National Give OUT Day.

LGBTQ communities and allies from across the country will come together in a 24-hour day of giving to raise critically- needed funds to support LGBTQ nonprofits of all types, including community centers, arts groups, youth organizations, organizers, clinics, student clubs, sports leagues and more. National Give OUT Day will run from 12:01 AM to 11:59 PM on Thursday, May 21st.

Our goal for this exciting fundraising event is $6,500, which will go directly to providing hot meals for our young people during daily programs and provide food for the food pantry. This goal would support meals for one full year for the LGBTQ youth (ages 13-23) we serve.

"Many of our young people don't have access to regular meals, let alone hot meals," said Cindy Watson, Executive Director of JASMYN. "The hot meals our youth receive at JASMYN are often the only hot meal they receive in a day. And they do much more than provide basic nutrition. Sharing a meal fosters a sense of community, a feeling of belonging, which is so important for many of them. It also sends the message that there are adults in our community who care about them and their well-being. You can't imagine what an impact this has on them."

As we approach the 21st, look for announcements and reminders on social media, at live events and other activities. A visit to the  JASMYN profile on the Give OUT Day site provides a donation page where you can make a donation. Special prize giveaways and other contests will run throughout the day and local bars, restaurants and other retail establishments are planning specials where they will make donations to us based on purchases.
 

In addition to donations, we're asking for everyone to share our social media messages to help spread the word about Give OUT Day! Use #JASMYNGiveOUT2015. We really need your help - just like these good friends of JASMYN:

       
 We hope you will all join in and help raise money to feed our youth. More information is available on the JASMYN website.

JASMYN youth, friends, alumni and community supporters packed the Karpeles Manuscript Museum recently for the 2015 JASMYN Alternative Prom where they danced, ate, watched peer performances and, celebrated being themselves. With 189 young people in attendance, it was the largest prom in our history!

The JASMYN prom gives our youth a chance to be who they are, dress how they want, and bring who they want.  It's a group of young people who are celebrating themselves and having fun around accepting adults who are having just as much fun as they are.

In fact, for many JASMYN youth, it is the only prom they'll attend because they feel uncomfortable attending the high school-sponsored events.

 Thanks to the many volunteers and sponsors who helped to make this event for our youth possible. You've helped them make memories that will last a lifetime.