In the Morning | Initiative
Hi, we’re Cheer Up Club from Los Angeles. Here’s our new song In the Morning
True to its title, the chorus sings “we can talk it over in the morning…”
But there’s a lot we can’t just set aside for tomorrow: This pandemic, structural racism, domestic abuse, mental health and healthcare, the ever-expanding economic divide… For those enduring homelessness, all of those are amplified. So what can we do together to provide immediate relief?
For starters, until 1/1/21, every cent we see from this song will go to the Women’s Crisis and Bridge Housing program at The Midnight Mission.
This is somewhat personal, as someone very close to me has been through this program successfully, and I’ve seen firsthand the support this program provides. It was also the first program of its kind on Skid Row, and The Midnight Mission is the longest running shelter in Los Angeles. What’s more, they’ve received the highest rating possible from Charity Navigator the last four years and counting.
Structural policy changes and years-long lawsuits are cool and all, but there are thousands of people that need socks, toothbrushes, tampons and food today. When we fight for a cause, we need to find ways to support those hardest hit by it. A dollar’s not much, but it adds up if a thousand people give one.
We know it’s a hard time for everyone right now, but chances are, it’s even harder without four walls to support you. So let’s try to make a change, however small to those who might need it most right now. And hey, whatever you can contribute, we hope this tune keeps your toes tapping in whatever quarantine situation you may find yourself in.
With love, Ethan & Cheer Up Club
About The Midnight Mission
The Midnight Mission is the oldest continuously operating human service organization in the Los Angeles region. Centered in the Skid Row area of downtown Los Angeles, The Midnight runs one of the most efficient direct service operations in the country.
They were given non-profit status in 1922, and in 1933, at the height of the Great Depression, The Midnight is designated as “California Emergency Relief Station No.1” by the federal government. They discontinued religious services and affiliation in the same year.
Women's Crisis and Bridge Housing
Every night, over 14,500 women experience homelessness in Los Angeles County, most without shelter or a safe place to sleep. In response to this growing crisis, The Midnight Mission is opened a Crisis and Bridge Housing center focusing on women at its main headquarters on Los Angeles’ Skid Row. Over the past three years, female homelessness has increased by 55 percent, which is five and a half times higher than the rate of men. One of the more shocking statistics is that over 90 percent of those women have experienced physical or sexual assault.
Financials, Trust, and Promises
The Midnight Mission (TMM) has received a four-star rating from Charity Navigator for the fourth consecutive year. Receiving four out of four stars indicates that The Midnight Mission adheres to good governance and other best practices that minimize the chance of unethical activities and consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way.
Now that we’ve proven that your money’s going to a good and responsible cause, you must be asking “why would I trust Cheer Up Club with my hard earned bucks?!” Well, given the state of things, we can’t blame you. But we’re not politicians. We’re a band that’s been just as fucked by this pandemic as you. And we thought “hey, wouldn’t it be nice to do something good with this song?” So think of this as group effort; a social experiment. It only succeeds if we all chip in. And what’ve you got to lose? We’ll make it worth your while, promise!
Ways to Give
So you wanna help out. That’s great! We’ve set up a few ways to contribute, along with a few incentives to go with it. Check ’em out below!
Every Friday through the end of the year, Bandcamp is waiving their fees. Make them regret that by donating big!
Need incentive? Everyone that buys on Bandcamp Friday’s and shares it with the #midnightmission gets a one-of-a-kind, handmade In the Morning button!
Direct
Nothing speaks to change like cold hard cash! Try this: calculate your coffee expenditures over an average month (in the before times) and see if you can give that.
Legally, we can’t give you a tax right-off, but we can send you some sweet one of a kind art with every donation of $25 or more!
Click here for PayPal or use the button below for Venmo, just add the memo “MidnighMission”
There’s money to be made in streaming (if you’re Beyoncé). But hey, if you can’t put in a dollar, every bit helps. Stream while you sleep. Lovingly spam your friends with links to their preferred streaming service.
Make a playlist, share with friends, and over time, the Spotify gods might give it enough attention so that your $0.00437/stream might add up to something!
