Monkees, Meet Sarah. She’s about to take us on a wild, wonderful ride.
**************************
I am Sarah Nielsen, I’m a Monkee, and I’m also the Executive Director of Project Home Indy. Project Home Indy is a small non-profit agency in Indianapolis that serves up to five homeless teen moms, age 15-19, in a safe, home-like residential facility. The girls who move to Project Home Indy are desperate to find a home, and we provide a wraparound, intensive service that allows them to move into our community with their babies and function as independent families. We believe that teens are capable of becoming good parents, but they need coordinated and comprehensive services and support to become heads of their own households.
Working at Project Home Indy is wonderful and challenging. Every so often I get the very special job of interviewing a prospective resident. We get many phone calls each week from young teen moms who are desperate to live at Project Home Indy. They are frightened, homeless, and hopeful that we’ll have room. Since we only have room for five young families at a time, I am too often saying no. No room. I’m so sorry.
But sometimes there is hope that I might be able to say YES, and for a moment, I feel like I’m giving someone the golden ticket on Willy Wonka.
Last week, as I interviewed a prospective resident, a tear ran down her cheek as she said:
“You know, I just want to live somewhere where the adults work, and don’t run out of money or gas. I don’t want to be scared of being evicted. I want to live somewhere where I don’t have to count the diapers I have for the rest of the week, and wonder if I’ll skip dinner. I want to have my own bed and my own room. I want my baby to only see the best way to be, the way things should be.”
Sometimes I can choke my own tears back and maintain a professional distance. Not this time. Because here’s the thing- the life she is dreaming of- the one where people work and have enough diapers and food- that IS the way things should be. That’s the home she deserved to grow up in years ago. That’s the home that she deserves to raise her baby in. And that’s the home we provide.
So in response to her dream – I ran through our rules and programs with her. I explained that since so few people get to live here, we must know that she’s serious about her future and her education. We must know that she’ll work as hard as we work to move her towards her goals. She looked at me steadily and said,
“I’m not scared. I’m ready for this. You guys don’t sound so bad. I need someone to help keep me on track.”
I wish I had a magic sense that could tell us whether or not she’ll be successful here. I don’t know that. But I do know that she deserves a CHANCE. We all do.
In the work I do, there is a certain level of overwhelming, heart-aching pain for what these teens and their babies go through. Most adults in their lives have let them down. They don’t deserve the hardship they have endured, and the odds are stacked against them. These girls are facing a highly documented uphill battle. Teen pregnancy is full of daunting statistics about dropouts and poverty. It’s heavy.
And so I wish people could really see these kids. Really see them. Not just the statistics, but the kids. They are so brave, so gritty, so scrappy and smart. They are strong, and they have, and always will, survive. They are WARRIORS. They have endured things that most adults would find unfathomable. And they are making it. They are getting up, putting one foot in front of the other, and carving out a new life for themselves and their babies. They are cracking jokes, making friends, and teaching their babies the Itsy Bitsy Spider.
Down came the rain and washed the spider out… out came the sun and dried up all the rain, and the itsy bitsy spider climbed up the spout again.
It’s like that.
100% of our high school seniors have graduated. 100% of our babies have been born full-term and at a healthy birth weight and 75% of our girls have found employment while they have lived with us. And when they leave- when they move out and on and up – they call us. They call us to tell us all about their baby’s birthday party, their college classes, their new apartment, their jobs. They call to ask us what baby food to buy, and how to understand a light bill. They came to us feeling like they were all alone in the world, but they leave with a family. They learn, here, that We Belong To Each Other.
Monkees- I am asking you to help me raise the funds necessary to say YES to the teenage warrior I met last week. The one I just told you about. This Love Flash Mob is for HER. Right now she’s alone and without a home – but we don’t have to leave her that way. You – WE can offer her and her baby a CHANCE. She doesn’t know. She’s out there, wondering what she’ll do next. Why no one will help her. She doesn’t know. She doesn’t know that a WORLD FULL of women warriors are about to sweep her up in love and give her and her baby a home and a future. She doesn’t know that the world loves her yet. But she will.
It’s a tall order. We follow all state regulations and staffing rules so the money we need to offer this girl and her baby a home for a year is a large sum- Eighty three thousand dollars.
