YouthPride board chair Jordan Myers took to Facebook today to make a plea to raise $25,000 in the next week. The agency that serves metro Atlanta LGBT youth may close if financial shortfalls aren't met, its executive director said yesterday.

"YouthPride in Atlanta provides COMPLETELY FREE services to LGBTQ youth. We need to raise $25K in the next week. Get out your check book and send a donation. Checks are best, since online takes longer to process. YP is the only family many of our youth have. PUT THE WORD OUT! YouthPride needs YOUR help. Go to www.youthpride.org for our mailing address and additional info," Myers' post reads.

Myers could not be immediately be reached for comment.

The Facebook message posted today falls on the heels of an interview given to GA Voice by YouthPride Executive Director Terence McPhaul, who said Thursday the agency that has served LGBT youth since 1995 is in danger of closing.

"Donations are not coming at a pace we would like. We have bills to be paid. We've experienced this year to year," said McPhaul said.

McPhaul added he would like to raise $50,000. And if tens of thousands of dollars aren't raised, the agency that has served LGBT youth since 1995 may shut its doors in 60-90 days, he said.

"We are certainly in a crisis. The money has to be raised ... or we may be forced to close our doors," McPhaul said.

McPhaul said Thursday that the YouthPride board would release a statement on Friday about the money needed to be raised and the time frame it needed to be raised. However, that information was not made available despite several requests.

Myers did send a press release Friday afternoon that made a general plea for funding, but did not give any specific amount needed, any timeframe for which it was needed, or what the consequences would be for YouthPride if more funds were not raised.

"As the global economy began to slow in 2008, donations to non-profits showed a similar trend. … This trend has continued for the past three years. YouthPride is no exception, and has also realized lower donor and grant revenues during this period," the press release stated.

"In January 2010, YouthPride made operational changes to reduce our expenses and provide our services in a more cost-effective manner. As donations and grant disbursements have continued to decline (nationally and for YouthPride, specifically), we now find ourselves in a place of greater need," it said.

In an email distributing the press release, Myers directed questions to McPhaul.

"Our current donors and grantors have kept YouthPride viable during this challenging economy, and for that we are exceedingly thankful; but, they need your help in continuing to do so. … We ask that the Atlanta Pride Community come to our aid in this time of need and

help propel YouthPride through to 2012," the press release said.