In light of the horrific murder of George Floyd, a wave of information has been sent through social media. We have gathered some of our favorite stories, donations and resources to help combat racial injustice.

#BlackLivesMatter was founded in 2013 in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer. Black Lives Matter Foundation, Inc is a global organization in the US, UK, and Canada, whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes.

The Salvation Army’s International Positional Statement on racism says that racism is “fundamentally incompatible with the Christian conviction that all people are made in the image of God and are equal in value. The Salvation Army believes that the world is enriched by a diversity of cultures and ethnicities.”

There’s something we can all do as allies: Read and watch art that tells Black people’s stories. Here are some documentaries about black history to educate yourself.

The mission of Black Mental Wellness, Corp. is to provide access to evidence-based information and resources about mental health and behavioral health topics from a Black perspective, to highlight and increase the diversity of mental health professionals, and to decrease the mental health stigma in the Black community.

George Floyd Memorial Fund – This fund is established to cover funeral and burial expenses, mental and grief counseling, lodging and travel for all court proceedings, and to assist our family in the days to come as we continue to seek justice for George.  A portion of these funds will also go to the Estate of George Floyd for the benefit and care of his children and their educational fund.

“When you redeem your points for a Charity Reward, Sephora will donate the corresponding amount below to the Tides Foundation to benefit a featured charity,” wrote the brand in an announcement on its website. Sephora will be selecting “a new charity on a rotating basis,” but right now, proceeds will go towards the National Black Justice.

How the Army is helping in Minneapolis – “The Salvation Army has witnessed something beautiful: love. It’s everywhere. Compassionate people and groups from all over the place have been showing up to help our neighborhoods. They are showing love at a time when it is needed most.” – Lt. Jonathan Taube, officer of the West 7th Salvation Army in Minneapolis

#JusticeforFloyd Petition – Please join us in demanding justice for George Floyd and his family by adding your name to our super petition.  When you sign, our platform will automatically send your message to County Attorney Michael Freeman, who has the power to arrest and charge these police officers.

I’ve posted on Instagram. Now what? An Instagram post went viral over the weekend after #blackouttuesday. This post breaks down different ways you can help.

Funds donated to Campaign Zero support the analysis of policing practices across the country, research to identify effective solutions to end police violence, technical assistance to organizers leading police accountability campaigns and the development of model legislation and advocacy to end police violence nationwide.

The Bail Project, Inc. is a non-profit organization designed to combat mass incarceration by disrupting the money bail system–one person at a time.

Black Visions Collective is committed to a long-term vision in which ALL Black lives not only matter but are able to thrive. What we know to be true in order to create this world is that oppressed people, especially Black people, need to build collective power in order to create systems transformation. Through the development of powerful strategic campaigns, we seek to expand the power of Black people across the Twin Cities metro area and Minnesota.

There are lots of ways to support the struggle against police brutality. You can donate money to a local organization, join a protest, educate yourself, but one of the most direct and sustainable ways to support the black community is to shop at black-owned businesses, many of which have also been disproportionally affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Here are 138 black-owned businesses you can support right now.

What are microaggressions? The term “microaggressions” was coined by a black man, Harvard professor and psychiatrist Dr. Chester Pierce in 1970. To read the full definition and examples of microaggressions view this Instagram post.

Following the wave of protest in light of the murder of George Floyd, 34 fashion and beauty brands have donated to the Black Lives Matter Movement.

Donate, protest and show up. Here are seven ways you can support the Black Lives Matters Movement.

Celebrities who are showing up all over the country to protest in support of Black Lives Matter.

Corinne Shutack shares75 things you can do for racial injustice.

In this article, Teen Vogue writer Lincoln Anthony Blades shares 11 ways to spread awareness and support the Black Lives Matter Movement.

