Pink Slipper Project Update

Elizabeth Newell, Program Advocacy Director  

Elizabeth Newell, our Program Advocacy Director, has just delivered 300 pairs of slippers via the Pink Slipper Project coming through for our women and children living in women's shelters.  Newell organized the facilitation and delivery on her own with the important help of Joyce Lucas, founder of The Pink Slipper Project, and her valuable supporters.  Women from all over the United States have come together to crochet, knit or hand sew these adorable pieces of footwear to warm hearts and toes.

Newell scheduled her deliver to the Quad City Family Resources Services yesterday and the slippers will be distributed among shelters in Iowa and Illinois.  With 300 more on the way via Pink Slipper Project challenges, Newell will give the Quad Cities the opportunity to supply the women and children with slippers for one year to all residents.  Big high five to Elizabeth Newell, Joyce Lucas and the Pink Slipper Project ladies!

A display of slippers organized and photographed by Elizabeth Newell.

Fuzzy slippers by The Pink Slipper Project.  

Earthtone slippers by The Pink Slipper Project.

Children's slippers by The Pink Slipper Project.  

Uber cool "Converse" style slippers!

Children's slippers hand-made by The Pink Slipper Project.

More slippers delivered by Elizabeth Newell.

Thank You Letter to Pink Slipper Project

Below you will find a copy of the formal thank you letter I sent to Joyce Lucas, founder of the Pink Slipper Project, and all the ladies involved in our most recent donation.

This Week's Feature: The Pink Slipper Project has Helped Us Filter Donations!

Sewn slippers made from various girly fabrics.

Please forgive my terrible photography skills as these photos do not do justice to the exquisite beauty of each of these pieces.  I tried to document inventory along the way, but please visit the Pink Slipper Project website for better renditions.  The Pink Slipper Project has really come through for our organization and the women and children living in our local domestic violence shelters here in Arkansas.  I wrote an article on the Pink Slipper Project back on January 28, 2011 and fell in love with the idea of what they were doing.  Here is their objective:

"Each year, hundreds of thousands of women and children are forced to leave their homes and seek safety and healing in shelters across the country. Through participation with the Pink Slipper Project, we can make a difference in the lives of a few of those women and children, and remind them that their someone, somewhere, is thinking of them."

These slippers were made from yarn and resembled a "zebra-like" print.  Love the color combos here.

How do they do that?  This is their mission: 

"The Pink Slipper Project is an endeavor to warm the hearts and the toes of women and children living in shelters. Our goal is to provide hand-made slippers to as many women and children that we possibly can, adding new challenges throughout the year.  As time and donations allow, we will open our arms wide to as many women’s and children’s shelters that we can provide for.

They even crochet/knit teddy bears and baby dolls!

Not only will a pair of handmade slippers help keep the recipients warm, when some have had to leave their home suddenly without any belongings, but will also be a daily reminder that someone cared enough about them to make something special just for them. A simple kindness goes a long way in the healing process."

All infant sizes here by the same designer in the same fabric.

After some collaboration between Joyce Lucas, the founder, Rachel Terrill, her assistant and I, Lucas offered the loving gift of providing wonderful hand-made slippers to our three local shelters we are focusing on here at The Compassion Fashion Project:

Hope Cottage located in Searcy, Arkansas

Little pom pom slippers and a "fairy" pair...cute, cute, cute!

Women's Shelter of Central Arkansas located in Conway, Arkansas

My friend, Jacquline call these the "Fraggle" slippers.  I love the colors and the fuzzies.

Dorcas House located in Little Rock, Arkansas

Flowers featured on the toes, ballet slipper style, and another adorable pom pom pair...teddy, too!

Earth tones featured here with my
Manolo Blahnik print on canvas...ohh la la.

I am not sure what I was expecting, but I was absolutely thrown for a loop when they announced on their website that they would be creating over 1000 slippers for our domestic violence shelters!  My husband and I just finished our deliveries this past week and I must say, it has been one of the proudest moments in my life.  The slippers are such a sweet gift, but the fact that thousands of women across the United States have given their time to crochet, knit, or hand sew the footwear is priceless.

Can we put a price tag on this?  It has been something that I have pondered.  My thought is that if each design is worth just $10.00 each, then we have raised over $10,000 worth of products with the help of The Pink Slipper Project!  Now, I am being modest on that total, because if you could see these slippers in person, they are gorgeous!  I am a retail person and when I look at these designs carefully made and thought out the way that they are, I am sure it is a larger price tag.  

