Chauncy's Chance
I didn't think it could happen, but it did. I'm 30 years old and I have a new hero.
And he's 16.
His name is Chauncy Jones Black, and last week, by God's beautiful design, he met me. I'll never forget it, here comes this kid inside the Highland Kroger asking if he could help take my groceries to my car in exchange for buying him some glazed donuts.
He had me at donuts. lol
What followed was perhaps one of the most cherished experiences of my life. That night, in a fun-filled shopping spree together, I was able to share in Chauncy's life, learn his story, and for at least one night, help him with his struggle.
Chauncy lives in Memphis with his disabled mother. He is a straight A student who is doing his best to make it in a world with no money and very few resources. He wants to work and help his mother financially. He wants to become a successful business owner and offer jobs and opportunites to others in his community. What so many can take for granted, he wants. He wants food, he wants a bed, he wants to work and he wants a chance.
I've created this go fund me page to help Chauncy have that chance. It starts small. A simple act of kindness, but it can ripple out and create an ocean of prosperity in the world.
The first step is to get Chauncy's basic needs covered and to get him working. Right now he doesn't have an ID so he cannot apply for regular jobs until he gets that handled (we're working on that). Until then, he says he likes mowing lawns. So my hope is to raise enough money to get him a push mower.
(Edit: when I started this 4 days ago, never in my wildest dreams did I think something like this would happen!! I started by asking for $250 to get Chauncy a lawn mower, lol!!! Oh my goodness !!! People have been showering Chauncy and his mother in an ocean of love and support. At this rate, I have started talking to some people about helping find them a house of there own!!! Can you imagine?! They could go from not being able to pay rent to owning home owners!!! All because of the love of strangers. This is really happening?!?! Yes, it absolutely is. Thank you all so much!! God bless you all!!!!)
Right now, Chauncy is in desperate need of clothing and a bed. He sleeps on the floor in a room with no AC. His clothing sizes are:
Pants: 16 (this is what he says, but neither his mother nor he are too sure, so until I take him to get measured, it might be best to go size 18 and we'll use a belt if need be). They're not sure the length either, but he's 5'3".
Shirt: Small
Shoes: 8 1/2
A $10 Ross giftcard would mean the world to this kid. You can see in his face how ashamed he is of his tattered clothes.
Also, ff you have clothes for his mother, she will be so appreciative of it. She informed me that all of their posessions were stolen a few monts ago, including all her clothes.
Her sizes are:
Pants: 12
Shirts: medium
Shoes: 8 1/2 womens
They really don't have any possessions except a couch and a few lamps. So if you have any items you think might be useful to him or his mother, I know they will greatly appreciate it. His mother said that she'd really love to be able to learn to play piano and also to just enjoy music in her house. So any old CD players or speakers would be perfect. Right now they live in silence. They truly have nothing.
But here's where you can make the biggest difference: if you have job or work opportunites for Chauncy and would share some time with him and encourage him while he does some odd jobs around your house--this could change his life. His spirit is nearly broken and will take some mending. He has been poor his entire life and he needs encouragement and kindness from friends and mentors to help heal these wounds. If you have an opportunity like this for him, no matter how small, I will happily get him a ride to and from.
It's so rare that we get an opportunity to affect so much change on one life. I think back to how many people poured into my life with their generosity, time, money, encouragement, and it brings me to tears. The impact that those people had on my life can never be measured. I am so grateful for the lives we share with one another, so grateful for each and every one of God's children. I cannot thank you enough for caring about Chauncy. This is his big chance, and you're making it possible. Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you.
P.S. Please don't think that any amount of money is too small. Honestly, $5 is plenty. You shouldn't feel you have to give any more than that. I believe there are enough people who care about Chauncy and his cause that with $5 each, we will pass the goal easily.
(Edit) I keep raising the goal because people just keep giving and giving to them, it's unreal. It would be a dream come true if we could raise enough money to get them their own place. God teaches us to dream and pray big. So I am. Thank you again.
If you have any furniture you'd like to deliver to Chauncy or his mother, she gave me permission to put their address here (edit)
for their safety, seeing as they've been robbed once before, I've taken down their address. Please feel free to contact me through a Facebook message for it. Thanks so much.
