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!
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.
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!
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!
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
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!
Our celebration of Women’s History Month continues. #SurpriseTheStruggling’s twenty-seventh highlight this month is a dynamic duo of dedication and motivation; kind of like having a double shot espresso, the team of Janine Smalls-Gueye and Lanise Herman-Thomas—#SurpriseTheStruggling’s reminder of how powerful sisterhood is, and how much you can accomplish when we work together with a spirit of support, understanding, and determination.
Each woman deserves to be singled out for their generosity and valuable time that they so generously give towards the success of #STSGlobal and carrying our mission forward. In their own right and as individuals Janine and Lanise are exemplary in all that they do. They give of themselves, each bringing to the table something unique and inspiring. Yet, as a team, they have proven to be even more impactful and leading example that one: women can work together and birth something powerful. In addition, two: when women come together to build one another up; especially wives and mothers, there is absolutely nothing that can stop them from accomplishing their goals.
Lanise Herman-Thomas, Janine Smalls-Gueye, Founders of P.R.A.D.A. an NPO & Wife Mom Entrepreneur Community Platform
Janine and Lanise both embody the spirit and mission of #STSGlobal. Providing services that are needed, meeting the people where they’re at, forming a community that is a wealth of ongoing support, and encouraging and motivating others to take the necessary steps in their lives to be all that they desire to be.
The sisters have proven that visions and dreams to come to pass when you work together and have a team of support and people that believe in you. Janine and Lanise have more than proven that they believe in what #STSGlobal is doing. They believe in who we are as individuals, team members, and an organization. Janine and Lanise are beautiful examples of what love and dedication look like in action. We humbly accept and appreciate their advice, guidance, and friendship, as well as their support in our journey of helping others.
Janine Smalls-Gueye and Lanise Herman-Thomas—Wives, Mothers, Sisters, CEOs, Scholars, MPA, MBA, Entrepreneurs, Educators, Tutors, Motivators, Visionaries, Authors—are the CEOs and founders of not one but two organizations— Peoples Resource and Development Association, (P.R.A.D.A) and Wife Mom Entrepreneur—that have been and are changing lives and communities, and making a difference in the lives of countless women every day.
Peoples Resource and Development Association, (P.R.A.D.A) a 501(c) 3 nonprofit was founded to assist low-income families, achieve stability and self-sufficiency through their programs. People’s Resource and Development Association mission is devoted to meeting the educational and developmental needs of children and adolescents while acknowledging and responding to the potential achievements and interdependence of their adults. Jessica Joseph is Program Director and Chantay Berry is Executive Assistant, http://pradanp.org FB: https://www.facebook.com/PRADANP/
Wife Mom Entrepreneur is a community organization and platform, whose purpose is to educate women on how successfully to juggle life as a wife, mom, and entrepreneur. Wife Mom Entrepreneur business consultant boutique offers: Business Advice/Solutions, Personal/Business Branding, Strategic Planning,
Marketing Services, Team/Partnership Building, and Start-Up Planning and Development. This amazing community of sisterhood— created for the women who are wives, moms, and entrepreneurs—offers a supportive place for women to share, as well as, educate other women successfully to juggle three of the most challenging yet fulfilling jobs. Their website offers tons of advice and a wealth of resources, and the opportunity to connect and network. https://www.wifemomentrepreneur.com/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/wifemomentrepreneur/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/wifemomentrepreneur/
We salute you, Janine Smalls-Gueye and Lanise Herman-Thomas! The legacy you are creating is inspiring and motivating. We are filled with extreme gratitude to have you both as part of the #SurpriseTheStruggling Family!
Our celebration of Women’s History Month continues! #SurpriseTheStruggling’s twenty-third highlight this month is the incomparable and awe-inspiring Sabine Barreau—#SurpriseTheStruggling’s friend, supporter, and inspiration. #STSGlobal had the profound opportunity and privilege to meet this angel of a woman last year at an event. In the company of many other inspiring and beautiful women, we were struck by the glow that surrounded Sabine and just seems to emanate from her being.
Have you ever been in someone’s presence and felt empowered and encouraged at the same time? That was how we felt in the presence of Sabine. It became evident that this woman was genuine, real, and had a testimony to share. It was all over her. It was not her physical beauty, her make-up, her clothes. It was her spirit; the light of God shining inside of her—bursting with energy and love and power.
