Allen Hooper is fundraising
Project 1x1: From the Streets to Stability
YOUR DONATION, NO MATTER HOW LARGE OR SMALL, WILL TRANSFORM SOMEONE'S LIFE. Please let me explain how...
Hi, my name is Allen, and I'd like to share a deeply personal story with you...
TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL
Several years ago I went through and incredibly difficult time in my life, and because of the decisions I made I ended up homeless and living on the streets. I was there for a few years, but one day I had a sudden awakening and wondered, "What am I doing with my life?!" I decided to turn my life around, but I had already dug myself into such a deep hole, I didn't know if I would ever find my way out.
One day a woman was passing by and stopped. Her name was Paula. She gave me $20, two bags of food, and spent about an hour talking and getting to know me. She could tell that I was committed to fixing my broken life, and kept in touch with me over the next week, checking in from time to time.
A few days later Paula came back, picked me up, and took me to a motel... but she didn't just put me up for a night - she put me up for nearly three months! She bought me new clothes, filled my fridge with nutritious food, and helped me find a job. She kept in constant contact, encouraging me to live well and to keep moving forward. She joined me in celebrating every success, and at supported me through every challenge.
The comprehensive and sustained support that Paula provided gave me the opportunity I needed to completely transform my life. I found a job, re-enrolled in college, earned my associate's degree with honors, found stable housing, and every day continued the upward trajectory of my new life.
A NEW PURPOSE IN LIFE
As Paula was helping me over those few months, the only thing I could say over and over again was "Thank you for your kindness". I said it so frequently that eventually I started typing TY4YK in text messages. There was a stirring inside me, and I was determined that one day I would pay forward the incredible act of kindness she had done for me.
So, this past year, I founded a 501(c)(3) nonprofit called... you guessed it... Thank You For Your Kindess (TY4YK), a charity built on faith, hope, and love. We envision a world where kindness and service transform lives and communities, and make it our mission to be a catalyst for compassionate change - touching the hearts of those in need and making a lasting impact on their lives. We are dedicated to fostering a culture of compassion by focusing on acts of kindness both large and small, with a special focus on supporting individuals experincing homelessness.
MANY MORE JUST LIKE ME
According to the numbers from the US Housing & Urban Development survey, nearly three-quarters of a million people (771,480) were identified as experiencing homelessness last year (2024). It should be noted that the survey likely underrepresents the true number of people facing such difficult circumstances, as many are living in cars, encampments, and other hard-to-assess locations.
Every day there are countless people just like me who are ready and committed to changing their lives - but they don't have a Paula. While true change does begin with personal readiness, it also requires the access and ability to act on that desire.
It's easy for us to think "that person should just go get a job..." ... but can you imagine showing up for an interview without having been able to shower? What about the period of time that it takes to get a callback from a potential employer, what is one supposed to do in the interim? And if, by chance, they're lucky enough to get hired, could you imagine having to stand next to your new coworkers for the first few weeks without access to a shower every day?
PROJECT 1X1: A NEW MODEL FOR SUPPORT
There are many organizations out there that tend to the masses, and the work they do is honorable. That said, the assistance they provide is often temporary or piecemeal in nature, only putting a band-aid on the situation. What Project 1x1 will do is model what Paula did for me for others, by providing individualized, comprehensive, sustained, and holistic support to individuals as they work toward rebuilding their lives. Dedicated case management - the professional version of what Paula was doing on a personal level - will be the cornerstone of our success.
TY4YK will partner with existing agencies, shelters, and outreach teams to identify through referrals those individuals that are ready and committed to the challenge of fixing their lives. Verifiable sobriety will be a key component of the program, and while not every person may initially qualify for it, we are committed to creating a pathway into it for those who have a true desire to participate.
For those that are ready, the program will be structured, but flexible and tailored to individual needs and readiness, and will move through three primary phases.
