Act Together for Good
Stay tuned for details about 2024!
What is Secular Week of Action?
Secular Week of Action (SWoA) harnesses the commitment of changemaking communities across the globe to: organize service events based around shared values, connect new volunteers to impactful projects in their own towns and neighborhoods, and celebrate what human beings can achieve together when we dedicate ourselves to ethical action.
Why Do We Need a Secular Week of Action?
SWoA offers a relevant, meaningful alternative to the National Day of Prayer in the United States, a day set aside in federal law for the people to “turn to God in prayer.” This government-sponsored day excludes secular people; people whose traditions do not include prayer; and anyone who does not see prayer as an adequate response to national and international crises.
Take Action!
Here are some ideas for actions you can take. Ideas range from big group events to small group events to ways to make an impact as an individual or family. Big or small all action has an impact.
Start a Monthly Giveaway
Regularly providing food and basic needs to unhoused and food insecure people is a direct way to have an impact on the health and wellbeing of those in your family. For some tips and suggestions for getting started see GO Humanity’s Giveaway Guide.
Organize an In-kind Collection
Members of your group can gather needed food or items and donate them to support unhoused or food insecure people. Before inviting people to contribute to your collection, find out from the beneficiary organization what their urgent needs are and focus on collecting those items. Shelters are often asking for essentials like toilet paper, soap, warmth items, and menstrual hygiene products. Search for a shelter or Feeding America food bank in your area. See GO Humanity’s In-kind Collection Guide for tips and ideas.
Build a Free Little Pantry
A free little pantry is an easy way for neighbors to help neighbors by providing free food and hygiene supplies. See GO Humanity’s Free Little Pantry Guide and the Little Free Pantry website for more tips and ideas.
Deliver Meals for Vulnerable Neighbors
Donate to or volunteer with Meals on Wheels America or with a local mutual aid group to get nutrition to people who need it.
Start a Community Garden
Community gardens help green your community, restore native plants, and produce can be donated to help address food insecurity. GO Humanity’s Community Garden Guide will help you get started.
Craft for Good
Crafters can support unhoused people by making needed items and donating them directly or through local shelters. Unhoused people can use sleeping mats and reusable bags any time of year. Shelters and giveaways often accept warm weather gear all year long to be prepared when the cold weather hits. See GO Humanity’s Craft for Good Guide that includes craft ideas and patterns.
Create a Mutual Aid Group
Start a neighborhood/organizational mutual aid shared Google Doc, social media group page, or Google Form for people to share their needs and how they can help.
Fundraise for a Shelter, Food Bank, or other organization
Nonprofits across the country could use your unrestricted donations to help them fill the holes that restricted and in-kind donations leave. Fundraise for your local nonprofit and have fun doing it. See GO Humanity’s collection of fundraising tips and ideas. Search for a shelter or Feeding America food bank in your area.
Plant a Tree (or two)
Planting a tree is one of the most impactful ways an individual can address climate change. Imagine the impact you can have as a group! See GO Humanity’s Plant a Tree Guide.
Donate Blood
Blood supply has not been keeping up with demand. Banks need a larger supply of eligible donors, ready and willing to help. Everyone in your group can sign up to donate individually or you can organize a blood drive. See GO Humanity’s Blood Drive Guide.
Advocate to End Discriminatory Blood Donation Policies
Despite high demand for blood, millions of U.S. residents cannot donate due to a discriminatory policies that exclude men who have sex with men. To learn more about this issue and what you might do to end the policy see GO Humanity’s Blood Donation Advocacy Guide.
Park or Highway Cleanup
Cleanups are easy and popular service events. And are great events for kids! See GO Humanity’s Park Cleanup Guide for tips.
Start a Little Free Library
Building a Little Free Library in your community helps lower barriers to reading in general and also to books celebrating diverse voices. GO Humanity has a quick guide to building a Little Free Library and the organization Little Free Library has a lot of information and resources.
Volunteer with a Local Organization
If you don’t have a lot of time and/or people to organize your own event, rallying your group to volunteer with a local organization is a quick and easy way to have an impact. Get in touch with a local organization you would like to support and find out what their process is to do group volunteering and go from there. Get in touch as soon as possible in order to secure a date during Secular Week of Action!
