As a queer Founder, Happy Tears has always been inextricably linked to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Today, queer individuals make up over 40% of our mindful community, with just as many fierce allies who understand the strength in diversity, and frankly, who are real ones that just get it.
For World Mental Health Day 2023, I am very proud to formally announce Happy Tears’ partnership with Rainbow Railroad. Rainbow Railroad is a global charitable organization serving LGBTQIA+ individuals with support services and life-saving relocation pathways when faced with persecution, violence and discrimination in their home countries.
One universal truth we all share is this: before we can prioritize our mental health and self-actualize, safety is our most foundational need. For this reason, it became evermore clear since launching Happy Tears and following the global impact of Rainbow Railroad, that they would be the organization with whom we would partner into our next bold chapter.
In 2024, our partnership will unfold in two impactful ways:
- Effective January 1st, 2024, our Give 5, High 5! program will contribute 5% of proceeds directly to Rainbow Railroad, exclusively. Our objective for 2024 will be a donation totalling $10,000+, a contribution amount required to support the move of one or more LGBTQIA+ individuals to safety.
- As an extension of our partnership, we will be working directly with Rainbow Railroad to develop a new Connect Deck that will serve refugee newcomers and asylum seekers upon entry into their new home country. In Q1 of 2024, we will be collaborating directly with Rainbow Railroad’s leadership and program beneficiaries through a series of focus group workshops to collect feedback that will inform the new question prompts. This new game will serve as a tool for cultural humility, competence, and exchange. Furthermore, Happy Tears pledges to donate this special edition Connect Deck to every newcomer in 2024 as part of the Rainbow Railroad onboarding package.
While we shift our program impact to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, Happy Tears will continue to serve a diverse community with modern tools for mindful living, continuing to dedicate our brand and mission to improving well-being and inspiring our community to boldly live out their most authentic lives.
Join us today in celebrating our partnership with Rainbow Railroad, and an exciting, even more vibrant future for Happy Tears, for you, and for the brave 2SLGBTQIA+ community. If you have any questions, comments, or high 5’s, you can direct those to bonjourhi@happytears.ca. If you would like to learn more about Rainbow Railroad’s full list of programming, you can find those here.
With wellness + pride,
Brandon
Founder, Happy Tears
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