If you have any items you'd like to donate to them but can't deliver, you can email me at:
Chauncyschance@gmail.com
and me or someone else can come pick it up from you.
Chauncy and I will be going to church each sunday at Hope Pres at the 11:15 service if you'd like to come hang with us. We go out for ice cream afterward and have a lot of fun!
Thank you again for being willing to touch a life, to make a difference, to give Chauncy a chance.
+ Read More
And he's 16.
His name is Chauncy Jones Black, and last week, by God's beautiful design, he met me. I'll never forget it, here comes this kid inside the Highland Kroger asking if he could help take my groceries to my car in exchange for buying him some glazed donuts.
He had me at donuts. lol
What followed was perhaps one of the most cherished experiences of my life. That night, in a fun-filled shopping spree together, I was able to share in Chauncy's life, learn his story, and for at least one night, help him with his struggle.
Chauncy lives in Memphis with his disabled mother. He is a straight A student who is doing his best to make it in a world with no money and very few resources. He wants to work and help his mother financially. He wants to become a successful business owner and offer jobs and opportunites to others in his community. What so many can take for granted, he wants. He wants food, he wants a bed, he wants to work and he wants a chance.
I've created this go fund me page to help Chauncy have that chance. It starts small. A simple act of kindness, but it can ripple out and create an ocean of prosperity in the world.
The first step is to get Chauncy's basic needs covered and to get him working. Right now he doesn't have an ID so he cannot apply for regular jobs until he gets that handled (we're working on that). Until then, he says he likes mowing lawns. So my hope is to raise enough money to get him a push mower.
(Edit: when I started this 4 days ago, never in my wildest dreams did I think something like this would happen!! I started by asking for $250 to get Chauncy a lawn mower, lol!!! Oh my goodness !!! People have been showering Chauncy and his mother in an ocean of love and support. At this rate, I have started talking to some people about helping find them a house of there own!!! Can you imagine?! They could go from not being able to pay rent to owning home owners!!! All because of the love of strangers. This is really happening?!?! Yes, it absolutely is. Thank you all so much!! God bless you all!!!!)
Right now, Chauncy is in desperate need of clothing and a bed. He sleeps on the floor in a room with no AC. His clothing sizes are:
Pants: 16 (this is what he says, but neither his mother nor he are too sure, so until I take him to get measured, it might be best to go size 18 and we'll use a belt if need be). They're not sure the length either, but he's 5'3".
Shirt: Small
Shoes: 8 1/2
A $10 Ross giftcard would mean the world to this kid. You can see in his face how ashamed he is of his tattered clothes.
Also, ff you have clothes for his mother, she will be so appreciative of it. She informed me that all of their posessions were stolen a few monts ago, including all her clothes.
Her sizes are:
Pants: 12
Shirts: medium
Shoes: 8 1/2 womens
They really don't have any possessions except a couch and a few lamps. So if you have any items you think might be useful to him or his mother, I know they will greatly appreciate it. His mother said that she'd really love to be able to learn to play piano and also to just enjoy music in her house. So any old CD players or speakers would be perfect. Right now they live in silence. They truly have nothing.
But here's where you can make the biggest difference: if you have job or work opportunites for Chauncy and would share some time with him and encourage him while he does some odd jobs around your house--this could change his life. His spirit is nearly broken and will take some mending. He has been poor his entire life and he needs encouragement and kindness from friends and mentors to help heal these wounds. If you have an opportunity like this for him, no matter how small, I will happily get him a ride to and from.
It's so rare that we get an opportunity to affect so much change on one life. I think back to how many people poured into my life with their generosity, time, money, encouragement, and it brings me to tears. The impact that those people had on my life can never be measured. I am so grateful for the lives we share with one another, so grateful for each and every one of God's children. I cannot thank you enough for caring about Chauncy. This is his big chance, and you're making it possible. Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you.
P.S. Please don't think that any amount of money is too small. Honestly, $5 is plenty. You shouldn't feel you have to give any more than that. I believe there are enough people who care about Chauncy and his cause that with $5 each, we will pass the goal easily.
