Restoring Dignity #23
Saturday, January 21st, 2017
“…I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you made me your guest, I needed clothes and you provided them, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me…”
(Matthew 25:35-36)
Sign-up to volunteer here.
Sign-up to donate items here.
Their Story
Two years ago, a Karen refugee couple, their five year old adopted son, and 10 year old grandson arrived in America. In 1995, they were forced to flee to a Thai refugee camp due to the raging civil war in Burma. While in the camp, the couple raised their four biological children and watched them become adults. At age 62 and 72, the mother and father had the opportunity to adopt a baby boy who was born blind. The biological mother of the child could not care for him, and due to his visual impairment, he was at high risk for not being adopted in the camp. Knowing that he needed a home, the couple brought him home as their fifth child. In 2014, they were able to leave their camp and moved to Indiana, where they stayed for about a year and a half. Four months ago, they moved to Omaha, Nebraska, to be closer to the Karen community that is developing in this area. Initially staying at a friend’s apartment, they recently moved into their own home. However, they have not been able to afford any furniture or household items, and are having to start over from scratch at the age of 67 and 77. Restoring Dignity found out about their needs and has decided to take action. On Saturday, January 21st, 2017, we will join together as a community and furnish this family’s apartment with much needed household items. In addition, we will be teaching them valuable cleaning and organizational skills, and will setup the household in a way that accommodates the five year old’s visual impairment. Join us as we bring hope and household items to this family in need!
The Pictures
The Solution
We are taking action on Saturday, January 21st, 2017 from 10am-6pm, to provide this family with much needed household, cleaning and organizational items. Come join us to bring hope, encouragement, and blessings to them!
Supplies Needed
Please sign-up for items you will donate on our donation sign-up page.
Kitchen
Kitchen towelsCooking utensilsClockSilverwareWash ragsPots and pansPlatesBowlsKitchen rugBroom w/ dust panMetal, galvanized trash can with lid (to store rice in)Plastic storage bagsquart size bagsfreezer gallon bagssandwich bags
Garbage bags- Saran wrap
Aluminum foil- Cutting board
- Mop
- Mop bucket
- Drawer and cupboard liners
- Bulletin board
Tupperware(4) Kitchen chairsKitchen table
Bathroom
Towels (full, hand, and face)(4) toothbrushesToothbrush holderToothpasteOver-the-toilet storage unit/shelfToilet paperHand soapShampoo (adult and kids)- Lotion
Bath rugShower curtainShower linerShower curtain rings(4) loofahs(4) bathroom shower caddies(3) DeodorantToilet brushMedium size trash can
Mom’s Bedroom
(2) new pillows(1) full size mattress(1) full size boxspring(1) full size plastic zippered bed bug proof mattress protector- (1) full size washable mattress pad
(200) hangers(2) Hanging shoe racks- Small nightstand
- New underwear (size women’s medium)
- New socks (size women’s small)
Small trash canMirror- (1) Dresser
- Little table
Small bookshelf
Dad’s Bedroom
(2) new pillows(1) full size mattress(1) full size boxspring(1) full size plastic zippered bed bug proof mattress protector- (1) full size washable mattress pad
(1) Hanging shoe racks- (1) dresser
- (1) bookshelf
- Small nightstand
Small desk lamp(100) hangers- Small trash can
- New underwear (size: men’s small)
- New socks (size: men’s small)
Kids bedroom
(4) new pillowsBunkbed frame(2) twin mattresses(2) twin size plastic zippered plastic bed bug proof mattress protector *(must be “bed bug” proof)- (2) twin size washable mattress pad
- Toy chest
- Toys for 5 year old boy
- Sensory type books for 5 year old boy
- Toys for 10 year old boy
- Books for 10 year old boy
- Small trashcan
- Bookshelf/storage area for books and toys
- Storage bins for toys
- (2) dressers
- New underwear
- Size extra-small in boys
- Size large in boys
New socks for 5 year old boyNew socks for 10 year old boy
Hallway Closet
- Long, narrow rug to cover floor in hallway
(3) laundry baskets (heavy-duty)
Living Room
Couch (new or in good pre-owned condition)Computer chair- Computer/homework desk
- Computer
- (1) paper organizer (for bills)
(1) picture albumPicture frames- (2) bookshelves
- (2) Floor lamps
- TV
TV standEnd tableDVD player- Large shoe holder/shelf
Artwork/paintings for walls (all sizes, all styles)
Cleaning Supplies
- Bathroom cleaner
- Degreaser (Mr. Clean, non-ammonia)
- Bleach
Boxes of gloves (disposable and non-disposable)- Windex
- Vinegar
- Dawn dish soap
Toilet bowl cleanerCarpet cleaning solution- Magic erasers
- Light bulbs (60W to 100W and several 3-way bulbs)
Batteries (double AA, triple AAA)
Restoring Dignity Needs
- Truck(s) and trailer(s) to transport larger items to the family’s apartment on Saturday, January 21st, 2017 between 8:00am-10:00am.
Lunch for afternoon and all-day volunteers (pizza, sandwiches, etc.)Bottled water for volunteers (minimum of 90 bottles)
Drop-Off:
There are two ways to drop-off items: (1) At our new storage unit, or (2) on the day of the project at the family’s home. If you plan on dropping off donations at the family’s home, please contact us for their address, and plan on having all items dropped off between 10am-11am, the day of the project.
