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Your Guide to Making a Difference in Louisa County

Ready to make a difference but not sure where to begin? Whether you want to learn, take action, or support a cause that lifts up our Louisa community, this guide will help you turn good intentions into real impact.

Do you have updates or ideas to include?  Tell us about it.

Note: The links provided on this page are for informational purposes only. Inclusion of any organization, resource, or website does not imply endorsement or affiliation by the Louisa County Democratic Committee. Some may require a subscription fee. This guide is intended to serve as a helpful reference, and many of the listed groups are nonpartisan. We encourage individuals to research and engage with organizations that align with their interests and values.

Resource Guide

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The Associated Press is an American not-for-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1846, it operates as a cooperative, unincorporated association, and produces news reports that are distributed to its members, major U.S. daily newspapers and radio and television broadcasters.

Reuters is a global news agency that was founded nearly 170 years ago. Their journalists work all over the world and are guided by the Trust Principles, which state that Reuters must report the news with integrity, independence, and freedom from bias. 

National Public Radio, NPR, is a non-profit media organization known for its high-quality news and cultural programming, distributed to hundreds of member stations. NPR’s mission is to create a more informed public by providing high-quality journalism and cultural programming that helps people understand events, ideas, and cultures. 

The BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) is headquartered in London. Its main responsibility is to provide impartial public service broadcasting in the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man. They gather and produce national daily news, business, political and current affairs programs on BBC television and radio.

Heather Cox Richardson, a political historian and a professor at Boston College, uses facts and history to put todays news in context. Her daily Letters from an American articles chronicle today’s political landscape, while explaining the historical significance and explores what it means, and what it has meant, to be an American.

Crooked Media is a progressive media company founded in 2017 by former Obama staffers. It’s best known for its flagship podcast, Pod Save America, that breaks down the week’s news, offers insider insight, and encourages listeners to take civic action. Some other popular podcasts are Strict Scrutiny, which explores the U.S. Supreme Court and legal issues; Offline, which explores how the internet is shaping our politics, culture, and mental health; and Assembly Required, which explores how governments work, why they matter, and how everyday people can get involved to create change from the ground up.

Since 1879, The Central Virginian has chronicled the people of the county and promoted their efforts. It covers all aspects of life in the Louisa and Lake Anna area, including city and county government, school news, sports, business development, and more.

Local journalist, Tammy Purcell’s,  nonpartisan newsletter, Engage Louisa,  keeps folks informed about Louisa County government. It is her belief that our community is stronger and our government serves us better when we increase transparency, accessibility, and engagement.

The Virginia Public Access Project, VPAP, is a valuable source for information on Virginia politics and government. Guided by their mission of elevating public understanding, they take complicated data and make it easy to access, without partisan bias. Whether you’re a political enthusiast, educator, or engaged citizen, you can find the tools you need to navigate politics in the Commonwealth. Subcribe for weekly updates and news.

The Virginia Mercury is an excellent free resource to keep up with Virginia news with a focus on topics such as criminal justice, the environment, politics, education and health. Sign up for their daily newsletter for quick hits to stay in the know and donate to help keep a great resource available for all.

Bumpass Prose and Politics is written by a central Virginia transplant who grew up in a military family. He spent nearly 30 years in the Foreign Service watching democracies rise, fall, and rebuild. What’s happening in the U.S. today feels familiar—and not in a good way. This commentary looks at how our democracy is backsliding, what history and experience can teach us, and why the voices in the middle matter more than ever.

The Tracinski Letter is a newsletter covering culture and politics from an individualist perspective, edited by Robert Tracinski the author of “Dictator from Day One.”

Discourse Magazine, an online journal published by the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, is dedicated to the idea that good thinking and good ideas arise amid the interplay of different viewpoints and perspectives. Discourse is also dedicated to promoting and defending time-tested liberal values with new and innovative thinking.

Snopes.com is a well-known fact-checking website that specializes in debunking or verifying urban legends, hoaxes, rumors, and misinformation. It began in 1994 as an online resource for urban legends and has grown to become one of the oldest and largest fact-checking websites online. 

Reuters News has a fact-checking unit within its editorial department. The principal aim of this unit is to fact-check visual material and claims posted on social media. The producers in this unit report their findings on Reuters fact-checking section of their website.

FactCheck.org is a nonpartisan, nonprofit “consumer advocate” for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. They monitor and evaluate the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews and news releases. They are a great resource when you are wondering about the factual accuracy of what you heard in the news.

Concerned about media bias? Check out this Media Bias Chart which may be useful as you seek out news resources.

50501 Movement (fiftyfiftyone) organizes nationwide protests across the United States as a rapid response to the anti-democratic and illegal actions of the Trump administration and its plutocratic allies.

The 5Calls website and app is an invaluable tool for efficiently contacting our elected officials about the issues that matter to us. Choose from a list of issues and 5Calls will provide background information as well as a script to use when making calls. Phone numbers are included as well, making it very easy to speak up for your values.

Choose Democracy includes resources such as Boycott Hub and ResistList. These resources include stories and databases of non-cooperation events and a litigation tracker.

Jessica Craven’s Chop Wood, Carry Water Substack provides a free weekday newsletter with easy to follow scripts and ideas for saving democracy and pushing our progressive agenda. While there is a Chop Wood, Carry Virginia edition, the “everywhere” edition has ideas for locations needing Dem support throughout the US.

Use Demcast to become an activist leader on social media, helping to get the word out on the critical issues for Virginia and nationally. Demcast provides training to engage on social media and provides engaging, relevant content on many issues to help you present Dem issues in the best light. Check out their Medicaid section, for a great example of their content.