Zooniverse
Participate in online research projects of all kinds, from classifying galaxies to counting penguins to transcribing manuscripts.
Smithsonian
Help make historical documents and biodiversity data more accessible by transcribing field notes, diaries, ledgers, logbooks, currency proof sheets, photo albums, manuscripts, and biodiversity specimens labels.
Project Implicit
Help researchers learn the best ways to break down stereotypes by taking tests about attitudes, stereotypes and other hidden biases that influence perception, judgment, and action.
United Nations Online Volunteering
Volunteers contribute directly to the work of development organizations, working from a computer, tablet, or mobile phone anywhere in the world.
Top Things to Keep in Mind
Brainstorm
Have a brainstorming session to decide what makes the most sense for your group.
Get Organized
Choose one person to organize, but make sure to delegate tasks. Know who the backup is for top organizers.
Stay Safe
Keep up with the latest info from your local public health department.
Check your sources
Communicate timely and accurate information from credible sources. Help counter stigma and discrimination.
Team up
Consider partnering with other local groups.
Safeguard your money
If you are collecting money to support community members, make sure multiple people are involved and record when and where money is spent or distributed.
Bigger doesn't necessarily mean better
Remember that you don’t need dozens of people for a successful event.
Report your impact
SWoA is first and foremost about acting. But it's also about celebrating the impact we can have when we all act together. When your action is done, don't forget to send a report what you did and what impact you had!
Social Media
Help spread the word
Share the Week of Action Website
Help raise the visibility of the secular community and the work we are all doing to make positive change.
Post pictures
Whether you’re participating in a virtual group activity or as an individual, find creative ways to photograph your servicework and share online to inspire others. See GO Humanity’s Taking Great Pictures guide.
Go live
Live stream on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, or other platforms. Are you working on a creative project? Interact with your audience while you work. Take suggestions from viewers as you go, or auction off creative choices! Make sure to talk about your activity regularly in advance so people know to tune in.
Network with other groups
Like, follow, and share the posts of other volunteer groups across the country to support one another’s work!
Use the hashtags #SecularAction #SecularValues and #WeekOfAction
Week Of Action Coordinated By
National Partners
Secular Week of Action Events 2023
Atheists United
05-19-2023 - 05-19-2023
12:00 PM
On the third Friday of each month, Atheist United organizes a food distribution in partnership with the LA Food Bank and Sunday Assembly outside our offices. We need 15-25 volunteers to help us assemble, sort, organize, and pack over 3,000 lbs of donated food for those in need. We begin setting up right at 12pm (noon) and work straight till our last food package is handed out, usually around 5pm. As atheists, we rise by lifting others. Help us put our values into action. Join us!
2535 W Temple St
Los Angeles
CA
90026
Local Community Organization or Cause - Hunger or Homelessness
Kasese Humanist School
04-29-2023 - 05-05-2023
10:00 AM
Sharing with others food resources is a vital role that brings Humanity together. Many people in homes, schools,work places go hungry due to lack of food security. There is rampant malnutrition and the need for our people to know about a balanced diet. At Kasese Humanist School we participate in food production, preservation techniques and encourage crop growing, animal rearing, poultry keeping, fruit trees growing and vegetable growing.