Written by Michele Katsaris, Assistant to the Editorial Director

Networking COVID-19

When the COVID-19 outback made its way into the Indianapolis Harbor Light Center, the Marion County Health Department and Safe Recovery Site came to the rescue. These Frontline Health Care agencies provided COVID-19 testing and housing for all the Indianapolis Harbor Light Center clients. These acts of kindness and networking proved to be a real lifesaver amid this global pandemic. “In this way, we are like the various part of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we’re talking about is Christ’s body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and functions as a part of the body.” The Message Bible Romans 12:4. This form of community partnering is a great asset to have while we are experiencing this pandemic. We are truly linked to each other, not just in labor, but in the love of God to save lives in every aspect.

Below are keys to our partnering efforts with the Health Department, The Safe Recovery Site and the Indianapolis Harbor Light Center:

• Health Care Services are maximized when partnering agencies are unified in restoring, replenishing and rebuilding lives.
• Organizational Health Care delivery of services is heightened as we tap into each other’s resources.
• Inter-faith trust is built among the non-profit and for-profit communities that have led to strengthening our relationship.
• Partnering with these agencies has delivered lifesaving results for all parties in the field of Holistic services.
• Pooling our resources have helped with cost containment, as each agency brought to the table of Health Care services.
• Turf issues are dealt with in a professional matter for the good of community Health which promotes partnering.

This example of networking here in the City of Indianapolis is like the puzzles I put together as a child called, “Connect the Dots.” Now, this was a relatively simple puzzle that required good eye-hand coordination and using a pencil to connect the dots. After I connected the dots, a recognizable picture was formed. Our partnership here is somewhat the same – we are connected to create a tangible, recognizable picture of life-saving services that haven’t been broken during the COVID-19 pandemic. If anything, we have proven that we as a community have the power to unite as one body in Christ to meet the present and future.

“Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into His most excellent harmonies.” The Message Bible Philippians 4:9b

Written by Major K. Kendall Mathews, Executive Director of the Harbor Light Center in Indianapolis.

“We Are Here for You. We Are Here to Help”

Upon receiving notice in May of the increased need for Salvation Army food boxes filled with supplies from The State of Pennsylvania and Operation Barbecue Relief, the team at The Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in Philadelphia took immediate action to expand our drive thru hours. No appointments, no paperwork, open distribution.

Even with the increased hours, we realized we could still do more. While discussing the expansion of our food distribution opportunities with Majors Demetrius and Juanita Stanford, I was reminded of Eliza Shirley, the teenage girl who introduced The Salvation Army to The City of Philadelphia and to America in 1879. How would the history of The Salvation Army in this country have been different if Eliza chose not to show up? It would have been easy for Eliza and her family to turn around when they realized their neighbors had set fire to their open-air location. Not only did they show up at the fire, but also they marched into the crowd of onlookers, singing and proclaiming the Gospel!

I asked the Stanfords, “If Eliza could do it then, why can’t we do it now?” We discussed how having people come to us doesn’t replace meeting people where they are. At the end of this discussion it was clear that we were to extend our food distribution efforts into the streets of North Philadelphia. Within a day, Major Demetrius Stanford arranged food distribution at three locations. On Tuesday, May 19, our team of seven gathered to pray before splitting up into vans and showing up in these neighborhoods.

I was on the team that went to a neighborhood that a coworker best described as “the part of our city that has absolutely nothing.” Within minutes of opening the van doors, we had people from all directions lining up to receive a box of food. Grandmothers, grandfathers, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters and grandchildren waited patiently to receive their supply. Within minutes, we distributed 120 food boxes. We were intentional about making eye contact, sharing a greeting, ensuring each person got information for food assistance and yes, giving everyone a copy of The Salvation Army War Cry! As we neared the end of our supplies, I handed a young man his box while saying, “God bless you.” He looked into my eyes and said, “No one ever comes here. No one ever shows up. Thank you for showing up for us.”

As I reflected on this experience, I was reminded of Romans 10:13-15:

“‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ’how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news’” (NIV).

Our world, country, states, cities and communities are hungry. Not just for food, but for the good news of a Savior who will always show up for them! How will you show up?

Written by Mr. Philip Supeck, a hospitality ministry director for the Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in Philadelphia.