DARING 2 B U
DARING 2 B U
SHIFTING MINDSETS ABOUT HOMELESSNESS
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Sheila Brown Jefferson's heart beats with a rhythm of compassion that is truly contagious. As I sat down with the founder of Blessing Others All the Time (BOAT), her stories of uplifting our unhoused neighbors pierced the veil of indifference that often shrouds this pressing issue. Their journeys are more than statistics; they are narratives of resilience and hope, illuminated through Sheila's unwavering commitment. She narrates how a simple act of handing out hygiene kits morphed into life-changing financial guidance for those who served our nation. As the conversation unfolds, you'll encounter the transformative power of recognizing the humanity in each person struggling on the streets.
Have you ever wondered how a small nonprofit can ignite a wave of change in a community? BOATT sails on the philosophy of boundless compassion, placing dignity above all else. The outreach events - where essentials like sleeping bags become lifelines - attest to the power of community action. This episode peels back the layers of what it means to volunteer and serve, inviting listeners to step into the shoes of those offering their hands to lift others up. The warmth of gratitude that emanates from Sheila's recount of her work palpably fills the room, beckoning us all to reflect on the role we can play and the gratitude we can share for the opportunity to serve.
Closing with a resounding note of thanks, we recognize the valiant efforts of individuals like Sheila Jefferson and Bo. Their exemplary service to the community transcends mere charity; it's a testament to human solidarity. This conversation is not just a call to action; it's a heartfelt embrace of those weathering life's storms without a roof over their heads. They are more than faces in the crowd; they are our neighbors, deserving of the same dignity and respect we all seek. Join me in this profound exploration that reminds us of the blessings we can give and the unity we can foster when we stand together against adversity.
Shifting Mindsets and Serving the Homeless
Speaker 1Hello , hello , hello . I'm Dr Letitia Rees-Henry , and this is Daring to Be where we are giving you information , inspiration to bring about transformation . Today , we are talking about shifting mindsets around homelessness , serving our unhoused neighbors , and we have someone with us today . Listen , she is a phenomenal servant of God . She loves helping those who are in need and it's something that brings her great joy . She's committed and she is sold out to helping our unhoused neighbors and educating others about the pitfalls , so I'm going to go ahead and get into it with Pilo Jefferson . Hello , sheila , thank you for being with us .
Speaker 2Hello . Thank you , dr Henry , my pleasure .
Speaker 1She has started a nonprofit that is thriving and serving people all around the Jacksonville area . It's called Boat , and she's going to share a little bit about that with us . So , sheila , tell us what motivated you to get involved in helping the homeless and starting your nonprofit . Tell us about your nonprofit and why you got started .
Speaker 2Okay , hello again . As Dr Henry said , my name is Sheila Brown Jefferson . I am the founder and CEO of Blessing Others All the Time , boat for Short , but I have always volunteered and worked with those that are underserved and have been the less fortunate , but I was motivated to start my nonprofit . After walking downtown and seeing so many that were experiencing homelessness , I started taking hygiene kits downtown and passing them out on my walk . A year later , the Lord laid it on my heart to start the nonprofit Blessing Others All the Time , which is Boat for Short BOATT . That was in 2012 , which started with me and three board members . Currently , we are all still volunteers , with no paid staff , and I love what I do , wow .
Speaker 1And you all do amazing things . It's amazing I think that you all are true testament that it doesn't take a whole lot of people , it doesn't even take a whole lot of money to get started . We just need to start with what God places on our hearts . Now , can you share with us a specific experience or story that has significantly impacted your work with homelessness ?
Speaker 2Yes , there are many , but this one just happened this week . So I worked with the veterans that are experiencing homelessness and I teach them life-scale classes . But the session I taught was on credit reporting , and during the session I asked everyone to request a copy of their credit report because it was free , just to see what it was about . So a lot of them never knew what's on their credit report . So I informed them that sometimes there are things on your report that may not be accurate .
Speaker 2So one of the clients came to my office and stated that he looked at his credit report and it was something on there that he did not know what it was . So we looked at it . He had his phone with him . We looked at it and there was a place on there for him to dispute it . So a week later this is what he said . He wrote me a note just this week . He said I just want everyone to know how helpful Ms Jefferson is her class is and that she can help anyone willing to participate . After we were done actually even before I left the room the charge to my credit report that I disputed was discharged . 30 days later . The other dispute was dropped off as well . So he says thank you , ms Jefferson . My credit rating significantly increased and I am now at a place where creditors are now seeking me to get credit from them . And his name he signed his name , mr Jackie Carter Jr . So just this week I had that testimony from one of the clients that I worked with .
Speaker 2Wow , there's need , but yeah just this week , yeah , so this was right on time . I wanted to share that .