Kidodo village
Railway ward, Kasese
Kasese
000256
Local Community Organization or Cause - Hunger or Homelessness
Houston Oasis
04-29-2023
01:00 PM
Please register at the following link: http://houstonfoodbank.civicore.com/index.php... . ##### The Houston Food Bank utilizes volunteers six days a week at our main warehouse. Whether you come out as an individual or part of a group, we are certain you will have an enjoyable, positive experience. ##### SPECIAL NOTES: 2/15/2022 UPDATE: Effective February15, 2022, the Houston Food Bank will no longer require volunteers, clients and visitors to wear a face-covering while in the building, regardless of vaccine status. Temperature checks will remain in effect for everyone upon entry. Volunteers MUST be at least 6 years old and supervised by parent or guardian throughout the shift. All volunteers under the age of 18 also need a completed Youth Volunteer Consent Form signed by a parent or guardian. A copy of this form can be downloaded by clicking the RESOURCES tab on your Volunteer Profile page. Description of Duties ##### Varies with the makeup volunteers for shift. Most of the projects at the warehouse involve inspection, sorting, and repackaging of donated food items for community distribution. Address Houston Food Bank 535 Portwall St. Houston, TX. 77029 Directions From Downtown: Take IH-10 east and exit Gellhorn St. (exit #774). Make a U-turn at Gellhorn, stay on feeder and turn right on Portwall St. Parking Information If space permits it, you may park in the front parking lot, but in the event of a large volunteer turnout, you may be directed to our overflow lot located behind the building. Attire Information 2/15/2022 UPDATE: Effective February15, 2022, the Houston Food Bank will no longer require volunteers, clients and visitors to wear a face-covering while in the building, regardless of vaccine status. Temperature checks will remain in effect for everyone upon entry. CLOSED-TOE SHOES REQUIRED - casual dress, long pants (preferred), t-shirt with sleeves. Bring work gloves if desired. We count on your generous donation of time; however, if you are unable to make it, please log in to your Volunteer Profile to cancel your registration or contact a Houston Food Bank Volunteer Scheduling Team member at kreynolds@houstonfoodbank.org for additional assistance. Media Reminders: If you are planning to invite or share your volunteer experience with broadcast/print media, or film outside of volunteer area, or wish to have a Food Bank spokesperson available for interviews please inform the Director of Marketing and Communications, Adele Brady, 713-547-8674 or abrady@houstonfoodbank.org, at least 2 weeks prior to your volunteer session so we can assist if needed. As always, we love for our volunteer groups to document, photograph and share on social media their Houston Food Bank volunteer experience, feel free to tag us. Thank you for your support. For your safety, personal belongings are not allowed in project areas: Due to limited locker space, we ask that you lock your purse, jackets, backpacks and any other valuables in your vehicle before checking-in. Special accommodations needed? Just let us know before your volunteer shift so we can plan accordingly. REMEMBER to wear closed-toe shoes so your feet are protected and dress in layers so you will be comfortable throughout your shift. If you are scheduled for the KITCHEN, please wear LONG PANTS - NO SHORTS OR JEWELRY ALLOWED.
535 Portwall St
Houston
TX
77029
Local Community Organization or Cause - Hunger or Homelessness
Houston Oasis
04-30-2023
09:00 AM
Houston Oasis is hosting Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center for a Blood Drive inside of Baker Ripley, at the back of where the talks take place. This is a terrific, tangible way that you can help your fellow humans in need during #SecularWeekOfAction. Plus you still get to hear the talk! Schedule your time slot here: https://www.commitforlife.org/.../drive_schedule/367456... You'll also have a health questionnaire to complete. Complete beforehand to save some time when you get to Baker Ripley.
6500 Rookin St.
Houston
TX
77074
Local Community Organization or Cause - Other
Houston Oasis
05-02-2023
06:00 PM
Please come out and support HOPE for Houston. Every dime of every purchase goes to HOPE. We need you like never before.
1504 Chapman St.
Houston
TX
77009
Local Community Organization or Cause - Hunger or Homelessness
Houston Oasis
05-04-2023
05:00 PM
Let's help out a great and much-needed org right here in Houston. HAWC is in need of kits, and we will assemble/donate some to them. You can either buy items yourself (items should be brand new) or donate money to us so that we can buy them ourselves. *See below for kit items to collect/buy. We will assemble the kits at Axelrad (see above for the info) but will need your help to do so. So come on out and hang with fellow humanists and let's do some good in this world! Fun Fact: Secular Houston will have a voter registration table at this same venue at this same date & time, so we'll all hang out together at a super-cool venue 🙂 Hygiene Kit: full-size shampoo, full-size conditioner, comb, brush, hair products for women of color, toothpaste, toothbrush. "Hygiene kits would be extremely helpful for the families staying at our shelter, as well as the women in our Housing program who have just moved into an apartment of their own under their own name". Hospital Accompaniment Kit: yoga pants, sports bra, and t-shirts. "Kits would benefit clients who have been sexually assaulted and, with the support of HAWC advocate, have gone to the hospital, where their clothing has been collected as evidence"
1517 Alabama St
Houston
TX
77004
Local Community Organization or Cause - Hunger or Homelessness
Houston Oasis
05-07-2023
12:00 PM
Join us for a community center campus clean-up to improve the space where Houston Oasis gathers each Sunday. We'll meet right after the Sunday gathering. Houston Oasis will provide the cleanup supplies.
