End Poverty Now Organization
End Poverty Now (also referred to as EPN) is a non-partisan, non-political, non-religious, non-profit organization that is dedicated to the long-term battle against abject poverty. End Poverty Now represents a group of dedicated individuals, mainly students, who want to make a difference in the world and seek to actively engage in this struggle with the aim of alleviating and eliminating global poverty. EPN operates upon a tri-pillar base: education and information, lobbying, and grassroots development initiatives.
Education
End Poverty Now works hard to educate every-day citizens AbOUT the realities of global poverty. EPN's website (www.endpovertynow.ca) operates as a portal of information and education about the cause of poverty. The website includes organizational updates, membership opportunities, an electronic copy of our newsletter and academic journal, as well as media and other resources from across the world that look to address poverty as a Global Issue. Multiple Educational Initiatives have originated from within the organization. EPN's academic journal, Means to An End is published yearly and relies on submissions from university students and professors from across the country. The newletter, the "EPN Monthly" features an eclectic mix of informative articles, special pieces and reports, as well as a list of the upcoming EPN events. Raising awareness about the severity of abject poverty is essential to subsequent education and action. EPN has helped organize several concerts in the Montreal area to raise awareness about poverty, as well as photo exhibitions at McGill University and will soon release educational Podcasts on iTunes. Other educational events include wine and cheeses, presentations, guest speakers, etc. As such, it is no surprise that End Poverty Now has received significant media attention with Executive Director Nejeed Kassam featuring on CBC Radio One, his presenting at the Canadian Millennium Scholarship Conference in Ottawa, as well as spotlight articles in both the McGill Tribune and the Montreal Mirror.
Lobbying
While End Poverty Now remains committed to developing original and effective policies and IDeaS in their efforts to eliminate abject poverty, they recognize the importance of recruiting and supporting other organizations worldwide to fight against poverty. Accordingly, End Poverty Now strongly supports the Make Poverty History Campaign, which dominates the lobbying aspect of the organization. As part of their commitment to this campaign, they contribute in the selling of white 'Make Poverty History' wrist bands, as well as attending and hosting Make Poverty History events. In the future, EPN hopes to expand their lobbying to include other anti-poverty campaigns. [...]
Grassroots Development, Redistribution and Volunteering
End Poverty Now works with numerous organizations across the world doing grassroots developmental poverty work. In these direct initiatives, they work closely with numerous organizations across North America and across the world to raise awareness, support and finances for these organizations; their projects provide support and access to funds and resources that many of these organizations would otherwise be unable to receive. EPN is involved in short term, as well as Long term initiatives, both at home and abroad. Working closer to home, EPN facilitates numerous local volunteer oppertunities in Canada. Further, as the organization was founded by students, EPN is dedicated to help foster leadership and provide opportunities for young people who want to join in the fight against poverty. In this respect, all of the redistribution projects are coupled with short and longer-term internships that allow EPN members to actively engage in grassroots work. Similarly, EPN offers a scholarship to help assist students in taking initiatives and doing work in poverty-related fields. The yearly scholarship allows students to receive up to $5000 in funding for their dedication and efforts towards the global poverty struggle.