What does this mean?

Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

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Jessie is passionate about the disability community and wanted to orchestrated a fundraising event for her birthday in 2019. Many musicians, businesses, and people volunteered their time, talent, and support to put on this event. Best Buddies Washington attended as well and together they raised $7,000. Jessie also started the Best Buddies Chapter at the local school she was teaching at the time. 

Atlas Free is a nonprofit organization building a global movement to put sexual exploitation out of business. Working in 29 countries with over 40 local partners, we unite funders, adventurers, and everyday people with the best local initiatives in the world to maximize impact and dismantle human trafficking. We specialize in accelerating frontline solutions and creating resources and tools to address one of the current most pressing global issues. The best part? It’s working.

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Jessie had the privilege of playing at Life Community Church, in Kirkland, whose mission was to host "concerts with a cause." Each month they chose a non-profit to support, had a local performer come to play, and provided a meal. Jessie had been supporting Atlas Free for several years personally and was so excited when asked to support by performing. 

Mary’s Place ensures that no child sleeps outside by centering equity and opportunity for women and families. Their main headquarters is located in Seattle but there are other branches that you can reach out to if you'd like to support somewhere closer to you. Click on Donate or the organization's name above to go to their website. 

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Jessie, along with other artists, performed at the High Dive, in Seattle, to help raise money and collect socks for people who struggle with homelessness.  

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life movement is the world’s largest peer-to-peer fundraising event dedicated to saving lives from cancer. For over 35 years, communities across the world have come together to honor and remember loved ones and take action for lifesaving change. Funds raised through Relay For Life directly support breakthrough research, 24/7 support for cancer patients, access to lifesaving screenings, and much more.

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Jessie Lorenz played for her local Relay For Life walk where she grew up, in North Bend, for several years. She has many friends and family members who are survivors, currently battling, or ones that have passed on. Cancer effects us all one way or another. There are many ways you can support research, people, and causes that move us towards a cancer free world. This is just one of them. 

The Not Abandoned team labors to empower women who have been exploited.  It is not our drive to "rescue" her from trafficking. Rather, our collective goal is to provide her the tools and unyielding support necessary to regain and maintain her freedom.  We hold the deep conviction that no matter how messy, complex, or slow her recovery process is, that she can and will come to know, she is not abandoned.

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Lorenz played for an annual Gala for Not Abandoned. She supports their mission to help provide tools and practical skills to help break down barriers to freedom. She believes no one should be exploited in any way. "It was an honor to play for such a wonderful cause." - Jessie