Sunday, August 29, 2021

Last Day for Back to School Drive

CITYTEAM. Igniting Hope. Restoring Lives.

LAST DAY: BACK-TO-SCHOOL DRIVE

Dear Joseph,

Just one day until tomorrow's Backpacks for Success event for children and families.

While we received a generous outpouring of supplies for tomorrow's carnival, a fun-filled day cohosted by the Philadelphia Union, we are just shy of our Back-to-School Drive fundraising goal.

You can help ensure a child in a low-income family receives the items needed to start a brand new school year.

You can make a gift here to provide a backpack and essential school supplies for kids who might otherwise go without.

$35 to provide a backpack filled with supplies for a child in need
$70 to provide two backpacks for children in need
A gift of any amount will help ensure low-income families have the items needed to begin a new school year.

GIVE NOW

All of us are excited for tomorrow and sharing your expressions of love through your generous gifts.

Thank you for helping us reach our Back to School Drive finish line, and for extending bright hope to young minds!

Gratefully,

Kwinn Tucker
Executive Director
CityTeam Chester
ktucker@cityteam.org

Here is your weekly Brave update!

Brave Beyond the Stage with
Danielle Ferrentino

Brave Beyond the Stage is This Is My Brave's 2021 initiative to check in with our Brave Alumni and see where they are today. We're having candid conversations to hear about their experience on the Brave stage and beyond. This Is My Brave would not exist if it wasn't for our Brave storytellers. We hope you enjoy our latest episode with Danielle Ferrentino!

#ElevateTheConvo Tonight @ 8PM

This Is My Brave will be featured in the #ElevateTheConvo Twitter Chat with Sally Spencer-Thomas hosted by the 5th Annual "Get Ready for National Suicide Prevention Week." All those interested in preparing for National Suicide Prevention Week/World Suicide Prevention Day are invited to join the conversation. Just follow the #ElevateTheConvo hashtag on Twitter!

What does Suicide Prevention Month mean to you?

September is Suicide Prevention Month, and we are looking for blog submissions. If suicide has touched your life, we know that writing and sharing your story can be incredibly beneficial in the healing process for you and the greater community. We'd love to feature as many pieces as we can throughout the month of September to honor the importance of creating a world without suicide.

Share your Story

Calling All Boston High School Students!

We are seeking high school student storytellers in the Boston area with a 5-minute story to share about Teen Mental Health via poetry, original music, comedy, essay or other artistic expression.

*This Is My Brave - High School Edition in Boston will be a live stage performance on Nov. 19, 2021.

Email your video submission to timbhseboston@thisismybrave.org.
Virtual audition submissions will be accepted through September 12th.
If you have any questions please contact Producer Audrey Grubb at agrubb@thisismybrave.org.

Be sure to follow the show's progress on Facebook and Instagram!

Floris UMC/Restoration Church presents
This Is My Brave’s National Teen Show

Next month, This Is My Brave will be back on stage for an encore LIVE presentation of our National Teen Show! Please join us on September 26th at 7PM ET at Floris United Methodist Church in Herndon, VA, for live teen performances of original music, poetry and dance followed by a panel discussion on teen mental health.

Thank you to our National Teen Show Local Sponsors:

Tuesday, August 31st - Closing Soon
- Gift of Voice Disclosure Scholarship. Gift of Voice has established a scholarship for undergraduate and graduate students to encourage and reward students who have publicly disclosed their mental health experiences in ways that positively impact their local community. Apply here through August 31, 2021.
Wednesday, September 1st - Closing Soon
- This Is My Brave International Mental Health Film Festival. We are accepting submissions through Wednesday 9/1 for the 2021 Mental Health Film Festival. Visit our FilmFreeway page for more information. The film festival itself is open to the public and will take place on Sunday 10/10/21 - World Mental Health Day.
Wednesday, September 15th @ 8pm ET | 7pm CT | 6pm MT | 5pm PT
- New Producer Interest Meeting. Are you interested in bringing a This Is My Brave - The Show to your community? Join us for a one-hour meeting on 9/15 to learn what it takes to produce a show. Register here!
Sunday, September 26th @ 7PM in Herndon, VA
- Floris UMC/Restoration Church presents This Is My Brave’s National Teen Show. Register for free here.
October - Date will be announced soon!
- Brave Teens, a documentary film focused on teenagers who say they’re the generation to put an end to mental health stigma.
Monday, November 15th @ 8pm ET | 7pm CT | 6pm MT | 5pm PT
- This Is My Brave – Stories from the APIDA Community. Save the date for a brand new virtual show featuring Asian Pacific Islander Desi American storytellers. Click here for more information. Ticket reservation information is coming soon!
Friday, November 19th @ 7pm in Boston, MA
- This Is My Brave - High School Edition in Boston. Details COMING SOON! If you or someone you know would be interested in auditioning for the show, please reach out to producer Audrey Grubb at agrubb@thisismybrave.org

Interested in giving online counseling a try? Check out BetterHelp.com.

This Is My Brave has a partnership with BetterHelp.com - 20% off your first month of online therapy. Just go to www.betterhelp.com/thisismybrave, and you can get set up with a licensed therapist in the next 24-48 hours.

Stay Connected!

Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to stay up-to-date with all things BRAVE! Simply click on the icons below to find us.

Thank you to our 2021 National Sponsors:

Forward this email to a friend or share on social media by clicking an icon below.

Forward

You've Helped Another Guest at the Mission

David arrived at Sunday Breakfast in February 2020 worried and anxious about his future. He didn't know what would come next in his life and he struggled to move forward and find the stability he was in search of.

That all changed when he joined a Bible study hosted at the Mission. Through the study, he was able to ask questions and grow. David was able to start to take his next steps with confidence.

David joined our NEXT Level transitional housing program after becoming a volunteer with our Homeless Services Team. Through this program, he was able to work with our Case Manager to set goals for his future. By following his goals and a new path, he is now working full-time in restaurants and moved into his own apartment in December.

David was able to move forward through your support. Your generosity allows us to host our weekly Bible studies and our NEXT Level program for guests at the Mission. David and many others have come to the Mission lost but left with newfound hope and purpose in life that you helped them find.