Hey John,

Do you remember the first time a book changed your opinion of an issue? Or if a character in a story ever made you feel seen in ways media, school, and your environment couldn't? We know books and stories are some of the most important tools we have to understand ourselves and the world around us - but the current political environment is rife with book banning, school censorship, and policies that put LGBTQ+ youth in harm’s way.

That's why Advocates for Youth has a new project: Hope in a Box! Hope in a Box is built on the idea that LGBTQ+-inclusive books can cultivate empathy and ensure every LGBTQ+ student feels safe, welcome, and included at school. After years of equipping educators with books, curriculum, training, and mentorship, the founders of Hope in a Box have entrusted Advocates for Youth to take on the project!

This partnership fits in perfectly with the work Advocates for Youth already does to ensure that in classrooms across the country, LGBTQ+ youth are safe, welcomed, and celebrated for who they are — and that they find representation in classroom materials.

We are honored to take over the project from its amazing founders to expand this work by making Hope in a Box’s curated book list, curriculum guides, and toolkits available to hundreds of additional school libraries and Language Arts classes.

Take a moment today to learn more about Hope in a Box:

• Check out the curated book list
• Teachers, apply for Hope in a Box in your classroom
• Donate to help ensure LGBTQ young people are safe and supported in classrooms.

Thanks so much,

Armonte Butler
Associate Director, LGBTQ Health & Rights
Advocates for Youth