Help Donovan's Mission
Donation protected
Google "Donovan Smith Soap" and you will find 4 years of hard work by this young man in an effort to help the homeless and make a difference.
While we were homeless, Donovan went to several different schools as we moved around. I decided to homeschool when we moved out of the shelter, and Donovan originally learned to make soap during a lesson to aimed to teach math and science. He really enjoyed making the soaps and giving them away. Then, people wanted to buy them. Once he realized he could make money and a difference he decided to donate a portion to the organization that helped us out of homelessness to thank them and help others. Most recently, Donovan has been seen on Facebook’s show "Returning the Favor," where he was given a retail space. There has been a huge outpouring of support with a number of people not wanting to buy soap but to simply give money to help Donovan and his mission.
There have been many BIG moments along the way, but there are two that stand out. First, Donovan got two letters from the White House weeks apart. He got one from First Lady Michelle Obama, and a week later another letter arrived from President Obama congratulating him on the 10,000 soaps he made for the homeless. The second would be when Returning The Favor gifted him the retail space to make and sell his soaps. Donovan is part of black history now by being the only African American boy to have his own retail soap store - we know of no other boys in the world who have done this.
The store means he can hire people in need. This gives them a chance, an opportunity, training, and a reference to get another job later. The store means more community involvement by holding “soap parties,” where he invites the community to come make emergency shelter soaps in large quantities in a short period of time. It means teaching homeschool groups how to make his Shelter Soaps.
Currently, Donovan has made over 20k Soaps for the homeless which go to St. Martin's shower rooms and to support homeless veterans through StandDown Albuquerque. He has hired and trained over 9 homeless/at-risk individuals at his store.
Donations given will help with Donovan’s mission of training and employing the homeless in his store and buying supplies to continue donating thousands of soaps and toiletries to local organizations in need.
We may not always know exactly what's next, but are always open to the possibilities. Thank you for your support.
While we were homeless, Donovan went to several different schools as we moved around. I decided to homeschool when we moved out of the shelter, and Donovan originally learned to make soap during a lesson to aimed to teach math and science. He really enjoyed making the soaps and giving them away. Then, people wanted to buy them. Once he realized he could make money and a difference he decided to donate a portion to the organization that helped us out of homelessness to thank them and help others. Most recently, Donovan has been seen on Facebook’s show "Returning the Favor," where he was given a retail space. There has been a huge outpouring of support with a number of people not wanting to buy soap but to simply give money to help Donovan and his mission.
There have been many BIG moments along the way, but there are two that stand out. First, Donovan got two letters from the White House weeks apart. He got one from First Lady Michelle Obama, and a week later another letter arrived from President Obama congratulating him on the 10,000 soaps he made for the homeless. The second would be when Returning The Favor gifted him the retail space to make and sell his soaps. Donovan is part of black history now by being the only African American boy to have his own retail soap store - we know of no other boys in the world who have done this.
The store means he can hire people in need. This gives them a chance, an opportunity, training, and a reference to get another job later. The store means more community involvement by holding “soap parties,” where he invites the community to come make emergency shelter soaps in large quantities in a short period of time. It means teaching homeschool groups how to make his Shelter Soaps.
Currently, Donovan has made over 20k Soaps for the homeless which go to St. Martin's shower rooms and to support homeless veterans through StandDown Albuquerque. He has hired and trained over 9 homeless/at-risk individuals at his store.
Donations given will help with Donovan’s mission of training and employing the homeless in his store and buying supplies to continue donating thousands of soaps and toiletries to local organizations in need.
We may not always know exactly what's next, but are always open to the possibilities. Thank you for your support.
Organizer
Casey Wynema
Organizer
Albuquerque, NM