Volunteer Service Fair at Union Temple in Brooklyn, NY

The first weekend of February, Sue Rock Originals Everyone, Inc. was invited to participate in a Volunteer Service Fair held at the Union Temple on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn. As you can see from the pictures - it was GREAT !

This crafts table was set up by Materials for the Arts for the enjoyment of children (of all ages!)

We were set up next to Dress for Success and set up a table with info sheets and a display of just the type of thing Sue Rock Originals Everyone, Inc. makes with reclaimed fabrics. All of the fabric in our display would have been discarded by the fashion industry or individuals! AMAZING!

The event had over 100 nonprofits from all sectors and had over 500 attendees! Brooklyn for Barack were the hosts of this event and it was really successful~

We made some fantastic new contacts. People signed up to knit and crochet for us and in addition volunteer videographers and fashion industry experts were hot to hear what was next for SROE!

Participating in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

- there's just something about President Obama that......well, when he says jump......you kind of want to go "How High!" - That was the case when the Brooklyn for Barack crew asked SROE to participate in their participation in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Presidential Call to Service. Organizations all across the United States were requested to work with volunteers in a variety of ways helping to give back to their communities.

For over three years, SROE has received bolts of fabric from interior design companies, cases sample prints from fashion houses and bags of vintage textiles from beloved aunts and grandmothers. These items have grown to fill a 10 x 10 storage unit, which has been maintained out of pocket by its directors for two years running. We REALLY needed the help.

And Help Came.

20 volunteers came throughout the MLK Jr. Weekend to fold, carry, organize tie and re pack our storage area!

Participating in the President's Call to Service AOOOO!!!!

WHOOOOO HOOOOOO What an amazing time! the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats and Brooklyn for Obama invited Sue Rock Originals Everyone to participate in the President's Call to Service for Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the weekend before.

This was an amazing event for all of us. Babafemi and I were amped, as we were looking forward to getting into the storage to prepare for the coming Spring. Having made a clear decision to have Sue Rock Originals be the fundraising wing of the not for profit, we understood that were were quickly becoming late late late for any prospective purchases from Brooklyn boutiques (who buy closer to the season they are in, by the way, choosing to hold on to their duckets until they see which way the wind is blowing).

Even though there was much accomplished last year, true to form, THIS year brought more fabrics and other items which had (like the others) been MASHED into our storage until "some later date"

Well that date was this weekend. We received over 20 volunteers in two days who chatted, folded, laughed, oohed, aahed, cried and then began folding again, as we worked the cold snowy days away!

Interview on WKTU 103.5 FM - Sunday, Jan. 18 7:00AM

Brooklyn based Domestic Violence NonProfit -
Upcoming interview on WKTU with Cindy Vero of KTU CARES

New York, New York, January 11, 2009:

As the only craft charity for survivors of Domestic Violence - Sue Rock Originals Everyone, Inc. will be featured on January 18, 2009 on the Sunday morning show KTU Cares hosted by Cindy Vero.

Drive time radio personality Cindy Vero is the cohost of the WKTU Show Mornings with Cubby and Cindy. WKTU, located at 103.5 is known as the Beat of New York. Regarding Sue Rock, Ms. Vero states “Brace yourselves for somebody spectacular! Sue Rock is a force to be reckoned with!! Sue Rock is electric and full of personality! What an inspiration to women everywhere.”

http://mornings.ktu.com/pages/cindy.html

Airtime is Sunday, January 18th, 2009 7:00AM, on WKTU 103.5FM

About Sue Rock Originals Everyone, Inc.

When the eco-fashion company Sue Rock Originals came into a surplus of donated yarns, their first thought was, “How can we use these materials to give back to our community?” Research made it evident that there were no craft charities for women. Sue Rock Originals Everyone, Inc. (SROE) was created to fill this void. The “Everyone” addition to the company name is for women who are survivors of domestic violence living in temporary residences throughout the city. It is also a representation of the volunteers. Everyone who uses the surplus materials to create clothing and accessories for these women, supporting them as they leave the cycle of violence and start a new life. All items are presented twice a year (May – Mother’s Day and October – Domestic Violence Awareness Month) to residences based in New York. In four short years, over 1,000 items (in addition to ceramics, books and window treatments) have been presented to Safe Horizons, Sanctuary for Families and Fortune Academy.

The organization has developed a unique funding resource – Sue Rock Originals. Sue Rock Originals is the eco-fashion brand of women’s separates. Appealing to every size from 2 to 22, their tailored selections are made from 100% reclaimed fabrics. Their line is currently carried at Flirt-Brooklyn and Eidolon both located in Brooklyn’s Park Slope.

