// SHOP NOW
Unlimited Web, Data, Messaging, & Email. Plus, hundreds of anytime minutes.
// STARTING AT $35/MONTH
3G Internet at Home or On The Go.
Say more, don’t pay more. Talk and Text.
November 2011
Virgin Mobile USA will seek to again focus public awareness specifically in November, which, through the wireless carrier's efforts, was designated as National Homeless Youth Awareness Month by the U.S. Congress. The RE*Generation - Virgin Mobile's charitable initiative focused on empowering a generation to help its own - are inviting people to help raise awareness and join the cause to end youth homelessness through the new "Do Whatever It Takes" campaign.Do Whatever It Takes (www.dowhateverittakes.org) is a campaign that encourages participants to "do whatever" to create opportunities for homeless youth to have the bigger futures they deserve. Using their personal talents, creative and quirky ideas - be it dancing in a leotard and tutu during that important presentation, eating a plate of jalapenos or speaking in gibberish for 24 hours - through viral videos, all of which will showcase the most jaw-dropping, hilarious, and all in good fun activities America's young adults can offer in the name of helping homeless youth. Each stunt will have a monetary donation goal set by the person volunteering so when their donation goal is met they will deliver their stunt.
July 2011
Once again, Virgin Mobile FreeFest tickets have "free'd-out" in just a few minutes, but Virgin Mobile USA, creator of one of the largest and most critically acclaimed music festivals in the country, today announced that music fans need not worry. Those still wanting to attend can volunteer their time at homeless youth shelters in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia to earn a ticket to FreeFest through The RE*Generation program, Virgin Mobile's charitable initiative focused on ending youth homelessness.The 2011 Virgin Mobile FreeFest presented by Kyocera will take place Saturday, Sept. 10, at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Md. Those scheduled to appear at this year's FreeFest are The Black Keys, Deadmau5, Cee Lo Green, TV on the Radio, Patti Smith, Empire of the Sun, Cut Copy, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Okkervil River, Big Sean, Two Door Cinema Club, Alberta Cross, and Bombay Bicycle Club. The Dance Forest will feature James Murphy, Calvin Harris, Ghostland Observatory, !!!, Porter Robinson, Eclectic Method, and Teddybears.
August 2009
This year's Virgin Mobile FreeFest continues to give back by unleashing street performers in Washington, D.C. and surrounding metro areas in the days leading up to FreeFest on August 30th at Merriweather Post Pavilion, in Columbia, Md. Street performers including singer/songwriters, visual artists, comedians and dancers will all be entertaining the crowds at Will Call ticket locations: the 9:30 Club and Merriweather Post Pavilion and at Dupont Circle in D.C. to collect cash donations from the public to benefit youth homeless centers through The RE*Generation program, Virgin Mobile USA's initiative to help homeless youth.
June 2009
Speculation and predictions that have filled blogs and discussion boards can be put to rest. The Virgin Mobile Festival is returning, but with a catch. Admission will be free. Speculation and predictions that have filled blogs and discussion boards can be put to rest. The Virgin Mobile Festival is returning, but with a catch. Admission will be free. The move celebrates both a giveback to music fans in a bad economy as well as an effort to solicit donations to homeless youth agencies in need around the country via The RE*Generation, Virgin Mobile's charitable arm.
Nov 2008
On Nov. 11th, Virgin Mobile launched HYTV, the Homeless Youth TV Network, a new online campaign featuring such programs as "Meal or No Meal," "American Idle," "My Street 16," and "Project Runaway." Focused on raising awareness of the plight of more than one million youth living on the streets, HYTV delivered a new type of reality.
In My Shoes, an original documentary created by Urban Arts Partnership's Media Activists. The film shares the experiences of Clevins, Jackie, Tyrone and Lyssette as formerly homeless teens in New York City.
Urban Arts' partner, Devani Footwear, has kindly donated 100 pair of shoes to the Txt2Clothe program to help encourage In My Shoes viewers to imagine a day in the shoes of a homeless teen.
In July 2008, Virgin Mobile launched Blank2Clothe.com, a site where you came up with your own unique ideas on how to donate to homeless youth and express them through video. Whether it was Skydive2Clothe, Dunk2Clothe, Cartwheel2Clothe, Breakdance2Clothe, or Contort2Clothe, you came up with a way to record yourself performing any one (or more) of your most unusual talents, and upload your video. For every video posted (and approved by our screeners), we donated an item of new clothing to a homeless young person. Then for every five people who watch your video, we'll donate another piece of new clothing.
Beyond the clothing donations, Blank2Clothe videos were a way to help raise awareness around the issue of teen homelessness here in the US. And at the same time, video sent a message to the one million homeless kids out there: "Hey, I'm aware of your situation. I care about you and I want to help!"
