Animal welfare focuses on the overall well-being of animals, such as their disease prevention and veterinary treatment, appropriate shelter, management, nutrition, humane handling, and humane slaughter. When animal welfare is not considered, innocent animals may suffer or even die. ​​According to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), a nonprofit organization, every minute an animal is abused, and 10 million animals in the US are harmed to death annually. As disturbing as these statistics are, animal cruelty is rarely reported, so the real numbers are higher than one can imagine. Today you can take a step toward change for our innocent and beloved animal-friends as a Hope Influencer.

Climate change refers to the long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Humans have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to burning fossil fuels (like coal, oil, and gas) which produce heat-trapping gasses. According to The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA, the past eight years have been the warmest since modern record keeping began in 1880. As the heat traps from the excessive greenhouse gas emissions, the overall temperature rises, resulting in more frequent and intense drought, storms, fires, heat waves, rising sea levels, melting glaciers, and warming oceans. These changes directly harm animals, destroy the places they live, and wreak havoc on people’s livelihoods and communities. Climate change is a worldwide issue affecting every organism on this planet. You can make a difference. Be a Hope Influencer to protect our global ecosystem.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that one in four women and one in nine men experience a form of domestic violence. Domestic violence is abuse by a spouse or significant other to harm or control others. Different forms of abuse include physical, emotional, sexual, reproductive, financial, and digital. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, from 2016 through 2018, intimate partner violence victims in the United States increased by 42%. Not only is the abuse in itself dreadful, but victims are susceptible to increased anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression symptoms. This is an opportunity for you to become a Hope Influencer and actively engage to address this often “silent epidemic” of abuse.

According to Hunger Health, in 2020, an estimated 1 in 8 Americans were food insecure, equating to over 38 million Americans, including almost 12 million children. Food insecurity is a lack of available financial resources for food in a household. When individuals are experiencing food insecurity, they are subject to a nutrient-poor diet, which may contribute to the development of obesity, heart disease, hypertension, anemia, asthma, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. There has also been research indicating that food insecurity can promote delayed development in young children and behavioral problems like hyperactivity, anxiety, and aggression in school-age children. By donating and becoming a Hope Influencer, you can help some of the millions of Americans experiencing the hardship of food insecurity.

Based on the data from the National Alliance to End Homelessness, in January 2020, there were 580,466 people experiencing homelessness in America. Homelessness is a complex social issue with a number of underlying economic and social factors such as poverty, lack of affordable housing, physical and mental health, addictions, and community and family breakdowns. Homelessness is a growing crisis that must be stopped as soon as possible. It is a complete horror to have human beings not have a safe space to sleep and live. This crisis must stop! Hopefully you agree and will take a step as a Hope Influencer to end this emergency for our unhoused communities.

Human trafficking is a serious crime and violation of human rights involving force, coercion, or fraud to exploit a person into slave labor or sexual exploitation. For example, some victims are exchanged for financial gain or services such as pornography, private parties, and escort services. According to Wayside Youth, every year there is an estimated 199,000 incidents of human trafficking in the United States. Although anyone is at risk of being a victim, the most vulnerable populations include women, low-income individuals, runaways, the homeless, undocumented migrants, individuals who are LGBTQ+, and individuals with mental health concerns or disabilities. These victims can experience restrictions on freedom of movement, isolation, financial control, threats, physical and sexual violence, and fostering of drug and alcohol dependencies due to their situations. Be a Hope Influencer to help address this inhumane and horrendous crime.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines an individual with a disability as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment. With limited access to major life activities, individuals with disabilities are subject to a lower quality of life. They are also more susceptible to negative stereotypes, lack of employment, being underpaid, and abuse than individuals without disabilities. As a Hope Influencer you can participate in creating a more inclusive society for persons living with disability.

