Social Challenges
Health
More than 60 million Americans have inadequate access to basic health care while also enduring the effects of discrimination, poverty, and dangerous environments that accelerate higher rates of illness. Innovative and evidence-based social strategies can improve health care and lead to broad gains in the health of our entire society.
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We envision a world where every person in every community has an opportunity to live their healthiest life.
Visit their website for more – https://chcimpact.org/
Abide Women’s Health Services focuses on combating healthcare disparities and improving birth justice and outcomes for Black mothers in Dallas by reducing infant and maternal mortality rates; increasing breastfeeding rates; reducing preterm rates; and increasing the number of Black midwives.
Visit their website for more – https://www.abidewomen.org/
Afghan Health Initiative advocates for immigrants and refugees within the state of Washington to increase access to equitable healthcare through promoting community-based public health interventions.
Visit their website for more – https://afghanhealth.org/
BirthNet works to eliminate inequalities for all childbearing people in maternity and infant care by providing resources, events, advocacy and community doulas. Their vision is that everyone receives respectful, culturally appropriate, person-centered care.
Visit their website for more – https://birthnewyork.org/
The Black Nurses Coalition aims to empower Black and minority nurses through the betterment of knowledge and access to healthcare and community resources that positively impacts the healthcare of BIPOC communities.
Visit their website for more – https://www.blacknursescoalition.org/
Going to treatment is a courageous choice. It’s a process each individual will handle differently, so ours is a highly individualized program. Comfortable semi-private rooms. Customized treatment plans. Credentialed, compassionate staff who work with you every step of the way. When you choose Sandstone Care, you choose the teen residential program that puts you first.
Visit their website for more – https://teentreatment.rehab/
LIFE TODAY is much more than a television program. It is life-giving ministry every day in some way for people around the world.
LIFE Outreach International is a Christian, faith-based organization committed to expressing God’s love in both word and deed. This commitment is in answer to Jesus’ challenge to spread the Good News of His salvation to all people and every nation.
We do this by proclaiming God’s love through our media ministry and evangelistic efforts and demonstrating His love through deeds of compassion.
Through all of our ministry outreaches – the LIFE TODAY television ministry, evangelistic outreaches, LIFE Centers, feeding programs, water well drilling, disaster relief and other mission projects – we share the love of Christ.
LIFE’s Mission Statement:
LIFE Outreach International is a Christian organization dedicated to sharing the transforming truth of God’s love in word and deed. The ministry encourages the support of missions and relief programs in areas of need throughout the world. Utilizing the tremendous potential of broadcast media to fulfill the mission, LIFE Outreach inspires believers to share the promise of life and hope with others.
Visit their website for more – https://lifetoday.org/
Mission: Prominent among youth nonprofits, YouthBuild USA empowers young individuals to transform their communities and lives, offering pathways to education, employment, and entrepreneurship.
Initiatives: YouthBuild USA’s initiatives include hands-on training programs in construction, healthcare, IT, and various other fields, providing a comprehensive learning experience that combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills through on-the-job training opportunities.
These initiatives aim to equip young individuals with the tools and expertise needed to succeed in their chosen career paths while fostering a sense of community responsibility and empowerment among participants.
Impact: Has helped over 160,000 young people in the U.S. and abroad gain skills and contribute to their communities.
Visit their website for more – https://youthbuild.org/
Mission: To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
Initiatives: The Boys and Girls Club of America is one of the most well known youth nonprofits.
It’s initiatives are designed to create a holistic environment for youth development, encompassing programs in education to support academic excellence, artistic endeavors to nurture creativity and self-expression, sports activities to promote physical well-being and teamwork, and career development initiatives to equip young individuals with essential skills and opportunities for future success.
Youth Nonprofits hoping to diversify their programs can learn from TBGOA as they provide a safe and inclusive space where youth can explore their interests, discover their strengths, and build the confidence and resilience needed to thrive as responsible and engaged members of society.
Impact: Serves 4 million young people annually through membership and community outreach.
