Giving Tuesday is on Tuesday, November 29th and is known as a holiday that celebrates global generosity and unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and their world. Ty’s Take Today strives to use our platform to promote positivity and change in the community and on a global scale. Take a look at some of our favorite charities and organizations making a difference and please consider donating to them or promoting their contributions to society on your social media platforms.

Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center was founded in 1989 with a mission to provide a welcoming space where people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and cultures can find support and unconditional acceptance. and where people can learn, grow, socialize and feel safe. LGBTQ+ lives are threatened at home and abroad on a day-to-day basis.

Affirmations offers a wide variety of support and discussion groups and resources focusing on a range of topics from coming out groups to alcohol anonymous meetings. To see a complete list of all support and discussion groups please click HERE. Wanna know how you can support Affirmations? Please consider making a one-time, monthly, quarterly or annually donation by clicking HERE. Not able to make a monetary donation at this time? No worries, there are a couple different ways to still support which include fundraising, Amazon Smile and more. To see a list of other ways you can support click HERE.

Affirmations Community Center is located at 290 W. 9 Mile, Ferndale MI 48220. Affirmations hours of operation are Monday – Saturday 10AM – 9PM. For more information on programs and services available please contact (248) 398-7105 or info@goaffirmations.org. https://goaffirmations.org/

Ruth Ellis Center was founded in 1999, The center has established a national reputation for quality and innovation in providing trauma-informed services for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults, with an emphasis on young people of color, experiencing homelessness, involved in the child welfare system, and/or experiencing barriers to health and wellbeing. The mission of the REC is to create opportunities with LGBTQ+ young people to build their vision for a positive future. That mission includes creating a world where LGBTQ+ young people are safe and supported no matter where they go.

The Ruth Ellis Center offers a range of health and wellness services, housing and emergency shelter accommodations, and a drop-in center. Some of the drop in services include access to safer sex supplies, hot meals, a full computer lab with free printing and assistance with applications, resumes and forms. Not to mention a full dance floor and ping pong tables! There is also the availability for case management appointments and assistance with completing school and finding a secure job.

Interested in supporting the Ruth Ellis Center? Consider donating via cryptocurrency by clicking HERE via The Giving Block. The Ruth Ellis Center also accepts donations via check, Checks can be mailed out to the below address and feel free to include in the check or money order’s memo the designated department or program, or leave blank if you would like your gift to reach where it is needed the most. The EIN is: 38-3501697

Ruth Ellis Center
95 Victor St
Highland Park, MI 48203
Attn: Development

Ruth Ellis Center is located at 77 Victor St., Highland Park MI 48203. The hours of operation are Monday – Friday 9AM to 5PM. For more information on programs and services offered please contact (313) 252-1950 or info@ruthelliscenter.org. www.RuthEllisCenter.org

SAGE Metro Detroit is a local affiliate of the national Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE), the country’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) older adults. Together, they offer supportive services and consumer resources for LGBTQ+ older adults and their caregivers, advocate for public policy changes that address the needs of LGBT older people, and provide training for aging providers and LGBTQ+ organizations.

SAGE Metro Detroit’s older adult services and programs reach Michiganders in Wayne, Washtenaw, Oakland and Macomb counties who identify as LGBTQIA+. Participants are generally ages 45+. Some of SAGE’s services include technology assistance, virtual social groups to meet new friends, foodbox delivery services and more. To find a complete list of SAGE’s services and programs please click HERE. If you are interested in donating to SAGE Metro Detroit

SAGE Metro Detroit is located at 290 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale MI, 48220. The hours of operation include Monday – Friday 10AM to 6PM and Saturdays 10AM-2PM. For more information on SAGE Metro Detroit call (313) 241-8994 or contact info@sagemetrodetroit.org.

Transgender Michigan’s primary mission is to provide advocacy, support and education while serving to create coalitions in the state of Michigan to unify and empower transgender and gender non-conformist communities.
Transgender Michigan is lead by Executive Director and Co-founder, Rachel Crandall Crocker. Crocker is a licensed psychotherapist specializing in transgender issues. She is also an international transgender activist, and the founder and organizer of the International Transgender Day of Visibility. Crocker has also consulted for corporations, government agencies, and universities. Crocker also runs the Transgender Michigan help line which is the first transgender help line in the US.

Wanna know how you can help Transgender Michigan? By donating — Transgender Michigan is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation and all donations are fully deductible. Transgender Michigan is also always looking for volunteers to help with various events and make sure to VOTE on issues impacting the Transgender community. Transgender Michigan also offers TransPages which is a resource guide for transgender positive businesses, agency or services. To donate directly online click HERE.

