Reviews for a Cause Recipient: The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project was founded 25 years ago to respond to a suicide public health crisis disproportionately affecting LGBTQ+ young people. Even today, the crisis remains complex and far-reaching, with data showing that LGBTQ+ young people remain more than four times more likely to attempt suicide than their peers. Suicide currently ranks as the second leading cause of death among all young people in the U.S. Offering programs from 24/7 crisis services to peer support and advocacy, The Trevor Project aims to create a world where all LGBTQ+ young people see a bright future for themselves.

Protect Our Winters (POW)

Protect Our Winters helps passionate outdoor people protect the places we live and lifestyles we love from climate change. They are a community of athletes, scientists, creatives, and business leaders advancing non-partisan policies that protect our world today and for future generations. Whether you want your  grandchildren to be able to experience the joys of winter sports, or  you just  want them to inherit a planet with cleaner air, water and less extreme weather, the work Protect Our Winters is doing to help achieve carbon neutrality by mid-century will make that future possible.

Children’s National Hospital, Cardiac ICU

Children’s National Hospital, based in Washington, D.C., celebrates more than 150 years of pediatric care, research and commitment to the community. It is among the nation’s top 10 children’s hospitals and is ranked No. 1 for newborn care. Helping over 200,000 unique patients every year, Children’s National is transforming pediatric medicine for all children. In 2021, the Children’s National Research & Innovation Campus opened, the first in the nation dedicated to pediatric research. 

Foster Based Rescue

Rescue Gang has been saving animals since 2015. They provide medical care and find forever homes for abandoned and neglected animals through their foster care program. Rescue Gang’s goal is to rescue at least 400 animals annually.

Rescue Gang operates out of foster homes, rather than having animals live in small kennels. They have a strict no surrender policy unless it is an emergency situation to be able to focus our efforts on lowering euthanasia rates in shelters.  

Sources: Rescue Gang; ASPCA

In Relentless Pursuit Of A Cure

Cystic fibrosis is a progressive, genetic disease that causes long-lasting lung infections and limits the ability to breathe over time.

Cystic Fibrosis affects people of every racial and ethnic group, and more than 30,000 children and adults in the United States alone are currently living with the disease. Data shows that individuals in developed nations born between 2015 and 2019 are predicted to live up to 46-years old (up more than 20 years since the 1980s). However, that prediction for those in developing countries can be as low as 15.

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation works to fund and advance research that leads to better treatment and ultimately a cure. The foundation’s mission is to “provide all people with CF the opportunity to lead long, fulfilling lives by funding research and drug development, partnering with the CF community, and advancing high-quality, specialized care.

Supporting Stroke Prevention & Recovery

Stroke is the No. 2 cause of death worldwide and a leading cause of disability. The American Stroke Association is a relentless force for a healthier world with fewer strokes. They team with millions of volunteers to prevent, treat and beat stroke by funding innovative research, fighting for stronger public health policies, and providing lifesaving tools and information.

Supporting African American Adoption

This year, UpCity has chosen to work with The Sayers Center for African American Adoption. In 1994, Chicago-area adoption agency The Cradle recognized the need to give expectant women of color a greater choice of adoptive families and launched its African American Infant Adoption Program. In 1999, the program was renamed in honor of Cradle adoptive dad, legendary Chicago Bears running back, and NFL Hall of Famer Gale Sayers and his wife, Ardythe.

The Sayers Center is one of the only programs in the country that promotes adoption awareness specifically within the African American community. The Sayers Center is near-and-dear to UpCity SVP of Product & Marketing Heidi Sullivan’s heart; she adopted her son David through the program in 2015.

How Is Meals On Wheels Helping With The COVID-19 Crisis?

For UpCity’s 2020 Local Excellence campaign, we have selected a charity that is taking direct action to support those most at-risk during our nation’s COVID-19 crisis. Not only does Meals on Wheels provide valuable services year-round, but they are taking extra care to support our elderly community members during this unprecedented time.