(Edit) I keep raising the goal because people just keep giving and giving to them, it's unreal. It would be a dream come true if we could raise enough money to get them their own place. God teaches us to dream and pray big. So I am. Thank you again.
If you have any furniture you'd like to deliver to Chauncy or his mother, she gave me permission to put their address here (edit)
for their safety, seeing as they've been robbed once before, I've taken down their address. Please feel free to contact me through a Facebook message for it. Thanks so much.
If you have any items you'd like to donate to them but can't deliver, you can email me at:
Chauncyschance@gmail.com
and me or someone else can come pick it up from you.
Chauncy and I will be going to church each sunday at Hope Pres at the 11:15 service if you'd like to come hang with us. We go out for ice cream afterward and have a lot of fun!
Thank you again for being willing to touch a life, to make a difference, to give Chauncy a chance.
I've been trying to think of what to say for days now. I know in my heart that today will be the beginning of something glorious, because it will start with the closing of something divine. Today will be the last update for what has been my life’s greatest privilege: Chauncy’s Chance (the fundraiser). However, it is with overwhelming joy that I announce today marks the beginning of Chauncy’s Chance (the movement).
As of today, Barbara and Chauncy have a new life. God has provided for them a home, a car, a new school, he has restored Barbara's health and continues to present them with endless opportunities for the future. Every dollar donated to Chauncy’s Chance was put into a protected trust that will provide them a secure future for decades. In every sense of the word, God has provided. But there were so many more miraculous things that happened along the way. And in the process of creating all the miracles for Chauncy's Chance, God pieced together the most beautiful tapestry of fellowship and community I have ever witnessed: one that is so strong that we believe He intends to use it to uplift yet another family in need. And so, with God’s blessing, we are stepping out in faith to fulfill that mission.
Starting today, we are continuing Chauncy’s Chance (the volunteer movement). The next recipient is a man unlike any you’ve ever met. He is small in stature but a giant in heart. He is blind in sight, but I believe he has looked directly into the heart of God because he reflects it in his smile. His name is J.P. Kibbler, but we know him as “The Can Man”.
JP is 65 years old and every day of his life or “every day God sends”, as he would say, JP goes out into the world, blind and filled with faith to gather aluminum cans from the garbage. He does this 8 hours a day, 7 days a week with a smile on his face to provide for his family. JP is a veteran of the Vietnam war. He suffers from a degenerative eye disorder which has almost entirely taken his vision (leaving him legally blind). He can only see light and some distinct colors. Two years ago JP lost his beloved wife to kidney failure leaving him to provide for his oldest daughter and his 4 grand daughters (two live with him full time, two on the weekends and when school is out). To do this he goes out alone every day, with only His faith in God to guide him, and gathers the treasure that God has left for Him in his neighbor’s trash cans. JP receives some assistance from disability and the government but he says with 5 mouths to feed that his can hunting is “just enough to keep the lights” each month. I’ve never met a man stronger in his faith than JP. He thanks God for every little blessing, and expresses the most sincere gratitude for life that I’ve ever heard. As I talk with him I realize that although he has little vision, this man actually sees more of God than many of us will ever understand in our lifetime. He knows that God will sustain him and he believes in His power. He says, “I know I can’t do nothing, but I don’t have to cuz I pray to God and He can do anything!”.
I know with all my heart that God brought J.P. to us for a reason. I believe with all my soul that he is going to pour out his love onto this man of faith and bless him and his family. I am so overcome by the thought of it all that I my hands are shaking and I'm tearing up as I write this. I love JP so much!!! I want him and his beautiful girls to feel the goodness that is God’s heart!!!! To be loved on and laugh with the family that God plans to build around him (just like he has for Chauncy). I want so many things for this family. But most of all, I want you to come with us and be a part of it. Every moment!!! I want you to come share in all the power and glory that is about to be unleashed on this deserving soldier for God and his remarkable family. It will be too beautiful for words!!!
