Do1Thing Blog

Hundreds of heart wrenching emails continue to flow in to Do1Thing and many of you are asking how to help. We understand your desire to make a one to one connection with a youth in need and we understand you want 100% of your donation to go to that youth.

WE HEAR YOUR CALL FOR ACTION AND WE ARE MOVED!

Today Do1Thing formed a partnership with the Orphan Foundation of America (OFA) which serves thousands of foster teens across the United States.

WHAT DO THEY DO? They provide “aged out” youth with college scholarships, connecting them with mentors and internships, sending them care packages, testifying before Congress and most importantly, they’re there to help the teens deal with everyday problems that life offers up.

In the coming weeks we’ll introduce you to youth after youth, tell you their needs and ask you to reach out and do1thing. There will be a multitude of things you can choose from including offering or paying for a college scholarship, paying for a youths school books, providing a laptop, giving them spending money, helping with personal needs, offering internships, offering mentoring, just letting them know that they’re not alone in this huge world. You would be amazed to know how many of these youth have NO ONE and the ONLY birthday card they receive is from a staff member at The Orphan Foundation. The only connection they have to a caring voice is someone at the Orphan Foundation. It’s a simple thing but when you have no one, it’s a major boost.

Do1Thing met one to one with The Orphan Foundation team and believes in the work they’re doing.

WHY DID DO 1 THING PARTNER WITH THEM? Many reasons. First, they care and know these teen intimately. They just don’t give out scholarships or send out care packages. They answer everyone of their emails and phone calls. They talk these teens “off the ledge” when they can’t handle the pressures of life and they put them together with mentors who help them with daily struggle. They partner with these teens helping them to a better future not just offering a one time band aid.

Visit their site and stay tuned to meet amazing teens who are overcoming a lifetime of horrendous events. We can make a difference. You and I can make a difference. We can do it 1 thing at a time!

The Newark Bears baseball team reached out to Do1Thing offering to help homeless teens in New Jersey. They did more than just reach out, they offered by homeless teens at Covenant House Newark internships with the Bears organization. Ronald and Ann Marie, both featured in the People Magazine spread on Do1Thing are two of the five teens.

Our sincere thanks to the Bears organization and Patti Webster, ceo of W&W Public Relations who put Do1Thing, Covenant House and the Bears together. The Newark Bears did more than 1 thing, they took a chance by hiring 5 homeless teens and gave them a possibility of a better life.

Will you join us in doing1thing?

Visit the Newark Bears site, tell them they did a great thing, go see one of their ball games, encourage other employers to reach out to do1thing and let’s make a difference!

BRAVO NEWARK BEARS!

Miki Johnson at Live Books posted this article about Do1Thing’s model.

This Valentine’s Day the New Jersey-based non-profit organization Do1Thing officially launched, with a wealth of online visual content designed to raise awareness about homeless teens in the United States. Do1Thing’s website includes images, interviews, and multimedia presentations by more than 130 photojournalists, videographers, editors, writers, and volunteers, including renowned artists such as Nina Berman, Bill Frakes, David Leeson, Ed Kashi, David Hume Kennerly, Martin Schoeller, and Vincent Laforet. Do1Thing founders Najlah Hicks and Pim Van Hemmen partnered with NGOs that address teen homelessness, especially Covenant House, to which they used this stockpile of visual content to drive traffic (and donations). We think this idea of a non-profit serving as a kind of visual consultant for other non-profits has a lot of potential, so we decided to talk to Najlah about their strategy and future goals.

Read the entire story at Resolve at Live Books

A homeless youth in Alaska is moved to write his story after participating in an event and Do1Thing. Read his moving story and as he says, “You can be a hero…One thing is all is takes.”

