This year will mark the 5th consecutive year that we have gathered people in our community to provide hope, love, and dignity to those we get a chance to walk with all year.
We are so appreciative of the many groups and people that will gather with us this week!
LBW Team
We’re excited to share “Hope” this Thanksgiving with our community for the next Gather Atlanta. Serve with us!
LBW Team
One month ago, our organization was donated this car from a generous medical doctor. The doctor has chosen to remain anonymous, and the car only needs minor repairs (it runs).
However, we’ve decided to make this car our first “Give Love Away” gift. We are looking for a family or individual to gift this vehicle to that needs a push. Someone in need who could really use this vehicle to get ahead in some way. We are not interested in giving this car away to anyone who really doesn’t need transportation.
How to apply:
—Submit a story for someone else. If you have a story of someone who could benefit from this vehicle, submit it on their behalf by visiting our contact page and sharing their story or emailing us at info@lovebeyondwalls.org
—Tag an organization or someone. Tag an organization or someone that may have a story to submit on behalf of someone else.
Please do not inbox us personally about this as we receive many requests already.
TOP TEN STORIES
We are taking the first ten stories and will select the person or family that we feel this vehicle will best serve. We will select the recipient by May 10th (one week from today).
LBW Team
The official countdown to the March Against Poverty 2018 campaign has begun. In 26 days, Terence & Johnny will set out on a journey to unify us against systemic poverty.
Terence will walk 386 miles to the motel where King was assassinated to bring attention to poverty, and to take a stand for reconciliation. Guess what? The Lorraine Motel is partnering with us and has added #MAP18 to their calendar of events.
Through this journey we hope to shed a light on systemic poverty, racial division, and join the national conversation on reconciliation.
Will you join us in the March Against Poverty 2018?
Follow the conversation or attend the send off! The tickets are almost gone.
Simply click the button below.
LBW Team
MAP18 is the March Against Poverty, a national awareness campaign in partnership with the Center for Civil and Human Rights that exists to give a voice to the marginalized, mobilize people on the sidelines, and bring people together from all walks of life.
The march will begin at The Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta and finish at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, where Dr. King was assassinated, on April 4th, the 50th anniversary of the assassination.
A rally at The Center for Civil and Human Rights will serve as the launch for the campaign featuring remarks from civil rights leaders. The gathering will bring together people from all walks of life and nationalities to engage in a national conversation on racial division and systemic poverty.
I’m walking to raise awareness for the millions of people trapped in systemic poverty and affected by racial division in America. Through this campaign, we intend to get people to take a stand against poverty and racial division.
This year, on the 50th anniversary of MLK’s assassination for giving his life to fight against racial injustice, war, and poverty, we honor him as a hero and a legacy as well as honor his mission through continuing this campaign for justice.
There are many examples of people who marched and walked long distances on behalf of others. In fact, much of my inspiration comes from many people listed below:
Martin Luther King Jr. – marched/walked on behalf persons of color and others being mistreated with unequal rights. He sacrificed his life so African Americans would be considered equal (March on Washington / Selma to Montgomery).
Jesus – marched and walked toward a Cross on Calvary’s Hill to sacrifice His life for the sins/poverty of others. He gave all so people could be reconciled to God in Heaven.
Zach Bonner – marched/walked several times across the country at a very young age to fight hunger among youth and families through his organization Little Red Wagon Foundation (My House to The White House / 1,225 miles).
Darryl Cloud – rode a bike across the country (in his 80’s) 2,400 miles to raise awareness for veterans that struggle with disabilities.
I am walking around the 50th anniversary of Dr.King’s assassination in hopes to raise awareness to the same campaigns and issues Dr.King also fought for. Before he was killed, he planned his next initiative, The Poor People’s Campaign.
MLK believed that the next step towards equality was to eradicate a system that even today keeps members of society enslaved to poverty. He believed that systemic poverty was a civil rights issue, and so do we.
