MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE.
​
Most of us get caught up in our own lives and our daily routine, forgetting that the simplest of things can make the most significant impact on someone else. A smile, a compliment, paying for a meal.

Just think how different this world would be if everyone took a few minutes out of their week to do something kind for someone else. even the smallest act of kindness can make someone’s day better.

We wanted to share a few Acts of Kindness that we think can be helpful to you, so we can all spread joy to others.

Jerome Jordan is a paraplegic man (spinal Injury at 16) who I met around noon on the roadside of I-10 in Tempe a month ago. He had been waiting for 6 hours (since 4:30 AM) for someone to notice his wheelchair between his old VW and the cement wall to help him change his tire. I was stunned. I put him in my car. Initially, I was untrusting as he told me his story, but soon became convinced that life had simply been brutal to him, as many tears roiled off his cheeks while sharing with me his struggles.

He didn’t smell of smoke, had clear eyes, no signs of drug use, and looked 29 but is actually 45, He repeatedly thanked me and said he just wanted to work. He didn’t want handouts. (He could easily make big money begging on a corner.)
I think Jerome Jordan DESERVES a job. Customer service, collections, or any sitting job works. Unfortunately, our companies require healthcare qualifications. He is smart and even motivational, given his legs are useless. PLEASE! DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE THERE’S A SITTING JOB? Jerome deserves a hand up, especially this time of year.”

Embrace Foundation Reply:

Embrace will cover his expenses while he searches for a job
1) Housing
2) Clothing
3) Gas
4) Groceries
5) Etc…
Tim’s reply: Jerome is beyond excited.  He is so grateful to you and Embrace for helping him out of a tough situation.  I told him that Embrace gives a hand up but not a handout. He said that’s all he wants. He passed a video interview yesterday and today he’s taking a typing and computer test with a Temp to hire agency.  

I’m hoping he can get on with State Farm, as another option.  The response from the Facebook ad was very helpful for him and many people had very good job search ideas that he is pursuing hard.

I asked him what he would do with $1000. I explained that nobody’s going to give him cash, he was absolutely fine with that and understood why. He said he would: Pay two weeks of the hotel where he is staying at $320/week. Buy a few groceries since he now has a little fridge and microwave. Buy some used clothes so he looks better in his interviews. Buy gas for his VW. The timing is very good for the hotel, because today he is out at noon. The week that we paid for ends today at noon. How would you like to do this? I can give you the link to the hotel. It’s not on Hotels.com.  ($54/night). It’s a bit of a hassle to pay with a credit card to this hotel since it’s a low income hotel they verify the credit card.  If you want me to do it and Embrace reimburse me, that’s fine. But maybe there are strict regulations for foundations about donations being paid directly to organizations and not reimbursing friends.  Whatever is easiest for you. I did not mention to him about potentially being on your site for an ongoing collection. Let’s see how he does. He may need some education. A computer class or something but let’s keep the onus for his success on him.

This weekend we had a really fun activity with our Partners at Lit Yoga Barre in Calabasas.
Lit Yoga Barre donated a free Yoga Class to the women from Calabasas that brought in a clothes donation for the women of the Good Shepherd Shelter.

The women in the neighborhood got together to do a great class of hot yoga, it was a lot of fun. we met other like minded women, that want to help the World become a better place. We were able to get a SUV full of clothes for the women and their children. The goal is to get working clothes for the women at the shelter that they can use during interviews, to give them the confidence to land their dream job.

But the women that came to the yoga class were so amazing, they included clothes for children too.

The donations we received will go to the first domestic violence shelter to open in Los Angeles, they are the pioneers and experts in providing services for battered women and children, where the whole family is their focus and priority.
Our Charitable partners at the Good Shepherd Shelter, have a trauma-informed school, therapeutic programs and a residential program, as well as outreach into the community.

They want to increase the number of families that they serve.

You can help achieve that!

Our program focuses on mothers with young children who are ready to commit to our comprehensive program, designed to promote healing, independence and a pathway to the fulfillment of their dreams.

The core of our program focuses on providing  therapeutic and educational support to the mother and her children. Each family lives in one of the fourteen individual apartment units. These family apartments provide privacy, space and safety and give the mother an opportunity to transition and adapt to being a single parent. She can establish a new family routine and give each child the time and attention needed to feel secure. Mothers attend classes in family health and nutrition, parenting, first aid, self-defense, stress and money management, computer training and job acquisition skills. Some receive tutoring to meet a special need or goal, such as a GED. With staff support, the mothers establish their own families’ goals in an atmosphere of security and growth.

Help us end the cycle of domestic violence by donating today. Your support is vital to building, enhancing, and maintaining quality programs.

Donations help support many families in need of love and support. Your donations will help the Good Shepherd Shelter  elementary school, child development center, adult learning center, and residential programs.