Southeast Asian Coalition

On August 24, 2020, Youth Effect International will be in Honduras to help with medical aid, health and hygiene products, school supplies and infrastructure. 

With the effects of COVID-19  being felt heavily all around the world, many people in other countries have not had enough support and resources and have struggled to survive the last few months, this is especially true for families living in poverty.

We are all facing many challenges and hardships, but we must remember the children and youth in different countries who are currently facing even greater challenges. Some communities around the world have been fighting COVID-19 without basic PPE. If you are familiar with the work we have done, you know that we believe in paving the way for the next generations to be successful. This work cannot stop whether we are in the middle of a global pandemic or not. It is crucial that we help to prevent spreading contagion by providing absolutely necessary PPE, while promoting education.

Our goal for this project is to provide support to 1600 kids from a small town in QuiraGuira, Honduras. The program is 100% volunteer-run and all donations will go towards providing the town of QuiraGuira with masks, gloves, sanitizer, oral hygiene products, and the renovating process towards the main education facility. 

As global citizens, we are all in this together and we have a global responsibility to help each other out. We need your support and the children need your support now more than ever. No amount is too small. Your donation, even if it's $1, will go a long way. Join us on our journey to make a global impact. 




Visit our Website - SOUTHEAST ASIAN COALITION 

- Thank you.

WHO WE ARE 
If you have ever been to Axe to Grind you know we are a passionate group.  In just one year of business, we have grown to be one of the best new shops in Worcester. As amazing as the success has been we are always on the lookout for ways to give back. This year through one of our clients Boa Newgate we were given the opportunity to travel to Asia and work with the Southeast Asian Coalition promoting youth education and hygiene.  We have agreed to help raise $5,000 and volunteer 10 days of our time and we need your help.  

WHERE THE MONEY WILL GO 
All money raised will be given directly to SEAC, a registered 501c3 nonprofit based out of Central MA making all donations tax deductible. Your money will help send us to Asia and support their group of volunteers provide
-school supplies
-footwear
-uniforms
-workshops 
-and where we come in, haircuts 

As SEAC is entirely volunteer-run every dollar will impact these causes directly.  For more information on what this amazing group is up to be sure to check out their website http://www.seacma.org/

HOW IT ALL STARTED 
Boa Newgate is the Lead manager for three initiatives run by SEAC including mental health, cultural case management, and youth effect advisement. He also happens to be a long time client of Justin for over three years.  This whole journey started with many conversations and many haircuts. 

"When I started Axe2Grind barbershop I had nothing; no money, no credit, no employees, and no idea how I was going to pull this off. Well, now we are almost a full year in business and I think it’s time to give back.

     It all started about 3 years ago when I started cutting Boa Newgate’s hair. We realized rather quickly that we are “cut from the same cloth.” We started talking about past struggles that we had encountered in our lives and how we overcame them. From that, we sparked a conversation about what it means to us to “give back” and how it had impacted our lives and the people we’ve helped.

      Fast forward a few years later and many passionate conversations about getting involved...it’s finally here: a project to impact people’s lives globally.

    A few days ago Boa came in for his regular appointment and while he waited I overheard him asking Mike for tips on how to cut hair. I said, “hey Boa what’s up?” He explained to me that he would like to give kids haircuts this year when he goes to Asia. He told us these kids don’t get to experience a good haircut. A usual haircut is given by a village elder that places a bowl over a child’s head to shape the cut. Without hesitating, I said, “why don’t we come and cut them.” He then began to explain the details of his work in Asia and why he does it. The act of going in person to physically help and promote education can change these children’s lives on a much bigger scale than just simply sending over some money! The impact is more powerful in person. Immediately I was enamored with the idea, and with tears in my eyes I shouted: “WE ARE IN!”

Mike and I will be traveling to Asia as part of the Youth Effect International Project, alongside Boa Newgate and The South East Asian Coalition. Our goal is to raise $5000 for school supplies, footwear, and medical equipment. We will also be holding workshops on personal hygiene and sanitation. And of course, they will ALL be getting dope haircuts. And as part of our mission there, hopefully, we can teach a few kids how to cut hair. Maybe barbering will change their lives forever just like it did for us.


Axetogrind Barbershop has grown much faster than I expected and that’s a lot of thanks to all the friends, family and clients who continue to support us and stoke the flames! This trip is super important to Mike and I. We are so grateful to be able to wake up every day and do something we love. Please, help us pay it forward! No amount of money is too small. If ya got it, give it. If ya don’t, share it!! Thank you to all that have continued to show us love and support. We love you, always."

-Justin Pitz




More information about Southeast Asian Coalition: Established in 1999, SEAC is a community-based, non-profit (501c3) organization to assist Southeast Asian and other immigrants, refugees and low-income residents in Central MA to successfully integrate into the mainstream society, thrive and become contributing citizens while maintaining their unique cultural identity.

The Big Question

Imagine if you were raised in poverty with no access to quality education, which path would you choose to survive? The option to do better is available when you know better. Help us advocate for the importance of education on a global scale.

Children Around the World

. 100 million homeless children living in the streets around the world.
. 20 million children are refugees or internally displaced in their homeland.
. 2 million children are objects of sexual abuse
. 10 million children are child slaves
. 250,000 children die every week from malnutrition and diseases.

Please check out womenaid.org for more info

Youth Effect International is a response to our global problem of accessibility to quality education. Our mission is to promote learning within struggling communities that lack material and financial resources.

Our Objectives

. Provide imperative school supplies, uniforms, footwear, and tuition.
. Provide workshops in nutrition, hygiene, and mental health.
. Improve healthcare for children in impoverished communities.
. Empower and inspire empathy, compassion, confidence, and leadership.

“If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man how to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.” -Lao Tzu 



Youth Effect started in Worcester, MA in 1999 with just a few Asian youths with a mission to keep youth in schools, off the streets, and away from gangs. Since then, the SEAC youth program has continually provided services such as academic tutoring, physical fitness activities and college preparation. In the last few years, SEAC youth's have had a 100% High School graduation rate and more than 90% pursue higher education. Youth Effect has helped the Southeast Asian Coalition achieve many awards and received recognition throughout New England and across the United States.



Youth Effect International allows SEAC's youth to expand their philanthropic endeavors beyond Worcester, MA. Our mission is to encourage and provide school supplies to support impoverished demographics, such as at-risk children, in struggling communities. By giving these children the tools they need to go to school, we would like to build up, support, and advocate for the youth so they can achieve success and have a brighter future that does not involve hustling, crime, trafficking, or other illegal activities. We believe education will help the younger generation to overcome poverty.
 



100% of your donations will go towards Youth Effect International programs. You can check our updates for where the money is being spent. Every amount matters and what matters most is we are changing lives. Thank you for making this world a better place for everyone and thank you for your time and support. 

Website: seacma.org/youth-effect-international 
Facebook: facebook.com/youtheffectinternational