In the aftermath of the 2024 election, many folks feel despondent and afraid. I am writing this today in the hopes that these demoralizing feelings can be turned into hope, unity, and direct action. While I share the fear of our federal government being torn apart by the likes of Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, we have the choice to do something about it starting right now – think & work local.
I have long been an advocate, especially encouraging young people, to get involved in our local communities and governments. However, I think now it is more important than ever that we start right here in our neighborhoods to build something greater. My goal here is to hopefully provide you with at least one opportunity to engrain yourself in your local community, develop the skills to unite people, and create the positive change that we so desperately need.
In my book Building a Greater Society: A Guide to Political Revolution for Millennials and Generation Z, I provide significant details including personal anecdotes and people that I looked to in order to get involved with organizing. Through this exploration and the examination of our recent history, the actions required to form pillars for a new intersectional and progressive movement are quite simple, but take time and effort.
1. Mutual Aid & Assistance
Within the next few years, potential cuts to vital programs like SNAP and Social Security increase the likelihood of food and housing insecurity throughout the country. Here in Bucks County, there are a number of local food pantries or even churches that work to combat hunger in our community. Every year we see food and clothing drives during the holiday season to help those in need, but this attitude and engagement needs to be something we approach and support year-round. So, what can you do?
READ: Bucks County Changemakers Interview with Alana Hardison
Pantries always need more volunteers, especially during times of increased demand (during periods of economic hardship). If programs that are used to alleviate poverty are cut or hamstrung, the demand for pantry assistance will increase and you can directly supplement this by being a volunteer. If your schedule doesn’t allow for this, figure out a way to have a food drive, but consider potentially doing it in February or even July when demand still exists but the holiday supply of food has dried up. Consider organizing a drop-off and distribution for diapers, as these are a high-cost item that young families really could use help affording. Identify a niche and an organization (or start one) that can unite people and provide services to those most in need. Through mutual aid, you can directly provide benefits to folks that will materially benefit from them – and that is the goal. Someone I know I trust and look to on this issue is one of my closest friends Lindsay Troyer. If you don’t know where to start, but want to get involved in this space, reach out to her here: goodfolkproject(at)gmail.com.
2. Join the Non-Profit Network
Somewhat piggybacking off mutual aid, but hitting on other issues like protecting immigrants, providing mental health services, and much more, nonprofits are scattered throughout Bucks County that have been doing the work for decades in many instances. Each nonprofit will be unique in their needs and will service a specific population within our community, but rest assured, your efforts and energy will certainly be welcome in all of the non-profits in the area.
What issue do you care about most?
I can almost guarantee that there is an organization working on that right here in our neck of the woods. Let me provide you with some examples. I am a huge proponent of mental health care especially in a time where we feel divided and isolated from one another. That is why I serve on the board of NAMI – Bucks County (National Alliance on Mental Illness). NAMI provides essential programming for people of all ages, genders, and economic backgrounds because guess what … the programming is free! But the organization still has costs and cannot thrive without support from people in our community. So, whether you can donate or volunteer for an organization like NAMI, your contribution can go a long way. Just tell NAMI Man that I sent you. https://namibuckspa.org/
Maybe you are looking for something more in the social justice arena. I’ve got you.
While Trump has weaponized bigotry towards immigrants in our nation, I think a ton of us recognize that this country is the beacon of hope for people around the world to achieve something great. Maybe even you are an immigrant and want to be more engaged in protecting your friends, family, and neighbors. Immigrant Rights Action is a group dedicated to standing up for the rights of immigrants right here in Bucks by providing legal services. By joining workshops, volunteering, and yes … donating, you can help protect vulnerable people that you care about. I implore you, find your issue and find the organization working on it. Here is a list that includes some of the non-profits in Bucks County that you can get involved with.
3. Get Involved with Local Progressive and/or Democratic Organizations
I write about this extensively in my chapter “A New Hope” in Building a Greater Society but in 2018 a group called the Justice Democrats was created out of the wake of the 2016 election. Progressives united to elect strong representatives in blue districts to build a bolder group of leaders in Washington DC. Out of this, we get someone like Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who has since become a powerhouse within the Democratic Party and (evidently in 2024) with Trump voters. I say this, because organizations like this can make a huge difference. But Justice Democrats are focused on national elections – I want you to think local!
An example of a progressive group (one that isn’t tied to the Democratic Party) is Indivisible. While Indivisible does focus heavily on federal officials, the local chapters like in Bucks County exist to “provide a hub for resistance activities.” And I wouldn’t be surprised to see a group rise up to form in the near future either, so joining networks like Indivisible will keep you plugged in to hear when groups are forming!
READ: Bucks County Changemakers Interview with LisaBeth Weber: Using Creativity in Service to the World
But here we are again. I am once again asking you to get involved with your local Democratic organization. Going into 2025, there are local elections that are going to impact the lives of people in Bucks County more than the federal election that just took place. Joining the local Democrats enables you to connect with like-minded individuals and help develop a robust ground game for local candidates. And let me just say, if you are pissed off about the performance or even the rhetoric of the Democratic Party writ large, you can be a part in changing the party and steering the ship the way you would like to see it go, rather than just yelling about it on social media. Within the party, there are positions of influence that you can gain rather quickly, and that will build your credibility and trust within the organizing community. You can find your municipal group here: https://bucksdemocrats.org/who-we-are/our-municipal-organizations/.
4. Run for Office
2025 represents a huge opportunity for a new generation of leadership to rise up and fill important roles throughout Bucks County. In each and every municipality there will be positions like Township Supervisor, Borough Council, and Auditor that are up for election. You or somebody you know and trust can run for these seats and can win! This is how you empower the future leaders of this nation. Furthermore, there are countywide elected offices like District Attorney, Sheriff, and Controller that are up for election next year. Good governance comes from electing good people that care genuinely about the people of Bucks County. If you are up to the task, you can win one of these seats and you can be the change you want to see.
While this list is not all-encompassing, the crux of what I am suggesting to you is that you have to be a strong member of our community to Build a Stronger Community. Being the person who is trusted and respected in a given space opens up opportunities for conversations. These conversations can lead to increased empathy and understanding in our towns and that is where we must start. I believe that the moral arc of history that Martin Luther King Jr. described will only bend towards justice if we make it … so we must take action and we must work together to Build a Greater Society.
