October 26, 2021 [NEW YORK] – Within the first month of launching its new civic tool, Snapchat’s Run for Office Mini feature saw over 2 million Snapchatters in the United States explore opportunities to run for elected office in their local communities.

Snapchat’s in-app Run for Office program, featured on NBC’s TODAY Show, aims to bring more young people into the extensive candidate recruitment and training programs. Contrary to popular narratives, we know Gen Z aren’t just performative about social causes — in the 2020 election, this generation voted at historic levels, in large part because they wanted to make a difference in their local communities.

Despite this historic level of youth civic engagement in recent elections, younger generations remain underrepresented in local, state, and federal government. Given Snapchat’s reach – 90% among 13-24 year olds in the U.S – Snapchat’s new tool helps normalize the conversation around running for office among future leaders.

“I dare to say that Generation Z is the most involved politically and 100 percent ready generation to create change,” said Trinity Sanders, a high school student from upstate New York who plans to run for U.S. Senate after attending college and law school. “I think we are to the point where we are ready to run. Once we become of age, we’ll be the first ones in office.”

More than 50,000 users have used the in-app feature to nominate a friend or have sent the Run for Office mini to a friend since it’s launch on October 5, 2021. Snapchatters across the U.S. have expressed Civil Rights, Education, Environment, Healthcare and Jobs as the top five issues they care about. With roughly 70% of races in 2020 having gone uncontested, Snapchat’s new civic tool provides education and resources about critical, upcoming races and ways Snapchatters can join the conversation.

“One of the things that I love about the youngest generation of voters, especially when it comes to running for office, being politically engaged, making their voices heard, is that they’re not asking for permission, that they are just doing it,” said A’Shanti Gholar of Emerge, a group working to elect Democratic women.

“We hope launching the ‘Run for Office’ mini changes the idea of who can be in office — that no matter who you are, where you come from, that you can make a difference in your local community by running for office based on the issues they care most about,’ said Sofia Gross, Head of Policy Partnerships and Social Impact. “As a platform where young people come to chat with their closest friends, Snapchat has an important role to play in normalizing the conversation around pursuing elected office. We view this as a long term investment in the next generation of American leadership, starting at the local level. We want to help shape a more reflective and equitable democracy for all Americans, and that includes the Snapchat Generation — we can’t wait to see all they will do.”

For more information, visit https://newsroom.snap.com/run-for-office/ or contact caitlin@rokksolutions.com.

‘It’s (Not) All in Your Head’ program developed by DoSomething members will provide tools to help students with pandemic-related trauma and shine a spotlight on the importance of mental health support for students in schools

NEW YORK, October 22, 2021 – DoSomething.org, the largest organization exclusively for young people and social change, announced a new program, “It’s (Not) All in Your Head,” today with The Allstate Foundation. This program created by young people for young people through a virtual hackathon will provide youth with opportunities to explore diverse and youth-friendly mental health resources and activate them to advocate for additional funding for mental health resources in their schools and communities.

“We are thrilled to partner with The Allstate Foundation again to educate youth about the importance of owning their mental health,” said DeNora Getachew, CEO of DoSomething.org. “Young people have been clear about the need for additional mental health resources to help them navigate this disrupted time. We are excited to elevate this youth-created program to provide diverse resources to ensure that students who have experienced pandemic-related trauma have the support they need to thrive in schools.”

In high schools, counselors who serve students of color predominantly must serve 34 more students each year than a counselor who serves fewer students of color. At least 27 states are shortchanging students of color, students from low-income families, or both (The Education Trust, 2019). Coinciding with World Mental Health Day – which is on October 10^th – this program lets students take the lead in highlighting the importance of providing diverse mental health resources. Students and schools will share materials that directly address racial inequities for students of color accessible via a QR Code, text, or a URL embedded in the flyer. Students will also be provided materials to encourage them to advocate for mental health in their schools and districts.

“Youth are the leaders of tomorrow, and their wellbeing is our priority. We are dedicated to empowering them with the skills and resources to be compassionate leaders in society and amongst their peers,” said Laura Freveletti, Senior Program Officer for The Allstate Foundation. “We are so proud to partner with DoSomething and the inspiring young people who created this campaign to increase access to mental health resources in schools and to help young people lead the change they want to see in their communities.”

This partnership results from a recent hackathon that aimed to challenge young people to solve various societal issues, including mental health.