As a small non-profit, we run on the leanest budget possible, and every dollar raised goes directly towards supporting client services. The truth is, providing services at this level is expensive. This funding provides a family with two highly trained, passionate and supportive staff twenty-four hours a day. It provides this mom with a staff member to hold her hand during her first ultrasound, and someone to watch her child while she takes her final exam in Algebra. It gives her programs on how to become a better parent, how to balance a checkbook, and hands-on help grocery shopping and cooking. It’s diapers, a backpack, a bus pass, and co-pays, and interview clothes. It’s her first months’ rent and a crib when she leaves our house. It gives her a highly talented therapist to untangle and help her heal from the trauma and neglect she’s suffered in her life, and a staff member to sit on the couch with her at 2am to let her know that sometimes, babies just cry, and it’s not her fault. It’s full support, and then some.
After all, we are not going wide, we are going deep.
If, within the next two days, we raise the 83 thousand dollars needed to care for this girl and her baby for a year, I promise you that I will go to her and BRING HER HOME. In your name, Monkees- in the name of LOVE, I will bring her home.
And when Glennon comes to visit us at Project Home Indy in May, she will meet this young mama. And she will give her a hug that is sixty five thousand strong. And Glennon will tell her that she is Not Alone and that She is Loved. And because you will have turned your love into ACTION- this young mama, this warrior, will believe her.
Love,
Sarah
***************************** **************************
Let’s bring her home, Monkees. Let’s show her that the world DOES care about her and DOES care about her baby…the world cares enough to make HER LIFE OUR business. Let’s make this young mama our business.
Love Flash Mob Rules:
- The Flash Mob will run for 48 hours. After the 48 hours are over – the flash mob is closed. Whatever we have at that time is what we have. In the unbelievable event that we raise more than what is needed, the overflow will go to Monkee See – Monkee Do to help other parents in need.
2. THE MAXIMUM DONATION IS $25 dollars. Small things with great love.
3. If you have $5 to give- give it. This is NOT ABOUT THE AMOUNT. It’s about the love being offered. Give what you can (UP TO $25) and rest in the fact that YOU ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE. Changing the world for one mama today. That’s a decent day’s work.
Allright, Lovers of the Light. Let’s Make it Rain for this mama.
CLICK THIS BUTTON TO DONATE NOW!
POST SCRIPT!!!!!!
There is no greater honor than participating in the lifting up of another woman. None.
Today, you raised 85 thousand dollars in five and a half hours. THAT’S MORE THAN $250 DOLLARS PER MINUTE. I just received this message from Sarah:
********************
Glennon,
We called her and told her that it’s REALLY going to happen. She’s packing faster now. She doesn’t have much, so it will be easy. I heard Jamie, our case manager say on the phone, “YES, REALLY”, “I REALLY MEAN IT” several times. We get to say yes. Because of you and the Monkees.
Love, Sarah
*********************
She’s packing. She’s crying and packing.
GOD SAID YES TO HER TODAY.
GOD SAID YES.
THROUGH YOU- GOD SAID YES. YES- this world cares for you. YES- you are worthy of becoming a mama and a good one and YES you are not only worthy of that but worthy of HELP. Because you matter. Your baby matters. What happens to the two of you MATTERS. You matter to women all over the WORLD who have NEVER even met you, sister. Because you and that baby – you belong to us. And we belong to you.
We Belong To Each Other.
She comes home tonight. It’s done. It’s done.
We will end this Flash Mob tonight. Don’t stop giving. We have more sisters to help. These are some of the women waiting for our help from Monkee See – Monkee Do. They are hoping and praying that we will have room.
– a woman whose husband has left her and her kids
– a family who needs to travel for treatment for a bi-polar child
– travel for a Monkee sister to meet her soul-Monkee-sister to hold her hand as her child goes through a bone marrow transplant
– mama who is bed-ridden and needs surgery to be able to care for her daughter with special needs
– mama who is drowning in stress and worry over how to pay for surgeries that gave her son fingers and -toes and more surgeries needed in the future
– mama and daughter who both have cancer
LET US CARRY ON, WARRIORS.
I’ll update you every hour.
I do not care what anyone says. It cannot ever, ever get better than this.
Love Wins.
With Love and Gratitude –
Glennon
Author of the #1 New York Times Bestseller LOVE WARRIOR — ORDER HERE
Join Glennon on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram
304 Comments
What an amazing program! The all around help you offer to these young moms is just amazing. Sorry to keep saying amazing, but it is.
I can’t wait to see what the final total is after the 48 hours is up. I bet we blow it out of the water!
Go Monkees!
It’s tough enough to be a mom without having to worry about a place to live or money to buy food and diapers. Thank you for the opportunity to help other moms.
From one mama to another: Love yourself, love your baby, and love every new day of this big, wide, beautiful world. The rest will follow.
I have cried myself a headache but I’m not going to complain! The tears are of happiness and love. I was also a teenage mom, one with a great family support system. No mama, no matter what age, needs to be without love and support. Happy I can help!!!