Unfounded Family by GM

Seventeen-years old, cold and hungry, with a will power feeding from rage and depression. A loving family lost at an early age has resulted in what I refer to as the ‘unwritten law’, that of the street family. Consisting of friends, siblings, and enemies that have come together to create an unfounded family. Without the bounds of normal parental discipline, they are left to fight for their rights, tooth and claw…

This story is not as uncommon as we are led to believe. Walk down the street in any populated area in this state and look closely at the youth of the area. The frayed clothing, fresh scars and impaired smiles accompanied by uninhibited laughter. It’s normal, yes, but their laughter is bellied by the strength of their control that hides their pain.

These kids, these teens we see as delinquents. They are much more than they seems. They are the martyrs of a dysfunctional society, the direct result of an unseen force which draws them together. That force has been called many things. I have named it “The Needless Desire”. Poetic it is, as is the irony that has placed these kids in the hard situations they have overcome. Each one has a stronger heart and soul than you could ever imagine. They deal with death and starvation coupled with depression and sickness. They do this on a daily basis.

All is takes it one thing…that’s all we ask. One action that helps a single light in the darkness develop into a burning sun to brighten their everyday lives. Some think that these kids put themselves into the situation they live in. They are right about a few of them, but the majority of these teens come from broken homes and run to street families to seek acceptance in any form. These searches result in tent camps, street gangs, and even in structured Mafioso-like regiments of disciplined kids who organize themselves into a loving family.

They are sometimes involved with drugs and other miscellaneous and mischievous criminal activities. Still more than half are involved with community events, school and work. By keeping themselves busy, they’ve found an escape from the dreary nights in shacks and shelters. Many become those delinquents I mentioned, but that’s because they have no structure with which to balance the anger and disappointment they feel. I am one such teen…Shocking, isn’t it?

I found a release. I began by seeking revenge on the system and found myself lacking the disposition to do so. I have been to the darkest recesses of my own mind, only to discover I needed one thing. I had to rid myself of “The Needless Desire”, for disruption and destruction, for conflict and confrontation. By accepting the open-armed embrace of Covenant House, I found myself. I found help…I found the one thing I required. By helping these teens like me, by doing that one thing, you may push these teens to doing for themselves what the world couldn’t.

Please, do one thing. Whether it be volunteering, donating or even spending time with a troubled teen you know. You can experience the satisfaction of knowing you have saved a lost soul from self destruction. You can be a hero…One thing is all is takes.”

Homeless youth from Covenant House in Alaska take part in a parade and wear Do1Thing t-shirts encouraging everyone to get involved and Do1Thing.

This email came into Do1Thing today. We hope others will be moved to donate $100 to be 1 of 500 to support a traveling Do1Thing. Gallery. Change only comes with knowledge and action.

“I am 1 of 500. I hope that this project sheds light on the fact that it is not our children to blame it us. We ignore the problems. We turn our backs on the innocent and helpless. We refuse to ask questions about our governments part in the lives of children. We should be so ashamed of ourselves for letting our most vulnerable citizens suffer.

I am a former homeless teen. At 14, my mother decided she would rather run of with a new boyfriend than protect her own daughter. I never asked for help. I didn’t know who to ask for help. When I was put in a group home, the lady who ran it let me leave. I hid and went hungry. I would never admit then how scared I was, but I was truly frightened beyond belief. Although that life made me strong, it also scarred me in ways that I am still learning about.

I am now dealing with the Foster system again. This time with my 2 year old niece who is being trapped in their clutches. In this case the only thing that went wrong was that this little girls mother passed away from a brain tumor and my brother lives in another state. I have finally been given permission to see my little niece but they refuse to let her stay with me and opt for a foster home. Where did this system get so screwed up? Why do these case workers playing God think it best to break families apart?” Former homeless youth, Christy

Cafepress is a storefront, for on demand printing. Their take on the do1thing project.

“Do 1 Thing is using photography and multimedia as a means to put a face (well, technically thousands of faces) on the issue of teen homelessness. They too have a shop as additional support for their cause, and are using Web 2.0 as a platform to encourage participation in their project.

activism t-shirts Both projects illustrate that seemingly insurmountable issues like homelessness can be addressed by focusing efforts on a singular cause, and both projects show us that the power of Web 2.0 isn’t limited to democratizing restaurant reviews (though those of us who travel often do find that to be quite useful – so thanks, Yelpers).

