Nikki Sixx, Jim Osborne
Ross Halfin; courtesy of IAG
Independent Artist Group, the scrappy agency led by CEO Jim Osborne, is partnering with Covenant House in order to support the organization that is dedicated to fighting homelessness.
In making Covenant House its philanthropic priority, the agency is following the lead of clients Nikki Sixx of Mötley Crüe, as well as the band Five Finger Death Punch, both of whom are long-time and active supporters of the organization.
IAG has made a long-term financial commitment to the organization and will encourage employees to dedicate time and effort through volunteer programs and service days at Los Angeles sites of Covenant House.
“Our eyes were opened to Covenant House by our clients Nikki Sixx and Five Finger Death Punch, and once we saw the amazing and necessary work that this organization does, it connected perfectly with our core values and inspired us to join them in making a significant difference in the lives of young people,” said IAG’s Osborne in a statement. “Our plan is to also provide internships leading to jobs that help launch careers.”
Covenant House is a national charity that provides sanctuary to young people facing homelessness and provides immediate and ongoing care for their physical and mental health issues and needs. It is also an agency that provides vital work in cities such as Los Angeles, which are facing unprecedented levels of unhoused population.
Five Finger has had a long association with the organization as the band’s vocalist Ivan Moody experienced homelessness in his youth. It partnered with Covenant House on the release of their song and video “Judgement Day” and last November highlighted National Runaway Prevention Month, using their platform to encourage fans to learn about the issue, seek support, and make a difference. The band also announced they will be donating a portion of their forthcoming ticket sales to the charity.
“Our commitment to donating to support their programs and using our platform to raise awareness perfectly aligns with the band’s and our fans’ values,” stated Moody.
Sixx, Mötley Crüe’s bassist, also struggled with homelessness. In 2007, he donated proceeds from his New York Times bestselling book, The Heroin Diaries, to Covenant House, enabling the Los Angeles branch to start a music program for its residents, complete with a fully equipped music space and full time music teacher. He has continued to bring awareness to the ongoing crisis and to support the group.
Stated Sixx, “When I was young, music saved my life. Covenant House works with at risk youth to help save their lives. That is why I donated money from my book to Covenant house, and through that awareness and donation they were able to build a music room to help give these at risk youth a place to go and begin to heal”.
Five Finger Death Punch
Hristo Shindov