People like you, Glennon for being passionate and providing the “forum”, and Sarah and your team for dedicating your lives to help others, are such bright lights in this world we are living in. I watch local news in the morning to learn about overnight homicides, accidents, home invasions and other terrible events. It leaves me with a heavy heart. I get to work and settle in with my coffee and 15 minutes of social media and blog updates before embarking on my day, and I feel hope. I feel hope, motivation, happiness and an intense feeling of belonging. Belonging and closeness to people I have never met which is sort of surreal and a bit weird, but yet feels so good. Thank you for all that you do! I am 100% certain that you will meet your goal, because Monkees get it done! Carry on!!!
Ack, this story made me cry! I don’t have a lot but $5 is on its way. I hope the very best for these brave girls and applaud your noble work.
This is absolutely beautiful. It is what love lived out loud looks like. How can I NOT join this Love Flash Mob???
This is amazing. Glennon you are an amazing woman I am so thrilled to find your blog through a friend it’s incredible how brave you are
Rock on! This love fills my tank! At 43, I quit my job as a therapist to go back to school to become a special Ed teacher….funds are tight but never too tight to give. These are the kids that I worked with for 20 years! Sometimes just knowing that there is someone, just one person out there that cares makes all the difference….but to have this many people?! Being a witness to this kind of love is overwhelming! Carry on!
So glad to be a part of this!
Done. Feeling really good about being a tiny part of a movement making a big difference.
Amie- thank you!
I was this mama. I was 18 – alone and scared and not sure what was going to happen. But I knew this baby of mine was precious and was meant to be. Somehow, someway – I made it. I have two beautiful boys, a husband who understands why my heart aches some nights remembering where I came from. I have a home that is almost paid for, a college degree. All of this because people believed in me and my worth (often times when I didn’t believe in myself).
I want to help. Not just with money – but I would love to email/snail mail any of these mamas who need a bit of extra love. Never before have I felt so called to help. My own daughter passed away because of prematurity – but I would love to cover one of these Mamas with love and prayer and all the things that a real Mama would give to her baby.
These young mamas have a beautiful purpose – and what society says are mistakes, those things are going to help strengthen them and build them into the person they’re meant to be. But sometimes it just takes a bit of extra help.
Love ALWAYS wins.
Melissa,
My heart aches for you, and I am in awe of your offer for support. Yes- please do snail mail- they would LOVE the LOVE. I can’t share names, but you can address mail to these initials, and I will distribute: TM, LAG, and S. PO Box 683, Indianapolis, IN 46206. There is nothing they love more than holiday mail, or “just because” mail.
Much, much love.
Sarah
You got it! Will do these tonight!
I’m in, too. Great idea Melissa – as I write my letters I’ll be thinking of you.
I will get on this as well! Thanks!
it sure does Melissa. you would be such a perfect friend for these mommas because you know them:)
It is amazing what you are doing. I am praying for you, your girls and your staff!~
Thank you, Amy!
Sarah
We need to get some Momastary onesies over to the Project Indy babies. Cute babies in “Love Wins”gear? Too adorable.
That’s an awesome idea!
Second that! I’d order one for my daughter too 😉
That’s an AWESOME idea! Wonder if we could have people “buy” them and the onesie goes to the Project Indy babies and any profits/proceeds go to the program? Just a thought 🙂
Sarah, Rebecca, Jen- you are ON TO SOMETHING. I will deck out our PHI babies, and my own kids in Monkee onesies:)
Sarah
Love this.
So, this is probably obvious, but the button just takes me to Paypal, what email account do I enter to donate?
Thanks!
McCalla
You have to set up your own paypal account. The e-mail is yours that is attached to the account. Then when you use your account , they send you notification that it has been used and where the money goes.
You can enter the e-mail address where you would like to receive your receipt/record of the transaction.
If you have a Paypal account set up, you can just enter the same e-mail address you have on the account.
🙂
Sign in to your PayPal account or create an account if you don’t already have one. Hope that helps!
McCalla – I think if you haven’t used Paypal before, you have to create an account with your email address.
one of the highlights of finally having a real paycheck is that a small part of that paycheck can go to showing others love. joining this love flash mob :). thanks for providing so many opportunities to do that, glennon!
Carter-
Congrats on your real paycheck, and THANK YOU for donating to our cause. You know, one of the most special days here is watching our girls hold their first paychecks. Pretty amazing stuff!
Sarah
When I click the box at the bottom, it says that there is an “error”.
Is anyone else getting this?
Am I doing something wrong?
Is there another way to donate?