In a time when the economic forecast is grim and even the news anchors seem depressed, it’s just nice to know that there are some everyday folks out there using the tools they have toward a greater social good. Rock on, activists.”

Read the entire article here: Cafepress

Tyra Banks was moved by the Do1Thing project and after a recent taping of The Tyra Banks Show, Banks donated a wardrobe of clothes to homeless teens at Covenant House in New York City.

We’re grateful to Tyra for doing1thing and we hope you’ll find create ways to do1thing as well.

About Tyra: As an icon in the international, cultural, and entertainment communities, Tyra Banks has broken down barriers to become one of the most admired and watched individuals in media today.

Banks is on a mission to provide avenues for others to reach their ultimate goals. In her words: “I’m passionate about inspiring people to fulfill their own dreams and fantasies through entertainment that is engaging, uplifting, and of course, fun! This is my dream realized.”

Jamie Redmond sent Do1Thing the email below. We’ve been changed forever by this project and wanted to share this email with you.

I have to tell you, I feel that I have been forever changed because of this cause. After reading the article in the PEOPLE magazine, I felt a surge of emotion come over me. We visited Chicago this weekend and I saw countless people sitting on the subway trains and I wondered if they were homeless and just looking for a warm place to sleep, and after reading the article on these teenage kids, I realize that many of them probably were. I have vowed to take an active part in this campaign. My husband and I are not wealthy, but I am hoping to use contacts to network. I have 2 uncles that are professional photographers that, if they are not able to directly help, know many people all across the United States. And sometimes, just knowing the right person can make a big difference. I commend each and every one of you for your efforts in a large undertaking.

I think that there is so much focus on homelessness and hunger outside of the US that sometimes are own neighbors are being for
gotten. I truly hope that through exposure we will all be able to make a difference. We all take for granted be loved and cared for and I think that these kids need encouragement, a warm bed, a good meal, and…the icing on the cake, someone to show them that they are worth every bit of their existence. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for an eye-opening, life changing cause. Even though I am just discovery do1thing for the first time today, I feel empowered to help make a change.

And please, help Do1Thing raise funds for a traveling gallery by voting for us here, it will just take a few seconds and cost nothing!

YOU THINK 1 PERSON DOING 1 THING CAN’T MAKE A DIFFERENCE? THINK AGAIN! Kirstina Woung-Fallon DID 1 THING and it turned into donations of thousands of things!

Meet Kristina Woung-Fallon, a sophomore at Mount Saint Mary Academy and a Senior Girl Scout from Girl Scouts Heart of NJ.

Kristina developed a project to bring awareness to our community of a forgotten group of young adults. Since she was in kindergarten she has served the homeless…the babies, displaced families, and the elderly but never thought about the 18-22 year old homeless youth. She decided to bring awareness to her high school & grammar school community, girl scouts & boy scouts communities, and anyone who would listen at physical therapy, at basketball games, in stores, in the neighborhood, email friends, etc…

She started in October 2008 to bring the awareness by asking local schools and business to leave her gold decorated boxes with informational flyers in their lobby as a collection site. She spoke at various meetings and met with leaders, managers, principles, store managers, classmates, etc. She sent emails asking friends to pass the need on and to “help her help them” and to just “do one thing…whatever your one thing is.”  As the awareness started to spread she needed to coordinate the dropping off and picking up of the donations …duffel bags, tote bags, backpacks, toiletries, gift items, socks, hats, gloves, scarves, school & office supplies, etc..

As the donations arrived she spent hours sorting & counting the items in boxes, bags, & bins. She kept track of what she was receiving and what she needed more of. As she saw a need for a specific item she would put a plea out for more of the needed items. Some times the same people donated again. Kristina then had to ask for help to organize and assemble the 125 duffel, tote, and backpacks.

