About The Cause
When Virgin Mobile USA first learned that there are over 1 million kids in the US without a place to call home, we were stunned.
Homeless kids have different needs than homeless adults — they haven’t even had a chance to live their lives yet. Most have been forced from their homes because of circumstances beyond their control. Some manage to make it through school, but others are less fortunate, resorting to begging or prostitution just to get ahead. Each of these kids deserves a safer, more secure life situation.
And all that starts with building their confidence.
That’s why we’re launching BLANK2CLOTHE, a site where YOU express the unique ways that you’d like to donate to homeless youth. At BLANK2CLOTHE, almost any verb goes — whether it be Skydive2Clothe, Yodel2Clothe, Bark2Clothe, or Contort2Clothe. You choose how you want to donate new clothing. Just print the Blank2Clothe sign, fill in the blank with what you’re going to do, hold it up for the world to see, and DO YOUR THING. For every approved video posted, an item of new clothing will be donated to a homeless youth. For every five people who watch your video, we'll donate another piece of new clothing.
By making your video, you not only help us generate thousands of items of new clothing as well as awareness of the issue among U.S. citizens, you also send a message to the million homeless kids out there: hey, we’re aware of your situation, we care and we want to help.
VIRGIN MOBILE’S COMMITMENT TO YOUTH HOMELESSNESS
To date, over $3.5 million and close to 200,000 articles of new clothing have been generated for homeless youth by Virgin Mobile USA. In addition:
- $34,000 has been raised through the Txt2Donate program where Virgin Mobile customers are encouraged to donate $1 from their balance (matched by Virgin Mobile USA) by texting the word “DONATE” to The RE*Generation non-profit partner of their choice.
- Charitable partner StandUp For Kids has been able to add 5 new chapters thanks to increased funding and awareness.
- Over 54,000 individuals signed the “Declaration to End Youth Homelessness” at www.homelessyouthamongus.org
- We’ve promoted our initiative to rally Congress in the support of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act on The RE*Generation website and by email to over 1 million of our customers.
To learn more about Virgin Mobile's efforts to end youth
homelessness,
check out The RE*Generation.
Txt2Clothe
Feeling creatively challenged, or just camera shy? You don't have to ______ to help out. Txt2Clothe is an easy way to get involved. You text, we donate. Here's how it works:
1. Simply text "KARMA" to 68405 from any mobile phone.
2. We'll shoot you back a confirmation thanking you for your donation of one item of
clothing.
You text, we donate. It really is just that simple.
***Standard rates apply for all text messages sent and received. That's all.***
Our Partners
American Eagle Outfitters: American Eagle has generously donated thousands of items of clothing to youth in need. A big thanks to them for being the first corporate sponsor to step up and make the Txt2Clothe program a huge success!
The Carissa Foundation: Carissa Phelps was once a homeless kid. She was abandoned at the age of 12 and forced into the underground world of child prostitution. Now an adult with a dual law degree and MBA from UCLA, she's become an advocate for homeless youth. Carissa's amazing story has recently been turned into a documentary film, "Carissa." Learn more about Carissa and the documentary.
National Network for Youth: The National Network for Youth represents more than 400 non-profits that work with homeless youth across the country. Many of these organizations will be the beneficiaries from this program by receiving new clothing for kids in need. NN4Y is committed to ensuring that opportunities for growth and development are available to youth everywhere. They work with young people who face abuse and neglect, homelessness, lack of resources, community prejudice, differing abilities, and other life challenges. Their goal is to create a community of agencies, people, and resources to champion the needs of the youth of today and the leaders of tomorrow.
StandUp For Kids: For the past 15 years, StandUp For Kids has been reaching out to counsel and guide homeless teens on the streets. Click here to learn more about what they do and see how easy it is to get involved.
Thread: Thread is a touring fashion shopping event, featuring independent, edgy, emerging fashion designers. Thread is honored to have taken on this program as their cause to spread amongst all of their designers.
Virgin Unite: Virgin Unite, the Virgin Group's charitable arm, is key to The RE*Generation. They work to coordinate the efforts of Virgin Group companies and our non-profit partners, multiplying our impact across the globe. That means the other Virgin companies and their customers are also engaged in growing The RE*Generation.
If you have new clothing to donate and want to become one of our Apparel Partners, please click here.