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Ugly Sweater and Karaoke For a Cause Event

It’s that time of year, Family & Friends!

We can hardly wait to party with you for a worthy cause!
Come out to our Ugly Sweater and Karaoke For a Cause Event on Friday, December 21st, 2018 starting at 8:00 PM at Level Up Connection Event Space in, Laurelton, New York.

Ugly Sweater Karaoke For A Cause Event

Music will be provided by Connecticut’s own, DJ Ron C. ( @exodus_ron_c; on IG) The evening’s festivities will be hosted by #SurpriseTheStruggling’s Founder and Executive Director, Chaplain Dr. Jacquelyn Wilson.

 

There will food, drinks, raffles, and a prize for the ugliest sweater worn!  Tickets are $25 per person, available on our Eventbrite site Surprise The Struggling, Inc. All proceeds donated this evening will benefit Surprise The Struggling and our continued endeavors to aid homeless women and teen girls. If you are unable to make it, please feel free to make a donation on our website on our giving back page. No amount is too small!

We look forward to seeing you there!


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A Word From Our Executive Director, Dr. Jacquelyn Wilson

Nothing tops being entrusted with a facility housing 380 residents to do a surprise holiday dinner for the less fortunate. Thank you, for allowing us to do what we do. It takes a village and we are the VILLAGE. Thank you to all of our sponsors, donors, chiefs; it’s because of you, that we were able to make a difference. We meet the people where they are…PERIOD!

With every ounce of sincerity, thank you all from the bottom of my heart for making this year’s Gift Giving Extravaganza, the most amazing day in the history of #SurpriseTheStruggling™ (A Hashtag Movement for Homeless Women.) From my key Chief Ambassadors,  Thamicha Isaac, Ebony C Johnson, and Charlene Stewart for breathing into me when I was second-guessing. My event planner, Vanessa E-El, The Event Strategist—who delivers every year faithfully! My cake supplier CAKES BY COLEY. I adore you, Coco! To my DJ, Ron Cee of Exodus Entertainment. I love you! To my CLO, Ruthe McDonald who makes it all happen.  My photo lady, Delilah Peach Williams, love you, babe!

To the Ladies and Gentlemen who cooked/served/delivered from SPBC, POYED by Velvette,  Robin Devonish, Aja Webster Barton, Paulette Bailey, Cynthia Juhans, and my brother & the Doc, Bryant Pearson; thank you! To the director of Starbright Family Residence, Ms. R, for entrusting us with your residents! Also, to my sister Wanda Edwards, to my love, Essence Bembry, and her boys, APWorld & Fear the Fro, Atlanta Hawks, for donating the bags and shirts. To my Accountability partner, Eloquent Essentials for sponsoring gifts. To Dr. Natacha Chloe and my day one ambassador, Keisha Christie, for sponsoring always! Althea Webber Bates, Shawn Headley, Iesha Sekou, and EVERYONE who sent a monetary donation…I LOVE YOU! 

Tanisha Smith Franks, Luck Da Barber💜, my children, my family, and my GOD—we did it!!!! ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE WITH A TEAM! Looking forward to an even greater 2018!!!! LET’S DO THIS!!!

Warmest Regards,

 Dr. Wilson 

We meet the people where they are…PERIOD.

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Surprise The Struggling Receives Blessing Bags to Support Their Endeavors

December 9, 2017, New York—Surprise The Struggling was the honored recipient of over fifty Blessings Bags that was raised during a recent fundraiser.

Poyed By Velvette

Poyed By Velvette’s, B2BAB quarterly fundraiser chose Surprise The  Struggling for its winter fundraising initiative. Over forty women pledged to donate, purchase products, and raise funds to fill fifty large bags with items to help aid #STS mission in helping homeless women and teen girls globally. Among the many items donated to fill each bag was an array of toiletries, including items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, sanitary and feminine products, lotions, soaps, body washes, socks, hair grooming and shaving kits, makeup bags, slippers, water, protein bars, detergent, flashlights, and a host of other items that would help those in need.

 

       Blessed 2 Be A Blessing 

 

Blessed to Be a Blessing “B2BAB” is a series of quarterly fundraiser initiatives by Poyed By Velvette, that support various causes by raising funds, collecting donated items and bringing awareness to issues that impact young girls, teenage girls, and women living in our communities.