Store Unit Location:
The Restoring Dignity storage unit is located in the garages behind the Omar Baking Building (4383 Nicholas St. Omaha, NE, 68131–the storage unit is in a fenced-in lot on the corner of 45th and Izard street.
Map of Restoring Dignity Storage Unit
Drop-offs at the storage unit will be on the following dates and times:
Drop-off times:
Saturday, January 7th, 2017 12:00pm-2:00pm
Saturday, January 14th, 2017 12:00pm-3:00pm
**Please note that there will not be any pick-ups for this project. If you are bringing large items, you can drop them off at the location mentioned above, or you can bring them the day of the project.**
Volunteers Needed
Please sign-up to volunteer via our sign-up page.
- Pre-Shift: Saturday, January 14th, 2017 12:00pm-2:00pm: This shift involves getting donations ready for the project date. At the Restoring Dignity Storage Unit.
- Saturday, January 21st, 2017, at the family’s home:
- Transportation: 8am-10am: This shift involves loading items onto trucks at the storage unit, and unloading them at the family’s home. This requires the use of your vehicle and we prefer trucks and trailers, if possible. Please contact us to let us know if you can provide a truck and/or trailer for this project.
- Shift one: 10am-12pm : This shift is for people who want to help with cleaning, organizing clothes, steaming, carpet cleaning, & fixing items.
- Shift two: 12pm-2pm: This shift is for people who want to help with cleaning, organizing clothes, steaming, carpet cleaning, and building items.
- Shift three: 2pm-4pm: This shift is for those who can help move furniture into the apartment, build, & decorate.
- Shift four: 4pm-6pm: This shift is for those who would like to help decorate, arrange furniture, hang pictures, and help take items back to the storage unit.
- Half Day: 10am-2pm: This shift is for someone who would like to have a Restoring Dignity immersion and/or be a project leader.
- Half Day: 2pm-6pm: This shift is for someone who would like to have a Restoring Dignity immersion and/or be a project leader.
- Full Day: 10am-6pm: This shift is for someone who is looking for a full-immersion with Restoring Dignity and/or wants to be a project leader.
- Handyperson shifts: This shift is for a person who is skilled with tools, can help fix broken items in the home, can assemble beds and other furniture, and can hang pictures.
- Photographer shift: This shift is for someone who can bring their own professional camera and can take pictures throughout the course of the day. Pictures will be uploaded to the Restoring Dignity dropbox folder.
- Video creator: This shift is for someone who can create a high-quality Restoring Dignity “Before and After” video. Will meet with Hannah during the week after the project.
Sign up for shifts can be found at the Restoring Dignity Sign-Up Page.
How to Get Involved:
- Donate items:
We could not do these projects without our donors! They are the heart of these projects! Please let us know what you can donate, and we will take the items off of the list above. If someone would like to “adopt” a member of this family or a room in the apartment, by fulfilling the donations needed for that area, let us know. Otherwise, if you have any items in your house that you no longer need or use, please consider donating them to these projects. Your donations truly do make a direct impact on families in need. To donate items to this family, visit our donation sign up page.
- Donate gift cards
On the day of our projects, we often run low on basic cleaning supplies, hardware for hanging curtains, light bulbs, paper towels, toilet paper, and plastic bed wraps to keep down bed bug populations, among other items. Gift cards to major home stores or hardware stores (Target, Walmart, Lowes, Home Depot, etc) are greatly appreciated and help to bridge the supply gap on project days. Contact Hannah (restoringdignity@live.com) or (402) 305-8139, if you are interested in donating a gift card. If you would like to mail a gift card, please address it to: Restoring Dignity c/o Hannah Wyble, 3505 Hawthorne Avenue, Omaha, NE, 68131.
- Volunteer:
For this project, we need a minimum of 60 volunteers spaced out over the course of the day. Our volunteers will clean, organize, build beds and decorate. The more volunteers, the faster we can accomplish our goal. We would love to have you join our team! Please visit our Restoring Dignity Sign-Up Page to add yourself to one of our two hour shifts. If you would like to help for a half or full-day, that option is also available.
- Mentor a refugee family
Did you know that hundreds of refugee families are resettled in Omaha every year? If each of them had an American family who could provide mentorship for at least one year, many of the issues that Restoring Dignity steps in to help with could be avoided. If you are interested in mentoring a refugee family (including this one!), contact Refugee Empowerment Center (formerly Southern Sudan Community Association), as they have a mentoring program that is in need of many American volunteers: http://sscaomaha.info/volunteer-opportunities/.
- Spread the word:
Tell your friends and family about this project! They might have an extra lamp or a dresser that is no longer in use. Re-post this blog on your Facebook page, or email it to people you know. The more people that know about these projects, the more donations and volunteers.
Follow us on Facebook:
Restoring Dignity has a Facebook Group that is regularly updated. Please join our group: Restoring Dignity Omaha Facebook Group.
Contact us:
Hannah Wyble
Restoring Dignity
Call or text:
402-305-8139
- Email: RestoringDignity@live.com