My name is Terence Lester, and I am the Executive Director of a non-profit organization called Love Beyond Walls. I have been working in the community for 14 years, and have devoted my life to serving the poor and marginalized. I am happily married to my best friend, Cecilia Lester, and we have two children who mean the world to us.
Every single week, people who struggle with poverty must walk miles and miles just to gain access to basic necessities to survive. Whatever reason, many people walk because they lack transportation and most times—hope.
This year, the march is also symbolic of those who have gone before us to march for what they believed was right. And in wake of the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr’s assassination, we march because he also marched. We stand up and walk for those who cannot and do not have a voice.
MAP18 stands for “March Against Poverty in 2018.” We chose MAP because a map is a symbolism for direction. Not only do we hope to inspire onlookers to get involved, but to inspire people to create life-maps that will lead them out of poverty.
I have chosen to walk because when you walk—you see more, and understand more.
Additionally, walking has many symbolisms:
This year we are partnering with:
Just like the many families who allow their loved ones go to fight in wars overseas on behalf of the country, my wife and children are allowing me to go and fight a different type of war. It’s a war for all people wrestling with poverty and racial injustice in this country.
In fact, my wife has encouraged me to follow my heart and walk every single step on behalf of those who don’t have a voice and need hope.
On this site, there will be a digital drop pin that identifies my every location. People will be able to access the site to see exactly where I am at all times. (There’s also a more detailed list of ways to get involved here.)
We will travel in our Mobile Makeovers Bus and stay inside it at night. We will be safe as we use rest stops and hotel/motel lots to sleep in.
I am going to walk 12.5 miles a day for 30 days until I arrive at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, where Dr. King was assassinated. The Mobile Makeover Bus will follow behind me for the entire distance.
If we raise money, we will create and produce our next documentary on race as well as expand our “Love Center” in Atlanta to create the serve more people who wrestle with poverty and injustice week to week.
12.5 miles.
We will eat healthy foods (salads, sandwiches, fruits & veggies) on the journey every day.
We even have one of our partners who will donate healthy juice to start us off to make sure we are energized.
Additionally, if people bring us meals we will also eat what people bring to support us on our journey.
At the finish line, we will host a press conference and charge to challenge others to stand up for justice, march for what they believe is right, and continue the journey of reconciliation.
Yes. We encourage you to share this story with family members, friends, co-workers, and anyone who will listen to the stories that we share on this journey.
Yes. We are going to turn this journey into a documentary.
There are several ways you can help:
Safety is an issue. No one really knows if they will be fully safe (no matter where you are). However, we will practice safe traveling skills. We will stay in populated areas, communicate to those who are following us and make sure we avoid any tensed areas.
Currently, we will need food, gas, encouragement, supporters, and people to donate socks and diapers.
We will post checkpoints via social media. There will also be a drop pin map on the site for you to follow.
Your local church can get involved by coming to serve with us, doing small group studies on what God says about the poor, starting to serve needs in the community where your church is planted, or partner with us financially on a month-to-month basis.
Yes. You can become a monthly partner. In fact, your monthly contribution is what will empower us to reach, serve, and assist more people as they aim to climb out of the pits of poverty. Your contribution will help us inspire hope in those who are hopeless and voiceless.
It’s Coming!
We are literally a month out from revealing how we will intentionally use this RV to give dignity to those who are experiencing homelessness in the city.
We hope that this unique concept will cause us all to rethink how we can repurpose vacant spaces around our city and across our nation.
LBW Team
This past weekend, we hit the streets to help transport many homeless people that were staying outside during the ice storm to warming stations around Atlanta. We were able to get over 30 individuals off of the streets, but there were a few individuals that decided remain outside in the cold.
We partnered with groups to take blankets, socks, and warming items to keep our friends warm. If you are interested in donating blankets, socks, or coats please reach out to us as we aim to serve those still sleeping outside in this weather [email us at info@lovebeyondwalls.org].
LBW Team