It happened to me as well the first 2 or 3 times I hit the “donate” button. Paypal is being flooded with monkey love…just keep trying 🙂
This is amazing! Is there any way to see a tally of how much we have raised? Much Love!!!
Check Momastery on Facebook. Last I saw was $60,000 :). I love being able to do something small that is part of something big and important.
Wow! Thanks for the update! We are amazing…if I do say so myself 🙂
Beautiful! Posted this on my blog. Love what you are doing for mothers and babies. This mother and her baby is important to all of us!
Nancy-
Thank you SO much for your kindness. She will be feeling it!
Sarah
I’ve just decided that every time we order from Amazon, we’ll add something from the Project Home Indy wishlist to our order. Its now the rule of the house. Thanks for bringing my attention to this wonderful project. I’d do more in my local area but the proselytizing that happens at the similar homes in this area turns my stomach. Its all about love, people!
Sarah P-
What an awesome idea!!! We appreciate every bar of soap, every package of toilet paper, and every dollar that comes our way. Your purchases are part of something huge. HUGE.
Sarah
Where do I find Amazon wish list?
done! from one indiana mama to this future indiana mama, god bless young hoosier!
Rebecca-
Can you come join us when Glennon speaks on May 5th? Love to meet another Hoosier Monkee!!
Sarah
I would love to!!! I will see what I can do!
This has been just unbelievably brutiful!
As a physician who frequently delivers the babies of these teenagers, I was happy to give a little toward a program that can help them in so many ways. I have personally witnessed the fierce souls of these teens who because of whatever life event have been placed in such a place of responsibility. They need the support around them in order to show the world what they can accomplish. I have spent extra time in the office answering the young innocent question of “how is this baby going to come out of me” and am happy to hear of a program who is sitting with these same girls, answering these same types of questions. The teens have love to give, if they only have a chance. This Love today is the gift that frees their love tomorrow.
hi anna! i am also a physician, a family medicine doc. i do deliveries and lots of pediatrics. i rotated in my residency at an inner city clinic with lots of young mothers as patients, and i agree with you whole-heartedly. i still see many of them. they have so much to offer, just like anyone else, but they need the support, the strength, and the tools to do it. this project sounds amazing. i was so happy to donate to help. as well all know, a little goes a long way, especially when everyone gives a little to the greater good. 🙂
Dr Anna and Dr Rebecca-
I love hearing your stories, and your core belief that our girls are more than a statistic. How fortunate those teens were to have you as their MD’s.
Sarah
Donation made……..I use to work for a domestic violence shelter and I know how hard it is to get donations. Hopefully this will make a difference in this girl’s life. Thanks for giving me a chance to help.
Wanda-
Connecting to amazing people like monkees makes this job so much easier. Cairos!
[…] I had never heard of Momastery before a childhood friend who is now a minister’s wife posted this link on facebook. She included this message: If you are prolife, this is an action you can take to […]
Done. Thanks for letting us be a part of this.
Alyssa-
Thank you!
Sarah
Are we able to see the amount donated so far?
55k!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Keep Sharing, Sisters!!!1
FREAKING OUT OVER HERE!!!
H-e- double hockey sticks YES!!!!!!
Wahooooooooo!!!!!! Thanks for the update!!!! 🙂
Glennon, each time this happens, you set the bar higher and higher and it’s more and more amazing. How do you contain yourself as you watch the totals go up so dang quickly? I can’t give this time as I currently don’t have a single dollar until Friday. But, it makes me feel good just to see and know what’s happening. Thanks for keeping us updated from time to time on what’s going on!
DONE! What’s $5 or $10 to so many of us? A Starbucks coffee for a day or two? YEP, we can sacrifice that for this mama! Thanks, G, for the opportunity to help this determined mama Monkee out! Love wins, for sure!
Susie-
LOVE DOES WIN!
Sarah
Thank you for the opportunity to be part of this. Praying this will show this young mum the power of love and that this love will be part of her and her baby’s lives forever.
Thank you, Annie!
Sarah
MORE than happy to contribute!!!! Welcome home little Momma, you ARE LOVED and SUPPORTED!
Andrea,
Yes! So many of our girls have never felt support like this before- and they have NO idea how much people are out there rooting for them:) You included!!
Sarah
As I posted on FB, tears just ran down my face as I donated for this young mommy and her babe and for what everyone is doing and accomplishing. I cannot wait to hear how they are doing in a year. Big hugs and love you. I love how she said she is not scared, she can do this. Yes you can.
Terri-
You can count on updates!
