WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 /U.S. Newswire/ — As the nation recovers from the devastating events of Sept. 11, the country has witnessed an outpouring of goodwill from millions of people who have volunteered their time, donated their money or given their blood to help in the relief efforts. And while the nation has soared to new heights of charity, the underside of a few has resulted in hate attacks perpetrated on people thought to be of Arab descent or Muslim faith. To help in the healing, 150 religious, philanthropic, civil rights, and other nonprofit organizations declared in a statement released today their commitment to embracing diversity and redoubling efforts to address poverty and injustice. Signers of the statement, led by INDEPENDENT SECTOR, include faith-based groups such as the Islamic Society of North America, United Jewish Communities, Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force, and The Interfaith Alliance; companies such as AOL Time Warner Foundation, Verizon Foundation, and DuPont; and other charitable organizations and foundations such as Goodwill Industries International, American Cancer Society, National Council of La Raza, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The statement, entitled “Upholding Our Values,” states that: — We recommit ourselves to building bonds of trust and embracing diversity in our nation and around the world. — We will redouble our efforts to address poverty, inequity and injustice. — We will be a constant voice speaking out for the fundamental values of freedom, justice, community and respect that have guided our country for more than 200 years. Upholding Our Values also pays tribute to the rescuers and millions of people who have joined together to help, while calling for the perpetrators and their supporters to be brought to justice in a carefully targeted and sustained manner. The full text of the statement and a full list of signatory organizations is available at www.IndependentSector.org. INDEPENDENT SECTOR will continue to add signatures to the statement. “One of the most tragic moments in American history has produced a sterling example of the commitment of the nonprofit community to help the needy and comfort the bereaved,” said Sara E. Melendez, president and CEO of INDEPENDENT SECTOR. “Nonprofits have been at the forefront of relief efforts as America begins the arduous task of rebuilding and will remain there to help shepherd the nation through the healing process.” In the wake of Sept. 11, the nonprofit community has rededicated itself not only to helping the nation in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks, but to continuing its ongoing work to end poverty and racism, speak out for justice, provide a place for worship of all faiths, enrich lives through art and music, educate children, care for the environment, and a host of other activities. Nationwide, there are 734,000 501(c)(3) organizations and 354,000 religious congregations working to make communities across the nation and around the world better places to live. INDEPENDENT SECTOR’s Web site at www.IndependentSector.org includes dozens of examples of the variety of ways nonprofit organizations, foundations and companies are mobilizing volunteers and providing services to give immediate and long-term help, from tips for helping children cope to emergency shelter, from scholarship funds to resources on promoting tolerance. “Through this event, we have witnessed the strength and unity of our country and learned that each one of us is connected to each other. It is the hope of NCLR that the legacy of September 11 strengthens the ties of tolerance and freedom that bind us as Americans,” said Raul Yzaguirre, president, National Council of La Raza. The outpouring of individual and corporate gifts in the days since Sept. 11 has reached more than $675 million, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy. “In these dark hours we can be proud of the generosity of all Americans who now join together to help where they can,” said Stephen Hoffman, CEO, United Jewish Communities. “We stand committed to repair and renewal in the months and years ahead.” Nonprofit leaders are also calling on the nation to remember the great needs in every community. “While it’s a new world in many ways, it is still the same world in many ways, with the same day-to-day needs of individuals, children, families and communities,” said Peter B. Goldberg, president and CEO, Alliance for Children and Families, and chairperson, INDEPENDENT SECTOR. “I hope the great spirit of giving, volunteering and compassion will continue, as the needs continue, months and years ahead. We’re a truly caring nation. May that caring know no end.” The impact of Sept. 11 will be a major focus of the nonprofit community when it gathers at INDEPENDENT SECTOR’s Annual Conference, Nov. 4 – 6 in Atlanta. — A full press kit is available at www.IndependentSector.org, including the full statement, a list of signatory organizations, quotes from many nonprofit leaders, and examples of what nonprofits are doing to help. INDEPENDENT SECTOR is a non-profit, non-partisan coalition of more than 700 national non-profit organizations, foundations, and corporate philanthropy programs, collectively representing tens of thousands of charitable groups every state across the nation. Its mission is to promote, strengthen, and advance the nonprofit and philanthropic community to foster private initiative for the public good. US Newswire