As we close the Chauncy’s Chance gofundme, we will be posting JP’s story through the Chauncy’s Chance Facebook page. You’ll find it here:
https://www.facebook.com/chauncyschance
We will start by trying to help meet JP and his girl’s basic needs: food and clothing. Please don’t think that his girls are going hungry, they aren’t. JP is a good father and they do not go hungry, but at the end of each month he has no money left over. The work JP does is very hard on his body (digging in garbage cans 8 hours a day in the heat) and leaves him with very little time or energy for his family. He tells me over and over that all he wants is for God to bless his work gathering cans so that he can afford to take his family to Walmart to buy his girls new clothes so that they can go to church. That is the most righteous and incredible thing I’ve ever heard!!
This family is so beautiful and so strong, they just need a little compassion, they just need our love. So here is what we can do for them: we can assemble an army of loving, caring god-parents to love on these girls, a platoon of ready and willing brothers and sisters to come and help JP with his struggles. We can unite our community and show this family the love of God by helping them with their present and planning for their futures. Even the smallest of things that we take for granted, like driving to the store and shopping would be an adventure for them. They have no car, no extra income, no way to experience the world and it’s beauty. And the bigger things: help finding the girls opportunities for education, help finding Jessica good work, or whatever you feel your gifting is: they need these too. No matter what it is, if you feel the call, however big or small, they need you and we want you with us!!! All of you!!!
Their stove is about to go out as well as their fridge, but thankfully they haven’t yet, so if you have any working we’d love to get them from you. Anything else you can imagine a family needing, would be a tremendous blessing. This includes furniture and any household items. JP has a Walmart near his home if you’d like to send gift cards. He and Jessica also need many things like new mattresses and sheets. They are doing without so that the girls can have more. Any toys or dolls for the girls would be a God-send. They don't have many toys or anything to play with outside (like play sets, bikes, etc). We will make a better list of their needs as we learn more. We’ve setup a P.O. box for any shipped donations:
Matt White
PO BOX 11631
Memphis, TN 38111
Please message us through chauncyschance@gmail.com (preferably gmail over Facebook) about where to drop off donations or how to become more involved with this precious family.
Clothing:
Janelle
Size 5 clothes
Size 1 shoes
Kiera
Size 6 clothes
Size 5 shoes
Laniya
Size 6-7 clothes
Size 6 shoes
Keshauna
Size 7-8 clothes
Size 7 shoe
Jessica: Women's Size Medium Shirt
pants size 10, Women's shoe size 7 1/2
JP: pants 30 L 29 waist
shirts: medium
Mens shoe size 9 or 10
With all my heart I want to thank you for what you have done and for what you have allowed to take place. Because of your passion we are about to change the lives of this family. I am so thankful to share in this with all of you!! You are our family!! No matter what happens; as we move forward on the path that God has provided, we will carry you all with us in our hearts. Thank you. We love you all!!
As of today, Barbara and Chauncy have a new life. God has provided for them a home, a car, a new school, he has restored Barbara's health and continues to present them with endless opportunities for the future. Every dollar donated to Chauncy’s Chance was put into a protected trust that will provide them a secure future for decades. In every sense of the word, God has provided. But there were so many more miraculous things that happened along the way. And in the process of creating all the miracles for Chauncy's Chance, God pieced together the most beautiful tapestry of fellowship and community I have ever witnessed: one that is so strong that we believe He intends to use it to uplift yet another family in need. And so, with God’s blessing, we are stepping out in faith to fulfill that mission.
Starting today, we are continuing Chauncy’s Chance (the volunteer movement). The next recipient is a man unlike any you’ve ever met. He is small in stature but a giant in heart. He is blind in sight, but I believe he has looked directly into the heart of God because he reflects it in his smile. His name is J.P. Kibbler, but we know him as “The Can Man”.
JP is 65 years old and every day of his life or “every day God sends”, as he would say, JP goes out into the world, blind and filled with faith to gather aluminum cans from the garbage. He does this 8 hours a day, 7 days a week with a smile on his face to provide for his family. JP is a veteran of the Vietnam war. He suffers from a degenerative eye disorder which has almost entirely taken his vision (leaving him legally blind). He can only see light and some distinct colors. Two years ago JP lost his beloved wife to kidney failure leaving him to provide for his oldest daughter and his 4 grand daughters (two live with him full time, two on the weekends and when school is out). To do this he goes out alone every day, with only His faith in God to guide him, and gathers the treasure that God has left for Him in his neighbor’s trash cans. JP receives some assistance from disability and the government but he says with 5 mouths to feed that his can hunting is “just enough to keep the lights” each month. I’ve never met a man stronger in his faith than JP. He thanks God for every little blessing, and expresses the most sincere gratitude for life that I’ve ever heard. As I talk with him I realize that although he has little vision, this man actually sees more of God than many of us will ever understand in our lifetime. He knows that God will sustain him and he believes in His power. He says, “I know I can’t do nothing, but I don’t have to cuz I pray to God and He can do anything!”.
