[HeartStrongList] Special Message from HeartStrong President Shelley Craig

[shelleycraig at heartstrong.org]

Dear HeartStrong Friends,
	I come to you with an urgent request for your help.
	HeartStrong has been serving GLBT students persecuted in religious
educational institutions since 1996.  During that time, HeartStrong has
provided outreach and support to GLBT students suffering in religious
schools around the world.  In addition to 14 outreach/educational
programs, Heartstrong has established exceptional internet outreach
projects such as exgay.com.  HeartStrong has also provided direct support
to more than 1000 current and former students.  The outreach team has
self-driven more than 350,000 miles criss-crossing the US in efforts to
reach students.
	HeartStrong has assisted groups in developing (unauthorized) GLBT alumni
organizations as well as made dozens and dozens of school visits, paving
the road to self acceptance for our students.
	More than 35,000 pieces of HeartStrong literature have been distributed
around the globe in efforts to make it simple for students to find out
about our life-saving work.
	Today, we face unparalleled challenges in this important work. As our
outreach and educational efforts continue to grow, so, too, does the
circle of people we need to help. Every day, our outreach team is
confronted with a growing number of needs – a sign that HeartStrong is
reaching more and more people who know they can turn to HeartStrong when
they are subjected to faith based anti-GLBT bullying.
	Since 1996, enrollment at religious educational institutions has exploded
by the millions.  And yet, our resources at HeartStrong have not grown
enough to meet the needs of the students in need.  In the past ten years
of work, HeartStrong has never raised a year’s budget within that year.
	That’s why I’m writing to you today. HeartStrong urgently needs your
help. Without an increase in funding, we will not be able to meet our
2008 budget. Without the help of generous donors like you, we will have
to begin saying “no,” to those who come to us seeking help – for soon
there will be nothing left to give.  We will be forced to stop our
efforts to expand our outreach efforts as religious schools both grow in
number and popularity and continue their persecution of GLBT students.
	The situation of students in these schools around the world is desperate,
and our resources are few.
	In addition to searching your heart about how you can contribute with a
monetary gift, I ask that you also consider how you can help bring new
members to our family of donors. Many of your friends and associates may
not be aware of this expansive and revolutionary outreach/educational
effort taking place in the United States and around the world.
	Your employer may also have a Matching Gift program that could prove an
invaluable resource to HeartStrong. Please take this into consideration
and think creatively about how we can work together to provide hope and
help to our students.  Many employers allow donations to HeartStrong to
be made directly from your paycheck via The United Way.  (In most cases,
you simply have to write in HeartStrong as your choice.)
	I ask that you join with HeartStrong in responding to the current budget
deficit. Please consider a special year-end gift to help us meet the
needs of our GLBT brothers and sisters.  One-time gifts and monthly
pledges are equally helpful.
        You may make your donation online at http://www.heartstrong.org by
using our secure online donation process or you can mail your gift
to HeartStrong, PO 2051, Seattle WA 98111.
	On behalf of our students, our outreach team and the board of directors,
I thank you for considering how you can help support our life-saving
work.
Gratefully,
Shelley Craig, Ph.D.
President, HeartStrong, Inc.