True Success.

Today we launch our second shirt for our 7 week campaign!

Thanks to you guys, we completely sold OUT last week, and are so excited to introduce Brianna to you this week. PS: We turn two this week and will have fun promos going on! 

Purchase Brianna's shirt here 

My name is Brianna. I am a first generation college student, and play soccer for my school. I didn't think I would succeed in college, but I am. I realized I am smarter than I though I was. 
I didn't think I was good enough to play college soccer, but I also over came that idea. 
I'm the first one to go to college in my family, 
and I want to be somebody; that's my reason for going to college. 
The Shine Project opens many doors for me 
and has made me appreciate more for all the great opportunities. The Shine Project is change, and it comes with positive vibes and a great environment. True success is overcoming the fear of being unsuccessful.

Brianna has worked for The Shine Project for a year and a half, and has been a shine scholarship recipient two years in a row. A portion of this sale will go to Brianna's scholarship fund.

Give Love Back.

skirt- c/o Chicwish, Bracelets- Threads

I am so, so excited for today!

We started Threads to help low income American youth reach their dreams.

Recently we've thought... hey, why don't our kids help other charities too?

There's something so powerful about at risk youth hand making bracelets to help fundraise

for others in need. Now that's something I want to be a part of.

Today we launch our first partnership with Give Love Back. (Facebook here)

Give Love Back provides school supplies for underserved elementary schools in Anaheim, CA.

Anaheim is one of the most impoverished cities in the country, and many classrooms do not

have the basic needs. Education is our passion, and we're excited to give back proceeds from

every Give Love Back stack sold. We hope you join us in making a change.

If you have a charity you'd like to raise awareness and funds for, please email Brooke at:

theshineproject@gmail.com

Shine on.

Beauty Bar Recap

Thank you SO SO SO much to everyone who supported our Beauty Bar event to raise money for SHINE Scholarships. The night was so incredibly fun, and we're grateful to you and our sponsors for helping make it happen.

San Tan Ford, Frances Vintage and Phoenix Fashion Week were our three main sponsors. We love these companies so much and appreciate their support. Jimmy and Joe's donated all the food and we are also so grateful to them. 

I was running around the whole night and forgot to put anyone in charge of taking pictures. So a big thanks to Amy's Vintage Closet, Couture in the Suburbs, and Lunch Pails and Lipstick for the pictures you are about to see!

Nail Room

 Eyebrow Waxing Room

Saskia Salon! Hair/makeup room

 80 women came and got their hair, makeup, nails and brows done all in the same of charity! We also had a silent auction and raffle, and 3 of our students came and spoke. Events always stress me out, and then whenever I hear the kids speak and express their gratitude for all of this support it makes everything worth it.

This weekend, if you live in Phoenix, we're having one last fundraiser for this round of scholarships at Frances Vintage. Come see us Friday, Saturday or Sunday, and Frances is donating 10% off all weekend sales to SHINE scholarships... We love them and are so excited! Hope to see you there.

Why.

 I get asked a lot what motivated me to start The Shine Scholarship Project. What lead me to start Threads and why I have so much heart for inner city youth.

Today I want to show you why.

Brophy College Prep

Central High School

You might be surprised when I tell you that I could throw a paper airplane from one of these schools to the other. Separated by a canal, Brophy Prep and Central High School are in the heart of downtown Phoenix. Even though the schools are close, the obvious outward appearance can tell you right off the bat how different they are from each other. 

Brophy is a private school that has a 100% graduation rate. Their football team is always ranked high in the state, they have booster clubs, matching uniforms, parents who rally around them and a slew of opportunities when the time comes for them to go to college. Students that go to Brophy are taken care of and have a rally of supporters around them.

Central, right next door, is an inner city public school that has one of the highest drop out rates in the nation. A very low percentage of the kids that do graduate go to college. They come from broken homes, many of them have to have jobs to support their family, and even if the chance for college comes around, they don't have funds to get an education. Most of them would be the first person in their family to even think about going to college, some even the first to graduate high school. Sports teams get cut because of lack of interest and money, they have worn out books and uniforms and the support they have is very, very small.

I look at the two schools and feel like someone has slapped me in the face. What kind of message do these images send to the kids that go to Central? That they aren't good enough because they don't have money? That only a certain type of person can be successful? I look at these two schools and wonder why they are so different from each other. It all boils down to funding and family support. Central High School has neither, contributing to a high drop out rate, and a lack of confidence for hundreds of students.