Transgender Michigan can be reached at (855) 345-TGMI or at info@transgendermichigan.org. www.transgendermichigan.org

For over two decades, LGBT Detroit has been receiving support from neighboring communities in any capacity that promotes the wellbeing and integrity involved in fostering an environment conducive to lesbian, gay, bi and transgender individuals irrespective of race, culture or socio-economic status. The community support is manifested in their advocating, partnership, testifying before local and state legislators, providing safe gathering spaces where members of the LGBT community can interact without fear or persecution or bigotry.

LGBT Detroit is committed to furthering its mission, increasing the prominence and visibility of Detroit’s LGBT culture, and building a strong, healthy, and vibrant community, with a focus on youth and young adult development, sexual orientation and gender identity education and advocacy, and emotional and physical well-being.

LGBT Detroit offers programs and services ranging from healing and support to Woman to Woman — which is a physical and emotional well-being program that supports lesbian, straight and bi Black and Brown women. The program also creates bridges between the generations of women which forges a solid sisterhood. Brother to Brother is an HIV/AIDS/STI education and prevention program. Brother to Brother provides a safe, brave space for HIV negative and HIV positive men who engage with sex with men to help stay healthy. Brother to Brother addresses sexual practices and behaviors that increase the risk of contracting HIV. Program activities consist of both outreach and educational gatherings. For a full list of programs click HERE. To donate to LGBT Detroit click HERE. LGBT Detroit also accepts donations via PayPal, AmazonSmile and CashApp.

LGBT Detroit is located at 20025 Greenfield Road, Detroit MI, 48235. The hours of operation are Monday – Friday 9:30AM – 5:30PM and are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. For more information on LGBT Detroit call (313) 397-2127 or contact detroit@lgbtdetroit.org

Ozone House is a community-based, nonprofit agency that helps young people lead safe, healthy, and productive lives through intensive intervention and prevention services. Ozone House since 1969, has actively developed unique, high-quality housing and support programs and services that provide support, intervention, training, and assistance to runaway, homeless, and high-risk youth and their families. Through these support services, we help youth develop essential life skills, improve their relationships, and enhance their self-image so that they may realize their full potential for growth and happiness.

Ozone House offers a wide variety of services from emergency services, counseling, housing, job training and leadership assistance, substance use support, and other resources click HERE. There are several ways to donate which include donating by phone at (734) 662-2265, via mail 1600 N. Huron River Drive, Ypsilanti, MI 48197 and the form can be downloaded on Ozone House’s website. Donations also can be designated to the Kicked Out Fund, Learman Education Fund and The Education Project.

The Ozone House Youth Shelter is located at 1600 N. Huron River Drive, Ypsilanti, MI 48197. The Drop-In Center is located at 102 N. Hamilton, Ypsilanti, MI 48197. The Administration Office can be reached at (734) 662-2265. The Crisis Line can be reached at (734) 662-2222. www.OzoneHouse.Org

Sara Cunningham began her journey of becoming an advocate of the LGBTQIA+ community through her relationship with her gay son. Cunningham founded Free Mom Hugs in 2014 and since that time many parents and allies across the country have come together and joined the movement to accept, love and support the LGBTQIA community. Free Mom Hugs became an established 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 2018 to fight for human rights for all. Free Mom Hugs believes in the power of education when it comes to the LGBTQIA+ community. Free Mom Hugs provides education through presentations and panel discussions at local churches, schools, universities, corporations and other groups.

Interested in donating to Free Mom Hugs? You can make a one time gift or become a monthly donor to help provide programming and support for the LGBTQIA+ community year round. Donations will help Free Mom Hugs educate, train and support chapter volunteers in all 50 states, Expand their reach to international locations around the world, Provide education for equality and inclusion for various entities and create programs that provide visibility and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community. Donations can be made by check and mailed to PO Box 12731 Oklahoma City, OK 73157 or online by clicking HERE.

For more information on Free Mom Hugs please visit www.FreeMomHugs.org.

Mothering Justice is a grassroots policy advocacy organization that provides mothers of color in America with the resources and tools to use their power to make equitable changes in policy. Mothering Justice is dedicated to improving the quality of life for families in America by empowering mothers of color to take action on American policy on behalf of themselves and their families.

What’s on the Mamas’ Agenda? Issues impacting mothers of color such as reproductive justice, affordable childcare, basic needs of security, Black Maternal Health and paid leave and time off. Check out the video clip below for just some of the work Mothering Justice has accomplished. If you are interested in donating to Mothering Justice please click HERE.