No More Lonely Youth

You matter.

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For most of my childhood & even into my college years, I was no stranger to feeling alone. I was bullied in school for having an incarcerated parent, I was isolated in my grief when I had lost a boyfriend to suicide, & I was deserted by people when all I needed was understanding the most. I was no stranger to feeling alone. For so long, & especially in the past 3 years, all I had searched for was a place of belonging & a place where I mattered. I was just an 18-year-old girl when it felt like I had lost my whole world & I was just 18 when I thought there wasn’t more to my story. I had lost hope, I had lost meaning, & I had lost purpose. However, that’s when Only7Seconds stepped in. At a time when I didn’t feel like I could make it one more day, they reminded me that there were weeks, months, & years I hadn’t even experienced yet. They showed me I mattered even when I felt like I wasn’t enough & they gave me a place to share my story even when I wanted it to be over. Their heart & their mission saved & changed my life. 

You may be reading this thinking my experience is unique but the reality is, I was & am not alone in feeling lonely. It has been reported that up to 80% of Gen Z have felt lonely in their life & Only7Seconds is continuously fighting to break those statistics. Their mission is all about creating a world where loneliness doesn’t exist & I want to do my part in helping. 

If you are able, I am asking if you can join me in helping fundraise for this nonprofit & their efforts. Until June 15th, I am looking to fundraise $1,000 towards their “No More Lonely Campaign,” & absolutely anything helps! Whether it’s one penny, one dollar, or a hundred of them, you’re helping remind others there is more to their story! This organization, its staff, and its mission have truly changed the trajectory of my life & I pray that one day I too can extend such kindness & hope to others as they did to me.