Visit their website for more – https://www.bgca.org/
Mission: Engages at-risk students in their education through a continuum of design-based programs and academic support.
Initiatives: Publicolor utilizes color, collaboration, and design to engage students in school beautification projects and educational activities, making the learning environment more vibrant and stimulating.
Beyond these projects, the organization also offers career counseling and college prep workshops to help students envision and plan for their future success.
Impact: Improves student attendance, graduation rates, and college admission rates among participants.
Visit their website for more – https://www.publicolor.org/
Youth
Each year, more than six million young people receive treatment for severe mental, emotional, or behavioral problems. Strong evidence shows us how to prevent many behavioral health problems before they emerge.
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Family violence
Assaults by parents, intimate partners, and adult children frequently result in serious injury and even death. Proven interventions can prevent abuse, identify abuse sooner, break the cycle of violence, or find safe alternatives.
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11 Nonprofits That Help Kids
Where you can give your time, resources, and attention to help today’s youth and tomorrow’s world.
Visit their website for more – https://www.shondaland.com/act/g42168441/11-nonprofits-that-help-kids/
Mission: Committed to ending poverty and helping children fulfill their potential.
Initiatives: A major player among youth nonprofits, Children International delivers comprehensive health care, educational support, and life skills development in impoverished communities globally.
Beyond these core services, this youth nonprofit also engages in advocacy and policy work to address systemic barriers that affect the well-being and future prospects of young people in these regions.
Impact: Serves more than 200,000 children in 10 countries, providing tools for health, education, empowerment, and employment.
These 10 organizations stand as beacons of hope and empowerment for at-risk youth, leading a global effort to transform lives and communities.
By providing a diverse range of programs, from mentorship initiatives to educational support and mental health services, these youth nonprofits are instrumental in helping young individuals navigate challenges and realize their full potential.
Through innovative approaches and personalized care, they create pathways to success and instill a sense of resilience and self-belief in the youth they serve.
Moreover, these at-risk youth nonprofits contribute significantly to the fabric of society by fostering inclusivity, promoting equity, and addressing systemic issues that impact vulnerable populations.
Their impact extends beyond individual transformations, as they play a vital role in building stronger, more cohesive communities where every young person has the opportunity to thrive and contribute positively to society.
Visit their website for more – https://www.children.org/
8 Charitable Organizations That Support Families in Need
Visit their website for more – https://www.whattoexpect.com/family/charities-for-families
Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly, LBFE, a non-profit organization, has been working to end loneliness and social isolation among older people in the United States for more than 60 years.
Visit their website for more – https://lbfenetwork.org/
Everyone needs social connections to survive and thrive. But as people age, they often find themselves spending more time alone. Being alone may leave older adults more vulnerable to loneliness and social isolation, which can affect their health and well-being. Studies show that loneliness and social isolation are associated with higher risks for health problems such as heart disease, depression, and cognitive decline.
If you are in poor health, you may be more likely to be socially isolated or lonely. If you are socially isolated or feeling lonely, it can put your physical and mental health at risk. Adults who are lonely or socially isolated tend to be less healthy, have longer hospital stays, are readmitted to the hospital more often, and are more likely to die earlier than those with meaningful and supportive social connections.
Visit their website for more – https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/loneliness-and-social-isolation/loneliness-and-social-isolation-tips-staying-connected
The Coalition to End Social Isolation & Loneliness (CESIL) has the mission to bring together a diverse set of national organizations including consumer groups, health plans, healthcare providers, technology innovators, patient advocates, and more to develop and advocate for federal policy solutions to address the epidemic of social isolation and loneliness. Our efforts span a wide range of activities – developing and advocating for federal and state policy solutions, leading public awareness activations in Washington D.C. and across the nation, and disseminating research findings that help to inform our collective effort.
Visit their website for more – https://www.endsocialisolation.org/
At the Foundation for Social Connection (F4SC) we are advancing social connection nation-wide rooted in evidence for our collective well-being. Our work translates research into practice, creates long-lasting partnerships and convening opportunities for field builders, and prioritizes social connection as a national value powered by lived experiences.
