Change by Doing Explore the world of volunteering and service

5,000+ ESF volunteers engaged in service events across 36 states in conjunction with Coming Out Day.

Tomorrow, October 9, is a big day for the Empowering Spirits Foundation…it is the Proud Hearts Service Day.

ESF is a national LGBT civil rights organization dedicated to service.

“ESF is proud to be working with various organizations to address many of the major issues facing Americans today; affordable housing, inadequate healthcare, and a lack of funds for neighborhood revitalization.”

Every year the event adds service projects throughout the US, and this year will collaborate with the Department of Defense Federal Globe (DOD FED Globe), Habitat for Humanity, TexTango, MyOutSpirit.com, and Equality Alabama; to once again participate in a day of service-oriented events designed to allow LGBT individuals to work side-by-side with their non-LGBT counterparts. Building bridges between people while bettering communities makes this such an important day. Some of the 2010 events are assisting the San Diego Park and Recreation Department restore Gonzalez Canyon in Del Mar, CA; assisting Habitat for Humanity in construction of a new home in Birmingham, AL; assisting Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee serve the hungry in Nashville; assisting the DuMond Conservancy for Primates and Tropical Forests in Miami, FL; and assisting the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation and Partnerships for Parks to help restore a park in Manhattan.

“Any time we build coalitions through mutual efforts with the greater society, huge strides are made in educating the public,” said Lisa Kove, Executive Director of DOD FED Globe. “Once those that might not have previous exposure to, or understanding of the LGBT community, find themselves in a situation where they’re working alongside us, barriers and misconception are broken down.”

Instead of attempting to change laws, ESF strives to change the hearts and minds of those who are generally ignored by existing LGBT organizations.