suburbia to the streets project

One thing that I absolutely adore about the blogging community that I have come to know, love and experience is the willingness to help one another. 

Julie has always been so supportive, friendly and encouraging to me.

It's not about "what can you do for me?" or "how many followers will this bring?" but about serving and loving one another and raising awareness, truly. 

I am happy to have Julie guest post on the blog today about a real and highly unfortunate reality in our world. Sometime last year, I met Julie of From Awkward to Art, formerly The Funny Thing of It Is. She lays her heart out and all its guts into her writing, which is so raw and thoughtful. 

Her birthday was just a couple weeks ago (go visit her and wish her a happy birthday month!), but we could still help make her totally unselfish birthday wish come true!!! Now, why didn't I think of something like this? Perhaps, next year! Read on.
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THE MOST IMPORTANT POST I HAVE EVER WRITTEN:

If you know me or have read my blog at all for any length of time,

you know that my heart is deep for helping the broken, the hurting, the destitute...

and those stuck and bound in lifestyles and addictions they so desperately need rescue from.

Whether it be depression or drug addiction, whether it be poverty or human trafficking..

I have always wanted to see people through God's eyes.

When I was nineteen years old, after coming home from a missions trip to Albania, 

I remember coming arcross a man walking along the street who wreaked of alcohol, 

who looked skinny and lost in his world of addiction and he looked hopeless, 

even though he may have not even realized it.

My heart broke that day. I start sobbing to my mom. And it was then that I cried out 

and asked God to give me His heart, a heart of compassion.

Today that heart has brought me to do something I have never done before.

I have started a project of my own for the month of February called
Suburbia to the Streets Project.

If you would take a few minutes to watch my video, I will explain a little more about my 

personal project and how one day I came across an organization called Mocha Club and 

decided I wanted to help.

Between my personal facebook account, my blog readers, email contacts, twitter followers...

I have well over 2500 people. If only 80  of those people could give

 at least $10 to help rehabilitate one precious woman and give her a fresh start, 

that would cover my goal for the month of February,  the $800 

 I need to help TWO women off the streets.

This is my birthday wish this year.

or

160 people give $5

80 people give $10

40 people give $20

20 people give $40

I have confidence that together we can help two women and give her & her family a new

chance at life and love and caring for her family.

Things I want you to know about Ethiopia:

Understanding the Sex Industry in Ethiopia:
In Ethiopia, the sex industry is often linked with deep levels of generational poverty and
financial hopelessness. Lacking meaningful resources and a sense of hope, many young women
and ever girls, resort to becoming sex workers as a means of supporting themselves and their
families. These women are often desperate to leave the sex industry but remain trapped by a
lack of opportunity and rehabilitative support.

*ONE of NINE women are trapped in the sex industry in the capital city of Addis Adaba
*THREE of FOUR contract HIV/AIDS
*Children are endangered and left home alone at night

Here are the details of the care they will receive:
*Individual and group counseling
*A twelve step addiction recovery program
*Pre- & Post HIV Counseling and testing
*Daily Devotions and Bible Studies
*Skills training and job placement services
*Day Care Services
*Tuition & schooling for children's education & many more programs that
address the unique needs of rehabilitating the women.

I will be running this campaign, the Suburbia To The Streets Campaign though the
month of February as 'My Birthday Wish.' Anyone who wishes to help me make a
difference in the life of TWO WOMEN, can do so by clicking on the donate
button any time this month. This will take you to the MOCHA CLUB where
all funds raised through me will be totaled!

When I reach MY GOAL of $800 at the end of February, I will join a 
Milwaukee organization called The Inner Beauty Center  that promotes value and love
 in our own streets with our own women.

***If you can help spread the word by tweeting about it, blogging about it, grabbing
a button or allowing me to guest post THIS post on your blog, let me know!

TWEET HERE