Visit their website for more – https://www.social-connection.org/
Social Isolation
Social isolation is a silent killer, as dangerous to health as smoking. Our challenge is to educate the public on this health hazard, encourage health and human service professionals to address social isolation, and promote effective ways to deepen social connections and community for people of all ages.
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Changing environment
Climate change and urban development threaten health, undermine coping, and deepen existing social and environmental inequities. A changing global environment requires transformative social responses: new partnerships, deep engagement with local communities, and innovations to strengthen individual and collective assets.
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It comes as no surprise that the healthiest and most biodiverse ecosystems are on lands and within waters cared for by Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities around the world. They’ve always known how to care for our planet.
These are our partners. They have personal knowledge of the lands and waters where they’ve always lived. They know their communities. They know how to translate and apply regenerative principles in their unique intersectional context of people, culture, geography, and history. Working shoulder-to-shoulder with them to expand on the life-sustaining practices they have held for millennia, we know we can make an outsized impact on the climate and biodiversity crises.
Visit their website for more – https://homeplanetfund.org/
Transportation, plastic pollution, clothing and consumer products… all these things and more are contributors to ongoing environmental degradation on a global scale. But one (very large) contributor doesn’t always get the attention it deserves – food systems.
The rise of industrialized agriculture in the 1900’s paved the way for clear cutting trees, spraying chemicals and fertilizers, polluting freshwater sources… all in an effort to produce more food. The result has been catastrophic for our environment. Today, food systems are leading causes of greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, desertification, water pollution, and species loss.
Visit their website for more – https://trees.org/
“To coalesce the emerging science on soil’s relationship to climate change and tell the world about a possibility to not simply slow down this threat, but reverse it.”
The Carbon Underground is an umbrella organization responsible for communicating and educating the world. They educate people about the power of healthy soil to combat climate change. They also help facilitate the transition of enough farms and grasslands globally to restore a healthy climate.
According to the UN, mismanagement of soil has resulted in a loss of as much as 70% of topsoil worldwide. We have as little as sixty years left before the terrestrial foundation for feeding the planet is gone, according to a prediction by the UN. Destroying the soil is also having a massive impact on climate change.
To help solve this issue, The Carbon Underground focuses on the following key areas:
- Corporate Impact,
- Education & Training,
- Policy,
- Communications, and
- Adopt-a-Meter.
Visit their website for more – https://thecarbonunderground.org/
Technology for social benefit
Innovative applications of new digital technology present opportunities for social and human services to reach more people with greater impact, to more strategically target social spending, speed up the development of effective programs, and bring a wider array of help to more individuals and communities.
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Mass incarceration
The United States has the world’s largest proportion of people behind bars. Our challenge is to develop a proactive, comprehensive, evidence-based “smart decarceration” strategy that will dramatically reduce the number of people who are imprisoned and enable the nation to embrace a more effective and just approach to public safety.
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Visit their website for more – https://www.womenandprison.org/
Visit their website for more – https://www.sentencingproject.org/
Visit their website for more – https://networklobby.org/
As a leading voice among financial literacy nonprofits, Jump$tart Coalition is committed to improving the financial literacy of youth from pre-kindergarten through college. They provide a wealth of advocacy, research, and educational resources, aiming for a future where every individual possesses the financial capability to realize their dreams.
Jump$tart Coalition’s approach to improving financial literacy among the youth is multifaceted, incorporating advocacy, research, and educational initiatives.
Visit their website for more – https://www.jumpstart.org/
NFCC stands out among financial literacy nonprofits for its comprehensive approach to promoting financial health. Offering a range of services, including debt counseling and financial education, NFCC has a longstanding commitment to helping individuals achieve financial stability and independence.
The organization’s certified counselors provide personalized advice and actionable strategies to help clients manage and reduce their debt. This service is not just about alleviating immediate financial stress; it’s about equipping individuals with the knowledge and tools they need to avoid similar pitfalls in the future.
