by April | Community, Volunteerism
MAY 28th was volunteer day at Sharia’s Closet whose goal is to alleviate clothing needs in San Diego County, seeking to fulfill their mission of providing free clothing to people in need. What a turn out with over 50 volunteers showing up to help carry out their mission. Volunteers are the backbone of Sharia’s Closet. We could never achieve what we do without the unfaltering commitment of time, support, skills, creativity and knowledge generously shared by so many.
Volunteering provides many benefits to both mental and physical health.
- Volunteering increases self-confidence. Volunteering can provide a healthy boost to your self-confidence, self-esteem, and life satisfaction. You are doing good for others and the community, which provides a natural sense of accomplishment. Your role as a volunteer can also give you a sense of pride and identity. And the better you feel about yourself, the more likely you are to have a positive view of your life and future goals.
- Volunteering provides a sense of purpose. One can find new meaning and purpose in their lives by helping others. Whatever your age or life situation, volunteering can help take your mind off your own worries, keep you mentally stimulated, and add more zest to your life.
- Volunteering combats depression. A key risk factor for depression is social isolation. Volunteering keeps you in regular contact with others and helps you develop a solid support system, which in turn protects you against stress and depression when you’re going through challenging times. Working with others has been shown to improve mood and reduce stress and anxiety.
Sharia’s Closet clothing room provides for the needs of families as well as many homeless and destitute people in our area. When people come to their programs they offer them a clean change of clothing. Most needs are: Jeans, sweaters, underwear, shoes, warm coats and business attire for those reentering the workforce. If you are considering a food or clothing drive at your congregation, organization, workplace or school, please let us know. They will work with you to launch a successful drive that will bless those we serve.
Lastly, Mrs. Linton (Sharia’s Closet Founder) remarked “Thank you to each and every one of you. The impact of your hard work is felt by the children and families we are able to help. Our success is your success. We can’t thank you enough for your time spent with us today. I want to say thanks to Tracy Morris and The Blue Heart Foundation for having a big part in today’s Volunteer day.We will be helping to sort and fold clothes for people in need and any other help requested”
by April | Community, Education, Volunteerism
April 30th, 2016 – The Urban League of San Diego County celebrated its 25th Annual Golden Pyramid Scholars Program. The event took place at San Diego Concourse, Golden Hall. The program was designed to identify, recruit, nurture and support students who are striving to achieve academic and economic excellence. The communities’ goal is to ensure that its future parents, politicians, scientists, carpenters, doctors, and professors are identified early and supported continuously in their quest to achieve excellence.
Members of HEART had the opportunity to not only receive awards for academic excellence with cumulative GPA’s of 3.0 and above. These dedicated, service minded young men arrived as early as 7:00 AM to provide assistance in any and every way possible. Tasks given to these young men included but were not limited to award recipient registration, door assistance, ushering and event coordination as well as handing out brochures. All 20 members in attendance received the highest accolades from the San Diego Urban League’s Young Professionals
In partnership with several community based organizations, The Blue Heart Foundation provided access to more than $50,000 in scholarships and grants. Scholarship partners included, San Diego State University; San Ysidro Health Center, and Neighborhood House Association & Urban League of San Diego County. Additional thanks goes to our military personnel who volunteered their time to help with logistics and crowd management.
The Golden Pyramid Academic Scholars Awards program provided participating organizations and businesses an opportunity to connect with more than 1,300 high-achieving underrepresented youth and their families. This year’s program attracted more than 2,529 people. Participants were encouraged to enroll in one of our year-round youth programs such as Project Ready (College Readiness Programs for males and females 11-18).
The Golden Pyramid Scholars Program features encouraging messages which promote academic achievement, civic responsibility and professional success. The programs emphasis on academic achievement and career success attracts aspiring, influential teens and young adults, ages 8-18 along with loyal parents/grandparents/guardians of all ages. These consumers bring a mindset perfect for marketing certain consumer brands, career opportunities and social campaigns that appeal to this trend-setting demographic.
by April | Community, Heart Leadership Academy, Team Building
April 23, 2016 – It was chilly, early Saturday morning as HEART (Higher Education And Rising Together) rose to the challenge and volunteered to walk for babies… After raising $1,900, HEART also contributed throughout the day. Setting up tents, moving tables, carrying water and any other opportunities where we could lend a helping hand. As HEART Member Dallas Edge stated “Volunteering benefits the community as it shows you support it and its people”.
When you walk in March for Babies, you give hope to nearly half a million babies born too soon each year. The money you raise supports programs in your community that help moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies. And it funds research to find answers to the problems that threaten our babiesimage
One cool moment was after helping Jack in the Box set up their tent Jack in the Box CEO Leonard Comma stopped by to take a photo op with us. As we walked and talked the route around Balboa Park we stopped to take a few pictures, selfies and admired the beauty of the scenery…I’m always amazed and inspired when the young men from HEART show up for volunteer service… After all how often do you see high school teens show up for volunteer work at 6 AM!!!