- PHASE I: INTAKE | Assessment of needs, housing & medical first, establishment of personal goals, and connection with resources
- PHASE II: DEVELOPMENT | Consistent 1:1 mentoring and success coaching, life skills development, temporary financial support, continuing connection and access to services and resources
- PHASE III: AUTONOMY | Gradual shift from intensive guidance to fostering autonomy, acquired skills will allow for navigating life with self-sufficiency
THE $20,000 SUNGLASSES MOMENT
I don't watch much television, but one day as I was cleaning the house I had one of the Real Housewives shows on in the background. I was only half-listening when one of the women started bragging about having spent $20,000 on her pair of sunglasses. I stopped what I was doing and stared open-jawed at the screen. The only thing I could think was, "I could change four people's lives with that amount..."
Now, I don't begrudge that woman her success, nor do I judge her for how she chooses to spend what is rightfully hers. I do, however, know there are people out there who have a philanthropic heart and share my belief that we should use the excesses we have been given to support those less fortunate than ourselves.
WHAT IS A LIFE WORTH?
One day I asked Paula how much she spent on me during those three months. I was being housed in a motel, which was incredibly expensive (even for a two-star establishment), and all-told the total was somewhere between $2,000 and $4,000. We started crunching numbers to try to figure out what it would actually cost to do this for others. Here's the breakdown:
- The program will focus on a housing-first philosophy, addressing the most pressing need of providing shelter. Between deposits, rent, utilities, and basic furnishings we expect that number to be around $4,000-5,000.
- After that we will address immediate needs such as clothing (work-appropriate outfits, seasonal attire, shoes, etc), hygiene essentials, and household supplies for an anticipated $1,000.
- Food, nutrition and wellbeing will be important, so grocery cards & meal stipends, as well as assistance for initial doctor appointments, counselors and other needs we budget $1000.
- Transportation is an essential component of success, and whether it is monthly transit passes, rideshare vouchers, or a down-payment, we factor in $1000 for this expense.
- Job readiness & education (training courses, certifications, books, etc.) is another key consideration, as are the tools that will be required to succeed (a laptop, tablet, and/or phone, for example, if needed), and we factor in a cost of $1000 for these.
- Emergency & flex funds will be needed, and we have factored in $1000 into the per-participant budget for this category.
As we begin the proof-of-concept and pilot program, we expect a higher cost per participant, but believe strongly that we will rapidly bring that cost down as we demonstrate measurable success, increase in-kind donations of goods and services. Our sustainability plan involves incorporating multiple revenue streams from grants, donors and corporate partnerships and sponsor opportunities.
REPLICABLE & SCALEABLE SUCCESS
After launching the pilot program locally, we will go through an evaluation of it's outcomes, which we expect to be significant. It is our goal to then replicate and scale it's successes around the country in cities and towns large and small. We might not be able to save everyone, but we sure can help people - one by one.
WHY YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS SO VERY MUCH
First, we know that many of you see someone struggling on the street and often wrestle with whether or not to roll down the window and give them cash. And we know that there are many who are like Paula that want to help, but don't know exactly how to go about it, or don't have the personal time to devote to such a big commitment.
That is why we are here. So that you can give what you are able to and know that it is actually going to make a difference in a life. And, right now, we need public support in order to show major funders that everyday people like you are behind this mission. If we can reach our target goal, we can take that measurable success to the people who can afford $20k sunglasses and use funds like that to save even more lives.
Just think - if I have come this far and done this much with the opportunity I was given, what other possibilities for greatness exist out there in those we aim to lift up with love and support?
ABOUT THE ASK AND THE USE OF FUNDS
It is going to require more than our target amount of $10,000 to fully develop the entire program, but simply put, everything up to the initial goal that is raised in this campaign will be used to fund the first participant and market the program. We want to show funders that YOU believe it is worth it so that they will too.
Eventually we will need to provide dedicated staff, infrastructure, etc., but the primary thing that we want you to know is that these funds - YOUR MONEY - will not go to executive salaries or any other purpose other than the program itself. PERIOD.
If you are able to support our mission in any way, be it with goods, services, or a major contribution, sponsorship, or partnership, we would be so grateful and encourage you to reach out to us directly.
Thank you for your time and consideration, and most importantly:
Thank YOU for YOUR kindness...
- P
- A
2 supporters