Visit their website for more – https://www.nfcc.org/
This nonprofit stands out for its focus on delivering customized financial workshops to various groups, promoting financial responsibility and independence. My Money Workshop exemplifies how financial literacy nonprofits can tailor their offerings to meet specific community needs.
The key to My Money Workshop’s success lies in its commitment to understanding the specific financial challenges and objectives of various demographics. This can include students, young adults, low-income families, immigrants, or elderly individuals, each facing distinct financial situations.
Visit their website for more – https://mymoneyworkshop.org/
The Coalition for the Homeless is a 501(3)(c) non-profit organization that provides temporary housing, food, case management, substance abuse counseling, employment placement assistance and housing placement assistance.
Visit their website for more – https://dccfh.org/
Financial insecurity
Throughout the lifespan, fuller engagement in education and paid and unpaid productive activities can generate a wealth of benefits, including better health and well-being, greater financial security, and a more vital society.
Nearly half of all American households are financially insecure, without adequate savings to meet basic living expenses for three months. We can significantly reduce economic hardship and the debilitating effects of poverty by adopting social policies that bolster lifelong income generation and safe retirement accounts; expand workforce training and re-training; and provide financial literacy and access to quality affordable financial services.
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Economic inequality
The top 1 percent owns nearly half of the total wealth in the United States, while one in five children live in poverty. We can correct the broad inequality of wealth and income through a variety of innovative means related to wages and tax benefits associated with capital gains, retirement accounts, and home ownership.
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Mission: Action NC’s mission is to confront and reduce the root causes of poverty, underdevelopment, and social and economic inequality through grassroots education, training, organization and mobilization.
We organize in poor and working-income communities full of talented and committed people looking for an opportunity to work together to build a stronger and more secure future. We reach out to them in a variety of ways to offer them the opportunity to join, organize, fight, and win.
Visit their website for more – https://actionnc.org/
Oxfam is a global organization that fights inequality to end poverty and injustice. Let’s build a more equal future—together.
We believe in equality.
That’s it. Plain and simple.
Not the everyone-gets-the-same-slice-of-pie kind of equal, but the let’s-share-the-recipe-so-there’s-enough-for-everyone kind of equal.
We want:
Equal treatment free from discrimination
Equal rights under the law
Equal opportunities to build a life and thrive
For everyone.
For far too long, we’ve let a privileged few determine how the rest of us live. Poverty and injustice are the consequences, the result of human action and inaction. But if together we refuse to accept an unequal world, and hold decision makers accountable, a radically better world is within our grasp.
That better world is
clean water
good food
a safe home
a fair wage
a livable planet
for everyone.
That is the power of an equal future full of potential. Full of hope.
Visit their website for more – https://www.oxfamamerica.org/
Stand Together is a philanthropic community that helps America’s boldest changemakers tackle the root causes of our country’s biggest problems, from education to the economy, broken communities, and toxic division, among dozens of other pressing issues. We provide our partners with access to resources including funding, a unique network of peers, and a playbook for applying proven principles to transform lives and society.
Visit their website for more – https://standtogether.org/
Growing inequality is prompting more and more research and advocacy groups to focus on issues of income and wealth distribution.
Visit their website for more – https://inequality.org/
Centuries of thoughtlessly or intentionally designed policies and practices have kept people of color from building wealth, and the result is a racial wealth divide that is growing by the day. The Racial Wealth Divide Initiative is working to stem the tide.
Visit their website for more – https://prosperitynow.org/racial-wealth-divide-initiative
Equal opportunity and justice
Historic and current prejudice and injustice bars access to success in education and employment. Addressing racial and social injustices, deconstructing stereotypes, dismantling inequality, exposing unfair practices, and accepting the super diversity of the population will advance this challenge.
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Girls and women support
Discover ways to support Girls and women through educational resources, videos, and professional insights.
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When she thrives, we thrive
Education is a fundamental right for girls across the world, unlocking each girl’s power to create the future she envisions for herself.