Red, Wine and Blue is a national organization aimed at suburban women working together to defeat extremism. They train and connect women from across the country of all political backgrounds – including many who have never been political before.  They have “Troublemaker Training” and other events available to all.

Virginia Grassroots has regularly updated advocacy opportunities and a comprehensive calendar of resistance events

Richmond Defensa is a community defense network dedicated to protecting and upholding our immigrant brothers, sisters, and siblings in the Richmond, VA metro area. Report Suspicious activity and/or sign up to receive notifications of ICE activity in the area.

The VACIR – Virginia Coalition for Immigrant Rights is a multi-racial and multi-ethnic coalition of organizations that exists to win dignity, power and quality of life for all immigrant and refugee communities. They have resources and free clinics available. Donations go to power their organization.

The Legal Aide Justice Center in Charlottesville works to protect immigrant communities and end ICE abuses.  Use their Rapid Response Toolkit to find resources to prevent and to be prepared for immigration emergencies such as raids, ICE visits to your home, detention, or risk of deportation.

Follow local award winning immigration lawyer Hassan Ahmad on Facebook as he provides practical advice for immigrants.

ACLU-VA has a very specific and comprehensive page devoted to exactly what an immigrant should – and should not – do when facing ICE whether at home, at work, in the car or anywhere else.

DID YOU KNOW?: 

  • every undocumented immigrant family needs to have a backup friend or family member who can take care of the kids when their parents alone are deported?
  • that there are two types of warrants and only one legally enables ICE agents to demand entry into private spaces (such as your home or a back room of an office)? A valid judicial warrant legally authorizes entry into private spaces. This is not the same as an administrative warrant. A judicial warrant is: issued by a U.S. District or state court (stated in clear letterhead at the top of a warrant), specifies the exact areas to be searched, particular people or items to be seized, and is signed by a judge. Administrative warrants do not contain these details. Learn how to tell the difference below:

PFLAG is a national organization that supports LGBTQ+ people, their families, and allies through education, peer support, and advocacy. It helps activists by building inclusive communities, providing resources, and empowering people to push for equality and policy change. Their local chapter is PFLAG of Greater Charlottesville.

GLAAD works to ensure fair, accurate, and inclusive representation and creates national and local programs that advance LGBTQ acceptance. Their LGBTQ Resource List is a good place to start when searching for guidance and support.

Lambda Legal offers resources and support for LGBTQ+ and HIV+ individuals including post election questions about marriage and family relationships; an identity documents checklist; a legal fund to protect civil rights; and a virtual Help Desk.

He She Ze and We offers education, training, advocacy and allyship in Virginia for the families of LGBTQ+ individuals and youths. They have hands on volunteer opportunities, fun events and accept donations.

Equality Virginia focuses on issues at the state level.

The NAACP, or National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, is America’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its mission is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race prejudice. They have chapters throughout the nation including one in Louisa County.

The ACLU has an extensive list of rights by topic: abortion, students, stopped by police, voting, dreamers, prisoners etc… This “know your rights” page should be book marked by everyone!

The New Virginia Majority has a focus on criminal, economic and environmental justice, education and expanding democracy. Their ten year vision aims to improve democracy, justice and progress. 

Common Cause Virginia has a strong focus on voter rights, civic education and was recently in the news for having the Washington Post censor their anti-Musk ad. They have ongoing phone banking against the SAVE act, which disenfranchises many voters.

Run for Something recruits and supports young first-time candidates running for local office with the goal of building progressive infrastructure at the state and local level and winning sustainable power. They are looking for both volunteers and mentors.

Movement Voter Project invests in year-round organizing and movement building to shift culture, win elections, and transform policy. They help Democratic and progressive donors channel funds to the best and most promising organizations building the power to transform communities, states, and the country over the long term. They are strategically targeting various elements of the Trump agenda to block.

The Progressive Caucus Center‘s newsletter “Unrig the Rules” provides updates, education and analysis on what’s happening on Capitol Hill with highly detailed focus across a variety of topics (eradicating poverty, civil rights, foreign policy etc…). Their Explainers (under Our Work) can help you understand policy issues and their fallout if they are changed by the Trump administration. You can also register for their “Big Idea Briefings”.

Center for American Progress is an independent, nonpartisan policy institute that is dedicated to improving the lives of all Americans through bold, progressive ideas, as well as strong leadership and concerted action. They are currently collecting stories of people impacted by cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, or decisions from Trump/Elon Musk.

Climate change is a serious problem. The world’s scientists have been telling us that for decades. And now, with an administration in Washington D.C. that largely denies the reality of climate change, you may be inclined to despair that we can fix this problem. Climate Action Now’s response is: Action is the antidote to despair! They created the Climate Action Now app and the Climate Action Now website – to make it easy and rewarding for you to take action that can make a difference.

Everytown for Gun Safety is the largest gun violence prevention organization in America.  Their movement exists to end gun violence and save lives. Check out their Take Action page for steps you can take today to help the cause.

Moms Demand Action is a grassroots movement fighting for public safety measures that can protect people from gun violence. They work to pass stronger gun laws and close the loopholes that jeopardize the safety of families.

Goods Unite Us enables consumers to purchase ethically. Their website enables searching for a company or brand to see what percentage the company, its affiliates and its senior management and executives collectively donate to Republicans and Democrats, what percentage comes from the company itself versus its employees, and the top five politicians donated to.

The Louisa Department of Human Services is committed to improving the lives of children, families, and communities through comprehensive services that support the residents well-being. One can apply for Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, and other benefits.

The Louisa Resource Council provides free healthy groceries, dental assistance vouchers, clothing and other life-sustaining services to those in need.