Speaker 1That's amazing . A lot of times people don't realize that we don't know what we don't know Right . Yeah , a lot of times it can be something that may seem insignificant to others , that really helps someone to get over a milestone in their life , so I love that story . Yeah , share with us what are some of the challenges of homelessness and how you think they could possibly be addressed .
Speaker 2Okay , I feel that some of the challenges of experience and homelessness and the reason I'm saying experience and homelessness because I'm taking I'm in a class where it's not a class , it's a 15-hour session that I haven't finished yet for SOAR but instead of saying homeless , those people are homeless , they are experiencing homelessness . So you hear me say experience and homelessness a lot .
Speaker 1Yes .
Speaker 2So they are . I'm going to get back to what I was talking about . I just wanted to bring that out , but I feel that some of the challenges of experience and homelessness is people look at you like you are nobody . Every person has a different reason or situation that brought them to this season of their life . There were not , there are not enough organizations for sure that cater to those who are experienced with homelessness . There's a limited access to health care , food , hygiene , safety , stress , clothing , weather and so much more .
Speaker 2Most people , when they see someone on the streets , they assume that they need to find a job or such and such . Some of them just look down on them just because they see them living out on the streets . But I do know that mental health is a big issue with some of them . If we don't have anyone in this field that cares or who wants to work with them , that will also be an issue . I feel that they can be addressed if there are more caring organizations that have a passion for serving others that are experiencing homelessness . I know there's a lot of funding that goes to large organizations , but most of the funding that is catered to veterans who are experienced with homelessness . I'm a veteran myself , but I feel that we need more funding to help smaller nonprofits who are trying to make a difference for all those that are experienced with homelessness . If we don't get the funding , our resources are limited to what we can do because we are smaller nonprofits .
Speaker 1Yes , I think that you really call the attention to something that's very important . I know that certainly the larger organizations are helpful , but a lot of times smaller nonprofits with boots on the ground seem to be able to respond with hearts of compassion and are really putting forth the effort , but the funding is not always there . So how do you encourage people to come alongside a small nonprofit ? How would you encourage people to come alongside a small nonprofit that helps people who are experiencing homelessness ?
Speaker 2Well , first of all , if they don't know much about you , even though we put our stuff on social media and we promote what we do , if you come work alongside us , I think you would see that there's a big difference . Even though we're small nonprofits , we do big things throughout the city . So if you just come volunteer and just see what we do , I think that would help to see what we are doing , the impact that we're doing with those that are experiencing homelessness .
Speaker 1Yes , yes , and I definitely would encourage people to do that , because I've had the opportunity to do that on more than one occasion and you end up feeling blessed , just as you are a blessing to others , so definitely that's something that I would get behind . Can you describe some of the outreach events , the initiatives that you have been able to implement or been a part of to assist those experiencing homelessness ?
Speaker 2Yes , so during the pandemic we had almost three years of it we started a drive-up , back-to-school drive-up . We always did back-to-school giveaways but we started a back-to-school drive-up . So we have one that we do at . We adopted a school , richard Lewis Brown , and then we also do one for the community . So the one at Richard Lewis Brown that is just catered to those students at their school , but the one in the community is open to everyone . And then we also started Thanksgiving drive-up .
Speaker 2Before the pandemic . We were just getting items , you know , taking it to have people register and just taking it to them . But we started Thanksgiving drive-up and we also asked for donation from the community so that we could assist small restaurants to stay in business . So the money that people donated to us for that initiative , what we did , we used that money . We purchased a meal from the restaurant who took the meals to the first responders , which was mainly those that were in the hospitals working . This allowed them to continue with their business and also allowed us to be a blessing to those working long hours during the COVID-19 . Also , all during the years that we serve those who are experiencing homelessness and they underserved . We provide personal hygiene items , socks , t-shirts , on-the-garden foods or anything else that they would need , those that are experiencing homelessness . And this is our mission and this is what we do .
Speaker 1Wow , a little bit goes a long way . Yes , and we're grateful that there are people like you who have a heart to serve and who care and allow your compassion to be evident in the work that you do every day .
Reducing Homelessness and Promoting Positive Attitudes
Speaker 1What do you think might be an effective way to help reduce ? Some people would say that the numbers in Jacksonville are out of control . How can we help reduce that in our community ?
Speaker 2Okay , I'm going to add so changing homelessness . A lot of people know that's one of the largest organizations that really does a lot with the homeless people , but they have what once a year called point and time count . I would encourage everyone to take part of that , but it's in January . It's mandated about housing , urban development . But what you do ? You get to have a system where you use the pick a day they used to pick one day , but now they're doing it like two days a week because of the large county areas but you get the app that they have and you go around save ends . They'll come to Clare , white Mission or anywhere where they know a lot of people hang out and they ask questions about how long have you been homeless and dot I . But once that process is finished , they're able to get numbers of how many people that are really actually on the street . But we know they don't capture all of them because some people they do it early in the morning , some people are still asleep those that sleeping on the street so they don't bother them .
