“Everyone has a right to peaceful coexistence, the basic personal freedoms, the alleviation of suffering and the opportunity to lead a productive life.” - Jimmy Carter

All citizens of the world are entitled to the right to life, work, education and equal treatment; freedom of expression, belief-systems and religion; and to be safe from slavery, mistreatment and other inequalities. These are inherent human rights regardless of race, gender, religion, disability or ethnicity. Unfortunately, around the world and even closer to home, many people continue to face discrimination, oppression and prevention of access to their basic human rights.

Women, Black and Hispanic workers have historically been underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics occupations. Women make up half the U.S. workforce, yet in 2019, females only made up 27% in the STEM field. In 2019, women continue to earn 82 cents for every dollar earned by men among full-time, year-round workers. Right here in the U.S. and around the world, human traffickers are denying millions of people their fundamental right to freedom by forcing them to live enslaved lives for their exploiter’s profit.

In the U.S. one in every four women has a disability. For American Indians/Alaska Natives, every two in five have a disability. Six million students live with a disability. Black, multiracial, Native American/Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander students disproportionately received one or more out of school suspensions for the school year. For instance, Black students with disabilities made up approximately 17% of the total enrolled students with disabilities population, yet represented 39% of students with disabilities who received one or more out-of-school suspensions.

CFC charities work to address these issues at home and abroad. They advocate for equal pay, like supporting grant funding to business loans for women in rural areas. They improve the lives of individuals living with a disability through advocacy and funding for better resources and access. They promote rights and equality for the LGBTQIA+ community. And these efforts are paying off. A 2019 report showed that more than 78.5% of schools across the U.S have safe spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community, enabling more children to feel safer being their authentic selves. Female suicide attempts within the LGBTQIA+ community have decreased by 9.2%.

The CFC makes it easy for all of us to change the world. Your donation to human rights cause areas can help ensure that all individuals are treated equally and with dignity. Join the CFC community today and become a changemaker. 

For more information, contact your unit CFC key worker. You are also welcome to contact Jennette Folwell, the Forest Service CFC Coordinator.

You can be the face of change: Donate through GiveCFC.org.