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| Turquoise in Copper |
Johnna is a wire artist. She reports she learned her skills from Daryl Thompson in Atlanta, Georgia. As an artist, Johnna loves to experiment with various types of metals and loves learning about gemstones and minerals. She has been "wrapping" since 2010. Some of her unique gem work can be seen HERE or by clicking the image at the right. Her selection of gemstones is exquisite and her metallic wrapping provides the perfect setting without any distraction away from the natural beauty of each stone.
Crisis in America
That, however, is not the main reason today for Johnna being featured on Awakenings. When I was first introduced to Johnna's blog by Mary Helen Ferris, a sad image and unusual icon caught my eye: A4TH. Being naturally curious, I had to click the image which immediately brought to my attention the focus on an awareness of homelessness in America.
Art4TheHomeless
Johnna is the founder of A4TH: Art4TheHomeless, a Georgia-based nonprofit organization that solicits artists of all types to donate portions of their income to help solve the problem of homelessness in America.
Imagine... a movement
inspired by the arts to open the eyes of Americans to the plight of
their own people. Imagine, through art, music and poetry, we are shining
a much needed light on our own crisis: HOMELESSNESS.
Visit Art4TheHomeless Mission, Vision & Goals
Latest information from the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development:
633,782 people are homeless in America on any given night. That is an astounding figure and a frightening concept. There are varying contributors to a person being homeless. Not every homeless person is an annoying pushy panhandler after cash. Nor is every homeless person a drug dealer or a person looking for sex and drugs.Hurricane Sandy
A prime example of unexpected homelessness was recently encountered as a result of Hurricane Sandy. There was an estimated 30,000 - 40,000 people left homeless. Whether these may be classified as temporary or chronic homeless persons, they still felt the brunt of homelessness but not hopelessness.Did you know...
- the average age of a homeless victim is 9 years old
- the most common causes of chronic homelessness are poverty or domestic violence
- more than one million veterans are at risk of becoming homeless
- one in seven homeless people previously served in the military (Dec 2011)
- many persons are just one serious illness or job loss away from becoming homeless
Founder of Art4TH
I, along with several supporters, started the nonprofit organization
called Art4TheHomeless. The nonprofit
is my dream of opening up an art gallery that will host several events
to raise funds for different homeless relief organizations throughout
the US. I am a survivor of homelessness—have been homeless on and off
since I was nine years old.
Inexpensive ways to help...
Like us on Facebook and share our posts occasionally
Follow us on Twitter and use the hashtags #homeless, #homelessness, #art4thehomeless
Discover your local shelters and help.
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I think that is a great thing for her to do.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Alastair. If we can just help her get the word out, it would be great! I know you retweet a lot for me so if you see one come across, the RT would be greatly appreciated.
DeleteThe great thing is not so much the A4TH people - they are expressing the beauty of their own souls. The great thing is that single act that any person who is moved by Sharla's reportage here undertakes before he or she fades back into self-satisfied denial.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful cause to support the homeless !
ReplyDeletea very important and wonderful cause to support. Everyday it gets worse in a country where love and sharing should abound easily! Very nice share Sharla! God bless!
ReplyDelete