The fifty bags donated to Surprise The Struggling enabled the organization to reach more homeless women and teen girls this Holiday season than anticipated. Immediately, #STS was able to reach out to some women in need, earlier than expected this Holiday season, due to the dedicated and philanthropic endeavors of Poyed by Velvette’s B2BAB initiative.

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December’s Women Awakening Women Tea Huddle to Feature Dr. Natacha Aurelien

First Wednesdays Women Awakening Women Tea Huddle

 

NEW YORK CITY, it’s going down!  Women Awakening Women Tea Huddle, sponsored by the Dr. Wilson Leadership Academy and The Tea Room in Brooklyn, is returning on December 6, 2017,  starting at 4 PM.  Our special guest speaker will be Doctor, CEO, and Author Chloe Natacha Aurelien.

The Tea Huddle is a safe space for sacred conversations over tea and a light meal for less fortunate and homeless women in our communities. If you would like to be a blessing and donate, no amount is too small, please visit our Giving Back page for the donate button. Or you may email surprisethestruggling@gmail.com We meet the people where they are…PERIOD!

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Resiliency Moving Beyond the Baggage: Women of Color Empowerment Conference

Come out and meet Dr. Jacquelyn Wilson, Surprise The Struggling, Inc. Executive Director, at this year’s Women of Color Empowerment Conference at Rawson Elementary School. 260 Holcomb Street, Hartford, Connecticut 06112 1PM-6PM November 4, 2017.

There will be a live panel featuring Entrepreneurial women from different backgrounds, who are all making a difference and giving back to their communities in various ways.

Resiliency Moving Beyond the Baggage: Women of Color Empowerment Conference
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First Wednesdays Women Awakening Women Tea Huddle

What can be more invigorating than being able to come together for inspiration, encouragement, and fellowship? Not much!

Surprise The Struggling Inc. and Dr. Wilson Leadership Academy’s inaugural First Wednesday Tea Huddle is happening tomorrow night, November 1, 2017, 4PM-7PM, at The Tea Room located at 452 Pine Street (between Belmont & Pitkin), Brooklyn, New York.  All women are invited to come out and hear an inspiring word from dynamic speakers, while gathering with other women, sharing the same struggles, triumphs, and dreams—over a cup of tea.

First Wednesdays Women Awakening Women Tea Huddle

First Wednesdays Women Awakening Women Tea Huddle is a joint venture between Suprise The Struggling Inc. and Dr. Wilson Leadership Academy to bring assistance, awareness, and advice to less fortunate and homeless women and teen girls. You are invited to join Executive Director, Dr. Jacquelyn Wilson tomorrow night for sacred conversation, empowerment, inspiration, and support over a cup of tea and a warm meal.

Sponsored Dr. Wilson Leadership Academy and The Tea Room, #STSGlobal will be catering to the less fortunate and homeless women in the community. All in attendance will receive a blessing bag filled with essential items to help take care of the bare personal hygienic needs.  Joining the festivities for the inaugural First Wednesday are two dynamic speakers: Minister Wanda Edwards of Colors of Survival and Minister LaTonya Smiley of Eve’s Roses.

 
To DONATE, click on the donate button on the Giving Back Page or go here: http://bit.ly/STSWAWW

If you would like to contribute material items, such as food, toiletries, blessing bags, or a  check or money order; or if you need further information on becoming a SPONSOR of one or more Wednesdays, please email: Rue McDonald at, rue@surprisethestruggling.org.

No amount is too small. We’re blessed to be a blessing. We Meet The People Where They’re At…PERIOD!

Looking Forward To Seeing You!

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Celebrating Women’s History Month…Tonikwa “Precious” Johnson!

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

#Surprisethestruggling

We continue our celebration of Women’s History Month! #SurpriseTheStruggling’s thirtieth highlight this month is the most caring and dedicated Tonikwa “Precious” Johnson—#SurpriseTheStruggling’s day one supporter, friend, family and number one Staten Island Ambassador. Tonikwa has been a long supporter of ours beginning with The Stop Bullying Project®. She has shown dedication, love, and a willingness to go above and beyond to support #STSGlobal mission to meet people where they’re at, surprising them in the midst of their struggles, letting them know that there are people who care about them and are not seeking to take from them, but only to give.

