OVERVIEW

NON-PROFITS

By: MIGHTY PURSUIT TEAM

It’s estimated that the self-help industry could be as large as $43 billion as of 2022. Therefore, it’s safe - to say there’s a lot of interest in improving ourselves. But with Jesus, it doesn’t merely stop there. We experience inner transformation so that we can outwardly pour out into our neighborhoods with acts of love.   At the heart of Jesus is a mission to care for the marginalized.  He set the example of what it means to personally, publicly, and practically advocate for the marginalized and disadvantaged. Which means we can’t truly practice the way of Jesus in our cities without taking him up on this call. So in addition to building a network of communities, we’ve also spent the last few years partnering with - nonprofits who are working on the frontlines to bring justice and reach those in need. This is currently rolled out in New York City, but will be coming to five other cities (San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Denver, Boston) in the near future. Our goal is to increase the visibility of these organizations and highlight opportunities for you to serve your neighborhood and build relationships.  Here are the nine verticals we look for in each city:

AT-RISK WOMEN

The population of women who are at-risk is diverse, with many existing at the intersection of multiple social issues. Some are single parents, some are minorities and others grew up in poverty. Sometimes, all three things ring true at once. If left to fend for themselves, the outcomes are devastating. We look for partners who create support systems, resources and pathways for women to experience a brighter future. This may include housing for unsupported mothers going through a pregnancy, home cooked meals for  those in the adult entertainment industry or simply dignifying homeless women through a nail day. At the heart of the mission for many partners is relationship-building.

DISABLED

It’s estimated that there are up to 61 million people living in the United States who suffer from a disability. People with disabilities are often decreased in social status, moved involuntarily and separated from others, excluded from commonplace socializing, denied personal agency over their lives and exposed to abuse and neglect. Socially-speaking, these individuals often are left with no means of connecting with people in their community or making friends. We look for partners who are building pathways for those with disabilities to live a more socially-included life, getting the love, care and attention they need to thrive.

ELDERLY

In generations’ past, the elderly were looked at as important figures in society, with valuable wisdom to share after a whole life lived. Today, they are largely forgotten and overlooked. Too many of our aging neighbors live out their days stranded at home alone or in a nursing home. To complicate matters, guardian fraud and abuse is rapidly on the rise in the United States, often leaving the elderly with little-to-no quality of life at all. We look for partners who bring dignity and joy back to the elderly through programs and resources, while creating pathways to integrate them into their community.

HOMELESSNESS & POVERTY

In many cities, those experiencing homelessness or struggling with poverty are most overlooked. It only takes a few minutes of hearing their stories to understand that many have never known a life beyond hardship. Whether it was growing up in a dysfunctional childhood environment, economic downturns, lack of opportunities, mental health issues or prolonged drug addictions, the suffering is great. We look for partners that meet urgent physical needs and bring dignity to this population – in the form of a blanket, a hot shower, a home-cooked meal and a warm place to sleep. But we also look for those that are creating pathways to address root causes and break the cycle of homelessness through long-term recovery programs, counseling and job training opportunities as preparation to rejoin the workforce.

IMMIGRATION & REFUGEES

Every year, over a million people immigrate to the United States. Some come looking for a better life, while others are forced to escape devastating conditions back home. It’s often overlooked that Jesus himself was forced to flee to Egypt as a child, as the king sought to kill babies two and under in Israel. When immigrants and refugees arrive in the United States, nearly half experience a significant language barrier, while others live below the poverty line and in very poor housing conditions. We look for partners who are providing practical love and care through a wide-range of courses and community-building events, including ESL, computer and math skills.  Additionally, we look for those who are on the front lines of the refugee crisis, welcoming them into cities with housing, food and ample opportunities to assimilate into society.

INCARCERATION

The United States imprisons more people than any nation in the world. As of 2022, there were 2 million people in prisons and jails - a 500% increase over the last 40 years. Yet, with all the emphasis on incarceration, recidivism rates remain extremely high and those who leave prison struggle to reintegrate into society.  Once released, formerly incarcerated individuals  face a myriad of barriers to success, including housing insecurity, inability to access health care, food insecurity, and barriers to education and employment. Since we believe that all people are made in the image of God and worthy of dignity, mercy, redemption and restoration, we look for partners who provide meaningful pathways for re-entry into society by addressing their physical, spiritual, mental and relational needs.

TRAFFICKING

Human trafficking can be defined as the use of force, fraud, or coercion to compel a person into commercial sex or labor. Globally, human trafficking generates $150 billion in illegal profit every year. For context, that’s more profit than McDonalds, PepsiCo, and Disney combined.  Like any other multi-billion-dollar business, supply and demand is everything. When the demand for cheap labor or commercial sex is higher than the supply, traffickers use force, fraud, and coercion to lure new victims. Data shows us that traffickers don’t target people – they target vulnerabilities.  Communities most impacted by racism, sexism, and classism disproportionately experience trafficking. In order to end human trafficking, we first need to know who it’s impacting. An estimated 403,000 people are being trafficked in the United States. We look for partners who are pioneering innovative housing and economic-empowerment solutions that give survivors access to a safe home and a safe job. Partners who specialize in finding and accelerating the most effective frontline initiatives, creating resources to scale the fight against human trafficking.

YOUTH & FOSTER CARE

11.6 million children grow up in poverty in the United States, with another 24 million in single parent homes. For no other reason than being born into a specific time, place and home, these children’s lives often become a struggle from day one. But a child’s zip code and home situation should never limit his or her ability to dream about the future. We look for partners who empower children and youth to flourish through programs that focus on academic, social, and emotional growth. We also look for those that mentor relationships that inspire growth, resilience, and hope. Another segment of at-risk youth are foster children. Every year, thousands are removed from their biological family because of abuse or neglect. We look for partners who create pathways for them to find a loving home in their community where they can experience stability, love and hope for their future.

QUESTIONS?

If you have further questions or know of any organizations we should be connected to, email us at hello@mightypursuit.com and we'd be happy to chat with you!