Advocates

Advocates For Children - Twenty-five year old organization dedicated to helping the City's most vulnerable families to secure quality and equal public education services. A thorough site with info on programs, publications and anything else you need to know.

Advocates for Children - Inside Schools - This website, published by Advocates for Children, offers independent review of every city public school, with basic numbers, a narrative write-up and comments from parents, students and others.

Children's Defense Fund - One of America's most vehement advocates for children. Their goal: "to leave no child behind." Legislative info, action items great links.

Community Service Society of New York - Dedicated to fighting poverty, and providing for the needs of the City's poor. Useful publications, analysis of City policies and information on their speakers' bureau.

Legal Aid Society - The largest public defender in the country, providing legal services to children and homeless. The cause is noble, the site useful but dull.

NYC Sierra Club - Goes straight to the heart of grassroots environmental efforts in NYC.

National Coalition for the Homeless - A thorough site with scads of info and lots of links.

Neighborhood Open Space Coalition - Expand City parks and greenways, says NOSC. The site is very text-heavy, though the contents are quality.

Public Utility Law Project (PULP) - The Public Utility Law Project (PULP) advocates for utility consumers in matters affecting universal service, afordability and customer protection. The PULP website help center has utility consumer information and detailed materials about current energy and utility topics.

The Center for Children and Families - Runs a slew of programs to help kids and young adults surmount obstacles. An uplifting site full of success stories. Recommended.

The Coalition of Voluntary Mental Health Agencies - Coalition of community-based mental health providers in New York State, representing over 100 and serving more than a quarter of a million clients in NYC. Extensive site has info on the state's role in voluntary mental health agencies, action alerts, links to non-profits, member organizations and other useful resources.

There's No Place Like Home - Published by Henry Street Settlement and Information for Families, Inc. This site provides valuable information on welfare, housing, immigration, and other issues affecting the poor and homeless.