Many teddy/slipper combos!

Some women sew little pom poms on the toes.  Some designs are tailored at the ankle with these little pieces of "fluff"...I am not sure what to call it, but my friend Jacqueline said they look like Fraggles!  Adorable!  Some pieces have fabulous color combinations and some are only one color.  A few of my favorites looked like fairy shoes.  I love the ones that are well thought out and look like something you would find in a high end baby boutique, too.  They have come in every size imaginable from infant on up.  These ladies mean to please and have made it their business to show it in every way.

This donation that the Pink Slipper Project has filtered through The Compassion Fashion Project has solidified our relationships with our wonderful shelters and given us a jump start to a very successful year.  Elizabeth Newell, our social media administrator, has moved into the position of Quad City Area Director and has already secured over 500 pairs of slippers for the shelters she is working with through the Pink Slipper Project.  I am really looking forward to the future of The Compassion Fashion Project and an ongoing relationship with Joyce Lucas and all the great women of the Pink Slipper Project.

Please visit the Pink Slipper Project for how you can participate in this wonderful project...and better photos.

This Week's Challenge: Vote for Designer Terry Grahl Who Lives By the Philosophy "She" is Me

Photo By: Mitch Ranger

Have any of you watched the new T.V. show Secret Millionaire?  I love that show!  The premise of the show is that a "secret millionaire" gets the opportunity to be involved as a "volunteer" unknowingly to the non-profit that they are working with.  At the end of their time with each non-profit, they have to reveal who they really are and donate thousands of dollars to each organization...all of which need the funds.  If you are anything like me, you have probably thought to yourself, "Oh man, if I had the cash to do that it would be so awesome!  I would want to donate that money to "this" or "that" organization."  Well, it just so happens that one of my "this" or "that" organizations is currently in a contest in the beauty and fashion based magazine, MORE.  The name of the contest is called MORE Magazine 2011 Beauty Search Contest.  Sponsored by Olay and Cover Girl and partnered with The Talk, this contest is not your average beauty contest...this is the "real deal"...beauty that radiates from the inside.  We all have a chance to help Terry Grahl from Enchanted Makeovers win $10,000 and play like we are her "secret millionaire."

Photo By: Britni Wilson, Owner of Inspire Somebody LLC

So, who is Terry Grahl and what is Enchanted Makeovers?  Enchanted Makeovers transforms physical shelter spaces into whimsical cottage retreat centers for women and children, because they believe every single one of us is worthy. They go to shelters to nurture the human connection, to transform the shelter into places where women and children can thrive, where dreams and hope can live.  A common thread connects us all, and together, through the gift of time, donations, and love Enchanted Makeovers can create a culture of hope and worthiness.  They believe that ''words'' segregate human beings (those women, the needy, the poor people.)  Everyone is "needy". None of us have been without burden or struggle.  They also believe the makeovers are just as important as the shelters programs. No woman or child who is now on a new journey to restore their lives should have to sleep in a room that reflects their feelings of despair and unworthiness.  

Photo By: Britni Wilson of Inspire Somebody LLC

The brain child and Founder of Enchanted Makeovers is Terry Grahl who started out her professional career as an interior designer.  Her career was in full speed ahead when as Terry puts it, “A polka-dotted pillow changed my life and my journey.”  You see, in December 2006, Terry received a call from a gentleman asking for help. Terry was an award winning interior decorator, and he was the black tie event coordinator of a local shelter. He said, "we would be so grateful even if you just painted one wall." Her first reaction was fear. She was fearful of going. She really didn't know what to expect. She had never been to a shelter. She decided to make the visit and, as with all of the consultations she conducted with her private clients in her decorating business, she took photos to assist with any necessary planning and visualization. That is, if she would actually accept the volunteer job. She still wasn't sure, and was leaning towards a "probably not".  After her trip to the shelter she had this lingering feeling of despair knowing the living conditions of the women and children.

"THE" Photo By: Terry Grahl

Terry thought, "The pictures, the pictures — I must look at these pictures." As she downloaded them to her computer, there it was, THE picture. There amongst black metal posts, a stained mattress and an unfinished sheet rock wall was an answer.  There amongst the harshness was something dear to her heart: a polka dot, a safe pattern that has no sharp edges. There on that seemingly ordinary pillow was an answer. It was an answer from within her but not directly from her. From that moment, she knew she was prepared to do whatever she could to bring hope to those women and children.  And from that vision Enchanted Makeovers was born.

