Homies Empowerment FREEdom Store
Tax deductible
About Homies Empowerment
Homies Empowerment is a community development organization based out of Oakland, California. WE believe that everyone has a warrior, healer, hustler and scholar inside of us, and we are in the process of our collective emancipation.
The FREEdom Store
One week after the local and State Shelter In Place (SIP) order, Homies Empowerment shifted from school design project, and into the deployment of the FREEdom Store. We realized that as schools, churches and public service agencies closed, it was imperative for the FREEdom Store to OPEN our doors to our people who historically have been made invisible and neglected.
For the past 8 weeks, the FREEdom Store served on average 500-600 individuals/families weekly. During the week of May 18th, we served over 1,500 individuals and families. We expect the need to grow during the summer months when the local Unified School Districts potentially may limit or eliminate services for our students and families. Moreover, as the economy struggles and unemployment rises, our families and communities will require basic needs for survival.
Every donation matters.
Every share matters.
Thank you for standing in solidarity and for all that you do!
To do this work, WE need YOUR solidarity. We are blessed to provide food and health/hygiene supplies to the people on a weekly basis, but WE need your support to continue to do so.
Our Call to Action
The COVID-19 viral pandemic is real and has affected the lives of many. While we face the turmoil it has unleashed, WE at Homies Empowerment, have witnessed that the pandemic is not affecting us all the same. Conditions of violence, such as neglect, poverty, and racism; existed prior to COVID-19, and the viral pandemic exacerbated these conditions disproportionately for specific communities.
While we repeatedly hear proclamations that “we are all in this together,” and that the virus sees no color, Homies believe that our systemic structure of oppression and conditions of entrenched violence (intergenerational poverty) forces us to not only see color, but to stand with the people most impacted.
Homies standing in solidarity with YOU and OUR community gives us HOPE and RESOURCES to counter such structures and conditions of violence. We believe in Social Equity and Radical (re)Distribution of Resources. Solidarity and NOT charity!
YOUR Impact
Given the uncertainty of the COVID-19 viral pandemic and the imposed Shelter In Place (SIP), partnering and contributing to the Homies Empowerment FREEdom Store will respond to the critical needs of our community.
As we anticipate limited support services and programs due to:
(1) Reduction/Elimination of Unified School Summer Service Programs and
(2) Unemployment Rising within People of Color (POC) communities,
....with YOU standing with Homies, WE are able to provide the some basic human needs for our elders (seniors), children and families.
The ASK?
This campaign is designed to maintain services during the 9 weeks of the month of June and July, 2020. With the summer approaching and services to our students and community is potentially reduced or eliminated, Homies Empowerment, along with our partners, will ensure our communities remain visible, supported and served.
(9 weeks in the month of June and July) x ($3,500 per week of food and health/hygiene expenses) = $27,000 of projected total summer expenses.
YOUR partnership and contributions will help the Homies Empowerment FREEdom Store maintain support and services to our community for the months to come.
Not only are we standing in solidarity with our people, we are also taking steps in UNDOING INJUSTICE.
If WE truly are “all in this together,” we need you now more than ever. 100% of the contributions raised will go straight to the people of our community. Outside of the required fees charged by GoFundMe, no funds generated by this campaign will be used towards salaries and benefits of individuals/employees.
Other ways YOU can help
1. Help us spread the word, Use the GoFundMe link to share on social media and email
2. Come stand with us, we could always use new hands and your warm hearts during our weekly actions. Contact us at [email redacted] to volunteer.
3. Support the FREEdom Store fundraising by contributing to our GoFundMe campaign.
Our Collaborators
In uplifting our community, we collaborate with individuals and organizations in entering mutual aid partnerships and cooperative economics.
These practices allow for the radical (re)distribution of resources that typically are slow to get to our communities.
Our partners include:
· Eat. Play. Learn. Foundation
· World Central Kitchen
· Akonadi Foundation
· TRYBE
· BASIC Ministries
· Youth Food Project
...and most importantly, YOU! The individual contributions that come from our community is what has provided us the foundation to begin this work, and WE lean on you to continue it.
Thank you so much for all of your support. We would not be able to complete this project without you.
Peace and Blessings Always!
Homies Empowerment is a community development organization based out of Oakland, California. WE believe that everyone has a warrior, healer, hustler and scholar inside of us, and we are in the process of our collective emancipation.
