When Fanboy Comics is not providing you with the latest in geek news and entertainment, the FBC staff hopes to offer our readers a myriad of opportunities to give back to the community. We love reading comics, watching movies, and playing video games, but we are never happier than when we are able to help others in need. With Geeks Care: How You Can Help, FBC will provide you a variety of causes that would greatly appreciate your time.
This week’s edition of Geeks Care: How You Can Help is coming a bit early this week in honor of #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back. There are a myriad of valuable and important causes that would welcome your volunteered time and monetary contributions on #GivingTuesday, but, today, we will be focusing on two wonderful organizations: Project UROK and the Pop Culture Hero Coalition. Since 2014, Project UROK has been taking action to fight the stigma around mental illness within the youth population while also providing practical assistance to teenagers in need of help. In a likewise admirable campaign, the Pop Culture Hero Coalition uses the universal appeal of comics, film, and TV to create anti-bullying programs at pop culture events and in schools and communities. Fanboy Comics wants to support these incredible organizations in pursuing their worthy endeavors, and we hope to show you the myriad of ways that you can help.
The Pop Culture Hero Coalition was created by Chase Masterson with Heroism Experts Carrie Goldman and Matt Langdon in 2013. The non-profit organization is the first of its kind to use the universal appeal of comics, film, and TV to take a stand against bullying, racism, misogyny, cyber-bullying, LGBT-bullying, and other forms of hate. The Coalition’s work features global experts and advocates, including representatives from the United Nations, the Anti-Defamation League, the NOH8 Campaign, Justice League New York, and other major organizations. The organization also works with clinical psychologists who specialize in using pop culture stories in restorative justice and in therapy for victims of bullying and injustice. In fact, Dr. Andrea Letamendi, clinical psychologist and co-host of The Arkham Sessions (one of Fanboy Comics’ currently running podcasts), serves on the Board of this incredible group! For #GivingTuesday, the Pop Culture Hero Coalition is accepting tax-deductible donations with the hopes of continuing and expanding their work.
Founded in 2014 by Jenny Jaffe, Project UROK provides not only resources to teenagers in need of mental health help, but also a sense of belonging, a sense of comfort, and a sense of hope. The content on Project UROK ranges from comedy sketches, testimonials, informational videos, a podcast, and scripted and unscripted webseries, and the organization also provides a platform for readers to showcase their own voices and stories by allowing them to upload personal videos and testimonials. In an effort to raise greater awareness and combat the isolation and stigmatization surrounding mental illness, Project UROK is endeavoring to initiate an honest and open conversation about the cause. For #GivingTuesday, the organization is accepting donations through PayPal to further their efforts.
I hope that you’ll join me in lending a hand to these wonderful organizations for #GivingTuesday!
If you have a volunteer opportunity or an important cause that could use the assistance of a few geeks, please email the details to barbra (at) fanboycomics.net.