Photo By: Britni Wilson of Inspire Somebody LLC

Not only does Grahl spearhead Enchanted Makeovers, but she is connected with countless other volunteer programs for women's shelters including The Doll Adoption Program, Capes for Kids, and a non-profit that The Compassion Fashion Project knows quite well, the Pink Slipper Project.  Grahl is not just on a mission to decorate, but is trying to inspire hope by also working one on one with residents of the shelters she works with by baking with them, providing sewing classes, and heading up art projects for the kids just to name a few.

Photo By: Britni Wilson of Inspire Somebody LLC

Photo By: Britni Wilson of Inspire Somebody LLC

I contacted Terry Grahl about being featured here on The CFP and she replied "EM would be honored to be featured on your site.  Thank you thank you for the votes and promoting the more contest. This would be huge for the organization to win this. "

But whether EM is working on a makeover, a retreat weekend, or an event, it always involves continuous outreach to raise awareness of the plight of women and children in shelters. Let's tear down the walls and build bridges. Grahl believes it's very important to think and behave in a loving way to ALL people to see ourselves in everyone.  We should all adopt the philosophy of Terry Grahl and that is "She" is ME."

(Click below to go vote now)

VOTE FOR TERRY GRAHL NOW!

Register an account with more.com and you can vote for Grahl once a day until voting ends on April 25th.  It only takes a couple minutes to register and make your votes count.  Personally, I do not logout of my account, so that as soon as I click on the link I can quickly vote without having to login every time.  Make your voice heard by all the residents living in women's shelters.  Let's show everyone what The Compassion Fashion Project can do!

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. --Mahatma Gandhi

This Week's Challenge: Warm Hearts and Toes Through The Pink Slipper Project

Download this FREE pattern here!

When I came across The Pink Slipper Project, I was in awe of their compassion for women and children living in shelters across the country.  They are a strong, united group of women across the nation providing darling hand-made slippers to those whom have been affected by domestic violence and now find themselves living in a shelter.

Joyce Lucas, the founder of The Pink Slipper Project, states on her website her reasons for starting the project, "Each year, domestic abuse forces hundreds of thousands of women and children to leave their homes and seek safety and healing in shelters across the United States. While shelters can fill basic needs and provide counseling services, often the most difficult challenges faced by those who use them are recognizing their own worth and feeling accepted by society."

Download this FREE pattern here!

Joyce could not be more on target with that statement.  Furthermore, knowing that someone took the time to actually hand craft something for you is an amazing feeling within itself not to mention the practicality of having a cozy pair of slippers to warm yours or your little ones toes.

Joyce goes on to share what happened in the beginnings of The Pink Slipper Project, "Within hours of making the first slipper pattern available on the Pink Slipper blog in August 2009, women from all over the US had downloaded it and wanted to take part. Some stitched slippers, some knit or crocheted slippers and others donated fabrics and supplies. The one common thread was they all wanted to help make someone's life a little better."

Seen here are ideas for your own creative designs.

Now you, too, can download this simple pattern and take part in this wonderful project created by Joyce and thriving because of people like you who take the time to care so much about someone else.  Free Slipper Patterns Available Here!

When I contacted Joyce Lucas about the Pink Slipper Project she responded right away and said, "Thank you so much for reaching out to us. I've had just a few minutes to read your blog and it's amazing what you're doing! Before I forget in my own excitement, let me ask you a question. Can we send you slippers for Hope Cottage?"

I know I keep saying this and I will probably continue to say this...we can all do something!  All I did was send an email and now The Compassion Fashion Project is going to be able to deliver these fabulous gifts to women and children who need them and need to know that someone out there cares about them.


Lucas hopes for continued growth and support. She states, "As long as we're able and as long as we have loving and giving participants, we'll continue to grow this wonderful program. A project that unites women all over the nation for the good of others has to be a success. There's no other possible outcome."

Here are a few things YOU can do:

• Pledge to make slippers using one of their patterns or one of your own.
• Get your sewing and quilting groups involved.
• Donate materials - fleece and flannel fabrics, cotton batting, slipper gripper, thread, scissors, pink tissue paper, yarns, postage etc.
• Add the widget found here on their site or ours (right side of page). It's easy and helps spread the word.
• Tell everyone that you know about the Pink Slipper project.
• "Like" The Pink Slipper Project's Facebook Page.

All donations can be sent to:

Joyce Lucas
c/o The Pink Slipper Project
111 Huntington Road
Colonial Heights, VA 23834




To view more shoe designs visit The Official Pink Slipper Project Website!