Green Chimneys NYC going for the win of Pepsi Refresh
Green Chimneys NYC Division is in the business of helping homeless and foster-care LGBTQ teens and young adults. GCNYC is in the running during the month of December for a grant in the amount of $50K through the Pepsi Refresh program. Each month, Pepsi gives away $1.3 millions dollars: ten $5K grants, ten $25K grants, ten $50K grants, and two $250K grants. The competition for these is intense, and only the top vote getters in each financial category win.
With enough votes in the month of December, GCNYC could win $50,000 to develop a career training program for LGBTQ youth in what they know best, the “green” industries of animal care, environmental education and nature-based programs. LGBTQ homeless and foster care youth are a disenfranchised minority in our country although they represent a disproportionate percentage of the overall homeless population. A large part of the Green Chimneys NYC Division mission is to provide a safe haven where LGBTQ teens and young adults can develop self-esteem and create futures.
Each month PepsiRefresh awards a portion of $1.3 million dollars to the top vote getters in six categories including Education, Health, and Food & Shelter. In 2010, Pepsi Refresh will have awarded a total of $20 million dollars, but only $25,000 has found its way to the LGBTQ community.
Even though public voting decides which ideas get funded, how can so few LGBT projects win when everyone gets 10 votes to use each and every day? Is it possible that there is concerted effort by forces opposing LGBT projects channeling votes to non-LGBT project just to hurt our chances of winning? And is there anything that can be done by our community to counterbalance such efforts?
The coalition representing the three LGBT projects in this month’s Pepsi contest.
So please vote Green Chimneys NYC and spread the word to your family and friends, I know my friends at Green Chimneys NYC will be grateful.
More about Green Chimneys NYC Division here.
More about Green Chimneys here.