Sarah
I know first hand that every little bit helps. I never understood that before, but I get it now. Thanks to all of you for helping me realize that!! I don’t have much to offer, but did what I could. Thank you for allowing me to pay it forward in any way I can!! WE rock! And G, I effin love you!! And all that you stand for!! Thanks for shining!!
Tara-
Thank you for sharing what you have- what a gift!
Sarah
I’m just so excited to be a part of this. There were exactly 25 dollars in my paypal account waiting to be used. I’m pretty sure this is what those dollars were meant for. So much better than whatever trinket I would’ve ended buying otherwise.
Leah-
I feel so honored you chose us! Serendipity:)
Sarah
Today I have $12.85 in my bank account. But $5.00 of it just went to help this young mama and her sweet baby.
You are awesome Erica. An example to us all of true selfless love and service!
Dearest Erica. Your gift means SO much to us. SO MUCH.
Thank you!
Sarah
Oh my goodness, Erica. THIS. This is what it’s about. It’s about being rich enough to give even when all we have is $12.85 in our bank account.
And also… maybe you need a bit more in your bank account? Can we help you, too? Will you give us that gift?
Erica! I had 8$!! 5 went here!! It was so freakin worth it! I know exactly how ya feel! At first, I thought, oh, my 5$ wouldn’t even make a difference, but I know it did!! Our 5$ helped more than we could imagine! Thanks for giving what u could! Such an awesome feeling, huh?!!? Love ya!!
Love wins. Hope this Mama and many more feel this love and pass it on!
Just donated for the first time and I feel great! Good luck with everything and I must say I’m loving the Momastery updates on FB…I’m so happy somehow I found you! Glennon, can’t wait to read your book!
Stephanie-
The updates are so much fun! Wonderful monkees like you are making this happen!!
Sarah
[…] don’t know if any of you follow Glennon over on Momastery. She’s an incredible writer with an incredible heart. I started following her blog way, […]
DONE! 🙂 Thanks for the opportunity to share LOVE! I am home on a break from work because an overwhelmed teen mom blew off her son’s therapy appointment with me. I wish she had the support this center offers! All mothers (and babies) deserve a good start. Kudos Monkees!
Glennon-
I sent you something for babies and mamas in the mail last month. PLEASE share with Sarah and her staff if you have room in your suitcase!
Thank you!
Nicole-
Thank you so much for your kindness, and your work!
Sarah
Sarah-
I authored a card set with my bestie that outlines development for babies birth – 3 and pairs them with play ideas and education. Many non profits are using them for low tech education and to encourage bonding. I sent Glennon one to give to someone who needs it in the world – and a few days after I read she was coming to speak at your center. I hope it makes it to you but if it does not – email me ([email protected]). I’m keeping your name on our list – we are small and just getting started in some regards but as we grow, places like yours (that make HUGE impacts) are JUST the places we want our product to land. I’m trying to learn more about grants to make it happen!! Keep me in your loop! Bless you for your work!
Nicole
Go Glennon! Thank you for reminding us daily that LOVE WINS.
$83k isn’t the finish line – its just a checkpoint. let’s blow through that!
On a technical note – I’ve tried twice to pay w/ cc and it isn’t working?
Never mind! User error! Got it through!
My donation today is in honor of my 3 beautiful Grandkids that I am blessed to have in my life. Glennon you have truly touched my soul with your blog. I am inspired by your truth and your courage. Proud to be a part of Monkee See Monkee Do!
Titi-
That is so kind!! Imagine where this mama’s grandkids will be because of you and the monkees:)
Sarah
This is beyond beautiful! And it’s brutiful too. I am sitting on my couch in my safe home with my five week old and it hurts my heart to think of a mom and baby without love and support. I can think of nothing better to do with my money than to support this young woman. I smile to think of her future (and the staff person at 2am to tell her that sometimes babies just cry). Thank you Glennon and Sarah for all the wonderful things you do!
Thank you, Chelsea!!
Sarah
So happy to participate in this Love Flash Mob! Go, Love Warriors!
I believe in the work that Sarah is doing. I donated, but what’s more, I starting thinking, how can *I* do something like this? Thank you for fanning the flame within me, Glennon, by bringing people like Sarah to our attention.
Monica-
Thank you for your kind note. You CAN do this. Our four founders kept a flame alive even after series of obstacles and a sea of “no’s” standing in their way. If you need help, don’t hesitate to email me!
Sarah
Making dreams come true. Filling the world with LOVE! Gathering in our arms from across the lands. Sharing. Caring. Loving. Giving. What a fantastic day!
Thank you for making it happen G!
And Sarah, you are a wonderful writer and wonderful Monkee! Thank you for telling us about your work and helping these teens find HOPE. <3 & Peace.
