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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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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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It’s A Surprise Holiday Dinner Party!

Thank you all for your continued support and dedication in aiding #SurpriseTheStruggling in making a change in the lives of so many people; especially those affected by Homelessness.

We are asking that you will help us to surprise about 100 families (380ppl) this Holiday Season with a special Suprise Holiday Dinner Party. A way to bring some happiness and kindness this Holiday season. To let them know they are not forgotten.

If there is any way you can assist us, please email us at, surprisethestruggling@gmail.com Make all Monetary donations at, http://bit.ly/STSHOLIDAYSURPRISEDINNER or on our Giving Back page.

No amount too small, no item turned away.

Please do us a favor, and pass along this Event. Share it on your page and in your communities. Let’s make a difference this holiday season. We can do this as a community!

A Surprise Holiday Dinner…Seeking Sponsors
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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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Upcoming Bags & Breast Cancer Awareness Lunch

 

Bags & Breast Cancer Awareness Brunch

 

Our very own, Founder and Executive Director, Dr. Jacquelyn Wilson will be a special speaker at this year’s Bags & Breast Cancer Awareness Lunch. 

On Saturday, April 29th, 2017 from 12:00 noon until 3:00 PM, guests will enjoy a beautiful afternoon of activities that include brunch and drinks, and special speakers for the afternoon. In addition to Dr. Wilson, guest will be honored with another special speaker, LaTonya Smiley, Founder and CEO of Eve’s Roses http://2liveunbroken.com

The event will take place in South Amboy, New Jersey, hosted by the lovely Miss Tracey Hamilton.

Guests are encouraged to R.S.V.P as soon as possible to, Blessintra@yahoo.com/347.295.8970. If you cannot attend, but still would like to donate, please visit our Giving Back page and click on the link to make a donation. No amount is too small.

Looking forward to seeing you!

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Celebrating Women’s History Month…LaTonya Smiley!

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

#Surprisethestruggling

 

We are continuing our celebration of Women’s History Month. #SurpriseTheStruggling’s fifteenth highlight this month is the courageous and inspirational LaTonya Smiley—#SurpriseTheStruggling’s passionate supporter who has managed to touch our hearts through her words, her testimony, and her devotion to healing the hurts of other women. LaTonya embodies the heart and soul of #STSGlobal mission. She has inspired us with her support, love, and commitment to making a positive change.

There are times in life when you meet or learn about someone and because of it, your life will never be the same because you have learned and gained something special from their story. You know that you will not see the world the same way or be able to do things the same but instead, you are inspired to do more. That is exactly what LaTonya brings to the #STS organization. You cannot hear her story, see her commitment, and not be affected to do something.

LaTonya Smiley, CEO, and Founder of Eve’s Roses

We are grateful to LaTonya for walking in her greatness. Because she has boldly gone forth and has shared herself, it inspires and encourages us to continue to do the same. It encourages us to see deeper and to look closer at the women and teen girls that we seek to surprise each day. We all have a story, but many of us are afraid to share it. We thank LaTonya for having the courage to share hers but also to encourage others to do the same.

LaTonya Smiley—Advocate, Motivational Speaker, Life Coach, Author, Ambassador—is the CEO and Founder of Eve’s Roses. Eve’s Roses, a New York based Nonprofit Organization committed to providing Mentoring services for Victims and Survivors of Incest and domestic Violence. Their mission is to empower victims to end the silence with the reassurance of support; to empower women by pushing the message that, “Your Past DOES NOT define your future.”

LaTonya worked as an NYC Paramedic for almost ten years. During her time in the field, she received many lifesaving awards and six FDNY commendations. After interacting with all types of people as she administered medical treatment she discovered that the underlying cause of physical and mental diseases that she treated was a childhood hurt. Being an overcomer of incest and domestic violence, she knew that she had to do something to help those who were dying in silence from their horrific secrets.

We encourage you to learn more about the phenomenal LaTonya Smiley, and her organization, Eve’s Roses, http://2liveunbroken.com/ Follow her on IG @evesroses

Be inspired by this dedicated and motivational woman. We salute you, LaTonya Smiley! You inspire us every day. We are honored to have you be a part of the #SurpriseTheStruggling Family!
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Celebrating Women’s History Month…ShonTe Smith!

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

#Surprisethestruggling

 

We are continuing our celebration of Women’s History Month! #SurpriseTheStruggling’s eleventh highlight this month is the selfless and devoted humanitarian ShonTe Smith—#SurpriseTheStruggling’s day one supporter and New Jersey Ambassador.  Meeting ShonTe was like meeting an angel—an angel on a mission to make a difference in this world globally. ShonTe fully embraces the mission of #STSGlobal and from the beginning gave her support and love to our organization’s efforts in making a difference in the lives of those homeless and less fortunate.

