Author: juantetcts

juantetcts https://juantetcts.wordpress.com I USED to be VERY normal! Dave Ramseys's definition of normal is OBESE, and BROKE! To be honest, I was both, and had no idea I was either! I'm a slow learner, but once I finally "get it", I do something about it! I'm definitely a person of ACTION (although the hardest part for me is actually getting started!). Once I was told I was obese, I started my weight loss journey on Weight Watchers! It took me 2.5 years to reach my Lifetime weight, after making four attempts! It was NOT easy, but was definitely worth it! This time, for the first time, I realized I was a FOOD ADDICT! That realization was the key to success for me. It was suggested that other types of addicts attend meetings for the rest of their lives, that support group to help them stay focused! I finally figured out I needed to do the same! Food was no different! I needed someone that understood when I said I thought about food ALL DAY. Fast forward a few years later to serious medical challenges with a family member, and the realization that I was also broke! Nope, I again had NO idea! (I thought the number of credit cards in my wallet determined my worth!). Someone had to point it out to me, just like with my weight. I answered the call to action by taking Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University! My Supervisor gave me the book, The Total Money Makeover, when I was discussing the financial challenges I knew would come along with the serious medical problems! I didn't read the book immediately, but started listening to The Dave Ramsey Show every evening! This is where I found the thing I needed most, HOPE! In fact, I received so much hope that 7 years later I am debt free except my home, and my son just graduated from college DEBT FREE! The purpose of my blog is to give HOPE where there is none! When I was going through the struggle to lose the over 70 pounds shed (still at my lifetime weight 9 years later!), AND to become debt free, it would have helped to have more encouragement from others with the same challenges! My financial weight and weight loss journey had the same key ingredient for success, a support group for accountability. It recently occurred to me that others could use the same support I needed, while I was sacrificing to reach my goals! The journey will still be hard, but the support from others that understand, makes so much difference! I want to support and INSPIRE others to find the same HOPE and courage to change, as I have foound.ly

Red Bag Campaign!

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Dsquared Homes For The Homeless unintentionally ignited a campaign for the homeless community. It all started with one bag ordered as a thank you for our secretary who lives in Texas. I initially ordered the keychain light for my first few supporters which unfortunately was considered a “package” by the post office and costs a ridiculous $3.74 to mail!!! That fact required a Plan B because I’d ordered 50! It’s redonkulous that I saved more money by ordering and shipping a specialty item, but it paid off in the end by creating quality relationships.  After posting a photo of the bag online, another board member thought it would be a great idea to request donations for the bags and deliver to the homeless. Given she didn’t have a car, my mind immediately translated that as more work for me and I initially said no. I had proudly decluttered my entire home and wasn’t about to backslide! Thankfully a strength is my ability to say no without guilt. I’ve learned YOUR idea shouldn’t be detrimental to MY peace.

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However, God worked on my heart as time went by, and supplied the answer while I was over in left field minding my business. IF the bags are no cost for us, possible now that we are tax exempt,  and we only request donations when we have bags, there’s less risk of reaching hoarder status. I split the cost with a friend, thinking not only is a worthy cause but it might also provide much-needed exposure as a new nonprofit. Unexpectedly, ALL twenty bags were gone within the first week! Supporters picked up bags to fill and return, others met me all over the planet with their donations. Marlene, the first to respond, filled her bag the same night and returned it the next day with an order of an additional eight for friends that saw her Facebook post. She also volunteered to run what I’ve dubbed the Bag Detail so that the program could continue. Apparently, it was meant to be!

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The last three days have been overwhelming with gifts and today was my third donation by a teenager!! I wasn’t expecting mini-me’s to be interested in making a difference in the lives of the less fortunate, based on today’s trend in society. All ages appear to be obsessed with either self or social media and relationships have diminished to text messages. Quality time now seems old school, even in families, and this trend is killing future generations. What we don’t discuss, like mental health issues (depression has become an epidemic and a silent killer) and even what healthy relationships look like, sends the uninformed online for answers. Social media a cesspool for the REAL fake news, and sadly, a comparison trip!

 

 

It’s an unexpected honor to spark change in an unexpected way. Not only in the lives of the mental health/homeless community but the younger generation who are desperately in need of role models! A thirteen-year-old donated today, and a fifteen-year-old created and manages our D-squared Pinterest account. Based on mom feedback, I’m creating a summer volunteer program for students! It’s a beautiful thing!

Dsquared4homeless.org Go Live Day!

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I’m extremely excited to see my vision come to life in two short months! Dsquared Homes for the Homeless was inspired by my son’s current situation, homeless with mental health challenges. I’ve heard comments that I can’t change the system, but those people are missing my intent. My mission is not to change a system as challenged as the clients they serve, it’s to make a difference in the lives that I can.  My idea is to assist the SMI individual in their goal to remain self-sufficient who, like my son, are already contributing to society. I’ve started over a few times as a result of a job loss, and divorce but was able to regain independence with support. Bypassing homelessness completely is better for the economy, and a state of mind.

A criticism received is that I won’t receive the funding required to make this happen. It might be true, if I were petitioning the government. A Veteran myself, it would be redonkulous to expect help from that arena when those who’ve fought for our country aren’t prioritized. My support will come from families impacted by mental health, who are as frustrated with the lack of resources as I am. 1 in 4 adults are emotionally fractured, and emotional challenges are more of a drain on the economy than major health challenges like cancer or diabetes. More families are involved in the dysfunctional relationship I’ve been in for 11 years when my son was first diagnosed with Paranoid Schizophrenia. Those families are my people. Evidence they exist is from the support received so far. My nonprofit was made possible via my Gofundme page in two months. I had the vision, but not the finances. Being an FPU graduate (and Coordinator), I will never go into debt for anything again. Dave Ramsey cured my tendency to make decisions based on emotions.

My team is strong with Grant Writers and other family members willing to share their skills to provoke change in the lives of forgotten voices. Yesterday a Real Estate Agency and Loan Officer also joined my team. It might take a minute, but we are heading in the right direction and there’s HOPE! Please support our cause and share our mission. Dsquared4homeless.org 

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