6500 Rookin St.
Houston
TX
77074
Local Community Organization or Cause - Other
Houston Oasis
05-06-2023
12:30 PM
SECULAR WEEK OF ACTION EVENT!! Come to help sort donated medical supplies going out around the world to those in need. RSVP INSTRUCTIONS BELOW FROM PROJECT CURE Please arrive 15 minutes early for an on-time start. (This is especially important for first-time volunteers.) Please sign up for the event at least one week in advance of the volunteer session, following the steps below: GO TO THIS WEBSITE http://houoasis.projectcure.volunteerhub.com/ New volunteers will create a profile. Read/approve the annual waiver of liability if you're new or if your waiver has expired. (Volunteers under 18 must print a copy of the waiver and bring the completed form when they come in order to volunteer. This waiver will remain on file for the year) 4)Sign up for the event by clicking on the date/time for your group. Clothing Please wear closed-toed shoes. We also highly recommend that individuals wear comfortable clothes (for bending, kneeling, lifting, etc.). Note that work may be done in the warehouse, which is not climate controlled, or in the sorting room, which is climate controlled. Orientation Project C.U.R.E. Houston will first conduct a brief orientation and training for any new volunteers before starting our tasks for the day. COVID-19 The safety of our volunteers and staff is our top priority. Masks are not required at this time; however, should you wish to wear one, please do. Please wash your hands or use hand sanitizer throughout your volunteer session. Please do not volunteer if you are feeling ill or have been in contact with someone feeling ill. Your support in maintaining a safe facility is tremendously appreciated! For the most up-to-date masking requirements on site, please contact our Operations Director or Volunteer Coordinator at houstongroups@projectcure.org. Food and Drink We have a break room and a refrigerator available for your use. You may bring snacks and beverages for your group. Our facilities do have drinking water available. Cancellations We have a limited number of volunteer spots available during each shift. Please ensure you have estimated the number in your group as closely as possible. Should you need to cancel or update the count, please do so at least one week in advance so that we can make these spots available to other volunteers and ensure that we have adequate volunteers. If you have concerns or questions, please contact us. We look forward to your visit and appreciate your support of our work at Project C.U.R.E.
8303 Kempwood Dr
Houston
TX
77055
Local Community Organization or Cause - Other
Black Nonbelievers (Atlanta)
04-29-2023 - 04-29-2023
09:00 AM
This year in Atlanta, BN will be volunteering at the Campbellton Community Garden. Come help turn an empty lot into a food-producing asset and green space for the community. Volunteers typically do weeding, mulching and other tasks / projects. We have created a BN team, so if you are able to make it, please RSVP and we will add your name(s). Once we're done, we can find a place to eat and socialize. Please arrive by 8:45 am so we can be ready as a team. Please wear your masks if you feel comfortable, and your BN swag to represent. Also, please wear comfortable footwear, preferably dark color since we will be in soil. We will bring work gloves for your convenience. The Campbellton Community Garden is part of the City of Atlanta's Department of City Planning and AgLanta. Learn more here: https://www.aglanta.org/ For more information on the Secular Week of Action, visit https://weekofaction.org
1597 Campbellton Road SW
Atlanta
GA
30311
Local Community Organization or Cause - Other
Humanist Society of Greater Phoenix
04-28-2023 - 05-07-2023
Secular Week of Action offers an alternative to the National Day of Prayer, a day set aside in federal law for the people of the United States to “turn to God in prayer.” A national day that calls for a specific religious practice as an expression of civic virtue rather than for a shared practice is divisive and discriminatory. Prayer is not an adequate response to national crises. Get off your knees and on your feet! Take action! Support our neighbors by contributing to our DIGITAL DONATION DRIVES! THREE THOUSAND TAMPONS Menstruation Does Not Stop Education. Period. Your donations will help us support Go With the Flow AZ. Check out the amazing work they are doing at gowiththeflowaz.org. Visit the HSGP website to help us donate $500 to this cause. hsgp.org Select "Other Amount" and in "Contribution Note" include TAMPONS Secular Week of Action harnesses the secular movement’s commitment to making the world a better place by creating an opportunity to: organize service events based around shared values, connect new volunteers to impactful projects in their own towns and neighborhoods, and celebrate what human beings can achieve together when we dedicate ourselves to ethical action.