ShonTe Smith The When I Grow Up Project Books4Ghana

ShonTe is a fearless young woman who is not ashamed to speak, walk, and talk her truth—living it each day with a passion that is contagious and having a profound effect on the lives of many globally. Her drive, passion, and compassion inspire #SurpriseTheStruggling to not only continue our work with diligence but to also reach out far beyond our own comfort zones; to take daring steps to help those globally, as well as locally. ShonTe’s drive and commitment remind us each day that life is a gift that we get to share with others, and that many people in this world need people to show them that they are a gift also.

ShonTe Smith—Entrepreneur, Filmmaker, Trailblazer, Student, CEO, Humanitarian—is CEO and the director of The When I Grow up Project. The When I Grow up Project is a motivational documentary that focuses on inspiring and encouraging children to follow their dreams despite the obstacles they may face. In 2013, ShonTe directed the documentary with the production of Shangosoul Entertainment and support of Plainfield New Jersey Community Television Network. The vision was to expose role models in the community for children to become inspired. The group of twenty students and ShonTe went around Plainfield asking community members and professionals to describe their occupations and their motivation. All interactions were recorded and became the foundation for the film. Throughout the summer, the film aired on Plainfield Television Network.

After two years of researching and networking, ShonTe realized this project could encourage children around the world and become a motivational movement. This thought gave birth to the Follow your Dreams Tour. This global journey has ShonTe traveling to different countries to enhance the short film to a complete documentary by gaining a global perspective, interviewing international volunteers, and understanding how the environment affects opportunities.  To learn more about this project, watch the video on YouTube- https://youtu.be/L2tAm7suYk4 or

Email- books4ghanaproject@gmail.com and follow ShonTe Smith on Instagram at, www.instagram.com/whenigrowupproject and www.instagram.com/books4ghana To donate, https://www.gofundme.com/2jc6jyk

We encourage you to get to know this Global Trailblazing Angel—be inspired by her altruistic and humanitarian endeavors. We salute you, ShonTe Smith! We are humbled and ingratiated to you for being that inspiration that inspires us to reach further. We are blessed to have you be a part of the #SurpriseTheStruggling Family!
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Celebrating Women History Month…Patricia Sykes!

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

#Surprisethestruggling

Continuing our celebration of Women’s History Month, #SurpriseTheStruggling’s ninth highlight this month is an entrepreneur and sweet treat maven, Patricia Sykes—#SurpriseTheStruggling’s inspirational and day one supporter, Ambassador from New York. Patricia encompasses the heart of #STSGlobal mission. Our front-line Ambassador—Patricia is taking it to the streets to meet the people where they are. She has donated her time, services, and talents—to not only our organization—but to countless others. She is raising awareness for each cause that is near and dear to both our hearts. Patricia has a dedicated spirit and heart to making a difference. This was evident when on one of the coldest times in New York history, she took to the streets with #STS and other volunteers and Ambassadors, giving out coats, blankets, toiletries, gloves, and food. This is why she is considered our frontline Ambassador because she is not afraid of the getting out of her comfort zone and bringing aid to those in need of service.

Patricia Sykes Suga Mamas Treats and Tees, Ambassador

If you should know anything about Patricia, it is that she has one of the hugest hearts and such a passion for children. We believe that it is her motherhood, which makes her shine the brightest and drives her passion and compassion to assist #SurpriseTheStruggling in its many endeavors.

Some of you may also know our Ambassador as Suga Mama Treats! In her capacity as a baker, Patricia has provided her talents to countless causes; including many #STS events. One of the things we love most about Patricia—a.k.a Suga Mamas Treats—are the kid-friendly workshops and opportunities that she sponsors and holds exclusively for children. It is unique and inspiring, and a reflection of Patricia’s huge spirit and why we absolutely adore her.

Patricia Sykes—Mother, Entrepreneur, Humanitarian, Frontline Ambassador, Friend—is CEO of Suga Mamas Treats and Tees. An artisanal and gourmet online bakery that specializes in treats baked, created and designed from scratch—using only the freshest ingredients seasonally available, that have garnered them the reputation for having the highest quality and great tasting products.

Suga Mamas Treats and Tees is a family based business established by Patricia and her ten-year-old daughter, Denise. The business was birthed from an idea that her daughter had to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness month. Encouraging the entrepreneurial spirit in her daughter, and combining her passion for baking, Suga Mamas Treats was established as a kid-friendly venture. Please visit their website: www.sugamamastreats.com to learn more about Patricia and her daughter Denise, and the wonderful products and services being offered. Be certain to check out the gallery of her work. We promise you, you will be quickly placing an order and inquiring about one of the many kid-friendly parties that Patricia hosts.

Whatever you do, do yourself a service and get to know the awesome woman that will only bring more sweetness and goodness to your life. We appreciate you, Patricia Sykes—Sugar Mamas Treats! We are honored and over the moon to have you be a part of the #SurpriseTheStruggling Family!