World Servers

Carmen and Gary have assembled a list of humanitarian and environmental organizations with which they have either worked directly or have made contributions to over the years. They are including them here because they would like to encourage others to support the work that these dedicated people are doing on our behalf. (Note: It can be a real educational experience to read the material that these local and global organizations have assembled on their web sites.)

Kilili Self-Help Project- sponsors training for farmers in Kenya & Uganda in the Grow Biointensive method--chemical-free, natural, sustainable practices that rebuild soil & produce 2-6 times more food than conventional farming. In 2005, this program, directed by Sandra Mardigian, trained more than 10,000 farmers in six-day workshops for less than $6/farmer.

Acterra- was formed in 2000 by the merger of two of the San Francisco Peninsula's most respected and effective environmental groups: Bay Area Action (BAA) and the Peninsula Conservation Center Foundation (PCCF). Their mission is to protect and restore the local natural environment through stewardship, education, and leadership.

World Neighbors- works with the rural poor in 16 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America to strengthen the ability of individuals and communities to solve their own problems of hunger, poverty and disease. World Neighbors' programs integrate improved sustainable agriculture, community-based health, reproductive health, environmental conservation, water and sanitation, and livelihood strategies, including savings and credit.

Magic- is an organization founded in 1972 by David Schrom and others committed to developing an intentional inner community while contributing to the local outer community. They offer life-planning workshops, seminars about science and value, and opportunities to engage in environmental stewardship. They also celebrate life regularly in a healthy spirited way.

Camp Winnarainbow- This summer camp, directed by Wavy Gravy (everyone's clown and nobody's fool), is located in Mendocino County in California. Here kids learn respect for themselves, others and the environment.  They honor the creative spirit of each child in an atmosphere of approval and mutual encouragement.  The camp's goal is to provide a training ground to nurture future leaders for a harmonious and sustainable world.

Ecology Action - Common Ground- became a local center for teaching and promoting organic gardening in 1972. Common Ground remains a local center for sustainable gardening to this day, but founder John Jeavons has extended its activities world-wide. His books on biodynamic farming have enjoy many printings, he has lectured in several countries, and he runs a research-oriented organic farm in the northern California community of Willets.

World Wildlife Fund- (WWF) leads international efforts to protect endangered species and their habitats -- now in its fifth decade, WWF works in more than 100 countries around the globe to conserve the diversity of life on earth.

The Southern Poverty Law Center was founded in 1971 as a small civil rights law firm. Today, the Center is internationally known for its tolerance education programs, its legal victories against white supremacists and its tracking of hate groups.

NRDC- the Natural Resources Defence Council is an effective environmental action organization. They use law, science and the support of more than 1 million members and online activists to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all living things.

The Carter Center- is committed to advancing human rights and alleviating unnecessary human suffering. Founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, the Atlanta-based Center has helped to improve the quality of life for people in more than 65 countries.

Food First- The Institute for Food and Development Policy better known as Food First--is a member-supported, nonprofit 'peoples' think tank and education-for-action center. Their work highlights root causes and value-based solutions to hunger and poverty around the world, with a commitment to establishing food as a fundamental human right. Food First was founded in 1975 by Frances Moore Lappé and Joseph Collins, following the international success of the book, Diet For a Small Planet.

IDEX (International Development Exchange) - a San Francisco-based non-profit, partners with community groups working for economic justice in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Their partners' programs promote economic development and the alleviation of poverty; rights for women, workers and indigenous peoples; youth empowerment; and sustainable agriculture. They also actively educate U.S. citizens about the challenges facing these communities.