treesong.
Heartwood : Heartwood is a regional network that protects forests and supports community activism in the eastern United States through education, advocacy, and citizen empowerment. Heartwood was founded in 1991 when concerned citizens from several midwestern states met and agreed to work together to protect the heartland hardwood forest. This region was once blanketed with a majestic hardwood forest containing more than 70 species of hardwood trees. Unfortunately, much of this forest has been cleared. What remains is mostly isolated fragments of public land that nonetheless play a critical role in providing habitat for wildlife, purifying the air and water, moderating global climate change, and offering places of beauty and enjoyment. Today, Heartwood's efforts remain rooted in the heart of the central hardwood region, with an emphasis on their “core states” of Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, and Missouri. Over time, Heartwood has branched out to serve areas of need throughout an 18-state region, giving special attention to the “at risk” national forests in Michigan, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, West Virginia, and Virginia.
Good Samaritan House Ministries : Good Samaritan House Ministries is a tax-exempt organization, established in 1985 by Carbondale Interfaith Council, to provide services to the needy in the Carbondale area. They provide an emergency shelter, a transitional housing program, a soup kitchen, a food pantry, and an emergency assistance program. Many of my fellow Real Life Superheroes focus on helping the homeless and needy in their communities. Learning from their example, I would like to do the same here in our community. Good Sam is one of the organizations right here in Carbondale that provides such services on a daily basis. I'm also open to suggestions about how to help the homeless, and people living below the poverty line, in other ways.
Gaia House Interfaith Center : I've chosen the Gaia House Interfaith Center for a third quarter of special recognition. This community center has been undergoing a renaissance in the past semester or two, bringing a renewed burst of progressive activity to life in our community. They've been an important part of the open, progressive, diversity-embracing community since the middle of the 20th Century. Their programs for Summer 2010 include the weekly InterVeg vegetarian dinner; Rice and Spice, a weekly international slow foods dinner; and a variety of other programs related to ecological living and social justice. The Center is home to the Labyrinth Peace Garden, an extensive lending library, a large community kitchen, and space upstairs and downstairs for meetings, dinners, and other events. You can support Gaia House by coming to one of their many exciting events or renting the Center to host an event of your own.
LOCAL
Big Muddy IMC : The Big Muddy IMC shows films every Friday at 7 pm and has a radio show every Wednesday at 9 am on WDBX 91.1 FM.
Carbondale Interfaith Council : The purpose of the Carbondale Interfaith Council is to make God's love visible in our community by fostering interfaith cooperation, sharing religious experiences, engaging in service, discovering unity while respecting our differences, and speaking with courage and strength for justice.
Eco Dawgs : Eco Dawgs is a student group at Southern Illinois University Carbondale dedicated to advancing sustainability. Their mission is to advance overall sustainability by demonstrating leadership through education, networking, campaigning, project implementation and service. Eco Dawgs was formerly known as the Student Environmental Center, which is the group that gave Treesong his start in community involvement.
Food Works : Food Works draws attention to local food, local farmers, and issues of social and environmental health. Their mission is “Local, sustainable food systems development for Southern Illinois.” Food Works is involved in several programs and activities related to local food system development and community engagement; and works with local and state-wide organizations to educate about and promote local food issues. Currently, Food Works staff is coordinating a community food assessment that will help to develop a comprehensive portrait of the food system in Jackson and Union Counties. They are also filming a documentary on the local food system. In 2010, Food Works will focus on developing a new and transitioning farmer training program for Southern Illinois, as well as a regional branding program to draw attention to the bountiful produce, meats and dairy products grown and produced in the region.
GLBT Resource Center : The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender (GLBT) Resource Center serves as a centrally located, safe campus space that provides educational outreach, referral information and advocacy services, which adds to an inclusive and diverse environment for GLBT students, faculty, staff, families, friends, alumni, and the greater Southern Illinois Community.
Green Earth : Green Earth, Inc., is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving open space for public access in and around Carbondale, Illinois.
Keep Carbondale Beautiful : Keep Carbondale Beautiful initiates, plans, and directs cooperative efforts in litter control, recycling, community beautification, and environmental education.
Pets Are Worth Saving (PAWS) : PAWS was founded in 1994 to help with the animal overpopulation and destruction of adoptable animals in Union County. We rescue strays, owner surrenders and animals from kill shelters in southern Illinois.
Rainbow Café : The Rainbow Café is a SAFE SPACE social/support group for high school age gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth in Southern Illinois. They also welcome those youth questioning their orientation and youth members' heterosexual friends.
Shawnee Green Party :The Shawnee Green Party is a political party and community activist group that supports the 10 Key Values of the Greens. Ecological Wisdom, Social Justice, Grassroots Democracy, Nonviolence, Decentralization, Community-Based Economics, Feminism, Respect for Diversity, Personal and Global Responsibility, and Future Focus.
Shawnee Group of the Sierra Club : The Shawnee Group is an activist organization with dedicated members working on numerous, local issues such as natural areas management; endangered species, biodiversity and wilderness preservation.
SIRSS : Southern Illinois Regional Social Services (SIRSS) is a private, not-for-profit 501(c)(3), full-service, community mental health center. For almost 50 years, SIRSS has fulfilled its mission of “Building Better Lives by fostering hope and supporting recovery through prevention, family support, mental health and substance abuse services.
WDBX 91.1 FM : WDBX is a community radio station located in Carbondale, Illinois. With over a hundred volunteer DJs offering music, talk radio, and beyond, we are by far the most diverse and independent station in the region. I also co-host a show on WDBX called Your Community Spirit every Friday at 10 am. Your Community Spirit features local events as well as ecological and social justice news. We bring you the dirt, but we always do it with an upbeat focus and a goofy sense of humor. If you're not in Southern Illinois, you can listen through streaming audio on the website. If you are in Southern Illinois, you can join us for the WDBX Ball on February 13! See the website for more details.
The Women's Center : One of the first domestic violence centers in the country, The Women's Center, Inc. was created in 1972 by their ''founding mothers''- a group of visionaries who recognized the need for a safe, secure environment for Southern Illinois women and their children. The Women's Center has operated continuously since its founding over 35 years ago. Their staff of professionals and trained volunteers are dedicated to helping people regain control of their lives, their choices, and their futures. They are recognized as experts on domestic violence and sexual assault and work constantly to educate Southern Illinoisans about these issues.
REGIONAL
NATIONAL
Mad As Hell Doctors : Mad As Hell Doctors are a small group of Oregon-Based doctors who care. They believe there is only one way to control costs, one way to remove profiteering from the system, one way to reclaim the care of their patients, and one way to be sure everyone is covered: we must replace our current pay-or-die system and with a comprehensive, publicly financed, privately delivered, Single Payer system that puts people first.
Southern Poverty Law Center : The Southern Poverty Law Center was founded in 1971 as a small civil rights law firm. Today, SPLC is internationally known for its tolerance education programs, its legal victories against white supremacists and its tracking of hate groups.
GLOBAL
350.org : 350.org is an international campaign dedicated to building a movement to unite the world around solutions to the climate crisis--the solutions that science and justice demand. Their mission is to inspire the world to rise to the challenge of the climate crisis—to create a new sense of urgency and of possibility for our planet. Their focus is on the number 350--as in parts per million, the level scientists have identified as the safe upper limit for CO2 in our atmosphere.
Seva Foundation : For thirty years now, Seva has served people around the world who are struggling for health, cultural survival and sustainable communities.
Sleepydust :The Sleepydust Mission is to raise awareness about ME/CFS -- Myalgic Encephalopathy / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome -- and to support, motivate and inspire the people who live with these illnesses.