Their success ripples outward, lifting families out of poverty, driving economic growth, and fostering resilience in the face of global challenges like climate change.
Girls’ education creates a better, more equitable world for everyone.
Yet, for girls from the most disadvantaged communities in rural Africa, the chances of securing an education are almost non-existent. Out of every 100 girls from poor families, just five will complete secondary school.
Visit their website for more – https://camfed.org/
Refuge for Women, since 2009, offers healing and hope to survivors of trafficking. Through long-term care and support, they empower women to overcome trauma, fostering a path towards restoration and independence.
Year Founded: 2009
Visit their website for more – https://www.refugeforwomen.org/
Founded in 1989, York Street Project empowers economically disadvantaged women and children. Through education, housing, and childcare programs, they break the cycle of poverty, fostering independence and resilience.
Year Founded: 1989
Visit their website for more – https://yorkstreetproject.org/
The world has seen rapid growth in the number of people living with Alzheimer’s. Findings reveal that more than 6 million people of all ages suffer from the disease in the United States alone.
Aging in conjunction with Alzheimer’s can be tough on your parents’ general wellness, especially if they don’t receive in-time adequate care and medical attention.
Whether you are looking for reliable sources to stay prepared or in the middle of the transitional process guiding your parents through the later stages of life smoothly, the AFA is your best bet. The AFA provides valuable information and practical assistance for not only those affected by Alzheimer’s disease but also their caregivers and family members.
Since its establishment in 2002, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) has been striving to achieve its one goal: bringing Alzheimer’s to light and relieving the burden of the devastating disease on senior citizens across the country through innovative, senior-friendly programs and nationwide free screening programs made accessible in all states.
The Foundation also works to distribute a full range of helpful information, provides training to caregivers, and offers specific services. The AFA is also the world’s largest funder for research and projects on finding a better cure and good management strategies for dementia.
Visit their website for more – https://alzfdn.org/
Retirement might mean many things to your parents. But at the same time, they may feel unsure about what is waiting for them ahead with too much time on their hands. Although your support goes a long way, it may be difficult to fully understand the feelings that come with that stage of life.
The best-known American Association of Retired People (AARP) was founded by a retired teacher, Ethel Percy Andrus. The AARP advocates for seniors’ rights and supports them in maintaining their lives as comfortably as possible following retirement.
It provides various services that greatly benefit 50-year-old seniors, such as caregiving, financial assistance, social activities, health-related services, special discounts, health insurance programs, and more. So AARP could be an abundant source for you to guide your parents through retirement at greater ease and flexibility once they enroll in the program.
Visit their website for more – https://www.aarp.org/
Malnutrition is considered a leading cause of degrading seniors’ quality of life, leaving them more vulnerable to heightened risks of falls, possible hospitalization, and higher fatality rates. All seniors require proper nutrition to function well and proceed with their lives, especially if they are living independently. But running errands and shopping for groceries, though sounds enjoyable for younger people, turns out to be an uphill battle for seniors.
If you know someone needing help accessing proper meals every day, Meals on Wheels may be what you should look into. From a small group of volunteers dedicated to delivering meals to the doorsteps for seniors who couldn’t leave their homes, Meals on Wheels today has become one of the largest and oldest foundations, with more than 5,000 offices across the country.
It focuses on solving hunger and improving senior citizens’ health and quality of life by distributing congregate meals or operating meal delivery services at considerably modest fees. Moreover, they also set up specific programs that help seniors regain financial balance.
Visit their website for more – https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/
Seniors
Discover ways to support seniors through educational resources, videos, and professional insights.
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Family and Children
Discover ways to support families and children through educational resources, videos, and professional insights.
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ALSC ‘s former Building Partnerships Committee developed the following list of national organizations who serve children and youth and who share similar goals to ALSC. Below you will find links to these national organizations and perhaps find a local chapter that can assist you in your work with children and youth in your area. Is your national organization focused on serving children and youth and are you interested in potentially entering into a liaison relationship with ALSC?