Speaker 2But I feel that effective way to help reduce homelessness is to get landlords and organizations to assist with assist with affordable housing and being able to assist those who are vulnerable and those who may just be one paycheck away from experience of homelessness , if there were agencies that could work together so that when a situation comes up where you are about to lose your housing , the organization will be able to assist you just for a few months until you are able to get back on your feet .
Speaker 2If they have been out for a long time or previous employment , there should be a service set up . I'm thinking because that's the way I am set up for them to work just a few hours until they are able to find permanent employment to put them back on their feet until they become self-sufficient . But that's just my take on it , because I would love to see everybody working and everybody in their own place , at least affordable housing at that . But since this pandemic , things has really gone down and taken a toll on a lot of people , and we won't even talk about the grocery .
Speaker 1Listen , listen , it's a real problem , and it seemed as if something happened in the housing market which either encouraged or allowed people who are landlords and who own properties to cause the price to be so inflated in our area , the prices for renting to become so inflated that a lot of people did lose their housing . A lot of people have struggled , a lot of people have had to choose between healthier foods and healthier things in order to be able to just barely make the rent , and the increase of the cost of housing seems to be something that is a major barrier for many people , for most people , even people who have a decent income . It used to be that people paying about 30% of their income for housing or less . Now you have people who are paying up to 50% and 60% of their income for housing , and that's not a sustainable way to live . So I certainly do understand what you're saying .
Speaker 1I love the idea , because what I heard you expressing is that partnership is important yes , partnership , partnering with other organizations , which I know both does a lot of , in order to bring about some relief and solution to people experiencing homelessness . Also , what I heard you expressing is that we essentially have what we need to really be able to make a dent in the number of people experiencing homelessness . If we would be willing to work together , if we would be willing to pull resources , because everybody can't do a whole lot . If everyone is willing to do a little bit , yes , it can make a tremendous difference .
Speaker 1Yes , yes , yes so tell me , how might you measure success in your efforts and helping those who are experiencing homelessness ? Because , realistically , we know that providing goods and services , we're not gonna be able to make sure that everyone doesn't have to sleep on the streets . So how do you measure your successes ?
Speaker 2with us because we are meaning like resources .
Speaker 2We measure our success by talking to our clients at each of our community outreach events to find out if they have what , how they have been doing since the last time they met with us , and then we also get testimonies from them , like the testimony I got from one of the veterans that's experiencing homelessness , that there is , if there's , anything that we were able to assist them with to make them make them make it to the next level .
Speaker 2Now it is impossible to measure the number of people experiencing homelessness with a hundred percent accuracy , but , as I told , you know , we do the . The point in time once a year mandated by hood changing home is , though , but the veterans that I work with , that in our transitional housing program is much easier because we follow them daily , weekly , and then once they find permanent housing , we can follow them , you know , for a year to to keep up with them , but it is really impossible to get a complete hundred percent accuracy rate of those that experience in homelessness yes , I would say so , especially with with people being so transient and able to move about to other places and spaces .
Speaker 1So share with us , share with us your heart about ways that we and have positive mindsets and outlook , about expressing or existing or expressing how we feel about those experience and homelessness you talked about earlier , some of those negative attitudes that you've heard , that you've seen , some of the stereotypical things that people think about those who are experiencing homelessness . Share with us from your heart . What would you say to someone who really wants to begin to have a better attitude about it ? What would you say to them ?
Speaker 2well , I would say , first of all , final organizations that that is doing the work , and maybe walk alongside them as you see them out doing community events and then just sit and watch . Don't even , you don't even have to say a word , just sit and watch because you don't know . You see that person coming to pick up something from us , say , for instance , coming to get some of us . You never know what a smile would do to that person . But some people they see him out on the street or what they doing out on the street , oh , they don't need it or they get too much .
NPO's Mission to Help the Homeless
Speaker 2But one thing about my nonprofit that I would say is different from other nonprofits when we put stuff out for the , we call our friends . When we put something out for our friends to get , we don't manage them to say , oh no , you don't need that , that's too many . So I might want to to brush . You don't know if I have a friend at the house or a child at the house . So we allow them to get . You know , long as they're not greedy , we allow them to get whatever they need .
Speaker 2Whatever we put out on the tape , if they need it , we let them get it and we bring a lot of stuff for them because we never know what they need while they're living out on the street , even a little small , to brush toilet paper . We don't know because they have to use it . Most of them have to use the restroom in the wood . But if they don't have toilet paper , you know they will find something probably newspaper something to you know to use . So just volunteer with organization and you can do that with both , blessing others all the time and just just watch and see what impact and it'll make you feel so much better because we should be grateful every day because we could be in that same predicament one day yes , I think that's important .
