49 DAYS ago, I made a commitment to help four Title 1 schools raise uniforms to assist students who struggle with resources in their closets throughout the school year. To do this, I have given away ever article of clothing I own, and only left myself one outfit to walk in the shoes of many students that wear the same thing every single day.
However, today I am tired… I have been wearing this one outfit to every single thing: I’ve worn it to workout, to meetings, to work, to sleep (once or twice), on trips, etc. Although, this outfit has grown on me, it is scary looking forward. I don’t know if we will raise the other 200 uniforms needed by the end of July and I don’t know where or how I will replace the clothes that I gave away.
It really is a very unique journey, and one of the most challenging I have had to endure!
However, I keep asking myself, “Is it worth it?” And honestly, the only answer I could come up with is–YES! It is because this will start a resource closet to service four under resourced schools.
I don’t know how this will come together over the next 41 DAYS, but I definitely have a “don’t stop mentality.” What is a don’t stop mentality? It contains three specific things:
1) Big picture reflection – This keeps you focused on the entire picture at large. When you are focused, this helps you maintain a right perspective on your journey.
2) Small celebrations – This allows you to celebrate where you are, and what you have been able to accomplish toward the bigger picture.
3) Focused solutions – This allows you to remain focused on the needs that you are priviledged to serve.
Wherever you are, whatever project you have going on…. join me in refusing to stop! Stay focused, and have a resolve to go the distance.
If you would like to know how you could contribute, read [HERE]
Terence
On June 11th, we took the love of God to the Puttsburgh community by partnering with the Salvation Army, It’s Just A Dream, and many volunteers. We served a little over 150 residents from that community with food & hope!
Terence
Today makes 42 days in one outfit. That’s 1,008 hours! So, far we’ve collected enough uniforms to cover one school… Help us collect enough to resource three more schools… I have 48 more days to go… Can’t wait to share this journey with all the students we help…
Here is a picture of the uniform that I have worn all these days…
If you are interested in helping, below you’ll find the schools we are adopting, and the supplies that are needed to resource these schools:
SIZES
small (6-8)
medium (10-12)
large (14-16)
SCHOOLS
Mt Zion Primary (50 uniforms pledged)
PreK- Yellow polo style shirts
K5-Green polo style shirts
1st grade-Red polo style shirts
2nd grade-Navy polo style shirts
Pants/Bottoms: Khaki, navy, or black
EJ Swint Elementary (50 uniforms needed)
Tops: button down or polo style-white,
Bottoms: Khaki or dress pants style, shorts or skirts-khaki, blue, black color
Fountain Elementary (50 uniforms needed)
Tops: Polo style or button down style—yellow, gold, blue, or white
Pants, shorts, skirts: khaki, blue
Riverdale Elementary (50 uniforms needed)
Tops: Polo style with collar–Red, black, white, navy blue
Pants, skirts, skorts, knee length shorts: Khaki, black, dark blue
Also, if you are interested in learning where you can drop these items off, read [HERE]
Terence
Today is DAY 40 of #closetstike! And, it’s the day that we’ll come along side the Salvation Army and partner to serving the Pittsburgh Community in the heart of Atlanta, Ga.
Terence
Today is DAY 34 of #closetstrike! So far, I have gone 816 hours in one outfit, and have 1,344 hours to go in order to build closets for Title 1 schools, and students who will need these resources. We have partnered with both The Purple Phoenix Project, and Ladies Atlanta to raise uniforms for our campaign #closetstrike. We are looking to partner with more over the next 56 days.
It is my thought that nothing shouldn’t rob a child of anything, because it’s not their fault what they have to endure. We can’t wait to serve under-sourced Elementary Schools…
Today is DAY 31 in one outfit!
For the last thirty days I have only worn one outfit… Why? Because I decided to give up my closet so four Title 1 Schools who have students who struggle with their closets can have one! This is not a stunt, or some type of gimmick… I’m doing this because I encountered tons of kids who wear the same thing every single day because their families live in poverty. Therefore, I vowed to myself that not only will I walk in the shoes of these kids, but I would do something that benefit the schools that have students who struggle with this issue.
Many people know that Title 1 Elementary Schools require their students to wear uniforms….Therefore, #lovebeyondwalls is going to do something about it…
I, Terence have not only given up every single article of clothing I own, but for the next 60 days, I am rallying people to help us collect tons of uniforms (new or slightly used) to help several Elementary Schools, and to build closets for these schools…
How can you get involved? Simple. You can drop off any of the items below at several of our drop-off locations, or you can give monetarily [HERE] — 100% of your giving goes directly to uniforms. Our goals is to furnish each of these schools with 50 uniforms a piece.
Below are the schools, there colors, sizes, and the drop-off locations you can bring them to:
SIZES
small (6-8)
medium (10-12)
large (14-16)
SCHOOLS
Mt Zion Primary
PreK- Yellow polo style shirts
K5-Green polo style shirts
1st grade-Red polo style shirts
2nd grade-Navy polo style shirts
Pants/Bottoms: Khaki, navy, or black
EJ Swint Elementary
Tops: button down or polo style-white,
Bottoms: Khaki or dress pants style, shorts or skirts-khaki, blue, black color
Fountain Elementary
Tops: Polo style or button down style—yellow, gold, blue, or white
Pants, shorts, skirts: khaki, blue
Riverdale Elementary
Tops: Polo style with collar–Red, black, white, navy blue
Pants, skirts, skorts, knee length shorts: Khaki, black, dark blue
Terence
Today is officially the 30th DAY of #closetstrike! I have been in one outfit for 30 DAYS straight… Why? to help elementary school students.
While doing the strike, #lovebeyondwalls has experienced some pretty cool things… We officially collected over 300 cases of water for those who are homeless in Atlanta.
Initially, when we came up with the idea to collect water it was because I had found out that one of my homeless friends I was working with was hospitalized due to dehydration.
I thought… I wonder why? Then it dawned on me that homeless people have very little access to public water! It is very hard access water and stay hydrated if you are homeless. Therefore, we decided to launch #projectTHIRST to keep those we encounter living on the streets hydrated with the basic necessity of water. Every human deserves dignity in a glass of water (no matter where they may lay their head a night)…
Therefore, over the last three weeks, we have distributed water to those who lack public access to water. It has been amazing!
In a week or so, #lovebeyondwalls will partner with the Salvation Army (In Atlanta) & It’s Just a Dream to serve those in the Pittsburgh community of the 11th of this month.
To learn more about how to get involved in what we are doing email volunteer@lovebeyondwalls.org
Terence
This morning (5AM), I woke up to this picture!
A month ago, we partnered with a 5th grade class to ship shoes to orphans in India… Well, the package arrived yesterday.
With the help of these young generous givers we were able to provide shoes for 35 shoeless orphans, and 7 adults that care for them from Faith India Ministries. It is amazing knowing that this box of shoes traveled from College Park to India to resource people we may never meet.
Love Beyond Walls is officially overseas…#lovebeyondwalls #lovebeyondborders
Terence
Today, is day 25 in one outfit! I’m literally thinking about so many now, but nothing more that helping the communities, families, and children that God will bring us before. On my 31st, I’ll release a series of videos explaining in depth how this campaign #closetstrike will benefit many schools and students!
One great event we having coming up is a partnership with the Salvation Army & It’s Just A Dream to provide love and hope to those in the Pittsburgh community. Below are the details!
Terence