LGBTQIA+ is an acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual, and more. According to an analysis of data from the Census Bureau, 8% of respondents identified themselves as LGBTQIA+. In a heteronormative society with specific gender rules, individuals who identify with these terms are subject to discrimination. A study by American Progress found that individuals who identify with LGBTQIA+ continue to face discrimination in their personal lives, workplace, public sphere, and access to critical health care. This experience of discrimination leads to many negative consequences for their financial, mental, and physical well-being. By financially supporting this population, one can raise awareness and reduce the barriers and discrimination they may face. As a Hope Influencer, commit to changing this biased social narrative.

Our mind is the driving force of our life. In every stage, we depend on our mental health for our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It guides how we think, feel, and act, which ultimately manifests in a degree of how well we can manage stress, connect with others, and make healthy choices; therefore, mental health should be taken into great consideration. Unfortunately, mental health issues rates are incredibly high. According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness, 1 out of 5 adults and 1 out of 6 youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year in the United States. Mental health issues include, but are not limited to, depression, anxiety, behavioral disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and eating disorders. If left untreated, mental health issues can adversely affect various aspects of an individual’s life, such as poor motivation, relationship problems, and poor eating and sleeping cycles. In the most severe cases, it can lead to substance abuse, poverty, and suicide. By donating and becoming a Hope influencer, you can help the millions of Americans living among us with mental health issues and disparities.

There are currently 574 tribes that the federal government recognizes. These individuals, unfortunately, face ongoing social, economic, and cultural issues that began generations ago, such as racial abuse, societal discrimination, incorrect and inappropriate depictions in the media and arts, and mental, spiritual, and physical violence. This population also experiences issues such as impoverishment, unemployment, threats, violence against women and children, less educational opportunities, inadequate health and mental health care, and barriers to voting. Today you can take a step toward positive change as a Hope Influencer for this vulnerable community.

In 2020, according to the United States Census Bureau, there were 37.2 million people in poverty. These individuals are susceptible to adverse conditions such as substandard housing, homelessness, inadequate nutrition, and food insecurity. These circumstances can lead to hunger and malnutrition, limited access to education and other essential services, and social discrimination in the long run. No individual should be subject to such conditions. Furthermore, poverty costs the economy roughly 500 billion dollars annually due to lost productivity, increased health care costs, and higher criminal-justice expenditures. Poverty alleviation would help improve the lives of those living in poverty. This is an opportunity to be a part of improving the quality of life as a Hope Influencer.

The authors of the Declaration of Independence promised a nation with justice for all. Nearly 250 years later and this is yet to be achieved. Deep-seated structures of systemic racism have continuously disadvantaged Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. Even after a number of civil rights movements, the fight continues. According to the 2020 Census Bureau, the United States is home to 49.9 million Black or African Americans, 24 million Asians, and 62.1 million Hispanic or Latinos. These individuals are subject to disadvantages in education, wealth, health, and beyond. By donating and becoming a Hope Influencer you can help millions of Americans and take a step toward true justice for all.

The United States is a patriarchal society. When economics, media, and government are dominated by male figures, the potential for women’s voices to be heard drops dramatically. Gender inequity proportionately disadvantages women and girls, such as higher rates of domestic and sexual violence, lower pay, lack of access to education, and inadequate healthcare. For example, based on Pew Research Center’s statistics, 42% of women in the United States have faced discrimination on the job because of their gender, and 25% say they have earned less than a man in the same position. Empowering and valuing women is essential to the health and social development of families, communities, and the country. Be a Hope Influencer and help empower women.

Preparing the youth with adequate education is critical for future success in this country. Even the United Nations stated that education is vital in eliminating poverty and hunger and encouraging inclusive and equitable economic growth and development. Unfortunately, with poverty and low-income communities, a growing number of students are not receiving the proper education to meet their full potential. According to The Advocate, other problems include closing schools, overcrowded classrooms, and stagnant education funding. The youth will be our future business people and policymakers, so it is critical to invest in them. As a Hope Influencer you can participate in changing the narrative of the future.

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