Causes: Homeless & Housing, Homeless Shelters

Mission: Giving the Gift of Independence through Education, Enrichment Exposure and Empowerment, . Enhancing the quality of life.

Results: 1.The Warming Up the Upstate SC is a drive to collect items for the homeless, shelter living families, teen parents, and women affected by domestic violence:
•Winter drive to date we have distributed 1,000 blanket, 2,200 jackets, 1,500 scarves, 2,500 gloves, 2,000 socks & 1,800 hats.
•Summer drive to date we have distributed 2,200 t-shirts, 980 flip flops, 750 sandals, 1,125 tank tops, and 8,560 bottle water. 2.The Step Up & Be Safe Campaign has distributed 250,000 free contraceptives (male and female condoms) since 2011, helping reduce unintentional pregnancies, the spread of HIV/AIDS, and the propagation of other sexually transmitted infections.
•Total lives impacted to date are 208,143.
•Educational material and contraceptives given out 1,063,465.3.The Halo Hair Project began in 2011 and has been dedicated to promoting self-confidence by providing comfortable custom wigs, head coverings, and beauty tips to financially disadvantaged children, women, and men who experience adverse side effects of natural hair loss and hair loss from medical treatments.
•Total lives impacted 55.4.Passionate Parenting began in 2005 with over 500 adolescent parents participating since its inception. The program creates an environment of family and friends dedicated to dealing with teenage pregnancy and parenting. The support group provides educational and social activities for the family and friends of adolescent parents.
•Total families impacted 4,386.5.Blessing Box food distribution is an alternative to discarding surplus food by, redirecting unspoiled wholesome food for human consumption which diverts food waste from landfills, and puts food on the table for families to eat.
•Total boxes given out since Sept 2020 - Dec 2020 impacted 7,080.6.Gifted Hands allows teens that participate in programs of Dreams with Open Arms an opportunity to give back to the community in which they live. They created two programs:
•Back to School: Engage supporters in helping at risk communities get the tools the children need to learn and succeed in school. Total students impact 773
•Christmas Giveback: Collect new and unwrapped toys, games, dolls and even clothes to distribute to the less fortunate during the holiday season. Total students impact 773

Target demographics: young people ages 13-19 and their families

Direct beneficiaries per year: 300 young people through our programs

Geographic areas served: FL, GA, NC & SC

Programs: Blessing Box, Step Up and Be Safe, Support Matters, Passionate Parenting, Challenges & Choice PSA, Let's Talk PSA and Jewels Leadership Academy.