Yesterday (Labor Day), we recieved noticed that we won the September grant from the Awesome Foundation (Atlanta Chapter) for our #closetstrike campaign. We will use these resources to build closets for Title 1 students.
You can click the image below to read the story on their national site.
LBW Team
Today, officially starts the #carryATL campaign! However, we got a jumpstart on passing out carrying bags to Atlanta’s homeless this past Saturday. We encountered some very signifigant stories that confirmed the great need for resourcing our homeless friends with carrying bags.
We met a lady named Maria who has been homeless for a year! She was in the parking lot earlier that morning before we started to go out and pass out bags, and she made a statement that stuck with us the entrée day (and days to come), “A bag helps me because everything I own is in them…” She was basically saying that if she didn’t have anything to transport her items, she wouldn’t have anything.
Assist us this month as we collect bags, and hygiene items for the homeless in Atlanta, GA. Below is a video o another lady we met who stopped by the headquarters! Listen as Michelle speaks on why bags are important. To donate, click [HERE] or send us an email to info@lovebeyondwalls.org to drop off resources at our headquarters in College Park.
LBW Team
Today, we were able to resource over 20 families with groceries (#loveboxes) because of our partnership with Warehouse of Hope! Because of their support we are able to resource elderly people who struggle with food lack.
LBW Team
We met Tiffany the other day after it rained! We stopped and asked her why she was carrying a trash bag, and she stated, “ALL MY THINGS GOT WET…I WISH I HAD A BAG” Well, we were able to resource Tiffany with a proper bag, and gave her a ride to get checked into a shelter. During the ride to the shelter, she gave the idea to help the homeless with carrying bags… Thus, we launched #carryATL
Have you ever had to carry your entire life’s belongings in a trash bag? Or have you ever experienced having your things thrown away because you were homeless and had no where to store them? In September, #lovebeyondwalls will gather carrying bags to aid local shelters, charities, and homeless individuals with a simple tool to carry their personal belongings. Join us as we show respect, and give dignity back to those who are in transition.
LBW Team
On Wednesday of this week, we visited Riverdale Elementary School and met with Ms. Veal (Principal) and Ms. Vazquez (Community Liaison) to present the “Uniforms of Hope” we raised during our #closetstrike campaign! The principal immediately grabbed a few children and shared the news with them! Below is a picture of their reaction when the uniforms were presented. Thank you if you were a part of us resourcing these schools!
LBW Team
When you look at a beautiful building, what do you see? Do you see only the structure, the beautiful design, the landscape, or the square footage? Or, do you allow your mind to think deeper about the many pieces holding the building together? In most cases, we never think beyond the surface about the screws, nails, framing, sheetrock, foundation, beams, and many other elements providing support for any structure to stand tall. But, the things that aren’t seen are actually the elements that make the building beautiful.
This past weekend, I pondered the MANY elements that go unseen at #lovebeyondwalls! In fact, it is the things that are not seen that make our organization beautiful. The volunteers that give their blood, sweat, and tears to our work is what make our organization stand. It’s not because I do adventurous things to raise awareness. Without the donors, volunteers, and people who pray for us we wouldn’t exist.
As a leader, I understand this profound statement, “If you want to travel somewhere fast, go alone. If you want to travel somewhere far, travel with a good group of people.” That’s what we’ve encountered. A good group of people.
Not only did we serve many families diapers this past weekend, we got a chance to pray for and with many families (hard workers) who only needed a push and encouragement because times were rough. Our volunteers set up, handed diapers out, and also sorted to make this happen. This is the beauty behind the scenes that help us move forward to have a great building. One story that really touched my heart was the family that only had eight diapers left, and literally did not know what they were going to do. Because people serve to make our structure great, we were able to bless this family.
Below are some pictures of what took place because a supporter and donor helped us with tons of diapers! I leave you with this, “If you are attempting to lead anything significant. It takes an army to do anything great!” I am grateful for the army God is surrounding us with at @lovebeyondwalls.
Terence
I can’t believe it has literally been six days since I have been in regular clothes! Some amazing things have happened over the three months (during the #closetstrike journey). We worked with several people, organizations, and businesses to raise resources to help four Title 1 schools. Next week, we will hand deliver “uniforms of hope” to four schools we’ve adopted in Clayton County. Each uniform will have a special heart placed on the sleeve! This will be to let educators and families know that there is an army of people who support and love them.
Additionally, next week we will mobilize corporate professionals to serve children in the Sheltering Arms Daycare on Welcome All Rd. Northwestern Benefits has raised tons of books for #lovebeyondwalls to promote literacy & education.
We are excited about this!
Terence
At 12 midnight, I made the full 90 DAYS in one outfit. Yesterday, the #lovebeyondwalls team surprised me with this memorbelia below to help us remember the journey! It currently is in our office! I’m excited because now we will be able to assist many of the schools we are partnered with with uniforms for under resourced students.
Terence
You ever been under water in a swimming pool for a considerable amount of time, and all of a sudden you spring out of the water gasping for air? Well, that’s what today feels like…
It feels like I have literally been under water wearing this same outfit for 90 DAYS straight, and I can now prepare myself to get some air… Why compare having no oxygen to wearing the same outfit? Simple. Each day was a struggle, presented a new challenged, was filled with embarrassment, and became psychologically and emotionally taxing. There were many times I found myself wanting to quit, or break out in tears, or even spring out of the “water of shame” to get some air.
“AGAIN…..” I’d wake up and say to myself.
However, the focus of this journey wasn’t about me! It was to gain a clear understanding of what children who battle poverty fell…. It gave me deeper understanding of how children are impacted emotionally, socially, and even psychologically (those who lack resources). When a child has to endure poverty, shame, and even socially isolating circumstances, it becomes damaging to their self-picture. When a self-image is destroyed, it is hard for any type of hope or confidence to be present (especially in a classroom setting). That’s why I am really excited that our organization will be able to help a little! We are aiming to encourage both educators and students! #lovebeyondwalls will soon present uniforms to four schools we are partnering with to aid families and children.
Terence
This past weekend, #lovebeyondwalls partnered with several people to pull off a BBQ in College View Hill Apartments on Saturday. We had over 30 volunteers, served over 250 people food, resourced 20 people with groceries, and led over 30 youth to faith.
A young man that worked with us named Demetrious Nimmons had each of those young people sign the basketball after declaring their faith in the Lord. Below is a collage of a few pictures from this past weekend. Also, this BBQ day made DAY 85 in on the #closetstrike journey!
Terence