Visit their website for more – https://www.ala.org/alsc/aboutalsc/external-relationships/organizations
11 Nonprofits That Help Kids
Where you can give your time, resources, and attention to help today’s youth and tomorrow’s world.
Visit their website for more – https://www.shondaland.com/act/g42168441/11-nonprofits-that-help-kids/
8 Charitable Organizations That Support Families in Need
Visit their website for more – https://www.whattoexpect.com/family/charities-for-families
Covenant House helps youth in need overcome homelessness and human trafficking by providing shelter, unconditional love, and relentless support
Visit their website for more – https://www.covenanthouse.org/
he National Alliance to End Homelessness is a nonpartisan organization committed to preventing and ending homelessness in the United States.
Visit their website for more – https://endhomelessness.org/
The Partnership to End Homelessness brings together local government, nonprofit service providers, advocates, philanthropy, business leaders, and individuals to ensure everyone has housing they can afford and supportive services they need to stabilize.
Visit their website for more – https://www.thecommunityfoundation.org/partnership-to-end-homelessness
The Coalition for the Homeless is a 501(3)(c) non-profit organization that provides temporary housing, food, case management, substance abuse counseling, employment placement assistance and housing placement assistance.
Visit their website for more – https://dccfh.org/
Entryway, founded in 2012, focuses on preventing and addressing homelessness. Through outreach, education, and resource navigation, they work to ensure individuals have the support needed to secure stable housing.
Year Founded: 2012
Visit their website for more – https://entrywaytalent.org/
Since 1953, Bay Area Community Services addresses homelessness, mental health, and substance use issues. Through innovative programs, they strive to create lasting solutions, promoting wellness and stability in the Bay Area community.
Year Founded: 1953
Visit their website for more – https://www.bayareacs.org/
Homelessness
Learn about homelessness and how to tackle this challenge.
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Housing
Learn about housing. Access articles, videos, and expert advice to navigate these issues effectively.
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Breakthrough, founded in 1992, focuses on housing those in need. They provide transitional and permanent supportive housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Chicago’s Garfield Park community.
Year Founded: 1992
Visit their website for more – https://breakthrough.org/
Everyone deserves the safety and security of home. But right now, in places like Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine, conflict and disaster have left millions of families living in temporary shelters, lacking basic supplies and in urgent need of emergency aid.
The IRC is there, working in over 40 countries to provide rapid relief like food, water and medical care where it’s needed most, along with the critical long-term support families need to survive, recover and rebuild their lives.
Visit their website for more – https://help.rescue.org/
We are a multicultural, community-based organization committed to empowering immigrants and refugees.
At ECDC, we believe in the capacity that newcomers have to make positive contributions to improve the lives of others. For the past four decades, we have been assisting refugees and immigrants to rebuild their lives as productive, self-sufficient, and integrated members of their new communities.
Visit their website for more – https://www.ecdcus.org/
Driven by the belief in human dignity and the intrinsic value of every individual.
For more than 85 years, Global Refuge (formerly Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service) has provided the resources, guidance, and community to help forge a way forward for New Americans. We’re committed to helping people reimagine the possibilities while providing a soft place to land.
With more than 1,000 partners and 50,000 volunteers, we are the largest faith-based national nonprofit exclusively dedicated to helping restore a sense of home to immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees. Since 1939, we’ve built a legacy of compassion by walking alongside more than 750,000 new neighbors as they rebuild their lives in the United States.
Visit their website for more – https://www.globalrefuge.org/
Welcoming the Newcomer
Immigrant and Refugee Services
Catholic Charities helps newcomers become self-sufficient and productive members of American society by offering a combination of legal immigration consultation and representation, English-language instruction, other adult education programs, workforce development training, naturalization assistance, bilingual community education, and refugee resettlement and assistance services.
Visit their website for more –https://www.ccda.net/need-help/immigrants-and-refugees/
Immigration
Learn about immigration challenges and solutions. Access articles, videos, and expert advice to navigate these issues effectively.
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