I know with all my heart that God brought J.P. to us for a reason. I believe with all my soul that he is going to pour out his love onto this man of faith and bless him and his family. I am so overcome by the thought of it all that I my hands are shaking and I'm tearing up as I write this. I love JP so much!!! I want him and his beautiful girls to feel the goodness that is God’s heart!!!! To be loved on and laugh with the family that God plans to build around him (just like he has for Chauncy). I want so many things for this family. But most of all, I want you to come with us and be a part of it. Every moment!!! I want you to come share in all the power and glory that is about to be unleashed on this deserving soldier for God and his remarkable family. It will be too beautiful for words!!!
As we close the Chauncy’s Chance gofundme, we will be posting JP’s story through the Chauncy’s Chance Facebook page. You’ll find it here:
https://www.facebook.com/chauncyschance
We will start by trying to help meet JP and his girl’s basic needs: food and clothing. Please don’t think that his girls are going hungry, they aren’t. JP is a good father and they do not go hungry, but at the end of each month he has no money left over. The work JP does is very hard on his body (digging in garbage cans 8 hours a day in the heat) and leaves him with very little time or energy for his family. He tells me over and over that all he wants is for God to bless his work gathering cans so that he can afford to take his family to Walmart to buy his girls new clothes so that they can go to church. That is the most righteous and incredible thing I’ve ever heard!!
This family is so beautiful and so strong, they just need a little compassion, they just need our love. So here is what we can do for them: we can assemble an army of loving, caring god-parents to love on these girls, a platoon of ready and willing brothers and sisters to come and help JP with his struggles. We can unite our community and show this family the love of God by helping them with their present and planning for their futures. Even the smallest of things that we take for granted, like driving to the store and shopping would be an adventure for them. They have no car, no extra income, no way to experience the world and it’s beauty. And the bigger things: help finding the girls opportunities for education, help finding Jessica good work, or whatever you feel your gifting is: they need these too. No matter what it is, if you feel the call, however big or small, they need you and we want you with us!!! All of you!!!
Their stove is about to go out as well as their fridge, but thankfully they haven’t yet, so if you have any working we’d love to get them from you. Anything else you can imagine a family needing, would be a tremendous blessing. This includes furniture and any household items. JP has a Walmart near his home if you’d like to send gift cards. He and Jessica also need many things like new mattresses and sheets. They are doing without so that the girls can have more. Any toys or dolls for the girls would be a God-send. They don't have many toys or anything to play with outside (like play sets, bikes, etc). We will make a better list of their needs as we learn more. We’ve setup a P.O. box for any shipped donations:
Matt White
PO BOX 11631
Memphis, TN 38111
Please message us through chauncyschance@gmail.com (preferably gmail over Facebook) about where to drop off donations or how to become more involved with this precious family.
Clothing:
Janelle
Size 5 clothes
Size 1 shoes
Kiera
Size 6 clothes
Size 5 shoes
Laniya
Size 6-7 clothes
Size 6 shoes
Keshauna
Size 7-8 clothes
Size 7 shoe
Jessica: Women's Size Medium Shirt
pants size 10, Women's shoe size 7 1/2
JP: pants 30 L 29 waist
shirts: medium
Mens shoe size 9 or 10
With all my heart I want to thank you for what you have done and for what you have allowed to take place. Because of your passion we are about to change the lives of this family. I am so thankful to share in this with all of you!! You are our family!! No matter what happens; as we move forward on the path that God has provided, we will carry you all with us in our hearts. Thank you. We love you all!!
The next Chauncy's Chance!!
Please email me kevin724 @ gmail.com. I'd like to buy him a lawn mower.