“All we have is each other and we have to constantly give back to our community, whether it’s money,time, or expertise. It’s the only way we will get better.” says HEART member Bernard Richardson…Of course after a hard days work we had a barbecue and simply enjoyed a day in the sun… What a Great Day! The Blue Heart Foundation is a registered 501(c)3 organization, find out how you can contribute or join us by contacting us via email at theblueheartfoundation@gmail.com
by April | Community, Team Building
Thanks to the Grandparents Association sponsored in program to SeaWorld… Dress will be HEART T-Shirt and Jeans.. (B We will be going on a joint trip with Dr. Jam’s Mentoriring your Hoodies in case it gets cold.) Cost is $20 total and you may want to bring snacks.
by April | Community, Volunteerism
HEART was honored to have the opportunity to volunteer, support and attend KuumbaFest San Diego, San Diego’s longest running and premier celebration of African-American expression, culture, and heritage.
Kuumba (Swahili for “creativity”) Fest brings together community leaders, local performers and celebrities for an annual audience that averages 5,000. From gospel to hip-hop and theater to dance, San Diego’s Kuumba Fest present a wide showcase of arts that celebrate Black American culture in all its variety. Kuumba Fest will offer a three-day festival that includes educational workshops, hip-hop dance and speech competitions, performances of plays, Late Night Live (San Diego’s version of Late Night at the Apollo), and as always, a gospel concert finale.
HEART volunteered and attended Friday Evening’s event “A Night of Positive Images” which included:
• B.A.M. presentation
• Original man and woman
• Parade of history procession
• Royal court awards ceremony
• Best dressed contests & raffle
• Legacies: the play
KuumbaFest is San Diego’s longest running and premier celebration of African-American expression, culture, and heritage.
We believe that the three day festival provides youth a means of social development, cultural enrichment and self-empowerment.
We believe culturally enriching field trips matter. They produce significant benefits for students on a variety of educational outcomes that schools and communities care about. The effects of field trips to see live theater demonstrates that seeing plays is an effective way to teach academic content; increases our youth’s tolerance by providing exposure to a broader, more diverse world; and improves the ability of students to recognize what other people are thinking or feeling. These are significant benefits for students on specific educational outcomes that schools pursue and communities respect. Especially when considered alongside our community service efforts.
by April | Community
From January 4 – 8, 2016 five schools in the San Diego Unified School District were identified and had the opportunity to apply for college at 46 Historically Black Colleges and Universities for free! Through a partnership with San Diego Unified School District introduced by Marne Foster and sponsored by the Blue Heart Foundation the Common Black College Application has been made available to every senior in the district through March.
Morse, Lincoln, Crawford, San Diego and Hoover High schools were identified by the SDUSD as the pilot schools that would receive a visit from Robert Mason – CEO/Founder to personally facilitate the application process. The Common Black College Application has improved college access for the thousands of students that attend school in the San Diego Unified School District. Lincoln High School Counselor Clayton Ballard would say “I think the biggest effect that this is having all the students in the room at the same time; having all these young African American students who are pushing for something to see each other at the same time.. That was the power of having them do it together.”
What is the Common Black College Application?
The Common Black College Application allows you to complete a single document and submit it to a number of historically black colleges and universities. Member institutions will honor the CBCA as if it were their own application.
Users of the Common Black College Application usually incur a one-time fee of $35, which allows them to apply to up to 46 historically black colleges and universities at the same time. This however was waived through the sponsorship of the Blue Heart Foundation. “The Blue Heart Foundation has clearly demonstrated their commitment to this community by creating the opportunity for every student throughout the San Diego Unified School District to complete the Common Black College Application for free. I can only hope that other organizations will join us in this effort to increase the educational options for students interested in attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities.” stated Robert Mason
Why is this application necessary?
After years of working in admissions, Robert Mason of EDU Inc. created the Common Black College Application as a way of breaking the cycle of poverty that steep application fees perpetuate. It helps low-income families afford the cost of applying to college, and, as he explains, helps HBCUs to find qualified students who might have assumed college was out of their reach.
Because of the costs associated with submitting college applications, many students either don’t apply at all or only apply to one school. The Common Black College Application, however, allows those from low-income families to apply to dozens of schools with minimal effort. Tracy Morris would later say “I just believe that college can change communities and there is no better investment than our youth. Just imagine the paradigm shift that would take place if every one of these young men and women went on to graduate from college… Entire communities would/could change.
For more on the Common Black College Application visit http://commonblackcollegeapp.org/
Volunteering provides many benefits to both mental and physical health.
Sharia’s Closet clothing room provides for the needs of families as well as many homeless and destitute people in our area. When people come to their programs they offer them a clean change of clothing. Most needs are: Jeans, sweaters, underwear, shoes, warm coats and business attire for those reentering the workforce. If you are considering a food or clothing drive at your congregation, organization, workplace or school, please let us know. They will work with you to launch a successful drive that will bless those we serve.