Phoenix
AZ
Local Community Organization or Cause - Other
Humanist Society of Greater Phoenix
04-28-2023 - 05-07-2023
Secular Week of Action offers an alternative to the National Day of Prayer, a day set aside in federal law for the people of the United States to “turn to God in prayer.” A national day that calls for a specific religious practice as an expression of civic virtue rather than for a shared practice is divisive and discriminatory. Prayer is not an adequate response to national crises. Get off your knees and on your feet! Take action! Support our neighbors by contributing to our DIGITAL DONATION DRIVES! A CLEAN MACHINE: HYGIENE SUPPLIES Cleanliness is next to... impossible, unless you have the right supplies! Your donations will help Atheists Helping the Homeless Phoenix giveaway 100 hygiene kits (hand sanitizer, toothpaste, shaving cream, deodorant, body wash, and adult wipes). Check out the tremendous impact they are having at facebook.com/AtheistsHelpingtheHomelessPhoenix. Visit the HSGP website to help us donate $500 to this cause. hsgp.org Select "Other Amount" and in "Contribution Note" include CLEAN Secular Week of Action harnesses the secular movement’s commitment to making the world a better place by creating an opportunity to: organize service events based around shared values, connect new volunteers to impactful projects in their own towns and neighborhoods, and celebrate what human beings can achieve together when we dedicate ourselves to ethical action.
Phoenix
AZ
Local Community Organization or Cause - Hunger or Homelessness
Humanist Society of Greater Phoenix
04-29-2023
07:45 AM
Humanist Society of Greater Phoenix joins Atheists Helping the Homeless Phoenix for their Bimonthly Giveaway. Come around and help them achieve their three goals, or reasons for existing: 1. To help some folks in need. 2. To show by example that Atheists do have morals and do help. 3. To have fun. Thank you for giving it all you've got! When the giveaway is done, spend some time with the new friends you made!
Near Margaret T. Hance Park
Phoenix
AZ
Local Community Organization or Cause - Hunger or Homelessness
Humanists of Tallahassee
04-28-2023
01:30 PM
We'll be assembling emergency kits with some of the children at Sabal Palm Elementary School, which services the poorest zip code in the state (32304). We'll discuss types of emergencies (e.g., hurricanes, floods, etc.), what to do in case of an emergency, and pack emergency kits to help them respond.
Tallahassee, FL
2813 Ridgeway St
Tallahassee
FL
32310
Local Community Organization or Cause - Other
Black Nonbelievers of Chi Town (Chicago)
04-29-2023 - 04-29-2023
11:00 AM
Black Nonbelievers of Chi Town will be volunteering at the Youth Diabetes Fair with Northwest Center on 5100 W Diversey Chicago Illinois. There are 2 shifts, at 11:00 am and at 2:00 pm. To sign up, please go to the Chicago Cares website and sign up today! https://www.chicagocares.org/s/volunteer-job/a0s4V00000XEwweQAD/project-youth-diabetes-fair-with-northwest-center?s=a0u4V000007dkSyQAI
5233 W. Diversey Avenue
Chicago
IL
Local Community Organization or Cause - Other
04-28-2023 - 05-07-2023
This Free Food Pantry in Newport News is an ongoing project in partnership with other local organizations and community members for folks to give what they can and take what they need. Located just outside the Sister to Sister Resource Center.
2009 Jefferson Ave
Newport News
VA
23607
Mutual Aid
04-28-2023 - 05-07-2023
This Free Food Pantry in Norfolk is an ongoing project in partnership with other local organizations and community members for folks to give what they can and take what they need. Located just outside The Venue on 35th.