Contact: Sue Rock 347-365-8747

Beautiful Donations from Caron Yarns, Louet Yarns and a wonderful individuals

Most unusual was how all the yarns complement each other beautifully - even though the donors sent them all at different times and did not know each other!

Louet Yarn Company, Caron Yarns and a wonderful elder from upper Manhattan

are the first to come on board

with yarn donations for 2009

THANK YOU!

Sue Rock Originals Everyone Volunteer Opportunities for 2009

As we all approach the upcoming inauguration and ensuing economic CRAZINESS - people are focused on how they can enjoy life and give back to their families and friends. Why not volunteer for Sue Rock Originals EVERYONE!

We are a fun-loving bunch of knitters, crocheters, tailors and lovers of textiles who make miracles happen in the lives of women committed to making a change in their lives.

Volunteer and Donation Opportunities for 2009:

Volunteers needed for January 17, 18 and 19 - STORAGE ORGANIZING

For over 3 years SROE has received donations from individuals, fashion houses and interior design firms. We would like to answer the President Elect's call for service, so on these three days we will be providing volunteer opportunities for able bodied individuals to help us to organize our storage. We are located in Brooklyn New York and will be working in a storage facility located on Flatbush Avenue in the downtown section of Brooklyn, near all transportation.
Volunteers will be needed to lift, carry, move and sort fabrics of all kinds as we prepare for this years developments.

Volunteers needed for ongoing Knitting, Crocheting and Sewing -

If you had to start over completely, what would YOU need? A bag, a wallet, pants, skirt, a warm coat..... the list goes on. If you have even beginning craft skills we could use YOUR nimble fingers to assist us in our effort to provide beautiful clothing to women in need.
All tools and materials are provided to volunteers and projects can be done at home at your convenience - to be dropped off on completion.

Donations needed of fabric, yarns and textile goods.

We are always willing to work with individuals who have NO idea what to do with fabrics, yarns and notions left by loving family members. Or maybe you have moved on to another field and have items that you no longer use. Sue Rock Originals Everyone, Inc. uses all donations towards the effort of our non-profit - whether for making clothes for women in need, training people in working in the textile arts or designing for our line Sue Rock Originals. It is all used towards a greater good!


and of course.......your cash donations are always appreciated!

As a 501(c)3 your donations are TAX-DEDUCTIBLE. In these tough times you want to make sure that your dollars are put to the best use possible. Sue Rock Originals Everyone, Inc. makes sure that every dollar we receive is put into the work of working with survivors of domestic violence.

Donations can be received via PayPal at suerockoriginals@yahoo.com
or by mail -

Sue Rock
Director
Sue Rock Originals Everyone, Inc.
50 East 18th Street A8
Brooklyn, NY 11226

MAKE DIFFERENCE IN 2009 WORK WITH SUE ROCK ORIGINALS EVERYONE, INC AND HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE DECIDED TO MAKE A HEALTHY CHANGE TO A LIFE FREE FROM VIOLENCE!

The Sue Rock Originals Story!

Sue and Jerome Rock are the designers behind Sue Rock Originals. Based in New York, Sue Rock Originals is the premier design studio for fashion forward hand crochet and hand knits. Sue Rock is a crocheter of over 20 years who has brought the standard of custom crochet work back to forefront of Fashion. No stranger to fair trade and green practices she is the first knitwear designer to develop a manufacturing arrangement with Rwanda Knits, a cooperative working with Rwandan refugees. She launched a line of organic llama knit and crochet apparel in Fall of 2008, working with handpicked design team of some of New York’s best knitters and crocheters.

Their tailored selections are made from 100% reclaimed fabrics. The fashion and interior design industries discard tons of fabric per year. Sue Rock Originals uses these fabrics to create beautiful tailored garments for women of all ages.

Sue Rock’s love of textiles and design doesn’t stop there........

Sue Rock Originals Everyone, Inc.(“SROE, Inc.”) is a not-for-profit corporation which brings together textile/fiber artists and raw materials to create clothing and accessories to survivors of domestic violence living in transitional housing.

