Give Us The Floor

Give Us The Floor is a US-based non-profit organization dedicated to providing peer support to adolescents and young adults, particularly focusing on 2SLGBTQIA+ youth. Founded in 2015, it is headquartered in San Francisco and offers a platform for youth to address mental health and social challenges in a safe and anonymous environment.

Mission and Activities

The organization's mission is to remove stigma and taboo associated with sharing difficult experiences among young people. It achieves this by creating a platform where youth can support each other in dealing with issues such as depression, loneliness, anxiety, identity, discrimination, bullying, and body image. The support is provided through confidential and anonymous group chats facilitated by trained youth, accessible on a mobile app. These chats are organized by age and topic to ensure relevance and relatability among participants[2][3][4].

Program Impact

Participants in the program report an increased sense of connection and belonging. The organization emphasizes anonymity and safety, ensuring that no one-on-one contact is possible, and community rules are strictly enforced to prevent disrespect or harm[3][4].

Funding and Governance

Give Us The Floor is a registered 501(c)(3) organization, meaning donations to it are tax-deductible. The organization's revenue primarily comes from contributions, and it operates with a low compensation structure for its leadership[1][5]. Valerie Grison-Alsop is the founder and executive director, bringing extensive experience in engaging teenagers through her background in advertising and television production[3].

Safety Measures

To ensure participant safety, Give Us The Floor has a zero-tolerance policy for disrespect, discrimination, or threats. Participants are encouraged to report any violations, and no sharing of personal information is allowed. Moderation of social media comments also reflects this strict policy[3][4].

Involvement Opportunities

Individuals can support Give Us The Floor by becoming donors, partners, or ambassadors. Sharing information about the organization on social media and mentoring youth creators are other ways to contribute to its mission[4].