4 days down 86 to go…

This morning, I was determined to continue this #closetstrike journey! I am four days into the journey, and was pushed to continue by reading a stat posted by NCCP on children and poverty:

More than 16 million children in the United States – 22% of all children – live in families with incomes below the federal poverty level – $23,550 a year for a family of four. Research shows that, on average, families need an income of about twice that level to cover basic expenses. Using this standard, 45% of children live in low-income families.

Most of these children have parents who work, but low wages and unstable employment leave their families struggling to make ends meet. Poverty can impede children’s ability to learn and contribute to social, emotional, and behavioral problems. Poverty also can contribute to poor health and mental health. Risks are greatest for children who experience poverty when they are young and/or experience deep and persistent poverty.

Research is clear that poverty is the single greatest threat to children’s well-being. But effective public policies – to make work pay for low-income parents and to provide high-quality early care and learning experiences for their children – can make a difference. Investments in the most vulnerable children are also critical.

This stat alone is motivation to work to build closets on behalf of students that #lovebeyondwalls will encounter in the next school term.

Terence

2 days down 88 to go…

88 more days to go! Only outfit I own at this point. This morning was extremely humbling… Why? Because when you don’t have options, you must be grateful for what little you have… Below is the one outfit that I have committed myself to for 90 DAYS during the awareness campaign #closetstrike

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Terence 

 

1 day down 89 to go…

Today, was my first full day of #closetstrike! It is going to be a long journey to go 90 full days with only one outfit. I walked into the closet today, and just looked… Why go 90 DAYS? Check it out [HERE].

image-1

Terence

The Soul Project – 500K Shoes

Today, I met one of the most inspiring brothers I have met in a long time… His name is Martin Kumi, and he started an organization called, The Soul Project. He shared with me his story of being raised in Africa, and being very poor as a child. In fact, he shared that if his dad wouldn’t have brought him to America, he would have had to have his feet amputated because (like many) he was a child that didn’t have shoes in his youth.

In 2007, he launched an organization in an effort to provide shoes to thousands of people in third world countries that do not have any shoes and are vulnerable to foot diseases. So far, he has given away 500K pairs of shoes to men, women, and children in many countries.

I was introduced to this brother from Eldridge Washington (a brother man that leads the organization M.A.D.E.). I was grateful for the connection. Why? Because we will take the remaining of the shoes we collected for #givemilesaway, and donate them to “The Soul Project” to help resources thousands of people in Africa (and other countries) shoes this summer. Kumi has a vision to resource 1 million people with shoes, and #lovebeyondwalls will support his movement to make it happen. The thing I loved most about this brother was that not only was he humble, but he was committed to the work that God has called him to… He said, “I AM GIVING MY LIFE TO THIS…”

Below is Martin, please pray for him and follow his work! 10312067_689867754383726_6479497630770914202_nTerence

Kids Helping Kids!

Today, we got a chance to connect with Chatham Hill Elementary School and Ms. King’s 5th Grade class… These  students took it upon themselves to raise tons of shoes to support over thirty orphans in India (cared for by Faith India Ministries).

Not only is this awesome, but it was an opportunity to educate students on needs that exist in society and the world! Below is a picture of the kids uniting with the #lovebeyondborders wristbands.

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Terence

 

Dehydration story & Homelessness

Most people have asked, “Why in the world are we raising bottled water for the Summer?” Well, we went downtown and interviewed several homeless people about public water access, and found out that it is extremely hard to get water and even harder during the Summer months. Additionally, I almost lost a friend who is homeless due to dehydration, hypertension, and health conditions this year.

Therefore, we chatted with a brother named Skip, and he said that he’s had a struggle trying to get water everyday (even being put out of public places as a homeless person for trying to get water).

Here is a short clip below:

With the lack of public water for homeless people, this quote below by the National Healthcare for the Homeless becomes true:

Heat-related Conditions

“Persons who live on the streets or in shelters are at increased risk for dehydration in warmer climates, particularly during summer months. Be aware that diuretics can exacerbate dehydration and that limited access to water or bathroom facilities may interfere with treatment adherence.”

With these findings, #lovebeyondwalls is vowing to combat homeless dehydration for many homeless people this Summer by providing drinking water. Yep. That simple. Bottled water. If you would like to get involved, check out our flyer [HERE], or contact us.

Terence

Heartfelt News & A Mission

The other week, I received horrible news about one of the guys that we worked with that stayed under the bridge (Tent City). When I met him a few months back, he was struggling with his health. Therefore, we got him connected to an agency that provides healthcare, and he was doing well. Well, after they shut down “Tent City” he started to go downhill again.

I just found out that he was hospitalized due to dehydration, and other health conditions. This not only upsets me, but it has me thinking….

Would this have happened if we didn’t lose touch with him and many others that were displaced from living under the bridge.

 

This morning my heart is heavy, and I feel like we have to do something! Not just for Joe, but for others who may end up in the hospital this Summer!

I wonder how many more homeless men, women, and children do not have access to water in the city… I wonder how many are rushed to the hospital because of dehydration and health conditions… I wonder how many will be rushed to the hospital today…

Well, in honor of my friend Joe we are going to make sure every homeless person we encounter this Summer is hydrated. Please join us in our May campaign to raise water!

We are calling this #projectTHIRST… Below is the image!

LBW-ProjectThirst-nonumber

Terence