Today, makes 69 DAYS in one outfit… We’re excited because LeCrew has chosen to allow many of their proceeds benefit our #closetstrike goal on the 25th on this month (Black Tie Gala)! Check out the video below…
Terence
This is what I’ve been sacrificing for… Today, the founder of the Purple Phoenix Project (a domestic violence awareness organization) dropped off the first 4 donated uniforms for the 4 schools #lovebeyondwalls is partnering with to provide closets for students this coming school year. If you would like to learn more, read one of our most recent blogs about why we are doing what we are doing [HERE]!
This excites me so much! Why? Because this proves that sacrifice helps others…God sacrificed for ALL of humanity, and I am just crazy enough to follow God’s lead. Therefore, I gave up my closet so kids can have one! DAY 39 is inspirational. Why? Because uniforms are starting to come in for kids who lack resources in their closets… First 4 donated uniforms… 246 to go! #closetstrike
Terence
This morning makes 9 DAYS in one outfit. That’s 216 hours straight. When I woke up this morning, all I could think about is surviving day to day. As a matter of fact, when you have no other options survival is all you have. Lord, give me the strength to continue this journey to help children who have little in their closets.
This morning had to have been the rough morning for me! Why? Because for the last six days, I have literally had on the same outfit every single day. I have done everything in it. I have gone to meetings, done work around the office, and have used this one outfit for every single thing. If I can be honest, it hurts knowing I cannot wear anything else …Also, it hurts knowing that I am confined to one outfit for every single event that I will partake in over the next 84 days (I can only imagine how students feel who go through this struggle).
In fact, this morning I visited a school in Douglas County (Chapel Hill High) because a student did a campaign to raise awareness about homelessness and partner with students and teachers on behalf of our organization #lovebeyondwalls. The news paper showed up (Douglasville Sentinel), and I was in the same outfit again. Below is a picture on Kamara (student), Jeff (editor), and myself (same outfit) discussing how students rallied around our efforts to reach the less fortunate.
Nonetheless, while on this journey I have been humbled, and extremely appreciative of every single thing that I have had the privilege to own.
Being on this journey has shown me how ungrateful we can sometimes be when we have many options at our disposal. I encourage any/every/one to cherish anything God has entrusted them with (no matter if they do not think it is a lot).
Terence
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
I have had 100’s of conversations with so many people now about going homeless, and have been asked questions like,
“Is this an organization strictly for the homeless?
“What other work do you do?”
“How can I get involved?”
Well, here’s the short answer… To be honest, I’m going homeless for more causes than one. I’m going homeless to raise awareness about homelessness, but also to raise awareness about another “silent epidemic” that’s going on in the state of GA and in other places among students (whose families may be homeless or live in transitional housing).
If fact, Did you know, “The fastest growing group of homeless people is children under 9 years of age.” (stat taken from Atlanta Metro Task Force for the Homeless)
Did you know there were children that sit in schools across this country whose families are homeless (It may not be as visible, but still exists)?
Did you know that either poverty or homelessness has caused a silent “uniform crisis“ among under-resourced students in Elementary Schools around the United States of America?
What crisis you’re probably wondering?
Let me explain. For the last twelve years, I have spoken in many environments (in colleges, schools, churches, businesses, for sororities, in penal systems, for fraternities, at government functions, etc), but most of the engagements have been in title 1 schools.
Why? Because I traveled sharing my personal story of life-change with youth and students and many opportunities came from schools with students who needed a little inspiration. I traveled hoping to redirect some young person before they reached a dead end. You can grab my first autobiography on amazon [here] in case you want to know what story.
But, while doing work in elementary schools (mainly title 1), I noticed that many children were wearing uniforms that had holes, were not washed, or they did not have on adequate attire (then principals and community liaisons confirm my suspicions).
I then learned that many title 1 schools have families that make less than 15K per year, and cannot afford to buy new uniforms for their children (some even live in transitional housing, or motels–not ALL families, but enough to catch my attention).
This broke my heart! Why? Because I can relate (if you grew up with hard times you can too).
It also broke my heart because I know that when a child goes to school and their attire is poor it messes with their self-esteem (causing them not to connect with the lesson). Now, imagine being homeless, having social problems at the house, not having adequate attire, and then you are asked to learn (sometimes that’s hard if your mind is filled with other junk).
What could I do I thought? How could I help students like this and more have fresh uniforms that would possibly boost their self-esteem (helping them connect with the lesson)?
Then it clicked. Go homeless…raise awareness… and provide….“Uniforms of Hope.”
I can partner with schools across this country and raise support to resource under-resourced students with uniforms so they would have adequate attire to wear to school through #lovebeyondwalls.
Well, it is becoming a realty! One month ago, we partnered with a major uniform supplier to make a special uniform with our heart on the sleeve.
Here’s our first sample:
Why on the sleeve? Because the heart informs educators, students, and families that there is an army of people out in the world that care about students and believe in their educational future. A #lovebeyondwalls army!
How does it work? I’m glad you asked.
1) When a person donates $15-$20, that person starts the process to receive one of our branded shirts that says, “GIVE LOVE AWAY”
2) From there, our manufacture creates a “Uniform of Hope” for a student in need.
3) Our manufacturer then ships the uniform (free of charge) to one of the ten schools we are partnered with to resource a child that I described a little earlier (aiming to get more schools).
4) Lastly, an exclusive branded #lovebeyondwalls shirt is printed and sent to the donor for their donation.
Here’s our diagram of how it works:
So, do you want to help us resource students yet? If so, donate and let’s resource 1K students starting in January (that’s 100 uniforms for ten schools)! We are calling this #projecthope.
Today, as I prep myself even more…not only am I thinking about my homeless friends in downtown Atlanta, I am thinking about students across this country (and the fastest growing population of homeless people in the US).
Terence
