Atlanta, GA (May 2, 2020) – While adults are receiving stimulus checks and businesses are receiving bailouts, brother and sister mental health advocates Charlie and Hannah Lucas are showing some much-needed support for an overlooked demographic: teenagers. Inspired by the current plight of teens displaced by school closures, the Lucas siblings teamed up with philanthropist and Twitter and Square CEO, Jack Dorsey and The Hot Topic Foundation to donate money to students in need during the “WE ARE WELL: VIRTUAL PROM” scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 2020 on IG LIVE at @NOTOKAPP, 9:00-11:30pm ET, featuring a Red Carpet. Codeblack teamed up to support their initiative and will live stream on Facebook and YouTube in association withNotOK App®   https://www.wearewellprom.com

Charlie (15, high school freshman) and Hannah (18, high school senior) first made a name for themselves when they created the award-winning notOK App®,designed to save lives by alerting contacts to possible distress or danger. Today, the siblings have organized a virtual prom where high schoolers will be given cash grants to go towards whatever immediate needs they may have. The prom – scheduled for May 2, 2020 from 9PM to 11:30PM EST – will feature DJ Jazzy Jeff and distribute grant amounts ranging from $100 to $1,500 for a total of $45,000 cumulatively awarded. 

As teenagers themselves, this cause was very close to Charlie and Hannah’s hearts. School closures have impacted at least 55.1 million students, throwing daily routines into chaos as students and teachers scramble to adjust for an age of virtual learning. For those students with dysfunctional family and home lives, this transition can be triggering or even dangerous. A recent study polled students aged from 13 to 25 about their current mood in light of the pandemic. The top three results were “frustrated” (54%), “nervous” (49%) and “disconnected” (40%). 

“When I heard about what Hannah and Charlie were doing with the virtual prom, I was impressed, they are two visionary teenagers doing something great to help their fellow students at a critical time. They inspired us to get involved. We are excited to help and support their live streaming on multiple platforms and can’t wait to celebrate the class of 2020” states Jeff Clannagan, President and CEO, Codeblack.   

Even prior to the Coronavirus outbreak, teenagers proved a particularly vulnerable subset of society. According to the World Health Organization, suicide is the third leading cause of death in adolescents aged 15 to 19, and half of all mental health conditions start by the age of 14. In light of these facts, the Lucas siblings conjured up their virtual prom concept as a solution to help make the Class of 2020 feel less alone mentally, emotionally and financially. 

Impressed by the duo’s amazing idea, Twitter and Square CEO Jack Dorsey immediately recognized the importance of the initiative and fully funded their efforts. The siblings were able to connect to Dorsey via their business mentor, philanthropist and CEO of Ivy, Inc., Ivy McGregor. Thanks to Dorsey’s and The Hot Topic Foundation generous donation, prom attendees can put their grants towards tuition, books, rooming fees, laptops, internet or even basic needs like food and shelter.  In these massively uncertain times, it is the Lucas siblings’ sincerest hope that their virtual prom can go a small way towards restoring normalcy and solidarity among the youth. 

To learn more about WE ARE WELL | 2020 Virtual Prom

For Interviews Contact: Priscilla Clarke 240-476-9643, [email protected]