Supporter Profile: Taylor Baldwin Streams for HOPE

When Taylor Baldwin first heard about the explosion in Beirut on August 4, he knew he wanted to do something.

Baldwin, 26, is a Twitch streamer — a gamer who uses the platform for video game live streaming. In a year where the world has become increasingly virtual, Twitch has skyrocketed in popularity, with more than 3 million monthly broadcasters and 15 million daily users.

He is also one of thousands of Twitch users who use live streaming to raise money for charity — including Project HOPE’s global COVID-19 response. More than 200 streamers like Baldwin have raised awareness and funds to help us equip health workers fighting on the front lines, while ensuring our global health programs continue to transform lives.

What made Baldwin want to stream for Project HOPE? And what kind of response has he gotten? Read on to learn more about how the Twitch community is coming together to support causes they believe in.

You were our first charity Twitch partner. What made you choose to stream for Project HOPE?

I have been thinking about this for quite some time, and I think it really comes down to the name: Project HOPE. Growing up, sometimes the only thing that kept me going was the hope that I had that things would get better — that the issues I was dealing with were for something bigger than myself.

Now I am able to relay a message of hope to these people and remind them that the sun eventually comes up and the rain goes away. There are so many people across the globe who have no one in their corner through crisis, and I just want to be someone who tries to give them a fighting chance.

How did you first hear about Project HOPE?

I really wanted to do something for the response in Lebanon when the explosions occurred — not only because it was the right thing to do, but because several members of my stream community come from Lebanon. I feel that it is a reflection of character to take a leap of faith and try to raise funds for somewhere or someone you have never met before. I found Project HOPE when I searched for charities and organizations, and I knew instantly that they were the ones I wanted to stand with.

When and why did you first start streaming, and what kind of content do you produce?

I started streaming at the end of March. I’m an extrovert and thrive off of interaction with others. Initially I played a lot of variety (a gaming term for playing many different games) as well as Minecraft, but most importantly I tried to provide content that was safe for all people. As someone who truly loves people no matter where they come from, what they look like, or how they live their life, I wanted to create a place where everyone felt accepted, even if they weren’t accepted anywhere else in their life.

I’m not the largest content creator by any means — I’ve had to continually work toward growth over the past five months — but I have built and maintained a very loving and welcoming community.

How have you seen the Twitch community change or evolve this year during the pandemic?

I downloaded Twitch at the beginning of March when quarantine was creeping up on us, so I can only speak from then until now. But I can say this: just in this short time, there has been a leap in diversity among what kind of streamers have come forward, as well as how unapologetic they are about what they believe in.

How many charity streams have you done for Project HOPE, and what has the response been?

I have only done one charity stream for Project HOPE so far. But thanks to that one stream, we were able to collectively raise over $5,000, which is just mind-blowing to me. The community really enjoyed it. My followers typically have faith in whatever it is I’m supporting because they trust me and know I wouldn’t put extra effort into something if it wasn’t worth it.

Ultimately, my hope is to somehow put together a team of streamers from every major region of the world. Just like all social media engagement platforms, Twitch connects people from all around the world — this would give Project HOPE the opportunity to break the language barrier and spread the organization’s name and its mission to people of all places.

We know that the fight for global health takes a worldwide effort, including engagement from younger generations. How do you think platforms like Twitch can help to rally support?

Everyone knows someone who has been affected by a health challenge that Project HOPE is addressing. Younger generations are as brash as they are sensitive. They are not afraid to speak up when they don’t understand, believe, or agree with something. This generation also understands the power of social media. They may not know exactly what is going on, but if one of their favorite influencers on Twitch, Instagram, or TikTok  says something about a crisis, they will begin to post and raise awareness on their own. And once they see a credible organization like Project HOPE aligning with their beliefs, the support just comes rolling in.

Do you want to join Taylor in streaming for HOPE?

Check us out on Tiltify and Streamlabs, and start fundraising for Project HOPE!

How you can help

Make a lifesaving gift to support our work now and for the future at projecthope.org/donate

Are you a health-care or other professional who would like to learn more about volunteering abroad with Project HOPE? Learn more about our volunteer program and join our volunteer roster.

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