Levi Strauss Launches ‘Give Them Hope Now’ Campaign

levi Levi Strauss, the world’s largest jeans manufacture, has announced the launch of their “Give Them Hope Now” campaign supporting the Hetrick-Martin Institute (HMI), home of the Harvey Milk High School.

The goal of Levi’s(R) new, motivational campaign is to help HMI raise $500,000 for their Liquidity Reserve Fund, which will establish a financial safety net to fund HMI’s important work within the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth community.

In a statement released today, Robert Hanson, President of Levi Strauss Americas said, “Levi Strauss & Co. believes deeply in the importance of equality, social justice, community involvement and corporate citizenship and has a rich history of standing up for the rights of the LGBTQ community. The Hetrick-Martin Institute, home of the Harvey Milk High School, is positively contributing to the lives of many LGBTQ teenagers and we are proud to do our part to help raise money and awareness for this important cause.”

The campaign and its official Web site, www.givethemhopenow.org, will run from May 6 through November 2009 or until the $500,000 fundraising goal is met.

Hetrick-Martin is the oldest and largest non-profit, multi-service agency dedicated to serving LGBTQ youth including educational services for at-risk youth in the Harvey Milk High School.

The “Give Them Hope Now” campaign features a vibrant cast of HMI board members, students and alumni of Hetrick-Martin and Harvey Milk HS, and celebrities.

Portraits featured in the campaign were shot by acclaimed photographers Jenny Gage and Tom Betterton.

The campaign’s official interactive Web site, www.givethemhopenow.org, will also feature moving personal stories from students, alumni, celebrities and board members; a link encouraging visitors to make donations to the HMI Liquidity Reserve Fund; updates on the campaign’s fundraising progress; and suggestions on other ways to get involved with the cause.

The Web site will also highlight information on special, exclusive monthly HMI fundraisers hosted by celebrities. The first fundraiser takes place in Los Angeles later this month and will be hosted by Dustin Lance Black, the Academy Award(R) winning screenwriter of Milk; actress Heather Matarazzo and Regent Media CEO Paul Colichman.

Founded in 1979, HMI is the oldest and largest non-profit multi-service agency dedicated to serving lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth, providing a broad range of free, year-round vital programming, including educational services for at-risk youth in the Harvey Milk High School; individual, group, and family counseling; concrete services and case management for homeless and at-risk teenagers through supportive services, including hot meals and clothing; academic enrichment and job readiness; social and cultural activities; health and wellness education; and career exploration and youth leadership offered through after-school services. The Institute serves over 1,000 youth annually from the five boroughs of New York City and the surrounding metropolitan area.