I knew I could either close my eyes and pretend that this isn't happening, or I could spend my life trying to change something that for so long has been so unfair. I learned that closing your eyes doesn't take away a problem. When you close your eyes to something that is unjust and unfair it magnifies it... for now there is one less person to fight to make things right.

There's been a very overwhelming theme this past year as I've worked with the kids. They're always so, so, so grateful for the scholarship money, etc. But they always say something to the affect of, "It's not even about the money. The money is a symbol of hope and trust in me and that just feels really good. No one does this for us."

(To see what I mean, watch a video about some of last year's scholarship recipient's here) 

I know that everyone has different charity's that are near and dear to their hearts. We all need to be in charge of different things so the world runs the way it should. But this is different... This is standing behind the future of our country. I can't think of anything better to invest in than the future leaders that will one day run America. And helping the next generation overcome hard circumstances that they were thrown into without any choice of their own is a responsibility that I feel like I need to bare. 

We have kids, right in our own country, who miss days at a time from school because they can't afford a bus pass. We have kids, in our country, who don't know when their next meal will be, let alone think they have a chance to go to college. We have kids, who go to school with our kids, that have to sleep on tile floors with no pillow every night.
This is real. I see it every. single. day. It motivates me to keep going. When I'm tired, or frustrated, or worn out from trying to change these situations, images from what I've seen my students live in and go through play through my mind. After seeing what I've seen, I'd be held accountable to God for the rest of my life for not doing anything about it.

One of my students who I'm close with recently text me, "It's hard to focus in school when I honestly don't know when my next meal will be, and if the electricity will be on when I get home."

So why do I do this?

Because I honestly can't imagine pretending that these situations don't exist.
I can't imagine doing anything else. To me, this is what life is about.
I believe we all belong to each other, I've said that before. That when we have something, we have a responsibility to share it. And when we see others in need, we share the responsibility of helping them.
I am always blown away when I see pictures on social media of you in your Threads, coming together to team up to really make a change. And you know what? It's working.

The kids have taught me WAY more than I will ever be able to teach or give back to them.

Funny how that works.

Thank you so much for being a part of our journey, and helping shape the future of these lives that you've only read about. It means more than you know.

We have an opportunity for you to come really help us make a change. We'd love your help and support. If you live in Arizona, please come join us on April 20th for a girls night out at Phoenix Fashion Week's Fashion Hub. 100% of proceeds will be going to this years Shine Scholarship Recipients.

More info and to buy tickets go to www.shineproject.eventbrite.com

Early bird tickets are for sale until April 13th.

If you don't live in Arizona, consider making a donation, or buying a ticket so one of our students can attend (and that money goes straight to scholarships at the same time). Consider sharing this post or video and let's rally behind the most courageous people I've ever met in my life.

Also, every purchase of Threads allows us to employ inner city American youth. We teach them business skills and help them pay their way through college by providing them a job. When you wear Threads, you're wearing more than just a bracelet, you're wearing change.

Here is why we need your help, and what we've done with your help:

Shine on.

The Threads Effect: Jasmine

* I want to share parts of a letter with you from one of our Threads employees, Jasmine. This is the change that you are helping us create. I asked Jasmine fore permission to share this letter with you. 

My name is Jasmine. I'm 17, a full time high school student, and a recent employee for The Shine Project. I was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona to a widower father and a trouble maker of a brother. I was always the kid who watched lovey dovey movies and wished that it was me, well that dream hasn't come true yet. Nothing is perfect. I was basically the mother and provider of the household. I never really had time to meet new people, friends, or have what most people call a "real childhood." I always kept to myself and followed in others shadows, but not anymore. 

I have never thought in a million years that I would be standing where I am as of now. I have had many opportunities handed to me, but never one as greatly rewarding and appreciating as The Shine Project. The Shine Project has given me a name, a name that I am proud to acknowledge as my own. The Shine Project is more than just making Threads, but making Threads for kids like me to have an education, make new friends, give back to the community, and most of all having a smile that will never frown again.

I can't begin to say how thankful I am for The Shine Project. They have made a major impact on my life. The things I never thought I would be able to do the Shine Project made possible. The money I earn from making Threads goes into my savings to make my future dreams become possible. (The Shine Project) makes inner city youth like me thankful, dependable young adults. Why can't we live in a world that it is possible to make a change and show the world that everyones dreams are possible; to be the change we want to see in the world. Let it Shine.

