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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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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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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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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…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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Celebrating Women’s History Month…Theresa Vivian Moila!

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

#Surprisethestruggling

We’re continuing our celebration of Women’s History Month! #SurpriseTheStruggling’s twenty-first highlight this month is the inspirational and selfless Advocate Theresa Vivian Moila—#SurpriseTheStruggling’s day one supporter, promoter, and our South African Chief Ambassador. Theresa has jumped in wholly to support and promote the work of not only #STSGlobal but also as an Ambassador for our sister organization, The Stop Bullying Project®. Theresa embodies the spirit of the mission of both organizations and continues to promote and share our mission and work with many others, near and far.

Theresa Vivian Moila, Chief Ambassador, Advocate, Champion

It is at times difficult to convey accurately with words what you hold in your heart for someone. The words do not always justify the depths of love and gratitude that you feel in your heart towards someone who means so much to you. That is how #STSGlobal feels towards Theresa. There are not enough words to justly describe how profoundly grateful we are to have Theresa as part of the #SurpriseTheStruggling family.

From the beginning, Theresa has been an invaluable part of #STSGlobal. She has gone out of her way to represent our mission in such a way that it has brought together like-minded people to share in our mission and to help aid us in reaching our goals of helping others. Because of her selflessness and continued support, we are able to do what we do and help not only surprise many homeless women and teen girls, but also those who may be struggling, and to bring awareness, as well to those who have suffered from bullying in any shape or form.

Theresa is an asset to our organization, and we are forever grateful that she chose us to lend her support, love, and dedication. We are and are able to do what we do because of beautiful souls like Theresa.

Theresa Vivian Moila—Chief Ambassador, Motivator, Educator, Activist, Humanitarian—is the Champion for many causes. She lends her voice and support to various organizations that have an impact on the way we live our lives, see the world, and treat one another in this world.

Theresa puts forth efforts to encourage others in the fight to bring awareness to the severity of violence against children. She is also an advocate for quality and accessible education. She fights to change the world one person; one life at a time. Please follow our dear Queen on her IG and FB pages to learn more about her and the awesome work she does and the organizations she supports. https://www.instagram.com/theresamoila/  https://www.facebook.com/Viv.moila 

We salute you, Theresa Vivian Moila! Your compassionate heart and dedication inspire us to be the best version of who we can be. Because of you, we are! We are grateful to have you be a part of the #SurpriseTheStruggling Family!