On assembly night, family, friends, Girl Scout troop friends & moms packed each bag with essential toiletries and then the extra gifts & accessories. Kristina had an inventory sheet for each bag that she personally highlighted the item, “Hugs & Love.” Her goal was to make each youth that received a bag feel that they were loved and remembered.
Delivery on Saturday, February 14th took 3 trucks and a filled car to bring the helpers, the filled duffels, totes, & backpacks, and a boxes of extra supplies that couldn’t fit in the bags. It is a day that Kristina will ever forget…seeing the multitude of all the “do 1 thing” projects come together! After 6 months of planning, organizing, and completing Kristina’s Gold project, “Duffle of Hugs” the truly amazing part is that donations are still coming in and the project is not ending.

As we consider the plight of runaway and homeless teenagers on this Valentine’s Day, I’d like to toss out two  numbers — $9.2 million and $18 million.

First, let’s talk about the $9.2 million. In May 2008, Daybreak of Dayton, a nonprofit organization that has been helping homeless and runaway teenagers since 1975, opened a new shelter in a former dry cleaning plant. The bright, peach-colored brick building holds a 16-bed emergency shelter for homeless youth, ages 10 to 18; 24 furnished apartments for youths 18 to 21, offices, a kitchen, recreation rooms, a play area for the babies and toddlers that come with the young mothers, and a computer lab for job training.

Private donors raised more than $6 million of the total $9.2 construction cost. The rest came from government grants and other public funding.

It is a bright place where frightened, often abused, young people can feel safe, sometimes for the first time in their lives.

The average stay in the emergency shelter is two to three weeks; older teens can stay longer in the apartments. The place is full almost every night.

Daybreak has another 33 apartments in the community and works with at least 200 “street outreach” clients, young people who can’t or won’t come into the shelter. Those who stay in the apartments pay $40 a month toward the rent, which is subsidized by Daybreak. They also have to   meet the terms of their individual contracts. This means getting job training or going to school, working, attending counseling, staying sober.

The nonprofit’s total budget is about $3 million a year to keep services going 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at the shelter and throughout the community.

Forty beds at the shelter times 365 nights a year is 14,600 bed-nights a year. Or put another way, that is 14,600 times a year that homeless children and youths don’t have to sleep on the street or stay in abusive situations.

As I walked through the new Daybreak facility yesterday, I admired the cheerful daycare area with its white cribs and bright educational toys, the streamlined apartments, the lounge with sofas and a flat-screen TV. The social worker accompanying me, nodded but she looked worried. What was I going to write?

“You know, there are some people who say it’s too nice. That we’re giving them too much,” she said.

I was surprised. The new building is clean and nice and all that, but it’s hardly luxurious.

“I think they would feel differently if they could see what we see with these kids,” she said. “But they just hear the numbers and well…”

How much is too much to save a child? To save 50 or 100 or 500 children? How much is too much to combat homelessness in one of the most economically depressed regions of the country?

To answer that question, let’s consider the $18 million.

Last September at a Sotheby’s art auction, the British shock artist Damien Hirst sold a calf carcass pickled in formaldehyde and encased in a Lucite box for $18 million. The hooves were cast in solid, 18-karat gold. As record-setting as $18 million was for this so-called “animal art,” that price paled next to the $100 million that Hirst’s diamond-encrusted skull brought a few years ago. Art critics lauded this pickled bovine in a box as brilliant satire and a few went to so far as to predict the $9 million spent by its new owner would be seen as a good investment.

Now, one can argue that the $9.2 million spent for a new shelter for homeless children and youths has nothing to do with a sum of almost twice that amount spent at an art auction for a pickled calf with golden hooves. But I don’t see it that way. The way we spend our money, individually and as a society, says a lot about our priorities and about who we are. 

Which investment would you rather make? Nine million dollars to improve the lives of countless teenagers? Or $18 million to look at a dead cow suspended in formaldehyde?

Homeless teenagers? Pickled cow? Homeless teenagers? Pickled cow?

Gee, that’s a tough one…

– Debbie M. Price, Dayton, Ohio.