If you have not heard, my family is fulfilling a dream 17 years in the making. Over the next 11 months, we will be traveling the globe. We just wrapped up our first month of living and working abroad in Morocco, a beautiful country full of warm and welcoming people. One of the hardest things I encounter in international travel is wondering who takes care of the kids, the vulnerable, and the poor in each place I visit. This universal request is seen by hands reached out or touched to lips. Regardless of where my feet walk, I want to help others. As a foreigner, it is sometimes hard to know how to help but a shared meal can often create a beautiful connection. I want to say with my eyes, or even in the sharing of bread, “you have a hope and a future” even if my words can’t express it.
As an outsider, it would be prideful for me to believe that I could do anything on my own in a short period of time that would be significant in the long term. Partnering with local organizations that know the people and the culture is the best way I can make a difference in the long term. As I travel, I’m looking for organizations like 111Project that are impacting the local communities – that are serving children, families, and vulnerable populations. I’m also asking questions and hoping to learn new perspectives and ways of doing things along the way. I love this beautiful idea in Rome where the coins of the Trevi fountain fund projects for the city’s poor. Click Here
Working together, and learning from one another, our potential for impact is multiplied. The same is true in our own communities.
While I travel, I see needs and often think, “I wish I knew how to help. I wish I knew part of their story.” One of the things I love about being a part of 111Project is what takes place through the CarePortal platform. CarePortal allows us not just to see a need and wish we could help, but it provides the potential for connection on a personal level. We don’t have to wish we could help. We don’t have to wish we knew someone’s story. We get the opportunity to match what we have with the needs of others in the context of relationships!
As our country and world face economic challenges, the vulnerable are the ones most greatly impacted, and we are seeing that in the needs presented. In June 2022, 111Project had a record number of requests from agency partners. Watching the church and community respond and meet needs is incredibly exciting. Unfortunately, most likely due to summer schedules we were not able to keep up with all the requests that came in June.
In light of challenging events happening in our country and in our local communities, I’d like to encourage you to do something that makes a difference today. Keep on helping and remembering those with great need. An easy way to meet needs is by fulfilling a CarePortal request. We have over 180 open requests right now on Oklahoma’s CarePortal. I wanted to highlight a few of the easy requests in my community that has not been met. You will find the list below. Would you, your family, church, small group, nonprofit, or business be willing to help us meet these needs? We would love to link arms with you so reach out if you have questions!
Thank you for partnering with us to make a long-term difference in the lives of children and families in Oklahoma.
With thanks,
Chris Campbell,
111Project Executive Director
Highlighted Open Requests
Request 95408 – Single mom is needing help with cleaning supplies after the home was broken into. The estimated cost is $100, but every one of us probably has extra items lying around that could help.
Request 95355 – Single mom of three is needing help to fix a fence (about 15 slats of cedar) that got damaged by her dog trying to escape. This will help mom get the dog back outside and create a better environment for fostering and also complete house repairs needed to finalize an adoption. Great project for a small group! Estimated $75
Request 95250 – A father is working towards reunification with 3 children and stable employment is critical. Dad needs some steel toe work boots size 11 from Walmart for his work. Estimated $45
Want to search Request in Oklahoma by keyword? Check out our Open Request search.
Want to see Request by location? Check out our CarePortal map.
Have a question or want a CarePortal account? Let us know & we would love to get you set up and help you mobilize others in your community! Contact Us Here and we would love to get you connected!
