Jesse Tyler Ferguson Visits His Turnaround Arts School

On Thursday, October 27, Jesse Tyler Ferguson visited Avenal Elementary School in Avenal, California, to enjoy and participate in a day full of dancing, arts & crafts, and poetry. 

Avenal Elementary School, located 200 miles north of Los Angeles in the state's Central Valley, is one of 68 schools part of the Turnaround Arts Initiative, a public-private partnership led by the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities to help turn around America's struggling schools.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson is one of dozens of Turnaround Artists who adopt Turnaround Arts schools, working directly with students and teachers, engaging parents and the school community, and highlighting the positive impact of the arts on their school’s transformation. 

At his latest visit to Avenal Elementary School, Jesse was treated to special dance and poetry performances by two 2nd grade classes, after which he spoke to the students about the importance of arts education in his life. Jesse added his hand print to the school's Red Ribbon Week mural with the help of kindergartners dressed for pajama day and also had time to speak with cast members from last year's production of Alice in Wonderland. 

Jesse is proud to be working with Avenal Elementary School for a third year as part of the transformational Turnaround Arts Initiative.

The Turnaround Arts Initiative is making significant impact across the country by improving math and reading scores by double-digit percentage points and decreasing in-school and out-of-school suspensions, some by as much as 89%.

Colton Haynes, Menswear Bloggers Design for Tie The Knot

Teen Wolf and Arrow star Colton Haynes joins Tie The Knot's extensive list of celebrity guest designers with his exclusive and limited-edition bow tie, which is part of the fall 2016 Tie The Knot collection launch! 

“I am so happy to help support Jesse & Justin - and Tie The Knot - with their fun and impactful approach to advocating for LGBTQ equality,” says Haynes. “Tie The Knot combines two very important aspects of my life - fashion and equality. It has never been so easy to support an important cause, and I am glad to be part of it.”  

Menswear bloggers Moti Ankari (The Metro Man), Marcel Floruss (One Dapper Street), and Nathan McCallum (Bangarang Blog) also designed unique bow ties for Tie The Knot inspired by their unique fashion senses, whimsical travels, and favorite design inspirations.

Sales of the bow ties support LGBTQ equality worldwide. $20 of every $25 Tie The Knot purchase at The Tie Bar (or $30 of every $35) is donated back to the organization so it may continue its mission of advocating for LGBTQ equality around the globe.

Tie The Knot Announces New Mission

With the launch of its new fall 2016 bow tie collection with The Tie Bar, Jesse Tyler Feguson's Tie The Knot announced a new mission rededicating itself to advocating for LGBTQ equality worldwide.

When Tie The Knot was founded in 2012  to advocate for marriage equality throughout the United States, only six states and Washington D.C. recognized marriages for same-sex couples. Today, having raised over $500,000 – three years and forty-four states later – the initial Tie The Knot goal of realizing full federal marriage equality was accomplished in June 2015. Same-sex couples across the country can marry in all 50 states and have their marriages recognized. 

Yet, there is still more work to do. In over thirty states, LGBTQ Americans lack federal protections in the workplace and are denied equal housing protection. Over 50% of LGBTQ Americans live in a state where they may be denied services based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. Of the 1.6 million homeless youth in the United States, 40% identify as LGBTQ (compared to 7% of the general youth population) and an overwhelming majority name being ‘forced out’ or ‘ran away’ due to family conflict as the reason for their homelessness.

Tie The Knot has rededicated itself to advocating for comprehensive federal protections nationwide and LGBTQ equality around the world by financially supporting front-line organizations fighting for equality and human rights.

It's partnership with The Tie Bar offers a fun and innovative way for all Americans can support the LGBTQ community. $20 of every $25 Tie The Knot bow tie purchase at The Tie Bar (and $30 of every $35) is donated back to the organization so it can continue its new mission advocating for LGBTQ equality around the globe.

Tie The Knot Supports Equality Florida in Honor of Pulse

In honor of the 49 victims in the Orlando Pulse tragedy, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Tie The Knot announced that they would donate all profits raised through the end of June to Equality Florida - one of the nonprofit organization's at the forefront of fighting for LGBTQ equality in the state.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Tie The Knot announced a separate $10,000 donation to Equality Florida immediately following the tragedy.

Equality Florida has been assisting those that were injured on June 12, family members, and community members in any way possible to cope with the tragedy, and they will continue their mission of securing equality and justice for Florida's LGBTQ community.

Use this link to purchase from Tie The Knot and help support Equality Florida >

Grab A Drink With Jesse in Support of God's Love We Deliver

JESSE TYLER FERGUSON and Fully Committed on Broadway have teamed up with Prizeo.com to offer one lucky winner and a guest the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of enjoying an Opening Night VIP experience on Broadway and to grab a drink with Jesse after his show!

Fully Committed, the hilarious one-man show about foodie culture starring Jesse Tyler Ferguson, is supporting the wonderful organization God's Love We Deliver in New York City. God's Love We Deliver is the New York City metropolitan area's leading provider of nutritious, individually-tailored meals to people who are too sick to shop or cook for themselves. 

To enter to win, visit Prizeo.com/Jesse. All it takes is $10 to have a shot, and the more you donate, the better chance you have of winning. Plus, you can redeem some great prizes like signed memorabilia or a one-on-one Skype date with Jesse!

The grand prize winner will enjoy airfare to New York City from anywhere around the world* and two nights in a 4-star hotel. To sweeten the deal, the winner will enjoy lunch at Untitled at the Whitney Museum. They'll attend opening night as VIPs - walk the red carpet, enjoy the show with great seats, and attend the exclusive after party where they'll take a photo with Jesse on the press line and grab a drink with him! 

*Some countries do not allow participation in online raffles. Please check the FAQ at Prizeo for more information.