Donate to Save #FACE and Eight Families

Hello,

My name is Gabrielle Roberts, a local business owner in the resilient yet struggling Uptown Minneapolis area. I am reaching out on behalf of my dear friend Matisse Lela Johnson, the owner of #FACE of Lela's, a beloved establishment located at 925 West Lake Street. Recently, #FACE (@faceoflelas) became a victim of the devastating string of fires that have plagued our neighborhood. Despite the arrest of an individual, no charges were filed, and these senseless acts have forced #FACE to close its doors temporarily. What was initially anticipated to be a 2-3 week closure has now stretched to 4-6 weeks, leaving Matisse and her team in dire straits.

Matisse opened #FACE in 2018, starting with a one-person suite in what was once a vibrant Uptown Minneapolis. She juggled full-time work and school, pouring her heart and soul into building her dream. Over the years, she has dedicated countless hours to growing her business, providing for her family, including her nearly 6-month-old baby girl, and creating jobs for others in our community.

#FACE employs seven people, four of whom are full-time employees. These individuals depend on their wages to support their families, keep food on their tables, and maintain a roof over their heads, especially in our struggling economy. The impact of this closure is profound, putting eight families at risk of losing their livelihoods and their sense of security.

I am creating this GoFundMe to provide crucial assistance to the #FACE team. One new mom and seven staff members are without wages due to the reckless actions of a single person. Eight families are now facing an uncertain future, forced to seek emergency assistance and being denied, they have no guarantee of timely or sufficient support.

If you can help in any way, whether it's $5, $20, $100, $1,000, or more, please consider making a donation. Every bit counts and will make a significant difference in the lives of these hardworking individuals.

On an average week, #FACE services over 80 clients. However, this past week has been anything but normal. No clients have walked through the doors. The only visits have been from Matisse, trying to salvage what she can, and companies providing estimates on the damages and necessary repairs.

#FACE has weathered numerous challenges in our struggling neighborhood. From break-ins and safety concerns necessitating locked doors during business hours to construction and neighborhood decline, Matisse has faced it all with resilience and determination. Despite these obstacles, she remains committed to bringing a sliver of light to Uptown. However, the current situation is dire, and immediate help is needed to cover expenses.

We aim to raise funds to cover two months of rent and six weeks of wages. This isn't about revenue; it's about survival. 50-75% of the donations will go towards wages ($28,000), with the remainder covering rent ($8,000). #FACE is committed to transparency and will share documentation of the funds received and how they are used.

Your support, whether through a donation or by sharing this campaign, is crucial. They need this lifeline right now. No donation is too small. Together, we can help #FACE survive this challenging time and continue to be a beacon of hope in our community.

Thank you for your consideration. If you can't donate at the moment, please share this campaign to reach others who might be able to help.

Please note that being open currently is not an option for #FACE. Before being able to open and service clients in the safest environment possible the following things need to be done before opening for business: