Together We Can Help Communities
IST's Gives Back
Together We Can Help Communities
LGBTQ+ Pride Month + Lost n Found Youth
In June, IST Gives Back celebrated LGBTQ+ Pride Month by partnering with Atlanta shelter Lost n Found Youth (LnFY.)
The historical origins of celebrating Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning individuals in June honors the 1969 NYC Stonewall riots. This protest fought against centuries of government abuse & hostility, employment & housing discrimination, and anti-homosexual laws. The first Pride march took place in NYC one year later. Pride Month celebrates and highlights the impact that LGBTQ+ individuals have had on history at every level.
Since 2011, Lost n Found Youth has worked towards ending homelessness for all LGBTQ+ youth by providing them with the skills and support needed to live independently. Programs such as their thrift store, shelter, youth center, and street outreach allow LnFY to provide housing, clothing, meals, counseling, enrichment programs, 24-hour crisis support, and more for the community they serve.
Our primary goal was to collect used clothing, household, and collectible items for LnFY's Thrift Store. The proceeds from the items sold in the thrift store directly fund their various programs while supporting sustainable clothing consumption. In addition to the used items, non-perishable food, and toiletries were donated. We collected 19 boxes and 13 trash bags of clothing in just one month, weighing in at 760 lbs.
IST Goes Back to School with Ticket to Dream
In July, IST Gives Back began our Back-to-School Supplies Drive with the Ticket to Dream Foundation, which provided a custom online Target Registry to make the collection process as easy as a few clicks. Until September 30th, we will collect school supplies at our corporate office. Ticket to Dream has connected us with a local Atlanta agency that will facilitate the distribution of supplies to foster children in need this school year.
Since 2008, the Ticket to Dream Foundation has dedicated its efforts to "help foster kids just be kids." Ticket to Dream provides clothing, school supplies, enriching life experiences, and support for crucial aging-out programs. They believe joining forces with businesses and your local community is the key to supporting the 400,000+ children in the U.S. foster care system.
Transitioning Into a New Phase
IST Gives Back has transitioned towards more extended, quarterly campaign periods to make the most substantial impact on the communities we support. Following our Back-to-School season, we will move into The Giving Season (October - December). Our main goal will be to collect gifts for Marine Toys for Tots. Our corporate employees are eager to continue the recent tradition of volunteering at the MUST Ministries Holiday Toy Shop.
Looking ahead to 2024, IST Gives Back will have four primary campaigns, a food drive with Feeding America, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) Great Strides Walk, a back-to-school supply drive, and a holiday toy drive.
We are grateful to be able to connect with our employees, clients, and other organizations through acts of service and the communities that bind us.
