It's often said that LOVE makes the world go 'round, and three-time Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Raheem DeVaughn knows it to be the truth! Out of his genuine concern for the community and youth, Raheem founded The LoveLife Foundation, a non-profit organization that enables him to embrace several causes closest to his heart, with an emphasis on HIV/AIDS, domestic violence, mental illness, youth, hunger, cancer, education, music and the arts. The mission of the LoveLife Foundation is to improve lives through social development, education, and health and wellness by collaborating with community organizations and foundations to raise awareness and tackle issues that affect our communities. August 27th-28th the foundation will host a series of charity initiatives for the 2016 #LoveLifeWeekend!
To develop the Giving Boutique campaign in 2013 BlackCelebrityGiving.com interviewed several homeless teens and homeless families living in both Atlanta, GA and Los Angeles, CA. One of the reoccurring things we heard was that many homeless individuals often feel like trash, yes we said trash. It was so sad to hear, many spoke of always receiving donations in garbage bags or grocery bags and, that while grateful, it made them feel hopeless and unwanted. After we did some thinking, we thought how cool would it be if we could give these families and kids a real shopping experience, where items were not thrown on tables or in trash bags, but actually hung up, color coordinated, washed and even new thus came the ‘Giving Boutique’. Since that time, the Giving Boutique, a national new and gently used clothing drive and boutique pop-up shop for homeless youth, has travelled to 17 cities and served over 80 shelters and 5,000 youth!
We reached a milestone of over 1 million items collected for this cause!  This year Raheem DeVaughn is bringing the boutique to the city of DC for the 2016 LoveLife Foundation weekend. Here is a list of all the items we're collecting:
Short-sleeved tees
Long-sleeved tees
Girls and Teen Blouses
Jumpers
Jeans Skirts Tank Tops
Slack/Pants
Jean Shorts Casual Shorts Sweat Pants Sweat Suits
Plain tees
School Uniforms – Huge Need
Underwear – Huge Need
Socks – Huge Need
Dresses
Button-Down shirts
Pajamas
Tennis Shoes Sandals
Slippers
Hair Accessories
To become a drop off location or to request a donation pick up please email giveback@blackcelebritygiving.com!Â
Created by the Chief Change Maker of Black Celebrity Giving (BCG), Jasmine Crowe, in 2013. The idea for Sunday Soul was to provide men, women and children experiencing homelessness with a hot, home-cooked meal complete with amazing volunteers and classic old school music. Two years later, BCG has introduced the Sunday Soul Pop-Up Restaurant to provide a 5-course meal, restaurant style for the homeless. In what kicked off in January, 2016 to amazing reviews, having now visited several cities, BCG has again joined forces with friends Raheem DeVaughn, the Love Life Foundation, and Tony Lewis, Jr. to host this pop-up experience for those experiencing homelessness in the city of Baltimore, MD. We're excited to welcome partners the Empowerment Temple, DJ Quicksilva, Kitchen Cray and the Akoma Foundation. We are currently seeking volunteer chefs and bakers to donate to the cause. If you would like to join us as a partner please email jasmine@blackcelebritygiving.com. We hope you will join us, see you there!
In addition to collecting clothing for homeless youth via the Giving Boutique. We also ask that all Sunday Soul volunteers bring at least one of the following items to the pop-up:
- Dinner Rolls
- Assorted Sodas, Tea, Lemonade or Ice
-Cupcakes and Cakes
- Toiletries - Toothbrushes, Washcloths, Soaps ect.
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Help us throw an amazing event, one to remember, not only those we serve, but you too!
Donate any amount to the Love Life Foundation for the cause. Click HERE to Donate!Â
Groups, join us as a service provider. We need blankets, clothing, shoes, tolirteies, counselors and other resources. Â If your group wants to serve with us email monique@lovelifefoundationdmv.org.Â