Karlo Barrios Marcelo, a member of Advocates for Youth Board of Directors, wrote this article about his work with Advocates for Social Citizens. 

When I was growing up in the Chicago suburbs in the eighties, I used to write letters (yes, with paper and pen) to my grandmother who lived in the Philippines; it was the cheapest way to keep in touch across a big ocean. Additionally, I got to practice my cursive writing (curse it!).

Of course, today, I wouldn’t touch pen and paper unless an electrical storm wiped out all my electronic equipment. I am a Millennial to be sure. You already know that Millennials are tech savvy and love their devices. So the solution is simple if you need to ask this generation for a charitable donation, right? Simply email, text, Facebook, or Tweet your way to younger supporters and ask them for cash, and the money will simply roll in via your online donation solution. Ha, if that were only the case.

The truth of the matter is that successful fundraising still very much hinges on personal relationships and impassioned supporters.

Here’s how one organization is thinking creatively to grow a Millennial generation donor list from scratch – and you can, too!

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Airial Clark, M.A. is a San Francisco Bay Area-based parenting expert and the founder of The Sex-Positive Parent.

It’s a funny thing to hear some parents say, “My kid is never having sex. Ever. Lalalalalala,” and then they put their hands over the ears, shut their eyes and shake their head. It’s especially odd when these parents are comfortable with their own sexuality. These are people who have healthy sexual relationships and enjoy sex. But then, when it comes to educating their own kids, they shut down. It is really difficult to be a sex-negative person while being a sex-positive parent. Unfortunately, it’s very easy to be a sex-positive person while still being a sex-negative parent.

A lot of parents get stuck on how to talk positively about sex without endorsing sexual activity. The assumption is that if we, as parents, talk about how wonderful sex can be, our kids will start to experiment too early, or that they’ll become too knowledgeable for their own good. The fear is also that if we bring up sexuality before our kids are having sex, we’re overstepping a boundary; that we are somehow ruining their innocence. I like to point out that there is a big difference between innocent and ignorance.

Urooj Arshad, Associate Director of International Youth Health and Rights, wrote this op-ed for The Advocate. 

"As a community, we have provided countless workshops on the intersection of islamophobia and homophobia/transphobia, marched in pride parades to show our visibility, helped folks get asylum, provided spiritual counseling, and developed and advocated for scholarship that looks at Islam in the context of LGBT issues. We have built retreat spaces that bring together LGBT Muslims to discuss spiritual life, religious texts, anti-oppression; and yes, we even had a speed dating event this year.

Most importantly, we have changed the discourse that looks at LGBT Muslims as if they are non-religious, somehow outside the realm of mainstream Muslim life, somehow not impacted by Islamophobia, somehow not quite able to be both LGBT and Muslim. And as we continue to change the discourse, I am proud of how much the movement has grown and truly reflects the LGBT Muslim community."

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Abby Rosenstein, Advocates' Program Manager of School Health Equity, is interviewed on teach.com this week about abstinence education vs. comprehensive sexual health education.

"Exemplary sex education provides honest, accurate sexual health information and builds skills among young people to make healthy, informed decisions. It provides young people with information about their bodies and their health, and skills to think critically, negotiate confidently and build healthy and mutually respectful relationships throughout their lives. It is inclusive of all young people and their families; it does not stigmatize GLBTQ people, teen parents, single parents or sexually active youth. Great sex education requires well-trained educators who are knowledgeable, comfortable and interested in teaching about sexuality to young people."

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