It was summertime and we shipped a pallet of clothing and sandals to an extremely poverty-stricken area in Indiana. Our nonprofit partner often goes to the homeless camps to provide food and clothing to those in need. He told us several people were barefoot because they did not have shoes. The sandals were joyfully given and received by those without shoes.
It has been said, “The saddest thing in the world is not poverty, it is loss of dignity.” Donna Hicks PHD says, “Dignity linked to a sense of identity and the dimensions of worthiness, self-esteem and self-respect.”
You never want to meet poverty. It destroys lives and humiliates people. Poverty creates the state of feeling insignificant. Imagine looking your dignity to poverty. The hopelessness of feeling powerless effects every aspect of your life. You struggle to find a job. And if you’re lucky enough to find a job, your low self-esteem can affect your job performance or advancement.
We all need a place to stay and food to eat to survive that is a basic need. Clothing is one thing that can change a life. Appropriate clothing is not only a basic need – but it can also be a gateway to advancement. Clothing Across America can help turn lives around by providing brand new clothing to those in need.
Clothing Across America is a national, dynamic organization that focuses on meeting the needs of shelters, clothing closets, and emergency relief organizations serving impoverished people throughout the USA.
At a clothing distribution with a non-profit in Mississippi a teary-eyed woman approached a volunteer. She struggled to say, “You mean these jeans are free? Look they even have tags on them. I have never had new jeans before.” Imagine how good this woman felt after receiving a new pair of jeans. You can imagine she walked taller with a spring in her step knowing someone cared enough to give her a new pair of jeans.
Won’t you join us in our journey to provide hope and dignity? We are 100% volunteer driven so all donations go directly to helping those in need. Please consider making a financial donation today.
It’s the Friends We Meet Along Life’s Road Who Help Us Appreciate the Journey
It is with great sadness we say farewell to our National Director of Marketing, Denise Jordan Walker. The world has lost a positive, caring heart but heaven has gained a radiant soul.
Denise was the former Smooth Jazz radio announcer from Chicago, turned Celebrity/Publicist/ Marketing Consultant, Event Producer, Talent Manager and Author. Walker was known nationally for coining the phrase “Smooth Jazz” in 1989. She was also the founder of Candid JAZZBLAST – All Jazz Lovers email blast and known world- wide as the “Oprah of Jazz”.
Denise had many clients but her most notable was Bernie Mac. It was through the Bernie Mac Foundation that we met Denise. When Clothing Across America was just a spark of an idea she put a name to it and added the tag line!
Over the years, she inspired Clothing Across America celebrity events with the Magic Johnson Foundation, the Wilson Chandler Foundation, as well as SoGucci and JJ Williams from the TV show Belle Collective on the OWN network. We team up with the Williams family to hold an event in Jackson, MS annually. Our united efforts allow us to help THOUSANDS of people in need over the last six years in Jackson, MS.
Would you consider helping us continue this worthy event in Jackson, MS by making a donation below to cover the shipping costs for the pallets of clothing? Will you help us carry on to “Restore Hope & Dignity One Thread at a Time? Please click the button below to make a donation. Denise you are missed – we will embrace the journey that was started seven years ago.
Feeling like a Dandelion
by Diane Bishop
Many of us are unaware of the value of dandelions. Dandelions have the ability to detoxify the body, balance hormones, and provide a healthy dose of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. There are countless agencies that help those in need because they see value of the impoverished persons – they see the value of the dandelion.
Did you know that a dandelion is a flower? It’s true yet they are despised by gardeners and seen as weeds by others. People in need often feel like the dandelion in the garden of life. They are treated differently by society.
Clothing Across America sees the value of the dandelion too. That is why we provide shelters, clothing banks and other non-profits with the tools to help those in need at no cost to them.
We all need a place to live and food to eat to survive – that is a basic need. Clothing is the one thing that can change someone’s life! Appropriate clothing is not only a basic need – it can be a gateway to advancement. Americans spend so much time and money purchasing clothing for special events/activities such as weddings, interviews, school, date nights, and even yoga. We know that we must look the part to fit in. Clothing can provide a person in poverty the opportunity to move forward, fit in and feel better about themselves.
Join us in the journey to restoring hope and dignity.
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It Takes A Super Hero!
Superheroes know the importance of clothing. Where would Superman be without his cape? He can’t even catch the eye of Lois Lane without his blue spandex outfit adorned with the iconic “S” emblem. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles recognized the importance of appearance. Without their masks they are just turtles, (even though they possess super powers) those powers are not recognized without the proper attire.
Perception is reality. Researchers have coined the term “enclothed cognition” to describe when we wear certain clothing. “Clothes cognition is really about becoming the clothes themselves and having them direct who you are and how you act in the world.” Author Adam Galinsky said. “When we are putting on a suit, we are not only giving an impression to others, but we are also giving an impression to ourselves.”
We live in a visually based society. If a person in poverty seeks employment or advancement in their current job without proper attire they may be easily overlooked – even if they possess the necessary skills. Just like our superheroes how we dress makes a difference. Clothing is one of the main things that can help people step out of poverty.
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