The FREEdom Store
One week after the local and State Shelter In Place (SIP) order, Homies Empowerment shifted from school design project, and into the deployment of the FREEdom Store. We realized that as schools, churches and public service agencies closed, it was imperative for the FREEdom Store to OPEN our doors to our people who historically have been made invisible and neglected.
For the past 8 weeks, the FREEdom Store served on average 500-600 individuals/families weekly. During the week of May 18th, we served over 1,500 individuals and families. We expect the need to grow during the summer months when the local Unified School Districts potentially may limit or eliminate services for our students and families. Moreover, as the economy struggles and unemployment rises, our families and communities will require basic needs for survival.
Every donation matters.
Every share matters.
Thank you for standing in solidarity and for all that you do!
To do this work, WE need YOUR solidarity. We are blessed to provide food and health/hygiene supplies to the people on a weekly basis, but WE need your support to continue to do so.
Our Call to Action
The COVID-19 viral pandemic is real and has affected the lives of many. While we face the turmoil it has unleashed, WE at Homies Empowerment, have witnessed that the pandemic is not affecting us all the same. Conditions of violence, such as neglect, poverty, and racism; existed prior to COVID-19, and the viral pandemic exacerbated these conditions disproportionately for specific communities.
While we repeatedly hear proclamations that “we are all in this together,” and that the virus sees no color, Homies believe that our systemic structure of oppression and conditions of entrenched violence (intergenerational poverty) forces us to not only see color, but to stand with the people most impacted.
Homies standing in solidarity with YOU and OUR community gives us HOPE and RESOURCES to counter such structures and conditions of violence. We believe in Social Equity and Radical (re)Distribution of Resources. Solidarity and NOT charity!
YOUR Impact
Given the uncertainty of the COVID-19 viral pandemic and the imposed Shelter In Place (SIP), partnering and contributing to the Homies Empowerment FREEdom Store will respond to the critical needs of our community.
As we anticipate limited support services and programs due to:
(1) Reduction/Elimination of Unified School Summer Service Programs and
(2) Unemployment Rising within People of Color (POC) communities,
....with YOU standing with Homies, WE are able to provide the some basic human needs for our elders (seniors), children and families.
The ASK?
This campaign is designed to maintain services during the 9 weeks of the month of June and July, 2020. With the summer approaching and services to our students and community is potentially reduced or eliminated, Homies Empowerment, along with our partners, will ensure our communities remain visible, supported and served.
(9 weeks in the month of June and July) x ($3,500 per week of food and health/hygiene expenses) = $27,000 of projected total summer expenses.
YOUR partnership and contributions will help the Homies Empowerment FREEdom Store maintain support and services to our community for the months to come.
Not only are we standing in solidarity with our people, we are also taking steps in UNDOING INJUSTICE.
If WE truly are “all in this together,” we need you now more than ever. 100% of the contributions raised will go straight to the people of our community. Outside of the required fees charged by GoFundMe, no funds generated by this campaign will be used towards salaries and benefits of individuals/employees.
Other ways YOU can help
1. Help us spread the word, Use the GoFundMe link to share on social media and email
2. Come stand with us, we could always use new hands and your warm hearts during our weekly actions. Contact us at [email redacted] to volunteer.
3. Support the FREEdom Store fundraising by contributing to our GoFundMe campaign.
Our Collaborators
In uplifting our community, we collaborate with individuals and organizations in entering mutual aid partnerships and cooperative economics.
These practices allow for the radical (re)distribution of resources that typically are slow to get to our communities.
Our partners include:
· Eat. Play. Learn. Foundation
· World Central Kitchen
· Akonadi Foundation
· TRYBE
· BASIC Ministries
· Youth Food Project
...and most importantly, YOU! The individual contributions that come from our community is what has provided us the foundation to begin this work, and WE lean on you to continue it.
Thank you so much for all of your support. We would not be able to complete this project without you.
Peace and Blessings Always!
Fundraising team: FREEdom Store (5)
Newin Orante
Organizer
Oakland, CA
Social Good Fund
Beneficiary
Cesar A Cruz Teolol
Team member
JP Hailer
Team member
Jay Pugao
Team member
Rubi Pelayo
Team member