Sabine Barreau, Founder, and President of Dynamic Women Of Faith and Purpose, INC.
In the course of doing the work that we do, we come across many different women and girls from all kinds of backgrounds and walks of life. Their stories are all unique and yet similar at the same time. And the one common thread is that these women and girls have not given up. They are fighting; fighting for life, love, and happiness. No matter what comes their way, they are fighting. Part of #STSGlobal mission is to encourage and inspire and to meet other women that we can connect with who share our mission and are willing to become a part of the #STSGlobal family and share in our mission to inspire, encourage, and change lives one at a time, meeting the people right where they are at.
Sabine is this kind of woman. The kind of woman you want to surround yourself with. Who has been through some fires and challenges in life, but continues to push forward and use her voice and her testimony to bring encouragement, inspiration, and enlightenment to those who may feel their paths are too dark, and cannot distinguish the light.
Sabine is that light that God is using. It has been a pleasure in meeting and connecting with such a beautiful soul. She is a woman making history; creating a legacy her family, children, friends, and strangers can glean faith and hope.
Sabine Barreau—Wife, Mother, Sister, Daughter, Minister, Cancer-Survivor, Champion—is a woman of faith who took life’s challenges and placed them in God’s hands, trusting Him to give her a clear path and direction of how to move forward. Finding herself battling for her life, from her ashes were birthed a beautiful testimony and organization. Sabine is proud founder & President of Dynamic Women Of Faith And Purpose, Inc. She is a walking testimony of what God will do in your life when you allow Him into those broken places of your life.
Dynamic Women Of Faith And Purpose, Inc. desires to ensure that women from different walks of life reach their full potential in Christ. It is to encourage, educate, and empower women on the importance of living pure, and takes their rightful place in God, identifying their purpose, acknowledging God with a praise and evolving into a beautiful woman of God with style. DWOFAP will motivate and empower women to become all that God has called them to be. FB: https://www.facebook.com/pg/dynamicwomenoffaithandpupose
We salute you, Sabine Barreau! Your life, determination, and dedication inspire us never to give up. Thank you, for fighting to win. We are humbly blessed to have you be a part of the #SurpriseTheStruggling Family!
In continuing our celebration of Women’s History Month, #SurpriseTheStruggling’s seventeenth highlight this month is the incredible and invaluable Shawn Headley—#SurpriseTheStruggling’s reason for being able to do what we do legally! We owe a profound debt of gratitude to Shawn for taking us under her wing and offering her wisdom and direction when we decided to take our vision and make it official. She mentored us through the entire process of bringing our vision to fruition; making the entire process of becoming an official nonprofit 501 c 3 organization much easier. She understood the mission of #STSGlobal and determined that she could help us take our vision further.
When you are starting out, Shawn is the person that you want on your side. Her selflessness and determination to help others attain the goals they have set for themselves and others are what set Shawn apart from so many others. Shawn’s dedication to her clients and passion for what she does inspires us to do all that we can to give back and to pay all the kindness and love she has shown us, forward.
Shawn Headley Ceo & Founder of Each One Teach One Mentoring Services Inc.
Shawn’s compassion is contagious. Her support of #SupriseTheStruggling has made her an integral part of our continued success. Her example of dedication and professionalism has given us a standard we hope we are reflecting in our services.
Shawn Headley—CEO, Director, Mentor, Consultant, Game-changer, Life-Influencer—is the CEO and Founder of Each one Teach one Mentoring Service Inc., Director/Provider at Happy Hearts Daycare and Aftercare program and Executive director at A Stairway To Hope Children & Family Services Inc.
Each One Teach One began with a vision in 2013 to help givers in the nonprofit industry achieve what they deserve. EOTO takes all the guesswork out of getting started. Through a variety of services, EOTO will help from the beginning stages all the way to running and maintaining a nonprofit like a pro; working through all federal and state paperwork, and offering a NonProfit 101 class that will further one’s vision in a nonprofit world. http://eachoneteachonementoring.com
Bar-none; Shawn is someone you want to get to know. Be inspired and motivated by her passion and dedication to make positive changes in the lives of others. We salute you, Shawn Headley! You show us every day what sincere dedication and concern look like. We are grateful to have you be a part of the #SurpriseTheStruggling Family!
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!
