#HangOut4Youth Challenge
Share How You #HangOut4Youth
- Post a picture to social media of your virtual happy hour, brunch, staff meeting or whatever you like, with hashtag #HangOut4Youth.
- Donate $10 using the form on this page to support marginalized LGBTQ youth through the COVID-19 crisis.
- Nominate (and tag) 3 friends to do the same or they can skip the virtual share and just donate $25 or more.
We’re all confined to our homes so no excuse that there’s no time. Be creative … the more entertaining, the better! Let’s have some fun, keep our social interactions alive, and most importantly, support our at-risk youth during this critical time of need!
HMI is the sole lifeline for many of our youth and you can truly save a life!
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Free Video Platforms to Use
Why #HangOut4Youth
We’re launching the #HangOut4Youth challenge to help raise funds for technology resources that will enable us to offer virtual and remote programs and services to our young people, in addition to subsidizing essential resources for them such as counseling, meals, homeless outreach services and more, during this time of crisis and throughout the calendar year. With schools closed because of COVID-19, it’s even more difficult for marginalized youth to access food, hygiene, programs and other vital resources that are desperately needed at this time.
Genesis of #HangOut4Youth
For many LGBTQ youth, “social distancing” and self-isolation are nothing new. This is why community is a fundamental part of all of HMI’s programs and services—we promote and encourage our young people to connect and hang out. In fact, studies show social engagement strengthens us both mentally and physically.
In this new day of “social distancing”, we thought why not invite everyone to take their interactions online, virtually, for their own mental health while supporting our hundreds of LGBTQ youth.
Why cancel your happy hour, trivia game night or brunch plans?
Just invite your friends to join you virtually.
Working from home?
Share a capture of your staff or board meeting.
Miss your best friend you haven’t seen in days?
Share a glimpse of your 1-on-1 catch-up.
Bottom line is there are no limits to what you can share …
Just show that you’re staying socially (and virtually) active and keep it PG-13, naturally! 🙂
SAMPLE CAPTION
I’m sharing my virtual dinner party in support of @hetrickmartin #LGBTQyouth through the COVID-19 crisis. I nominate @MaryH, @JimC, and @KarenP to #HangOut4Youth by sharing their virtual chat and donating $10 at www.hmi.org/hangout or they can skip the virtual share and donate $25 or more.