Sincerely, 

Jasmine

You can support Jasmine and the rest of our Threads employees by purchasing bracelets here

Blessed are the Generous

Tonight, we blessed others. 20 Shine kids, and volunteers, and I went down to Feed My Starving Children to help package food for sweet kids around the world. Before we started we were told a story about a little girl in Africa. Doctors found 8 pounds of rocks at the bottom of her little stomach, because she was so hungry that she was eating mud.

Mud.

They told another story of a young mother in Africa with 4 really young kids. She only had enough money to feed 2 kids a day, so they would eat every 48 hours. Her two year old, who can not understand why she hurts, and why her mother wont give her food, could only eat one small cup of rice every 48 hours.

 Tonight these kids packaged enough food to feed 17 kids every day for an entire year. At the end of the night several of them came up to me, "I can't wait to do more service projects Mrs.", "I really want to get involved more, this made me feel so good."

And then they got on the city bus to ride two hours home.

And that, that is why I love my Shine kids.

This weekend, bless others. You have enough to give. I work with students who have hardly anything, yet give so, so much. 

And make sure you enter the giveaway here that ends Friday night, because these people really are blessing others.

My Strength.

I'm writing this at midnight, but you wont be seeing it for a few hours. I'm just going to write, and not filter too much, and hope things make sense when it's all said and done. And if it doesn't, it's okay. I just have a lot on my heart right now.

Today.

I woke up, got some work done. Had my amazing interns come help me. Got discouraged. Ran around like a chicken with my head cut off for a few hours. Almost cried in the Chipotle line when the worker asked me how I was doing. What's my problem? One of those days. 

But then it changed. Because I went with 30 kids in the Shine club to serve food to the needy downtown. Not just any kids, my shine kids. 30 of my sweet kids who live in inner-city Phoenix. Kids who have been told they're not good enough, and have so much to give it's bursting out of them and lights me on fire every time I see them.  And after planning this and hoping they would all show up, everyone did. Except for one, who called me because she had a family emergency.

It's an emotional job that I have. Being involved so closely in so many lives that I wish I could make better, or change. I hate it when things aren't fair, and being surrounded by unfairness makes me break down sometimes because they don't deserve it. And so I started this whole thing to help them. To save them from doubt, and fear, and pain, and  I work really really really hard to bring them more hope and happiness.

And my sweet, generous interns work really really really really hard to bring them more hope and happiness.

We plan service projects for the kids to do. And it's funny... service, that is. Because you go places thinking that you are needed and are going to help a lot of people, and in all actuality, you're the one who is changed the most. Like tonight, for 3 hours when I was surrounded by these students, I didn't think about myself or what is going on in my outside life one time. Not one time. And I don't think they did either. Because all of them were beaming, and excited, and fighting over who got to do what jobs because they all wanted to be so involved. And everyone was just happy.

One of my Shine interns went, and afterwards I got this text from her... "...Working with (shine) has really made me change my train of thought and it's been so heart warming for me... I truly think I was brought on this earth to help others."

And she nailed it. We're here to help others, and in return, we're changed and blessed beyond what we could ever give.

As I was driving a few of the students home after the service project was over, I started feeling this gloomy anxiety of things I needed to do and figure out when I got home. I was talking to the last student left in my car, asking questions about life, and what he dreams of doing.

And this kid has some high goals. He mentioned his mom, and I asked him a question about her.

He put his hand on his face, covering it from me. "My mom is dead."

All this guilt and rush of regret flooded over me as I wondered how I could ever have such minor trials, and let them affect me so much. I didn't know what to say to him. It's the first time in a really long time that I had no words of console, or comfort, and I wish I handled it differently. I wish I would have said something worth saying, but I didn't, because all that could come out of my mouth was "I can't imagine how hard that  is for you."

No duh it's hard for him. What a meaningless statement to say to someone who probably hears that all of the time. What I wish I would have said was, "Wow, you are so brave. Thank you for sharing that piece of your life with me, because now I am inspired to be strong, like you. I don't know the logistics of it, but I sure bet you're mom is looking down from Heaven, and is really proud of you. For things like tonight, where you go and serve other people because you want to spread happiness, even though you're hurting inside too."

I looked at him in my rear view mirror, his head down, and I thought "these kids are changing my life more than I will ever affect theirs. I can't imagine not spending my time with them."

By now I had hit 13 hours of working, which is fine because it's normal, but I was overly exhausted, and running on fumes. But I had another stop to make. I drove to the other side of town to a Threads employee's home to pick up bracelets. This kid is my hero. He's my hero for many reasons that I know are too private to share with the mass public, but he has overcome a lot. He's also really opened up to me this past year as he's realized my help is consistent, and that I really do care.