“I’m really grateful for the chance to participate in this hackathon and to have the opportunity to put my team’s mental health initiative into action. Slowly mental health is being talked about more and it’s important to have both short-term and long-term solutions to reinforce these conversations,” said hackathon team member Madeleine Yu-Phelps. “Mental health issues can manifest in a number of ways particularly in school, and so by having a direct way to seek help, a small ripple effect in bettering mental health support and education is already being made.”

One out of every four adolescents suffers from mental health issues – ranging from anxiety to depression (Prothero, 2020). Many of these same students report being more likely to ask for help if their school provides mental health services. Through this partnership, DoSomething and The Allstate Foundation are equipping youth with the resources they need to own their mental health and activating them to advocate for equitable mental health access short- and long-term.

Learn more at www.dosomething.org/us/campaigns/its-not-all-in-your-head.

About DoSomething.org
DoSomething.org is the largest organization exclusively for young people and social change. We’re activating 5 million young people (and counting!) to make positive change, online and off, in every US area code and in over 131 countries. When you join DoSomething.org, you join something bigger than yourself.

About The Allstate Foundation
The Allstate Foundation advances equity so that everyone can thrive. The Foundation champions SEL and service-learning programs to empower youth to build the just, equitable and healthy world we all deserve. In partnership with nonprofit organizations, the Foundation creates a continuum of this programming to support youth in school, after school, at home, and in their communities.

Media Contact
Roni Marsh
Allison + PR
dosomething.org@allisonpr.com

“Complete What’s Missing” program raises awareness about medical misinformation online and the risk of meningococcal disease as students return to in-person classes

NEW YORK, Oct. 5, 2021 – Misinformation about disease prevention and vaccines has run rampant during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it has significantly impacted young people who often get most of their information through online sources. As students return to college campuses and in-person classes, it is imperative that they have access to reliable information about vaccine-preventable diseases that may impact their school communities – like meningococcal disease, which disproportionately affects college students living in residence halls. To help equip young people with reliable information, DoSomething.org and the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) have launched the “Complete What’s Missing” program, which aims to educate young people about meningococcal disease and the importance of prevention through vaccination.

Meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial illness. Even with treatment, approximately 1 out of every 10 people who get meningococcal disease will die, and of those who survive, up to 20 percent will suffer serious and permanent complications including brain damage, kidney damage, hearing loss, and amputation of arms, legs, fingers, or toes.

Young people age 16-23 years have an increased risk of meningococcal disease, but they also have the power to take an active role in increasing vaccination rates. By educating their friends and family about the importance of vaccination against meningococcal disease and how to recognize medical misinformation online, young people can share the information necessary to own their healthcare choices.

“We launched the ‘Complete What’s Missing’ program just in time for high school and college students to return to campuses. COVID-19 isn’t the only disease that young people need to get vaccinated against to stay safe as they return to school this fall. And, with the spread of medical misinformation about vaccine-preventable diseases running rampant online, DoSomething can play a critical role in educating youth to identify false information and take ownership of their healthcare decisions,” said DeNora Getachew, CEO of DoSomething.org. “We are excited to work directly with NFID to provide factual information to promote healthier lives for young people so that they can thrive in their communities.”

Program participants can test their knowledge through the “Complete What’s Missing” quiz and will then receive a guide that explains how to spot medical misinformation, what young people should know about meningococcal disease and the two vaccines that can help protect against it (MenACWY and MenB).

“Educating young people on the importance of factual medical information is the key to helping them take action to lead healthy lives,” said NFID Medical Director William Schaffner, MD. “Because many young people are not fully vaccinated, this program aims to arm them with the tools they need to learn more about meningococcal disease and how to prevent it.”

After completing the program quiz and sharing the guide with a friend, participants under age 26 who upload proof in the form of a screenshot will be entered for a chance to win a $1,500 scholarship. Three scholarships will be awarded before October 15, 2021. Additional details on DoSomething.org’s scholarships can be found here.

Young people can sign up for “Complete What’s Missing” by visiting DoSomething.org.

About DoSomething.org
DoSomething.org is the largest organization exclusively for young people and social change. We’re activating 5 million young people (and counting!) to make positive change, online and off, in every US area code and in over 131 countries. When you join DoSomething.org, you join something bigger than yourself.

About the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases
Founded in 1973, the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to educating the public and healthcare professionals about the burden, causes, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious diseases across the lifespan. Visit www.nfid.org for more information. Learn more about meningococcal disease at www.nfid.org/meningococcal.

Media Contact
Roni Marsh
dosomething.org@allisonpr.com