The Love Letter We Didn't See Coming

I had a whole different plan for you this week.

I was going to sit you down and tell you every amazing thing that happened at THEE HBCU Bingo Xperience, our annual fundraiser, last Saturday. The draft was written! And ready to go until...

I read through this month's scholars care package form, where they have to share good news or things they were excited about.
Buried in this section, was an unexpected treat that brought tears to my eyes and validation to my heart.

So I'll just have to share HBCU Bingo with you next week.

But wait.

If you are new here... welcome to the Mafia Miracle Report. Every week I share what is happening inside Move-In Day Mafia, a nonprofit that supports HBCU students who have aged out of foster/kinship care, are unhoused, or are navigating the demands of college on their own. We deck out dorm rooms and deliver monthly care packages. I'm TeeJ, the founder and I'm glad you're here.

And since 2022, we have moved in 109 Scholars at 28 HBCUs!

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​She Used to Sleep Behind an AutoZone.

There was a season of M.N.'s life when she did not have a bed to sleep in.

Not a couch. Not a floor at a friend's house.

The best she could do was find safety behind an AutoZone.

I need you to sit with that.

And although it wasn't a straight path, she still made it to college. And not just make it...

She went on to graduate number four in her class!

Unless she goes on to grad school at an HBCU, this will be her last official care package from Move-In Day Mafia. We continue support for 3 months post graduation.

On this care package form, M.N. shared her heart.

These are her unedited words.

"I was recently able to purchase a vehicle, I’m not sure if I said that in my last care package form but I’m still very excited about it. I’ve been wanting a car for a very long time and the sense of independence that comes with it. I’m so grateful that I was able to purchase it and to do it on my own. I’m very proud of this accomplishment. I’m very grateful for my family at move in day mafia, I don’t take lightly the words of encouragement and sense of safety I feel with you all. I greatly appreciate just knowing that you all are there for me. In my eyes it’s about way more than the monetary value you all bring, it’s the emotional and mental support that help me to get through the hard feelings and bad times.

To Ms.Niqua, I would like to specifically thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your support and your willingness to help me. No matter how bad things get or the time of day, you’ve always taken out the time to speak with me and speak life into me. There have been plenty of instances where I didn’t know what to do or where to go or what to look for to get out of certain situations and through your love, support, and advice, I was able to figure it out. I pray for you often, I pray that all of the good you’ve poured into me comes back to you 10 fold, that one day I’m able to pour back into you and into move in day mafia. From the moment you became my mentor, you’ve never left my side, and that’s a debt I can never repay, but I’ll spend the rest of my life trying. I hope to make you very proud in the future.

To Auntie TeeJ, initially when trying to enroll in this program, I didn’t know how big of an effect it would have on not only my college career but also on my life and my perspective of people. I always had people who would say they care and then leave me to fend for myself, I always had people who would say they love me, then hurt me, I had people who were supposed to be my safe space, but I never felt at ease. I’m blessed to say that with you and this company, I feel loved, supported, cared for, and safe. You are such an amazing person and this work that you’re doing means more than you can even imagine. I’m happy to know that people who have been in my position, that have experienced things similar to what I have, will never be alone again, and they’ll have the chance to succeed and know that they deserve it. I truly view you all as my family and I can’t say it enough, thank you, thank you, thank you for believing in me and believing in this mission to further the education and support of people like me. I hope to make you very very proud one day.

My last care package form🫶🏾 much love from your favorite niece."

Did her words hit you as hard as they hit me?

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​H.U.G.S.

Hope + Understanding + Generosity = Stability.

That was the guiding principle I knew I needed to build Mafia around. I did not know how I was going to build it. I did not know who would show up. I did not have a roadmap.

But I knew that if we could pour those four things into a scholar consistently, something would shift. Something would stabilize. And stability changes everything for a young person who has never had it.

Our students have slept in basements with boxes, never knowing when the rug would be yanked out from under them.

So if you are here reading this, then there's a pretty good chance that M.N. is thanking YOU!

Every time you bought toothpaste. Every time you bought deodorant. Every time you bought detergent every time you helped us pay for a flight to an internship. Every time you contributed to a temporary Airbnb to keep them safe.

You were providing H.U.G.S.! And I thank you.

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​ADOPT A SCHOLAR WEEK

The key way we provide H.U.G.S. happens from the 14th - 21st of every month through Amazon wishlists.

With items to fit various budgets, just head over to MoveInDayMafia.org/AdoptAScholar

One thing though...we are in what we call Summer Survival Season. Our students are often in between places, which means Amazon deliveries are not predictable for them. So instead of items off a wishlist, for some scholars, we send them $25 Visa gift cards so they can get what they need, wherever they are.

We need all items purchased by the 21st.

​MoveInDayMafia.org/AdoptAScholar

Hug yourself for me and I'll see you next week to tell you all about HBCU BINGO! 💜

P. S. Can you share this blog with someone who appreciates our work and want to shop for a scholar too?