Cynthia,
It IS a fantastic day! One of my best. I mean, my husband and my babies- those were big days. But truth be told, the PHI babies feel like my babies too. This day is just as big.
Sarah
Donated! Thank you for sharing this story and information…. We will be reaching out to Project Home Indy sometime today to see how we can help them. We are a maternity and baby/children’s store here in Indianapolis, and would love to assist in anyway that we can.
Next Step-
That’s awesome! I love your shop!!
Sister On!
Sarah
I love, love, love this. I have a huge spot in my heart for programs that help pregnant mothers have healthy babies, due to complications in my own pregnancies. Thank you for sharing this opportunity with us!
Donated and shared the link. Go Monkees, GO! I love being a part of this community.
I stumbled across this website a couple of weeks ago. I’m an avid reader of Kelle Hampton’s. Reading your Lover of Light post hit home for me, and so I continued to read because your words are powerful and it brought sunshine to my day. What I didn’t know is what you do…what all you Monkees really really DO, and now I’ve proclaimed myself a Monkee in my own right. You people are amazing. You really are.
This is my first Love Flash Mob, but it couldn’t be a better one. You see, I was a teenage mom. I went on to graduate 6th in my class, finished four years of school and flash forward 10 years later. I’m living out my dream. I’m a teacher. I’m married with 3 beautiful children, and it was because of my community, my warriors who lifted me up and carried me so that my dreams weren’t in vain. I’m living out who I wanted to be and it’s all because of people like you. So you bet your ass I donated and I prayed, and I will do whatever I can to help this lady. If she needs just someone who is a penpal of sorts. Someone who has been there and is now on the other side. Please send her my way. [email protected] Thanks G and Monkees for being who you are. Love wins. Everytime.
beautiful Mandi. So glad you shared this.
Oh my … LOVE WINS!!! Your comment touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes!! Congratulations on WINNING against the odds, for donating and for lending support … I, too, already donated and am back just to read other Monkee comments … why … JUST BECAUSE LOVE WINS!!
You guys…my heart is so full.
So honored and humbled to be a part of this young mama warrior’s journey! BABIES WIN! LOVE WINS!!!!
Tears. Chills. So happy!
Best $25 I’ve spent in a long time.
I was single and pregnant at 16, but blessed with the help of my family. I’m hoping that the small amount I was able to give will help bless this sweet girl with a family of her own.
this is so close to home for me. my teenage daughter gave birth last july to the most wonderful baby girl. so yes i will donate and just a word about judgement. don’t. before my daughter had a baby it would be safe to say even without realizing it i was passing judgement. but when we know better we do better. so now when i see a young mom i smile and talk and love her. so much better:) thanks for sharing this g 🙂
So true.
Today my heart is heavy and this lightens it a bit. Being a part of wrapping this girl and her baby in love is the best medicine.
I don’t have much, but what I have I give freely….Love Wins.
I just shared this on my FB page connected to my blog! I am hoping to bring more into this act of love! I am so happy to help. As a certified high school English teacher, this touched me. Teenagers are often looked over and cast off as troubled, impossible, or hopeless and that is NOT the case. They are in a fragile state of being in their teen years and they NEED to know that someone cares about them. They have to be shown the right way by someone if no one else can or will. Thank you so much for doing this, G. Love wins. 🙂
I’m so happy I was able to help this time. I was intrigued by the first flash mob and missed my chances to donate until today. I’ve shared with everyone I know. Fingers crossed we raise the funds needed for this young woman in crisis.
And more from my co-workers!!! Love wins 🙂
I am the grown daughter of a teenage mother.
My mother now owns her own successful desktop publishing small buisness. I am an attorney with a fortune 100 company.
Love wins.
That’s a lovely testatment 🙂
Hello! What a wonderful place, and right here in my hometown of Indy! I made a donation but I would love to do more. I am a photographer and I would love to take free Newborn and Child pictures for these moms! Let me know if I can help!!!!
Kandra ([email protected])
Awesome! Something they would never be able to afford
I work for a nonprofit, for the program I started as a volunteer a few years ago, and I know how difficult it is to raise funds. I couldn’t do much, but I was proud to help this flash mob. Carry on!
Love!
Thrilled to be able to help — Monkee Love Flash Mobs are the best thing going. More like a party than a donation. LOVE WINS <3
Done. Hoping this girl will be able to feel the love, and proving to myself that regardless of where I am on my own journey I can still feel and give.
Someone should have warned me to bring the tissues!!
I’ve never been so happy to part with money in all my life…love wins
Beautiful!
