Hope for the Holidays 2025: Give the Gift of Hope.
Make a difference today, impact a lifetime.
As the weather cools and the holiday season approaches, FLY is once again launching one of our most meaningful traditions, Hope for the Holidays.
A FLY Tradition
Each year, this campaign brings our community together to spread warmth, encouragement, and love to young people in the juvenile justice system who will spend their holidays away from home. The season can be especially painful for youth separated from their families and loved ones—but together, we can remind them that they are seen, valued, and never forgotten.
Every December, we gather letters of encouragement, build care packages that our team delivers to youth facilities across the Bay Area, and ask those who can to give to help us continue providing our life-changing programs and support for youth.
WHY HOPE MATTERS
Right now, public funding cuts mean fewer resources for young people at a time when their needs are growing. But at FLY, we know that hope is powerful—it’s the foundation for change.
Each year, FLY partners with more than 2,400 youth across the Bay Area to help them exit the prison pipeline and build brighter futures. Over 90% of FLY youth say they now have hope for their futures. That spark of hope often begins with moments like this—when a young person realizes that their community believes in them.
How You Can Spread Hope
This year, you can join us in spreading hope in several meaningful ways:
1. Write a Letter of Encouragement
Your words can inspire a young person to keep going. There are many easy ways to get involved:
Write your message online using our link, and we’ll print and deliver it in a personalized holiday card.
Host a letter-writing activity with your friends, coworkers, classroom, or community group at a party or holiday event—then drop off your letters at the nearest FLY office.
These notes remind youth they are not forgotten and that their community believes in their potential.
2. Join Us for Our Community Care Package Build
📅 Monday, December 16th, 4–6 PM
📍 San Jose Sobrato Center, 1400 Parkmoor Ave, San Jose, CA 95126
Come together with fellow FLY supporters to assemble care packages filled with treats, activities, hygiene items, and messages of encouragement. These packages offer more than comfort—they are tangible reminders of love, support, and belonging.
Join us at our Care Package Build and help write letters in person while we assemble care packages together. Register Here!
3. Give HOPE all Year!
Your generosity keeps hope alive all year long. Every gift supports FLY’s proven programs that help youth exit the pipeline to prison, achieve their goals, and build stable, thriving futures.
There are many ways to give:
Make a one-time or recurring donation online
Donate stock or contribute through your Donor-Advised Fund (DAF)
Give in honor of a loved one this holiday season
Click Here to give hope all year!
This is also an excellent year to consider bunching your charitable donations—a tax-smart strategy that can maximize your giving impact under recent tax changes while providing hope and opportunity for FLY youth. Check out our FLY Giving Guide to maximize your impact!
Your support sustains year-round mentorship, case management, leadership programs, and system navigation services that change lives—and remind young people that their community believes in their potential.