For many, the current political landscape has led to a mix of despair, frustration, and uncertainty. It may be a familiar heaviness, a feeling of helplessness in the face of systems that can seem unyielding and cruel, especially for the most marginalized among us. But no matter how bleak we feel, the issues at stake still hinge on our collective action — especially for reproductive rights, access to healthcare, and more.
“Times like these are also opportunities to act. We can reframe despair as a call to connect and organize.”
Times like these are also opportunities to act. We can reframe despair as a call to connect and organize. If you find yourself in a state of political paralysis, remember that there are countless grassroots organizations that need your support.
Even in the wake of disheartening outcomes, the work is far from over — arguably, it’s when we feel most hopeless that we must reach for solidarity. Grassroots groups are vital to this work because they operate at the heart of the communities they serve, addressing time-sensitive challenges that larger organizations aren’t able to do.
Below are organizations to channel your blues into action. Together, we can channel our anxiety into a renewed commitment to building a more just and equitable future by starting right where we are.
Moms Demand Action
In the wake of escalating gun violence in the United States, Moms Demand Action is a collective working to pass stronger gun laws and close dangerous loopholes. They advocate for safer schools, communities, and public spaces. Founded by Shannon Watts after the Sandy Hook tragedy, this particular movement now has chapters in every state working with their specific legislation.
National Network of Abortion Funds (NNAF)
With the overturn of Roe v. Wade, access to abortion care has become increasingly restricted, leaving many — especially marginalized folks — without critical reproductive healthcare. NNAF unites nearly 100 abortion funds across various cities to address these urgent needs, working to remove financial and logistical barriers for those seeking care. Their commitment to racial, economic, and reproductive justice is a beacon of hope in this challenging landscape. By supporting individuals and communities, NNAF empowers people to reclaim autonomy over their bodies and futures during a time of grave threats to reproductive rights.
Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef)
Many fear that under the next administration, immigrants will face more prosecution. That’s why ImmDef provides critical legal services to immigrant communities, focusing on representation, education, and advocacy for those navigating the complex immigration system. With offices across Southern California, they work to ensure that all individuals, particularly children and vulnerable populations, receive the due process they often don’t receive.
SisterSong
SisterSong leads the fight for reproductive justice by centering the voices and needs of women of color, working to dismantle the systemic oppression that disproportionately affects their access to care. With abortion access increasingly restricted, and likely to be even more attacked under a Trump Presidency, their work is critical in addressing the stark realities faced by women of color — like the fact that black women in the U.S. are 2.6 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than their white counterparts. SisterSong’s mission is more than timely; it’s essential for creating equity and protecting the human rights of those most impacted by these disparities.
Disability:IN
Disability:IN is dedicated to fostering inclusive workplaces by collaborating with over 500 corporations to advance disability equality. Through initiatives like the Disability Equality Index, which serves as a comprehensive benchmarking tool for disability inclusion, and the Supplier Diversity Program, they assist businesses in implementing effective inclusion strategies. By providing essential resources and guidance, Disability:IN is transforming inclusion from a concept into actionable practices, creating opportunities that change lives and redefine possibilities for people with disabilities worldwide.
Trans Advocacy & Care Team (TACT)
TACT is a trans-led organization providing peer counseling, support groups, and training to create safe and affirming spaces for trans and nonbinary individuals. By reducing isolation and addressing barriers to care, TACT fosters resilience in the face of growing attacks on trans rights across the U.S. Their compassionate approach empowers communities to thrive during a critical moment for trans visibility and safety.
Free ALAS
Free ALAS, founded in 2019 by educator and social worker Lisa Maria Rhodes, is dedicated to creating educational access for immigrant and court-involved youth in New Orleans. The organization trains educators to connect undocumented students with legal representation and advocates for keeping students in school during pre-trial periods, rather than in jail. By addressing legal barriers and providing support, Free ALAS empowers vulnerable students to continue their education and build brighter futures.