I was in the position of needing help just a couple months ago, and a couple of beautiful Monkees came to my rescue. I am happy to now be in the position to offer a little in return!
Thank you for all you do.
Good luck to this new Momma….know there are people in this world who will love you without ever meeting you.
Hi,
Tried to donate by credit card. Picked my country no problem (Canada) but the state section doesn’t allow me to leave blank or choose my province…. Could one of your tekkie folks fix that? I think it is a small fix and I can’t imagine I am the only one it would help. Thanks! Or if I am doing something wrong please let me know. 🙂
working on it mama!!!!!
Me too… same problem (from Canada). Was just about to post to tell Glennon to get her people on it! We want in on the love too!!!
I donated from Canada and it all went through fine. Had to donate $26.35 Canadian to make it $25 US. Hope that doesn’t break the rules LOL! Keep spreading the love G!!!!
While I don’t have a lot to give, this spoke to my heart and gave me goosebumps. Of course we need to help these young mamas as they work to find themselves! Love wins!
I feel so honored to be included as a Monkee and in awe of you, Glennon. You make the world a more brutiful place.
Ahhh! This made me cry! $25 seems like so little… Yet, it’s amazing that when we ALL give that small amount – such miracles occur. Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of this miracle! I’ll be praying for Project Home – and for this amazing young woman.
Overjoyed to be part of something like this. Titus 2 mothering at its shiny best! I have to commend this blog and all its readers for such lovely loving LOVE pouring out of this act! Praying for Project Home Indy, that this would be just one of many miraculous stories of rescue to come from that organization!
Can we give $25 again tomorrow?
I’m so happy to be a part of this beautiful movement! I was crying as I was giving…thankful for Glennon and for this opportunity. Thankful for all my blessings and for women and love and grace and hope and the ability to make a difference. Called my mom and explained the whole thing through tears and she says, “Now honey, how do I do this? You know I don’t have that facebook thing” – I explained how to go to Momastery and give. She’s giving too. 🙂 This is amazing! LOVE IT!!! Sending prayers and love.
I just tried to donate and it says that it would not accept my kind of card. It is just a visa bank card. It is not expired and the account is not over drawn. I would love to donate but have no other way to do so. Can I send a check?
AHH!!! Sister Ill donate for you and you can send a check to our PO box!! Doing it now!!!
Thank you for building your part of His Kingdom in Indianapolis. It is my pleasure to help make that possible. Thanks for allowing me to participate! Karen from memphis
So very excited to be a part of this LOVE-FLASH-MOB!!! Truly thankful to have found Momastery and can’t think of a better way to spend $25.00 today!!! Bring her home Sarah … BRING HER HOME!
Does this amount open up a 6th spot in the house?
I was just making a donation and my son (who is almost 4 and did not know what I was doing) looked right at me and said – “Love is a wonderful thing.” And I turned to him (sort of shocked) and said “Yes, it is. Where did you learn that?” And he said – “While I was in your tummy.” Much love from our family to this young woman and her baby.
UnREAL.
Crying! How precious … and how can we remember this as we grow up?!
Oh, Laura, I think my heart literally just skipped a beat.
Crying! Wonderful!
<3 <3 <3 <3
This.
In our late night conversations about wanting to help and what matters to us, this is what I tell my husband sits so close to my heart. I am a child of a teen mom. I have two sisters who had babies when they should have been going to school dances. They’ve made it through, but Lord, their struggles were heartbreaking.
This.
and thank you.
Wow. I’m a photographer and would be honored to come photograph Project Home Indy to document the great work they’re doing, either at their convenience or during Glennon’s visit. I’m just 2.5 hours away.
Holy Freakin Moses I need to share:
So, I’m sitting in the Target parking lot listening to satellite radio (70s station-the best!) reading the deets on the LFM. SWEAR TO GOD I get to this part:
“right now she’s alone and without a home-but we don’t have to leave her that way.”
And GUESS WHAT SONG COMES ON: Thelma Houston’s “Don’t leave me this way..”
ARE YOU KIDDING ME????? Donated of course. But I was already going to do that 🙂
Listen! It’s the LFM theme song for today:
http://youtu.be/XykDS8lBYgg
Go Glennon!
So happy to donate. Best of luck to this young mom and the many others at Project Home Indy.
Oh Sarah! I wish I had the courage to do what you do. I pray I will someday & until then I happily do my part by donating. Thank you for letting me do what I do to help you do what you do <3
[…] To read more about the effort including a beautiful piece by Project Home Indy’s own Sarah Nielsen or for more information on donating, click here. […]
I just started grinning and grinning and grinning and then crying a little, deep in the faith and knowing that this wonderful girl is going to get to go home.