He came out to greet me, and lead me to their new place. They move a lot. I must have been a mess, because after I paid him and gave him his new supplies, he said, "Please be safe on your way home. I'm going to get you water, hold on don't go yet."

He came back with the coldest bottle of water I've ever held. I don't know how he knew that I needed it, but he did. Because we look out for each other now. 

On my way home he text me, "Let me know when you're home. You seemed really exhausted and I wanna make sure you're okay :) "

I smiled. For a lot of reasons. But mainly because it feels good to have the people that consume the most of your time and energy really care about how you are. And to see their change in the way they interact with you once you gain their trust.

People need people they can trust. And can draw strength from. And I gain so much strength from these kids that it's insane.

A Humble Call For Pledgers.

That card I'm holding says "Welcome to the family Ashley." I'll tell you what, I can't think of anything else I could be doing that would be more rewarding than spending my days with these kids. High school started at the beginning of August, and I've been going to high schools in Phoenix, speaking to the kids, and getting a new batch of Shine students round up. The kids above are just 13 of the 300 students that we will be reaching this year. I. Am. So. Excited.

I'll never forget the first time I took one of the students home. It was before any of this started. I couldn't believe that they actually lived there. They had nothing. Absolutely nothing. I shook and cried the entire way home and felt a stirring within me that I had to do something to change it.

I'll never forget the first trip I went on with a football team from one of the inner city Phoenix schools. Most of the kids had never left Arizona before and they got to go to a football camp in San Diego, spend time at the beach, and just have fun. The excitement ended as three white people came up to the kids calling them the n word, wanting to fight them, and started pulling out their guns. I drove back to my hotel angry, and crying, and wishing I could do something to create more justice and fairness in the world.

I'll never forget the first scholarships we awarded last year. And having each of the kids hug me, crying, expressing gratitude for the money and more importantly the belief that I have in them and their ability. I'll never forget what one of the girls said, "People don't care about kids like us. This scholarship changed my life more than you know."

Some of the students don't have running water at their houses, so they shower at the school. Some of the kids live in fear because of how bad their living situation is. Most of the kids will be the first people in their families to go to college. They are bright. And loving. And giving. And just want it in return.

We not only raise money to send them to their first year of college, but we plan after school service projects to get them involved in the community. We instill in them leadership skills, hard work, accountability, and confidence. They learn that they really can be beneficial to the society in which they live, and for a few hours, they are safe with us. No one makes them come out and do service projects with us, they choose to, because it makes them feel good, and we have so much stinkin fun. 

One of the first things that gets cut from government funding is education, and funding for teens. Well, we get a double whammie on that one. High school aged students are the most overlooked group of people, and it's such an important time in their lives. ONE HUNDRED PERCENT of the money we raise goes directly into scholarship funds for outstanding at risk youth, and I pay out of pocket for program costs.

These kids mean more to me than I could ever explain, and they fuel my passion for life and hard work. Because like the card says, we're family now. And because we're family, every day I fight so that they can succeed.

Last year, with your help, we were able to give $10,000 worth of scholarships away to 8 students. We started a CHANGE4CHANGE campaign, where you pledge to keep an old jar and fill it with change until you reach $100. When you reach that $100, you send it in and it goes directly into the scholarship fund. You can watch the video of what we were able to accomplish last year HERE

It might make you cry.

We only have 3 months left of this year, and we have a lot of money to raise. Today, I invite you to join us in being the change, and pledge a change jar. Last year we had 50 people fully complete their pledge, and this year I know we can get 100 people. The due date for the money will be in the beginning of December.

So, what do ya say? Who wants to help me send some amazing kids to college??? Join our family.

Please pledge your name in the comments, and email me at Theshineproject@gmail.com with PLEDGER in your subject line. Together, we can do this! 100 pledgers = $10,000. Little things add up to a greater good, and I'm excited to keep helping these kids have what they need to shine.

Also, if you have any items that you would like to donate to our online silent auction, please email me at Theshineproject@gmail.com with DONATION as your subject line.

And if you want to do a direct donation right now, go over to the left side bar to the donate button!

THANK YOU. Your support is a gift not only to me, but to hundreds of youth who need love more than you can ever know.

Shine on.

The Kids Behind Threads: Luis

The Kids Behind Threads.

Threads: Wear Change

So You Don't Forget to Shine.

