Grooving for Good at the University of Washington

Preface:

 

This GoFundMe is a fundraiser to cover the operational costs of Grooving for Good, a music-driven, mental health awareness event being hosted by Pup Support at the University of Washington on May 19th.

 

Grooving For Good is a not-for-profit college program that combines art and music with mental health advocacy, whose mission is to equip college students with positive experiences and healthy practices, so they have the tools to help themselves and others during a mental health crisis - and can prevent them. This will be Grooving for Good's campus debut! 

 

This event will be free and accessible to all students. 

 

(donation tiers are at bottom of this page - check out the bonuses you'll receive!)

 

Hello: 

 

It's time to Groove for Good.

 

My name is Alex Wagner. I’m a musician, a mental health advocate, and the Grooving for Good concept founder.

 

Shortly after graduating in 2013 from the University of Oregon, I was hospitalized and diagnosed with having bipolar disorder (type 1). It was a moment that both changed and saved my life.

 

I am well today because of Hope, Resilience, Empowerment, and Support.

 

College Youth Mental Health Crisis: 

 

 

83% of college students report that mental health challenges are negatively impacting their academic performance; depression and anxiety rates hover around 60% out of all college youth nationwide

 

Today, suicide is the second leading cause of death within their age group (18-24).

 

A SOLUTION: GROOVING FOR GOOD

 

I created a name in 2021 called Grooving for Good for my philanthropic music-based initiatives. Within it, I designed something called The Dahlia Experience stemming from an EP I wrote about mental health during the pandemic called “Dahlia.”

 

We all are like flowers in a garden. We all want to be healthy and bloom.

 

 

The Dahlia Experience was a short series of music events that raised nearly $10,000 for Crisis Text Line and received attention from esteemed publications such as LA Weekly, DJ Mag, and SPIN.

 

It was incredible to see how receptive people were to amplifying voices for mental health and supporting those in crisis.

 

Grooving for Good nightlife events have raised $15,000+ for nonprofits and continue with monthly events in Seattle.

 

PARTNERS:

 

We are grateful that Pup Support is hosting us at the University of Washington. 

 

We are collaborating with them and NAMI Seattle, a local chapter of the nation's largest grassroots mental health nonprofit, NAMI . 

 

SPIN will be helping us get this experience to a broader audience through live-streaming the event on their page. We will be taking donations during the live stream and evenly dividing them between Pup Support and NAMI Seattle.

 

THE EVENT:

 

Grooving for Good is broken into two parts: The Garden and the Dahlia Experience. Our design for the venue creates a cosmic garden through light and fabric to help transport the students to a healing environment where they can learn and grow. 

 

The Garden

 

The Garden is a 45-minute panel covering four themes: Hope, Resilience, Empowerment, and Support.

 

Throughout this experience, creativity is encouraged. Students will be provided art materials to express their individual interpretations of the four themes, led by Pup Support. The creations give them a memento to hold onto after this experience. They can turn to their creations when they need a reminder of their capacity to overcome mental health challenges. Creative expression during the event also helps them retain more information and feel more involved with the topics discussed.

 

Panelists include NAMI and Pup Support representatives and Grooving for Good’s Founder Alex Wagner, along with a special guest.

 

Our special guest panelist is Tommie Sunshine, an acclaimed dance music producer and DJ and adjunct professor at NYU, sober for 16 years, who will speak toward the correlation between mental health and substance use.

 

The Dahlia Experience

 

Sharing in solidarity helps us bloom: Select students present their poetry, music, dance, and art backed by professional design to illuminate their stories—a student-driven festival of light.

 

 

Music, dance, and light have been used throughout civilization to bring people together to exchange ideas and celebrate life. The Dahlia Experience concludes with dance music producers/DJs ASW and Tommie Sunshine.

 

We will make the students feel like the stars of a world that empowers their growth.

 

Throughout the event, there will be booths operated by NAMI and Pup Support to provide resources and information to students about mental health awareness and what to do in times of crisis.

 

HOW THIS BENEFITS COLLEGE YOUTH:

 

Creative expression increases focus, furthers memory retention, regulates moods, energizes, allows us to process complex themes, and is a joy that lifts the soul.

 

The event encourages active listening, collaboration, mutual support, trauma-informed perspectives, cultural understanding and reinforces empathy. It highlights a curiosity for improved well-being and provides solutions.

 

Grooving for Good creates a safe space where students feel comfortable exploring what mental health means to them. It celebrates students for all they have endured, boosting their self-esteem and trust in those who surround them. The benefits of having this feeling of support and encouragement will empower students as they recover from the trauma the pandemic has caused to their mental states.

 

It allows students to have some fun while also learning about mental health.

 

Associating mental health awareness with a creative environment and expression leads to meaningful impact.

 

OUR GOAL FOR 2023:

 

The goal with Grooving for Good is to work with student organizations on twenty campuses next year, including returning to the University of Washington. Though outreach hasn't started for next year, already three universities have signed on for Spring 2023.

 

If we reach twenty campuses, that would potentially impact over 650,000 students. If we succeed with this event in May, our 2023 run could likely be funded entirely by company sponsorships.

 

But for this future to happen, we need your support now to launch this pilot!

 

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT:

 

We are looking at $25,000 in operational costs. This event will be free for students to attend, meaning there are no ticket sales to recoup the cost - if charged, it would be over $60 per student to attend. 

 

After the event runs, all monies unspent will be donated to NAMI of Seattle.

 

Additionally, we will donate all monies raised past $25,000 to NAMI of Seattle.

 

Pup Support will receive 10% of the total amount raised by crowdfunding for their future initiatives on campus.

 

Myself, and the other volunteers of Grooving for Good, are doing this unpaid.

 

 

 

----- LET’S GROOVE FOR GOOD -----

 

Even as we watch the pandemic phase turn to endemic, the mental health crisis occurring amongst college youth will not go away overnight. It will take time, effort, and support.

 

Grooving for Good is a new definition of experiential mental health awareness and education that is exciting, accessible, immersive, and engaging. It is brought to life by music, art, and communities working together to better their collective mental well-being.

 

We are humbled to have you here today and are forever grateful for whatever support you may provide!

 

Every dollar that you contribute to this crowdfunding campaign could change countless lives.

 

Thank you so much for being here, and for your support.

 

Let's amplify hope and resilience within college youth.

 

Let’s Groove for Good.

 

 

DONATION TIERS

 

$5 or more

 

$ 25 or more

 

$50 or more

 

$100 or more

 

$200 or more

 

$300 or more

 

$500 or more

 

$1000 or more

 

$1250 or more,

 

If you are a business looking to donate $1250 or more, please contact [email redacted] to learn more about sponsorships.