God Bless the Monkees!
Sarah
And if $25 is not enough, and you have an amazon.com addiction (like me) there is a link from the Project Home Indy website to their amazon wish list. Some underwear and window blinds are coming your way!!
Thank you … made my $25 donation to bring her HOME and now I am off to search Amazon for some additional goodies to send some more goodies to Project Home Indy.
I have so little to give today, financially. But I’m a mom of two who knows the equivalent of what this young woman wants for her baby: a safe, consistent world with role models of strength and kindness. So I offer $5.00 and some rare, quiet prayer-filled moments for her. Thanks to all Monkees who give what they are able, so that I can give what I am able.
Peace!
i’m rachel and i’m 20 years old, i have just donated to this incredible charity from scotland! i so believe in this! everybody deserves a chance and a whole lot of LOVE! thank you glennon for creating chances for these young mothers <3
You are awesome!
Shared this with all my Indy friends…an Indy Monkee helping to make this happen in my community!
Oh, Glennon. I cried and cried at this one. As a teen mom myself, I ache for this girl. It wasn’t easy, but I was so, so fortunate. I made it. I hope she does, too.
Do you teach them about the love of God?
are they less worthy if they don’t? Is the work they do less valuable if they don’t. I find this offensive.
So happy to be officially starting my monkeedom today. Thank you, Sarah for being our warrior, our hands for us in Indiana. Thank you, Glennon for being the star and the writer and the sharer for us. Both of those crowns carry weight and we appreciate it. I have been watching from the wings and am glad to have the opportunity to participate in THIS. I know what you all know and I feel what you all feel. So excited! Thank you, Monkeeloves!
Whether or not it’s explicitly taught, the love being poured into the lives of these girls sure reminds me of this quote from St. Francis of Assisi: “Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.”
Love being able to help out this organization! I became a mom at the age of 19 myself. I am aware that I was a lucky one to have so many supportive people around me. Thank goodness for places like this that give that love and support the those girls who don’t have that support at home. Thank you for allowing us to help! Let’s go Monkees! We can do this!!!!
I do volunteer work for a local sorority, we raise funds every year in the $65,000 range, and we have strict “rules” that the money stay in the community, and that it benefits mainly woman and children and the arts….so for perhaps 20 years I have had in my brain that you “help local”….until I became a Monkee and my heart turned over and I realized that all of us are here “for such a time as this”…Esther 4:14. My heart just made this donation…for a *stranger*…of all things! *huge smile*
OMGOSH! This brought tears to my eyes! We are about to do this VERY THING with my niece and her now, 4 year old! I have tried for the past 5 years since she got pregnant to get her here, with me (from sc to texas) to get her out of the same pit of misery she was raised in and I just coulnt get her to hear and be brave enough, but finally a month ago she hit rock bottom, and she is now ready. And it couldnt come at a worse point!! We are beyond broke ourselves. My business as a professional photographer (of 20 years) got hit hard by the influx of Moms with cameras degrading our business, and my husband has been unable to find work at. all. (is there some stigma against a man who does every handyman on the planet who is 44 and ready to work or something!?!?!) So we are at our most horrible poorest moment, and dont even know how we are going to do it, but now, it HAS to be done. We are terrified. But So happy we are finally getting the chance to help her!! Your post came at the perfect moment, and has given me hope that we will succeed.. but also terror, that I havent seen 83,000 in my hands in my lifetime! Much less in the last three years. OMG. I need a miracle too! 😉 Thanks so much for the motivation this morning and I hope hope hope you get the donations to save your girl! You are in the right place!
Hi Sarah and Glennon,
Thanks for the hard work that you do loving all these Mamas. It is a pleasure to support Project Home Indy and this young Mama. Sending so much love to you all.
Laura and family
Wow. So moved.
Love.
I’m happy to help this young mom with her climb up the waterspout.
maggie
More than anything, I want that baby to be born into a world where his or her Mama feels and believes and teaches that WE BELONG TO EACH OTHER. OMG I just LOVE this so much. Thank you, thank you very very much.
Oh, Project Home Indy … this just got even better. I want to be a part of bring this girl home.
Thank you for giving us this beautiful path to walk together. Thank you for giving us a way to help. Thank you for your honesty and your truthiness and your brutifal life.
So glad to be a part of this… And look… Over 1000 FB shares in the first 15 min!! Keep it up Monkees!! Let’s love on 2 or 3 more of these blessings from God, each one precious in his sight!!! Keep praying too!
Donation complete! Everyone deserves a chance. Warrior on Monkees, warrier on!
from someone who was a young mama warrior once, we got this one. no sweat.