MISSION STATEMENT:
Hope For The Day is a non-profit movement committed to utilizing music and the arts as a defense mechanism to suicide. Our alternative approach strives to offer education, prevention and hope through creative expression.
VISION STATEMENT:
Hope For The Day’s vision is to bring communities together in order to shed light on the unfortunate topics of depression and suicide. We wish to share the deeply personal connection creativity can have in fostering an environment of positive change to the suffering. We view art and music as a highway to the heart; two things that have allowed humanity to express our emotions for millennia. We wish to reduce suicide rates while inspiring and empowering the youth. Creating an awareness of suicide’s effects in Illinois with long term plans to go nationwide.
Most importantly, we have the vision to use creative expression as a medium to educate communities while simultaneously striving to prevent suicide.
Help Keep The Beat.
PROGRAMS
Music Saved My Life Project
An ongoing video series that features internationally recognized musicians and artists who
share their personal stories of struggling with suicide, depression and mental illness. These
PSA-style videos showcase how each artist leaned on their creative outlets as a way of
expression and treatment during their healing process. This initiative will strengthen the
relationships between the artists and the audiences they reach on a more personal level, which
allows for a relatable connection to grow beyond only the musical connection. The video series
will allow Hope For The Day to harness relationships with supporting artists, musicians, and
their communities for future advocacy and outreach opportunities.
HFTD has partnered with media giant Alternative Press Magazine to release each Music Saved
My Life segment through their online platforms, which grant us immediate access to over
150,000 Facebook members and 180,000 Twitter followers. Furthermore, we will utilize the
starring artists and musicians’ social media platforms to expand audience reach and amplify
program visibility.
Since the project has begun, the videos have been featured on ArtistDirect, Noise Creep,
Loudwire and Blabbermouth, among numerous additional high-traffic media outlets – garnering
over 1 million viewer impressions per video. By employing viral video platforms like YouTube
and Vimeo, our audience reach and key messaging will continue to expand internationally.
The Hope Defined (HD) Project
The Hope Defined Project is a partnership between Hope For The Day and Naperville-based
Nickel A Day Films. The initiative aims to empower youth throughout the state of Illinois who are
interested in discovering their talent. The project allows students to direct, edit, star and submit
a professionally produced film to the Chicago International Social Change Movie Festival – a
non-profit that is dedicated to helping filmmakers relay their message to the world. In regards
to this dedication and respect to the filmmaker, CISCMF offer a film grant opportunity to one
filmmaker needing funds to create a story that can heal or enrich lives.
Currently HFTD and NAD have teamed up with 39 high schools in Dupage County, Illinois to
encourage teenagers to create movies and art, which examine themes that are directly related
to suicide and mental health awareness and prevention. The project will help students to
connect with their community while offering an alternative outreach medium.
BEATKEEPERS Project
The BEATKEEPERS project is Hope For The Day’s creative education program that focuses on
working with youth who suffer from mental illnesses, to empower musical and artistic expression
through urban culture. According to a mental health report conducted by the University of
Washington School of Social Work, “at high risk” are individuals who suffer from depression
at the same time as another mental illness. Specifically, the presence of substance abuse,
anxiety disorders, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder put those with depression at greater
risk for suicide. In January 2013, Hope For The Day teamed with Chicago-based organization
Thresholds and their young adults program. This program consists of 16-21 year old high-risk
students from low-income areas of Chicago who suffer from severe mental illnesses. It gives
this group the skills and support they need to reduce the cyclical, negative impacts that mental illness has on family, upbringing, education, and career development. The BEATKEEPER program meets twice a month at AudioTree Studios to offer both music and art education.