Speaker 1I think , especially in this day and time , with so many times we've experienced even in my lifetime and economic downturn . We never know . We never know . We can't always prepare for the things that happen . We can't always prepare for a stock market price . We I can't always prepare for a recession , and we just never know . So I think it's important and what I really hear you expressing is that every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect .
Speaker 2Yes yes , yes yes , it doesn't matter how they look , how they smile , because a lot of people don't like to hang around because most of them smile . But there are organizations , that way they can go in and take a shower . But some don't even wanna go and take a shower because they think the other person's gonna talk about them . Right right , Every person should be treated the same , no matter how they look or how they smile .
Speaker 1That's right . I think it's important for us to just really express to people that someone who is experiencing homelessness , no matter what the circumstances are surrounding they , were created in the image of God . They're a person , a human being , and so you're exactly right , we ought to treat everyone with dignity and respect , and so thank you for sharing that with us . Share with us any upcoming events , fundraisers , any future initiatives that both has and how others can reach you and get involved in what you're doing , because you all do so much in our community . Share with us .
Speaker 2Okay . So our next and final event for 2023 on December 16th . On December 16th we're having a Christmas Gala , because we're small , nonprofit , most of our funds coming from having fundraiser . We do get a few small grants , but most of our funds come through fundraising and donation from our benefactors . But December 16th we will have a Christmas Gala . That's at UNL and the cost for that is $50 , a general mission or $60 for VIP .
Speaker 2And then also that morning we are doing our last community outreach . We are gonna be giving away sleeping bags , t-shirts , underwear , clothing , snacks , whatever you think a person who is experiencing homelessness would need . So we bring all of that in one location and allow them to choose what they want . It's kind of like their Christmas , because we spend more money , because we know preparing for sleeping bags . And then we also , during the year , once a month , either sometime quarterly , we do the same stuff . We give out t-shirts , underwear . That's ongoing and on special occasions like our next one for the new year would be February . So we make Valentine cards . I have students in the school make Valentine cards for those experienced homes and we get the cards and we give them a bag of candy and we walk downtown and distribute it to those that we see out on the streets . So that's in February . And then we also have a fundraiser , which is a pink tee that we do . That's a fundraiser to allow us to get money and then back to school come .
Speaker 2As I stated , we have the community back to school driver and then we also have the school Richard Lewis Brown that we adopted . So we do one there just for those students . And Thanksgiving we have a Thanksgiving driver . That's a community wide . And I forgot to mention something very important I don't have an office per se . My office is really my home , but this year we was blessed with a warehouse that I'm able to use , 16 or five Roe Avenue , so we were able to do our back to school drive-ups there and our Thanksgiving drive-up . So that was such a blessing . The person I know , ms Erica Jackson , she has a roofing company . She allowed me to use her warehouse for free , so that's has been a great asset . There we just had this November 18 , we had our Thanksgiving drive-up . We was able to give out 400 bags of grocery along with $10 gift card and we was finished in one hour . It's so many people .
Speaker 2So after we closed the gate people kept coming up because the flyer said if I'm 11 to one , but in one hour we had given out 400 bags and we didn't have any more food to give out . So we do so much during the year just to be a blessing to others and that's why I came up with their name . Blessing Others All the Time . Yes , so our social media is Blessing Others All the Time , on Facebook and on Instagram , and our website is wwwvotebioattonline , so Vote Online . That's our website . And the email is Blessing Others All the Time at gmailcom . Once again , I think I missed it up . It's Blessing Others All the Time , 2022 at gmailcom . Or you can do it straight to the website , which is support at voteonline . So support at voteonline , and our phone number is 904-318-2000 . 904-318-2000 .
Blessing Others and Serving the Community
Speaker 2Blessing Others All the Time .
Speaker 1Thank you so much . She'll share with us Shifting mind sets , homelessness . About those who are experiencing homelessness , serving our unhoused neighbor , because , whether we like it or not , they are a part of our community . They were created in the image of God and they are human beings , people who just have different circumstances . Yes , yes , and at any moment , anyone can find themselves in a situation that they never thought they would be in . So thank you so much for the way that you continue to serve our community . Both has been such a blessing in the community and we look forward to hearing more from you in the future and what you are doing to make our community better and serving our unhoused neighbors . Thank you so much .
Speaker 2Thank you . Thank you so much . I really appreciate that opportunity .
Speaker 1Listen , sheila Jefferson , and both are daring to be all that God would have them to be to serve the community and to serve him by serving others . Yes , thank you so much . Thank you Once again . Be blessed .
Speaker 2You too Bye-bye .