42 LGBTQ Lives for my 42nd Birthday!
You can't measure the value of a life, but we do know how much it costs to save one!
Project Description
I almost didn’t make it to my 37th birthday. I had spent years knowing something didn’t feel right about me, feeling like I never fit in, I didn’t belong. No one around me had that impression. I was married, had 4 beautiful kids, loads of friends, and was a valued member of my church community. Yet even when I was surrounded by love, I felt crushingly alone.
When even the pseudoscience of conversion therapy didn’t work, I thought I was beyond broken. I became increasingly convinced that I didn’t deserve my kids or my beautiful life and I created a plan to end it.
I am here today because a friend reached out. She asked questions, she listened. And in the end, she told me “You think taking your own life will stop the pain. But it doesn’t. It just spreads it around.” I immediately thought of my children. I was able to reach out and receive help.
We know that the rate of suicide in the LGBTQ community is skyrocketing. We know that like most people, LGBTQ youth will talk to their friends before they talk to a stranger about their struggles. Unfortunately, many people feel they need to keep this secret. They need to hold this pain for their friend and it weighs on them both.
The Pride and Joy Foundation recognizes this reality and is now hosting workshops to train LGBTQ youth and college-aged adults on how to intervene confidently. Similar to a CPR class, workshop participants learn how to assess risk, how to ask the right questions, how to listen, and how to create an intervention plan. Are they doctors or therapists? No. But like someone giving chest compressions, they know how to help and they’re in the right place at the right time.
Research tells us that 23% of college students know someone struggling with suicidal thoughts. That means at each 25 person workshop, the Pride and Joy Foundation can save 6 lives.
I’m turning 42 this year. And for the luxury of celebrating another birthday, I want to save 42 lives. That means 7 workshops. The total cost of saving 42 lives is $4,690. Would you like to help me?
Updates
The Campaign FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Is my donation tax-deductible? Yes! The Pride and Joy Foundation is a 501(c)3 charity, registered with the IRS. If you do not receive your receipt (acknowledgement letter) via email within 48 hours, please email me directly at [email protected].
- What is the cost of one workshop? The total cost to host one workshop is $670. That pays for two LGBTQ facilitators as well as all of the prep time, communication to schedule, technology fees, etc.
- How do you know that you'll impact 42 lives in 7 workshops? This study done in 2020 tells us that 23% of all college students know someone struggling with suicidal thoughts. In 7 workshops we can empower 175 LGBTQ students to strongly support the 42 people in their lives that are experiencing suicidal thoughts.
"Visibility is Life"
Kristen and I designed this shirt just for this fundraiser, this will be the only time it's available. Kristen will silkscreen each shirt by hand. Then I'll blow kisses on it as we send it on it's way to it's new home. Jk, Jk. About the kisses part. The rest is true.
I say it in almost every interview I do. I can give you dozens of examples to prove it true. Just know that the moments you are visible and feel the most vulnerable, that's when you are giving life to someone else. When we are visible, we're telling LGBTQ youth they have something beautiful to live for. Thank you for helping me save 42 LGBTQ lives with the Pride and Joy suicide prevention workshops.
Just Because I Care
Do you love getting a real card in the mail? I do! For any donation at least $10, you deserve a card! I'll pick one out or design one just for you and actually write something inside. It's old school and it's awesome.
When my oldest went off to college, he wanted something to wear on his backpack to make sure others knew he was an ally. So Kristen and I designed this pin and sent him one. He said all his new college buddies wanted some too. Then my 12 year old daughter insisted she and her friends needed some as well. For any donation over $25, you can be as cool as those kids. Except cooler, because you helped save 42 lives.
Did you know I wrote a journal?! I did! You can even find it on Amazon books. But you can get your copy with any $50 donation or more. I'll even write a personalized thank you note inside because your support really does mean so much to me.
Rewards
"Visibility is Life"
Kristen and I designed this shirt just for this fundraiser, this will be the only time it's available. Kristen will silkscreen each shirt by hand. Then I'll blow kisses on it as we send it on it's way to it's new home. Jk, Jk. About the kisses part. The rest is true.
I say it in almost every interview I do. I can give you dozens of examples to prove it true. Just know that the moments you are visible and feel the most vulnerable, that's when you are giving life to someone else. When we are visible, we're telling LGBTQ youth they have something beautiful to live for. Thank you for helping me save 42 LGBTQ lives with the Pride and Joy suicide prevention workshops.
Just Because I Care
Do you love getting a real card in the mail? I do! For any donation at least $10, you deserve a card! I'll pick one out or design one just for you and actually write something inside. It's old school and it's awesome.
When my oldest went off to college, he wanted something to wear on his backpack to make sure others knew he was an ally. So Kristen and I designed this pin and sent him one. He said all his new college buddies wanted some too. Then my 12 year old daughter insisted she and her friends needed some as well. For any donation over $25, you can be as cool as those kids. Except cooler, because you helped save 42 lives.
Did you know I wrote a journal?! I did! You can even find it on Amazon books. But you can get your copy with any $50 donation or more. I'll even write a personalized thank you note inside because your support really does mean so much to me.