I Am Climate Hope touring coming to a town near you.
Kia ora team,
We have certainly not been hibernating this winter! Our updates on a couple of key events and product launches are below, so please read on and be sure to reach out to us if you have any questions.
I Am Climate Hope - coming to a town near you!
💕Care but don't despair 🌎
Our research has shown how the health of our planet and the well-being of our youth are inextricably linked. The climate emergency is now, for many young people, a key driver of anxiety and poor mental health.
To address this, myself and a team of supporters will be riding around New Zealand on UBCO e-motorbikes during the month of October to raise awareness on mental health and climate change. We're looking forward to talking about the established programmes that currently exist to successfully improve youth mental health and how our actions can make a positive difference.
We'll be stopping off in towns and cities along the route, hosting talks with support from our key partner Genesis, as well as UBCO and AraAke. Check out our tour route HERE to see how you can get involved!
Leave a Legacy
Wills Month in September serves as a reminder for New Zealanders to create or update their wills, as well as offering an opportunity to leave a legacy for causes they care about. For supporters like yourself we're encouraging individuals to consider including a gift in your Will to support the work I Am Hope do around mental health initiatives for years to come.
If you're interested in finding out how to make a contribution via a gift in your Will, please read HERE for more information.
We've teamed up with BLUNT to create a stunning umbrella with a powerful purpose. Featuring a design that symbolises the ebb and flow of emotions, a $20 donation is made to I Am Hope with every purchase; see the two options HERE.
Number One Shoes are our official supplier of Gumboots, and they've got options to suit everyone. Gumboot Friday is just around the corner, don't be caught short this year.
Clothing purchased from our store directly supports our vital mental health initiatives for youth in New Zealand. Wearing our cool-as threads also helps raise awareness about mental health issues, fosters community support and right now will keep you warmer for less with our WINTER SALE on selected lines.
We're now a month into receiving our Government support payments to help pay counsellors on the Gumboot Friday platform. This has been a huge step change for our charity, and we couldn't be more grateful to move forward with the assurance that our service will continue for those kiwi kids who so desperately need it. With that said, now seems like a good time to clarify a few points:
No, we don't now have $24 million in the bank.
Yes, it ALL goes directly to paying the counsellors.
Yes, I Am Hope is footing the bill for admin of Gumboot Friday.
Yes, we still need your support; public money remains crucial for I Am Hope and for Gumboot Friday as demand increases.
And yes, I'm is still driving my wife's Aqua (not a ferrari as once reported!).
During September we'll begin to onboard further counsellors and practitioners who are on our waitlist, eager to join and help provide a service to the youth of New Zealand. As we adjust to our future operating under a mixed funding model—with both Government and Public financial support—this is a nice segue into Gumboot Friday for 2024...
Gumboot Up New Zealand!
We can't wait for the nation to get behind this day on Friday 1st November, and would love to see gumboots being worn everywhere! Fresh fundraising ideas can be found on our website HERE.
Do you know why the Gumboot? Because having mental health challenges can feel like walking through mud every day. So by putting on your gumboots it's a way to show those in your community you are there walking alongside them. And if every kiwi gave a gold coin donation, we'd be able to fund 35,000 counselling sessions - enough for nearly one year!
We've got resources for schools HERE so you can get started on planning a mufti day - and if you can't do it on the 1st Nov, no problem, pick our no dates option.
Rally the troops at your work and get everyone in their Gumboots for the day - download free posters by clicking HERE.
Thank you for your ongoing support, see you next time.
Mike King & the I Am Hope team
I Am Hope Foundation, PO BOX 10271, Dominion Road, Mt Eden, Auckland 1446, New Zealand
