Project Hope
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I fell in love with Project Hope when I visited their center on 550 Dudley Street and met some of the women involved with running the programs as well as those attending to benefit from their services. According to their website, “Project Hope is a multi-service agency at the forefront of efforts in Boston to move families beyond homelessness and poverty. We provide low-income women with children access to education, jobs, housing, and emergency services. We foster personal transformation and work with the community and state for broader systems change.” According to me, Project Hope provides a new life to those in need, helping them boost confidence and teaching them life changing lessons. Project Hope is a building full of courageous women taking the necessary steps to improve their families lives and live their dreams despite the odds being stacked against them and anything that they have been through. The motivation and determination among these women is contagious. I related to them, their struggles and their insecurities and I just had to donate my time and knowledge to help them out the best way I knew how…and not surprisingly, they helped me just as equally!
I learned that each year Project Hope has a big annual Rise and Shine breakfast for all of their contributors. The Speakers Bureau, made up of women who have successfully completed Project Hope’s programs and share their stories at public events, get dressed up and give speeches at this breakfast. (Click here to see a video featuring the women of the Speakers Bureau and get a sneak peek into their stories) Robyn Eastwood, a Project Hope representative, explained to me that the women are always excited to get dressed up for this big event but they typically dont have the ability to purchase new outfits and/or do not have the appropriate attire in their reach. The workers at Project Hope would try to collect clothing here and there all year long to gather items for the women to wear. Upon hearing this I knew my Style Swaps were the answer! I began to gear the Swaps towards Project Hope, knowing that these women in transition and on job searches must also need clothes to wear to job interviews, school…and just to feel good about themselves in general. Beginning with the Fall 2012 Style Swap I began saving all the leftover clothing for the women at Project Hope.
- Knowing that the Rise and Shine Breakfast is one of the major highlight events for the speakers bureau, I vowed to help these brave women who are sharing these struggles find something fabulous to wear to help them feel and look their best. Each year, I meet with the women 2 weeks before the breakfast and speak to educate them on dressing for their bodytypes, job interviews, office attire and more. Then a weekend before Rise And Shine my team and I set up a huge pop up shop using all of the clothing acquired from the previous year’s Style Swaps. We invade Project Hope’s common room and transform it into a boutique for all of the charities women in need to come do some free shopping! The women in the Speakers Bureau receive special attention and are styled by myself and my assistants, in head to toe outfits to wear to the annual breakfast.
- What some of the women have to say about the Pop Up Shop:
“It’s so much more than getting free outfits. The reason this was so special is because you took the time to teach them about style, and tips about looking their best. Those were really lessons of improving their self confidence and being proud of themselves. Then set up the pop-up shop so it was like a real store and they were the VIPS receiving celebrity treatment — personalized styling, shopping assistants, and snacks! When you are dealing with issues of homelessness, poverty and domestic violence on a daily basis, this type of experience makes a lasting impression.” – Robyn Eastwood, Development & External Affairs Manager for Project Hope
“I thought the event was really good because sometimes people go buy things that just don’t look good. You were able to give us tips for how we were supposed to dress professionally.” – Ina
” The shop was fabulous. I loved how Tricia just worked with us. I love all the amazing clothes. Tricia is an excellent stylist. I just love her & her style.” –Sandra
“It was like a dream, having a personal stylist and racks of clothes, shoes and accessories to choose from. I ran out so fast so nobody could tell me to put anything back!! I still can’t believe I made out with so much.” – Shirley P.
“Boutiquishly and lavishly done, felt like I was personally catered to as a “Queen for a Day.” Very professional yet down to earth, heartfelt, and warmly inviting. Exquisitely done.” – Janeen
Click here to see pics from the Pop Up Shops in 2013 and 2014 or watch a video from the event
Click here to watch a video about Project Hope
Make your own donation to Project Hope[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]