CHELAN — Only7Seconds (O7S), a nonprofit organization focused on combating youth loneliness, has received a grant from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust to expand its operations across Washington state and the Pacific Northwest.
The funding will enable O7S to hire a Vice President of Programs for the Pacific Northwest region, strengthening its ability to implement youth connection programs across urban and rural schools and community organizations throughout Washington state.
The organization operates through what it calls a "tri-pillar solution" — awareness, education, and empowerment — delivering both digital and in-person programming. Key initiatives include the Connection Curriculum, I Know Lonely Project, Ambassador Program, and O7S School Clubs.
"We are deeply grateful for the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust's belief in and alignment with our mission and their commitment to building a healthier, more connected future for youth," said Luke Wall, O7S Executive Director. "There is a loneliness epidemic happening with America's youth and it is time we have a connection revolution. At Only7Seconds, we're building a world where loneliness is no longer the status quo but meaningful, intentional connection is."
The expansion comes in response to growing concerns about youth loneliness, which were heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic and formally recognized in a 2023 U.S. Surgeon General's advisory that identified loneliness as a public health crisis. Research indicates that chronic loneliness during adolescence can have lasting impacts on both mental and physical health, while also affecting social development and academic performance.
Founded in 2018 as a loneliness awareness campaign, Only7Seconds has evolved into a specialized nonprofit targeting youth loneliness. The organization has set a goal to have two million youth and young adults experience meaningful, intentional connection by 2035.
The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, established by the late Melvin J. (Jack) Murdock, provides grants and programming support to nonprofit organizations across five Pacific Northwest states: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.
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