H.O.P.E.(Homeless Organizing for Power and Equality) had our Art is Love fundraiser last Saturday at Evergreen Presbyterian Church. The evening consisted of beautiful artwork from local talent, artists with experiences of homelessness, including bios of the artist, soft music, food, and even a cash bar serving wine. The artists submitted work that week, while the HOPE group members pulled together and set up the area and hung the art. We received submissions ranging from sketch art to oil paintings. We even had one artist who donated a piece so that HOPE would receive 100% of the profit. All of the HOPE artists got 100% of the profit of each item of theirs that sold as well.
Cee Cee, a long time H.O.P.E. member, out of homelessness and making a living by selling her jewelry and artwork. Cee Cee is a very independent person so she incurred all the costs of making her artwork and jewelry. Unfortunately, the costs left her with no money for her upcoming utility bill. But with the promotion of the art show, Cee Cee was able to make not only her utility bill from her sales but have a little extra as well for bus passes. This is one of the many stories of H.O.P.E., where we teach our people to be self-sufficient and support them in anything they may need. The art show was a success because we pulled together 100% to make this happen which strengthened our membership roles and prepared us to be more hands on with our financial business.
H.O.P.E. would like to thank all the HOPE members who took the time to set up and help plan Art is Love, the artists who participated, those who came out and purchased the wonderful artwork, as well as the staff at Evergreen Presbyterian Church . We could not have put on such a great event without you and HOPE looks forward to doing more events in the future. If you would like to donate to HOPE or volunteer please contact Tamara by cell at (901) 254-5964 or by email at tamara@midsoutheace.org. More to come and Power to the People!
Feed the Movement!
H.O.P.E is a supportive advocacy group for people with the experiences of homelessness. One of the ways in which we learn about the aforementioned needs and strategize how we can best support one another through this work is through our weekly Wednesday meetings in which we invite people experiencing homelessness to fellowship, share, and brainstorm. It is very important that H.O.P.E. continues to hear from the homeless community about the differing levels of oppression that many of us may face when attempting to navigate through the impending hardships of scarce services available in Memphis. For many groups and organizations offering free food at meetings is a plus for their attendees, but for H.O.P.E. it is a necessity, due to the fact that most often the meal offered at H.O.P.E. meetings may be the only meal they will have that day.
As H.O.P.E. grows in numbers our expenses grow as well. How can you help? You can help by donating prepared foods on Wednesdays to our meeting that afternoon. Don’t have time to cook or buy prepared foods and bring them to our meeting space? We also accept monetary donations towards this cause. Neither of those options seem feasible for you presently? We are also looking for restaurants willing to donate food to our meetings. As always, all forms of donations are completely tax deductible.
If you would like to discuss how you can offer support to HOPE please call Tamara @ 901-254-5964 or email tamara@midsouthpeace.org.