The Shine Project Video

We have been working on this video for the past little bit, and I'm so excited 

to show it to you today. A big thanks to Wayne at Even Keel Productions for all of his time and talent.

Meet a few of our Scholarship Winners for 2011-2012. Thanks to you, these kids are going to college.
Let's spread the message about Shine, and all of the sweet kids we're trying to help.

Please share this video on your Facebook, Twitter, Blog, whatever...

Thanks, as always, for your support. We're doing something big!

*if you feel moved to donate to the scholarship fund, 
theres a donate button on the left sidebar. bless you.

The Lives We Changed...

Guys, last week we did it.

We awarded 8 students scholarships ranging from $500-$2,500.

If you contributed to the money we raised in any way, shape, or form...

I hope you soak in these pictures.

We literally changed these sweet kids lives.

Every student kept thanking me, and told me to make sure I told everyone else involved

how much it means to them that we thought about them. 

They kept telling me about how this is going to change their life,

but little do they know that actually, they've changed mine.

Here's how it worked.

We delivered the scholarships after school, Publisher's Clearing House Style!

They had no idea that we were coming,  only their teachers in their 

after school activities knew, so things were set up perfectly...

A Day in the Life...

A lot of you have asked me about my daily routine, to see everything that I do...

Trust me, it's nothing glamorous,

but  I wake up excited to work.

Yesterday was Mike's day off, so I had him help me take pics throughout the day.

8:00 am- Wake up! Usually Mike works really early, and I am in and out of sleep, but not

this time since he had the day off. You'll see later why I sleep until 8 usually.

I'm not a breakfast person so I skip that meal, unless I ate dinner really early the day before.

9:00 am- My first meeting is at 10:00 so I'm hurrying to finish getting ready.

My biggest pet peeve is being late, so I really never am.

I like people to know that their time is valuable to me,

and I like to be treated that way in return.

9:40 am- On my way to the first meeting of the day.

10:00am-11:30- Met with the film producer who is making a sweet short film/commercial

for The Shine Scholarship Project.

(The people I meet with change obviously... from volunteers to companies, etc)

12:00- Quick lunch in the car from Chic-fil-a

(I'm pretty much always on the go)

12:20-2:00- Busting out orders like nobody's business! This is actually quite the process...

from stamping necklaces, to making them, to packaging and taking them to the post office.

I do this about twice a week. Always so grateful for all of you who support TSP.

2:00-On my way to my second meeting of the day. Feeling tired, but excited to go 

see my shine kids!

2:30-5:00- Shine club at the high school. Yesterday we cleaned the park.

They are seriously so precious, and it's the highlight of my day.

Mike was able to go with me too for the first time since he didn't have to work...I loved it.

5:30- Starving and a quick stop at Subway. Basically falling asleep while ordering...

Ummm... I ate an entire foot long turkey sandwich.

I'm not even mad about it.

5:45- Drop Mike off at home, and clean up real quick because he is having a meeting 

at our house at 6:30

I leave for my final meeting of the day at 6:00.

6:30-8:15- Meeting with my board of directors for The Shine Scholarship Project.

We have a set meeting every month, and are pretty precise at keeping up with goals,

getting involved with new businesses to raise awareness and money, etc.

There are 4 other people on the board, and I literally love them to death.

8:45-Finally home for the night...and now it's time to answer emails, write posts, etc.

I get a lot of emails, and unfortunately can't answer them all...I just literally don't have enough time.

Sponsors, project leaders, and event emails take priority.

I do this until about 10:15.

10:15- My boys are getting tired! Mike and I always try to go to bed at the same time,

but when he has to go to bed early because of early work, sometimes it just doesn't happen.

But we make sure to have scripture study together for bed, and I kiss him goodnight.

10:45-12:30- Spend time setting up SHINE event locations, doing research, finding new ways to market, etc. My assistant makes this SO much easier for me, I literally don't know what I'd do without her.

I go to bed around 12:30-1:00, and lay in bed an average of 1-2 hours before I fall asleep.

My brain seriously can't shut off....

Then the process starts again the next day!

My days are always different, but they follow a schedule like this one.

It's seriously a blessing to love what I do so much, especially since I work from the

time I wake up, until the time I lay down to sleep.

Hope that gives you a better idea!

PS: Tomorrow I'm on my way to DALLAS, and am so excited to meet you who are attending

Saturday's SHINE event.

On FRIDAY, be sure to come and hear about the new project we're launching.

I've been working on it for a few months, and it's going to be amazing.