I think someone needs to call @ellentv or @theellenshow and get her on board!!
Let me know if the mother is in need of a walker or rollator to help her walk. I work for a medical equipment company that I am the manager of and could donate to her. Just inbox me. Thanks
Contact me please. I possibly have a job for him(I just gotta confirm), but I definitely have clothes for him and his mom. This touched my heart.
Hello. I left a message for you but wanted you to see this. I have lots of items to donate if they are still in need. We've recently moved to collierville and cleaned out our storage unit for a yard sale. Would love for them to have them first! ☺️
Matt White you are the epitome of an Angel! Thank you for your kindness and introducing us to this straight A student. Oftentimes, when people see an African American teenager coming towards them its automatic purse clinching or avoiding eye contact. The difference is that this young man was asking to work for food. I love this story and how you spearheaded this campaign to help Chauncey and his mother. As a result, I'm sure they will be just fine! I am a special education teacher in a low-income area and I see how student's environment effect their performance in school. The fact that he is a straight A student (in spite of his circumstances) shows that he is headed for greatness. I believe that we are Blessed to be a Blessing to others. I'm proud of both of you! A closed mouth can't be fed!
Suggestion: please set this up with a trusting church or fund that is managed. This so the families disability funds aren't affected by this GoFundMe $. Setting up at Trust so the family has a trustee will make it so this money isn't considered income to damage the disability income they do get. Nor to affect their housing. Blessings.
To everybody on this comment timeline I love y'all and god loves y'all unconditionally we got to set aside the hate and focus on our lives and our love for each other.not saying we hate each other but love is what counts.
While I'm still viewing this page to see how fast the donations are coming in, I had a great thought. I need to send my 14 year old to Memphis so Chauncy can teach his lazy butt how to work.
Have you considered setting Chauncy up with an appointment to see a financial advisor for his new life? It may be very helpful to him in the future.
My pastor does a Every Man for Every Man project in North Memphis. Every Sunday, an offering is taken up and added to a bank account that is also funded by other generous donations. What my pastor, Torrie Wilson of St. John Douglas does is, he pay the young men who volunteer their time by painting, mowing and cleaning up the Douglas community. I am sure Chauncy can work with him and get paid. No experience necessary to start. It doesn't pay much but it does teach the young men about hard work and giving back.
This story has really touched me. The fact that Chauncy went out of his way to get to Kroeger and that he didn't expect a handout but instead wanted to work in exchange for food is very admirable. I love the fact that you've taken an interest in Chauncy and are spending time with him. It's easy to give money to help someone but another thing to invest your time. God has big plans for you & Chauncy.
I'd like to donate a new chrome book and extend my time to help him with math, science, and teaching him software development. I can try to extend my connections in SF to see if he can get an internship. Definitely reach out so I can send him the chrome book. Best, Nadine
Since this all started at Kroger, any chance that we can get Kroger on board to help out with food for a while?
Have you considered making an Amazon (or other website) wishlist where people can securely buy the specific things they need and get them shipped?
Gods people helping one another regardless of sex, race or religion. I too can't help but cry while I read mssgs from all the generous souls. I thank you all and don't know any of you. Compassion in its rarest form. I love it..@ellendegeneres
My heart is crying with joy. If there is ANY ONE that doesn't believe LOVE has no color, no status financially, no gender, ethnicity . Here is a testimony. it's just LOVE. All Jesus asked us to do was LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Everyone of you that gave or had the desires to give but wasn't able (me). Just know that you have earned a jewel in your crown in glory. Praise God! I'm so proud to live where the fellow man still has compassion for one another. If one more person could pay an act like this forward and the next pay it forward imagine the peaceful world we would live in!! JESUS CHRIST!!
I have a sectional couch and a queen bed I will give them.
He can mow my back yard that I have been trying to make myself do for three days now! :) Midtown and let me know! Will throw in Ross gift card too! :) Thanks!
Enjoying this journey. We were taught that Angels were little fat babies with wings or translucent beings with wings and that might be true but one thing is for sure! Angels are on earth in human form and we are witnessing it. Sometimes a little hand in life can totally change the trajectory of the rest of our lives. BIG UPS TO YOU MATT and to all the Donors. God Bless You All.