Read the latest from The Hope Squad: Hold On. Persuade. Empower.

The HOPE Squad sends you their love! We want you to know that the HOPE Squad is ready and eager to help you with whatever you need. We aren’t just random students who wear matching T-shirts. We are your friends. The HOPE Squad does care that you exist and we see how much the world needs of your influence. We want you to share your light with the world and if we can help you in anyway, we will! Hold on. Persuade. Empower. That is the message the HOPE Squad sends to each and every one of you.

Hold on. - You are not alone. You are never alone. Sometimes life gets hard, really hard, but that is when you have to “hold on” even tighter. Hold on to the things that make life worth living: family, friends, sports, music, or even laughing. Especially hold on to the people who make you want to “hold on”. Hold on because the world will not be the same without you. You are bringing and will bring things into this world that only you can. Even when life gets hard, especially when life gets hard, hold on. The hard times will pass. Good things are just waiting to come your way.

Persuade. - You hold the power to persuade others to do good and become better. There are so many people who look to you for help, guidance, or a smile. You hold power that you can’t even imagine. There is someone who looks for your light on a daily basis. You are the reason someone feels safe at school. You are the reason someone feels accepted. You are the reason someone is still here today. You have the power to persuade; use the power well.

Empower. - The word “empower” is a verb. According to Google, the definition of empower is to “make (someone) stronger and more confident, especially in controlling their life and claiming their rights.” Along with the power to persuade, you have the power to empower. You can make others stronger. You can make others more confident. You can help others take control of their life. You have the power to help someone do something they can’t do on their own. You can empower.

The HOPE Squad members try to live this motto daily. We have been so blessed because of it. Now we challenge you to live this motto. We challenge you to find the people who need you and to be there for them. We challenge you to tell an adult when you feel something might not be right. We challenge you to let the HOPE Squad know if there is someone who could use a little extra help. We challenge you to hold on, persuade, and empower.