CM
Media Maker
Organizations I Support
The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy in Massachusetts has dedicated their time and energy to educate and promote shark safety, research, and information. With the help of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries and members of Woodshole, such as biologist, Dr. Greg Skomal, the group encourages empathy and knowledge about the sharks in the ocean. One of the coolest things about this organization is the app they offer to the public that allows us to track, in real-time, tagged sharks as they ping radars. I have had this app for a little while now and I think it is a great way to get the public involved in the scientific research of sharks. My favorite time of the year is Shark Week and the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy allows me to celebrate sharks any day.
I have had to opportunity to interview and discuss research being done, as well as human interaction with sharks, with Dr. Greg Skomal. These conversations, which I had done for a journalism article and a research paper, really impacted my own personal relationship with sharks and led me to really enhance my interest in educating myself on the importance of these creatures as well as truly seeing the beauty is this predator. From these two different projects, I learned that the social attitudes towards sharks is very negative and people often fear the creature. My conclusion through my research is that this fear comes from lack of knowledge and understanding of different shark species and sharks as a whole group. I was especially interested in this because I was never taught about sharks growing up other than that they should be feared. I knew they were a top predator in the ocean, but I was never taught about all the different species of sharks that exist within the waters and how important/significant they are to the ecosystem they live in. Talking with Dr. Skomal was an experience that led me to looking into this organization as well as other conservatories and research facilities within New England. The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy is just one of many organizations that are trying to promote education and awareness to individuals just like me; those that were taught to fear sharks instead of appreciate them.
An organization that I support is Goodwill Industries International Inc, because of its dedication to helping the community, individuals, and the environment. With thousands of stores across the United States and multiple different “branches,” with RI falling under Goodwill of Southern New England, individuals everywhere can shop sustainably at these stores knowing they are supporting the community.
The company promotes career centers and job training programs that prepare individuals for a career in retail or to simply enter the workforce. They also offer a clothing voucher program that provides individuals without the means to purchase new clothing, a 25$ cash voucher to spend on clothing or accessories that they need for whatever it is they are trying to accomplish (job interviews, court dates, etc.). On top of the retail part of their store, Goodwill doubles as a donation center that accepts, cleans, and sorts clothing to be resold. Not only do the donation center’s provide more jobs, but filling the store with second-hand clothes eliminates the company’s need to manufacturer new materials. By not making their own products to sell, the company becomes a sustainable shopping center that reduces the environmental impact of their goods. Fashion and clothing will always be a necessity in today’s day in age, so I really appreciate Goodwill’s dedication to providing a range of clothing from fun vintage pieces to necessary “professional” articles that are affordable and repurposed all in one.
Growing up in a small town in Connecticut, I have always thought of my style as more unique or bold than others around me. I think this probably stems from relying solely on hand-me-downs of my friends and family that I had seen wear over and over again, but I became very invested in how I want to uniquely represent myself through my fashion. I needed clothes that look good and make me feel good. I was always very limited to where I could shop because I didn’t like the stores that sold hundreds of copies of the same pieces, and I never had enough money to shop at the more “unique” stores. Being both fashionable, and not in a financial place to purchase new, good quality clothing, I found comfort and love in secondhand clothes that came from all over the state and landed in my local Goodwill. As I grew up, I became especially grateful for my use of second-hand clothes in terms of environmental impact and reducing my carbon footprint as much as possible. Wearing second-hand clothing provides a new purpose to these pieces and allows me to give life to something that just as easily could’ve ended up in a landfill. Overall, I have and will continue to support this organization with all that they provide me and the community around me.