The Venue on 35th
631 W 35th St #3103
Norfolk
VA
23508
Mutual Aid
Oklahoma Atheists
05-05-2023
11:00 AM
AOK will be going out to the homeless community and giving out much needed supplies. The bags will include items that are most requested by the homeless like socks, personal hygiene items, rain ponchos and snack bars. We would love to come out and volunteer with like minded people and lend a hand to the homeless members of our community.
213 south avery street
moore
OK
73160
Local Community Organization or Cause - Hunger or Homelessness
American Humanist Association
05-05-2023 - 05-07-2023
09:00 AM
American Humanist Association is cooperating with the Denver Human Services (DHS) Department Spring Showers Hygiene Drive to stock the DHS GIVE Center, a resource for essential hygiene items needed by local people and families. Bring unopened and unexpired items, travel and full-sized welcome, to the Renaissance Denver Central Park Hotel (3801 Quebec Street, Denver, CO) and look for the bin from Denver Health in the conference registration area. We’re seeking: Shampoo/Conditioner (2-in-1 or 3-in-1) Body wipes Tampons/Maxi Pads Lotion Sunscreen Deodorant Floss Toilet paper Shaving Cream/Razors Laundry soap/dish soap First Aid kits (band-aids, gauze, antiseptic) Hand sanitizer
Renaissance Denver Central Park Hotel
3801 Quebec Street
Denver
CO
80207
Local Community Organization or Cause - Hunger or Homelessness
Sunday Assembly Atlanta
04-29-2023 - 04-29-2023
10:00 AM
Join SAA as we live out the Help Often part of our motto during Secular Week of Action. United Way of Greater Atlanta is hosting a finale event for Shoebox Project 2023! They will have music, food and fun as we join together in service to support people experiencing homelessness. Volunteers are needed to help decorate, assemble, organize and sort thousands of toiletry-filled shoeboxes.
40 Courtland St NE #300
Atlanta
GA
Local Community Organization or Cause - Hunger or Homelessness
Austin Atheists Helping the Homeless
05-07-2023 - 05-07-2023
09:00 AM
On the first Sunday of each month, the Austin Atheists Helping the Homeless outreach, led by activist Fil Session, gathers downtown under the I-35 bridge to distribute snacks, personal care items, clothing, and other needed items to the local homeless, demonstrating that doing good deeds doesn't require belief in a god.
Under the I-35 bridge at 756 S Interstate 35 Frontage Rd, across from the police department headquarters.
756 S Interstate 35 Frontage Rd.
Austin
TX
78756
Local Community Organization or Cause - Hunger or Homelessness
Atheists United
04-26-2023 - 04-26-2023
09:00 AM
Join us via Zoom on the morning of April 26 for an important update on proposed California legislation... then make your secular voices heard as we connect you directly to your elected officials. It's #Secular #Advocacy Day 2023!
VIRTUAL ZOOM CALL
Advocacy/political activism
Kenya Humanist Alliance
05-05-2023
We shall be donating meals and clothes to various orphanages in Kenya during Secular Week of Action.
P.O. Box 16 -40106 Miwani, Kenya., Kisumu
Kisumu City
Kisumu County
40106
Local Community Organization or Cause - Hunger or Homelessness
Michigan Humanists
05-06-2023
09:30 AM
Michigan Humanists hold a workday every year at the Long Lake Outdoor Center. We stain buildings, move leaves into the woods, clear trails, inspect cabins, and do minor repair jobs to prepare the campground for the summer season. Michigan Humanists also then use this campground on a weekend in July for our annual Secular Summer Retreat!
Mutual Aid
Secular Week of Action Pledges 2023
I commit to volunteering my time to help make a difference during Secular Week of Action!
| Name | Location | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Fred PPennsauken Township, NJ United States | Pennsauken Township, NJ United States | Mutual Aid |
| Thomas BAustin, TX United States | Austin, TX United States | Fundraising |
| Patrick DSalt Lake City, Utah United States | Salt Lake City, Utah United States | Citizen Science |
| Rikki G New Zealand | New Zealand | Local Community Organization or Cause - Hunger or Homelessness |
| Wendy WTX United States | TX United States | Local Community Organization or Cause - Hunger or Homelessness |
| Chris SGrand Rapids, MI United States | Grand Rapids, MI United States | Education |