From the very onset of birthing #Surprisethestruggling, Tonikwa has been right there. She has been a major part of the success and reason for one of our most wonderful programs, #Surprisethestruggling Baby Shower. With Tonikwa’s dedication and foresight, we were able to implement a successful program that allows us to go into a woman’s shelter for mother and children—some who may have been the victim of domestic violence—and surprise them with a Baby Shower. Thanks to Tonikwa’s efforts and commitment, we are able not only to bestow the essentials upon these mothers for their newborn but also for the mothers themselves.

Tonikwa Precious Johnson, Staten Island Chief Ambassador, Teacher

Many people begin with you and are excited to be a part of the beginning stages of what seems like a good idea. They may even stay through the first couple of hurdles, but soon their involvement and dedication wane and you find yourself standing alone. Tonikwa has shown that she embodies the spirit and mission of #STSGlobal wholeheartedly and is with us for the long haul.

As our number one Staten Island Chief Ambassador, Tonikwa has made herself an invaluable part of the #STSGlobal family. She is an example of the kind of woman who is building a legacy of greatness, selflessness, and kindness. Truly, there really are no words that can aptly convey, what we feel in our hearts for this beautiful young woman who is making a difference in so many lives. We are excited to see what other great things come from our “Precious” Ambassador.

We not only honor Tonikwa today, we also celebrate her Birthday! It is with profound gratitude that we thank God for Tonikwa. For allowing us to share the gift that she is to so many. We are humbled by her dedication and commitment and ask that God will bless her in every endeavor that He has ordained for her life. Tonikwa deserves the moon and the stars, and we are believing that she will receive a hundred times over the love and generosity she has given to us.

Tonikwa “Precious” Johnson—Daughter, Sister, Friend, Teacher, Volunteer, Chief Ambassador—is a woman of dedication who gives selflessly to her family and friends. Tonikwa is a teacher’s assistant at United Cerebral Palsy and is currently studying for her degree in Early Childhood Education. Be certain to connect with her on FB:  https://www.facebook.com/tonikwa.p.johnson

We salute you, Tonikwa Johnson! Your light shines brightly and inspires us each day to give and be our best. We stand with a heart full of love and gratitude, proud and grateful to have you as part of the #SurpriseTheStruggling Family!
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Embrace Your Cake Is Happening Right Now!

Happening at this current hour,  our Executive Director and Founder, Dr. Jacquelyn Wilson, is Embracing Her Cake!  Dr. Wilson is today’s keynote speaker, where she is delivering a powerful an10297770_1197667810255722_777685803766191649_nd inspiring word to all those in attendance.

Are you embracing your cake? Are you living your best and authentic life right now?  If not, what is stopping you? Perhaps you need some guidance to help form a clear picture in your heart and mind. Consider contacting Dr. Wilson for a consult. Be sure to inquire about having Dr. Wilson as a keynote speaker, workshop facilitator, or a one to a three-day conference.

For  information on what to expect and what Dr. Wilson has to offer, please contact ruemcdonald@gmail.com for an informational packet. Be certain to put; Information Packet Request for Consult, in the Subject line.

As always, please be certain to check out our giving back page and click the donation button. No gift to small or large. We appreciate all that you do in becoming a part of our campaign, to help homeless women and young girls. It is because of you, that we are. Blessings!

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Purchase Your Tickets

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Come out and meet our founder, Dr. Jacquelyn Wilson!  October 22, 2016, from 9am-4pm at The Long Island Marriott, Uniondale, NY. The Keynote speaker for Embrace Your Cake’s “Position Yourself to Win” Launch Event and Conference.

Purchase your tickets today!  Women from all over the country are getting their tickets for this launch event! You can purchase your event tickets at www.embraceyourcake.com Seats are limited! Reserve your seat to hear from Dr. Wilson and other amazing women on October 22nd, 2016 in Uniondale, NY! Come and meet some phenomenal women and speakers that will change your life, and help you to position yourself to win in every area of your life!

For more information, visit: www.embraceyourcake.com Hurry! Seats are filling up quickly.