Feb 2008
Virgin Mobile is a proud sponsor of The Little Red Wagon Foundation's "24-Hours On the Street" event in Brandon, FL on April 25-26, 2008. By spending an entire day (and night) on the street, 50 kids and 10-15 volunteers will have the chance to experience some of the challenges and hardships that homeless young people face every day.
Learn more
Jan 2008
The National Network for Youth, one of the most well respected advocates for homeless youth, recently honored Virgin Mobile with the "Golden Pen Award." This annual award recognizes excellence in reporting on youth issues and was presented to Virgin Mobile for our efforts to raise awareness of homeless youth through The RE*Generation. Past winners include Newsweek for a special report on teen issues, Kazi for his work on The Hip Hop Project, Connie Chung for a documentary on runaway youth, and Judging Amy for the show's sensitive portrayal of homeless and at-risk kids.
Virgin Mobile traveled to Washington, D.C. to accept the award at the National Network for Youth Symposium. This year's winners also included XM Radio's Bob Edwards for his on-air documentary about homeless youth, US Rep. Ruben Hinojosa who is sponsoring the "Place to Call Home" bill, and a handful of other outstanding advocates. It was an amazing experience to be in the company of these champions of homeless youth.
Virgin Mobile wants to share this award with all of our customers. Without you and your concern for homeless youth, we wouldn't be able to make such a positive impact on the national level. Keep it up!
To kickoff National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, Virgin Mobile hosted a five-star benefit gala at Skylight Studios in New York City. Artwork by 21 of today's hottest artists was auctioned off to benefit The RE*Generation's charitable partners and raise awareness around youth homelessness.
The event featured a screening of the compelling documentary about a homeless teen entitled "Carissa." James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem DJ'ed the event, and a special guest appearance was made by Sir Richard Branson.
Congress designated last November as National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, but there's still a lot more work to be done. Send a letter to your local member of Congress to ask for their continued support in the fight against youth homelessness. Or, click on one of the links below to learn more about pending legislation affecting homeless youth.
Nov 2007
In April 2007, The RE*Generation Task Force hit Capitol Hill to convince Congress to establish a National Homeless Youth Awareness Month. We met with fourteen different members of Congress and asked them to support legislation that would establish an annual Awareness Month beginning this November.
"Squatter," who became homeless at age 15, captured the attention of everyone we met when he shared his story of living on the streets. Thanks to him and the rest of our Task Force partners, we managed to gain the support of Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Congressman Jim McDermott (D-WA 7th), and Congressman Mike Fergusson (R-NJ 7th).
The resolution was introduced in Congress and passed into law this spring. Special thanks to Jewel for helping us announce the passage of the resolution and testifying at the youth homelessness hearing!
Please check out the National Homeless Youth Awareness Month page for a list of ways that you can help.
Oct 2007
Zach Bonner, a nine year-old boy from Florida, has pledged to walk 246 miles across his state in honor of National Homeless Youth Awareness Month! If he can walk across Florida, the least you can do is make a donation. Check out his Web site at www.littleredwagonfoundation.com to learn about Zach and pledge your support.
The RE*Generation is a proud partner of The Carissa Project, an eye-opening documentary short about Carissa Phelps by filmmaker David Sauvage.
Abandoned at the age of 12, Carissa was homeless and forced into the hidden world of child prostitution. She faced abuse, rape, and an unsympathetic justice system all before the age of 13.
Now an adult with dual law and MBA degrees from UCLA, Carissa is partnering with The RE*Generation to help homeless kids, and the people that work with them. She hopes that her life inspires others to achieve their full potential.
Carissa knows firsthand that many vulnerable children in the U.S. have been taken hold by a child sex industry that has been ignored for too long. To learn more about Carissa, and her reach out efforts, visit www.carissaproject.com
May 2007
In November 2006, The RE*Generation teamed up with American Eagle Outfitters and StandUp For Kids on a mission to help clothe homeless youth. We set a goal of donating 68,405 items of clothing to kids living on the streets. We're happy to announce that we surpassed that goal as of April 2007! With your help, thousands of homeless kids now have some nice, new clothes.
We've set a new goal of donating 112,007 items of clothing in honor of the inaugural National Homeless Youth Awareness Month happening this November. And we're thrilled to have Levi Strauss Signature join us as a new Txt2Clothe partner to help fulfill our goal! But we still need your help. Help clothe a homeless teen right now by texting the word "KARMA" to 68405. Thanks!
Aug 2007
The RE*Generation rolled out in full force at Virgin Festival by Virgin Mobile in Baltimore on August 4 and 5. The Festival featured The RE*Generation Gallery artwork from over twenty artists in The RE*Generation dome at the festival. Festival goers also had the opportunity to meet representatives from The RE*Generation's charitable partners and learn from the experts how they can help homeless youth.