Border Angels
Founded in 1986, Border Angels works to support and advocate for the rights of migrants and refugees, focusing on humanitarian aid, education, and outreach. They organize water drops in the desert to prevent migrant deaths, provide resources for shelters in Tijuana, and connect with day laborers to offer assistance. Their efforts address the ongoing humanitarian crises at the U.S.-Mexico border, emphasizing the importance of compassion and action in saving lives and promoting justice.
charity: water
charity: water is on a mission to bring clean and safe drinking water to communities in need around the world. Since 2006, they’ve funded over 171,000 water projects in 29 countries, transforming the lives of more than 19 million people. Clean water is life — it means fewer illnesses, more opportunities for education, and a chance for women and girls to reclaim the 200 million hours they spend every day collecting water. With their 100% Model, charity: water ensures that every public donation directly funds water projects, making it easy for anyone to make a tangible difference.
Tuesdays for Trash
Born out of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tuesdays for Trash is a grassroots environmental movement that inspires individuals to take action by dedicating time each week to cleaning up their communities. Founded by two youth activists, the initiative focuses on the power of small, consistent efforts to create meaningful environmental change. The initiative has expanded to six continents, with participants in over 50 countries and 15 chapters, collectively removing more than 87,000 pounds of trash from the environment. By emphasizing simplicity and accessibility, Tuesdays for Trash encourages people of all ages to step into environmental activism, fostering a shared commitment to a cleaner, healthier planet.
Dignity and Power Now
Dignity and Power Now is a Los Angeles-based grassroots organization fighting for the rights and dignity of incarcerated people, their families, and their communities. With a focus on Black and Brown-led abolitionist movements, DPN tackles systemic injustices through activism, arts, wellness programs, and leadership development. From challenging sheriff violence to creating spaces for healing and empowerment, their work uplifts those most impacted by incarceration and reimagines what true justice and community care can look like.
Crenshaw Dairy Mart
What began as a reimagined dairy mart in Inglewood is now a thriving artist collective and community hub addressing the intersection of poverty, systemic injustice, and healing. Crenshaw Dairy Mart blends art, advocacy, and care to support its neighbors, with projects like solar-powered, autonomously irrigated gardens and creative programs that nurture local voices. By centering the stories and needs of their community, CDM fosters connection and uses art as a tool for liberation and transformation.
The Claremont Forum
The Claremont Forum, located in the historic Citrus Packing House in Claremont, California, is dedicated to fostering connection through education, wellness, and the arts. Its Prison Library Project sends free books and educational resources to incarcerated individuals across the country, supporting literacy and personal growth. The Forum also hosts the weekly Claremont Farmers & Artisans Market, a gathering space for fresh produce and handmade goods that brings the community together. Its bookshop and art space fund these efforts, ensuring the Forum can continue providing meaningful programs that serve both the local and wider community.
Healing Our Homeland
Healing Our Homeland is a Palestinian women-led, volunteer-run grassroots movement dedicated to liberation and healing. Rooted in the Gaza Strip and inspired by the Holy Quran’s themes of justice and ethical consciousness, the organization empowers women and children through compassion, awareness, and individualized support. Their Homeland Center for Women and Children provides year-round assistance, fostering community resilience and addressing collective trauma. By promoting self-awareness and rejecting the normalization of oppression, Healing Our Homeland aims to liberate both land and minds, contributing to the broader movement for a free Palestine.
While it’s important to channel feelings of despair about our world into action, it’s essential to do so mindfully. It won’t benefit anyone to trade one kind of anxiety, stress, and pressure for another. Be realistic about your resources, especially your energy. Burnout is hard to recover from, so preventing it is the best way to invest in a long-term commitment to activism.
“Burnout is hard to recover from, so preventing it is the best way to invest in a long-term commitment to activism.”
If you’re looking to support a particular cause and you have a really great idea about how to do it, be sure to spend time searching for organizations and activists already in place before launching something new. Maybe you can join forces with a group or program already active and in alignment with your goals. Working together means sharing resources and ultimately compounding your impact.
If you’re able to give money, see if you can do so with local groups directly, rather than adding to funds that are distributed as awards or grants. These are essential systems for many nonprofits and community programs, but they can sometimes have restrictions in place that inhibit the organization from using the funds exactly how they might need to (like paying staff, for example).
No matter how big a black cloud might feel some days, just remember that all weather shifts. When you find yourself soaked to the bone, take a break. Go home, dry off, and have a warm drink. Then put on a fresh coat, grab your umbrella, and head back out into the storm.
Sara Jin Li is an essayist, playwright, and filmmaker based in Los Angeles, California. She is also the founder of Heretics Club, a literary salon for creative writers. You can find her on Instagram at @sarajinli.