SROE, Inc. requests donations of raw materials (fabric, yarn, tools) from individuals and businesses. Upon receipt of the donations, volunteers have the option of creating clothing, accessories or bedding for our organization. These items are presented to women living in transitional housing . Women are introduced to the volunteers and are allowed to “shop” for items as volunteers assist them in their “purchase”

In only three years, we have donated the following to Safe Horizon living facilities:

• 150 window treatments for residences (including drapes, cafe curtains and curtains)
• three cases of hand crocheted hats, scarves and handbags from the students at SUNY New Paltz
• 1200 children's and adult's books - establishing libraries at two facilities
• 50 pairs of earrings by an independent jewelry designer
• 50 shrugs
• 100 ponchos
• 17 sweaters
• 150 handknit/handcrocheted pocketbooks
• 2 cases of ceramic household goods.
  

We are currently able to provide direct training in textile arts to survivors of domestic violence living in transitional housing. We have the materials the equipment and the educators. Any information you would like regarding our work is available in the links below.

For more information, we can be reached at 347-365-8747 or suerockoriginals@yahoo.com

Obama elected president | 11:01 p.m.

Obama wins California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington, giving him 324 electoral votes to McCain's 124 (AP). He will be the 44th president of the United States.

After a tight battle against Republican Sen. John McCain, Obama has become the first African American president in the history of the United States.

Obama is set to address his supporters from Chicago's Grant Park.
Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware will be accompanying Obama to the White House as his vice president. Biden made his first unsuccessful bid for president in 1988, and again this year before dropping out. A six-term senator, Biden is the chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The Brooklyn District Attorney's Office comes on Board!!!

In the beginning of October, I had the unique pleasure of meeting Chief of Domestic Violence for the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office, Ms. Deirdre Biallo-Padin.

When she called, I was thrilled and hearing of her position, went immediately into our 10 minute "shpiel" on Sue Rock Originals Everyone, Inc. - how we started, how dynamic the organization has become and our upcoming events.......

Only to discover that she had seen our flyer, was an avid knitter and was interested in getting YARN!!!! (LOL). Well we got the particulars, both myself and my husband went to the DA's office to present a the yarn and meet Ms Padin. She had encouraged five of her staff to come on board also and work on items with us. She then gave us a tour of the recently created Family Justice Center. For the first time, women who are pursuing legal recourse for their domestic violence situation can get the assistance they may need regarding a variety of family issues ALL ON ONE FLOOR.

In 1990, when Charles J. Hynes took office as District Attorney of Kings County, he vowed to place a great emphasis on domestic violence. He had a vested interest in this issue - his mother was battered and he experienced the damage done to his own family first hand.

In November 2001, New York City residents voted to amend the City Charter to establish a permanent office that would comprehensively address issues of domestic violence. Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg appointed Yolanda B. Jimenez as the first commissioner to head the new office, which is one of only a few government offices in the United States focused solely on the issue of domestic violence.

The Family Justice Center has disposable phones, clothing for those in immediate need, Safe Horizon offices, offices for immigrants from Haiti, Russia and Eastern Europe, South East Asia and India and for the Hasidic community. There are legal services for immigrants and social service offices for those needing housing. And a wonderful children's playcare area.

The staff at the Family Justice Center was really enthusiastic about this type of organization. Working in the service industry for survivors of domestic violence can be quite stressful. To our surprise everyone looked forward to having this way of giving back that was creative and relaxing. They received a full box of yarn and knitting needles to create beautiful items for women who have made the first step towards change!

A powerful ending to DV Awareness Month at Women's Survival Space

The Center Against Domestic Violence is the umbrella organization to three domestic violence residences one of which is Women's Survival Space. On October 29, 2008, Sue Rock Originals Everyone, Inc. collected all of our donations and caravaned them over to Women's Survival Space for their annual commemoration for the residents of their facility. It was an amazing and powerful event (pics will be posted soon!). I want to take a moment to gratefully thank some wonderful men and women without whom this would not be possible. First I would like to thank my husband Babafemi who with amazing patience and overarching enthusiasm is the driver, IT tech, message taker, co-director and consoler throughout this whole process!! (and he can COOK too!) Next is the amazing Chief of Domestic Violence at the Family Justice Center located in the Brooklyn District Attorney's office, Ms. Deirdre Biallo-Padin. Not only is she a silversmith extraordinaire, but she encouraged FIVE of her staff to come on board to assist in creating beautiful items for the women of Women's Survival Space. Next there is Jenny Femia and her cousin Brandy Mui. These women are cable stitchers who can knit their butts off with beautiful cowls and shrugs - YEA YOU!!!. Ramona Kearns came back this year with a matching wrap and hat set that disappeared in seconds. I would be remiss if I did not mention my cousin Pat Sweeting - in a beautiful connection that was stimulated by conversations about our ancestors, my cousin created innumerable scarves that were warm and functional (and she wondered why she had begun knitting scarves a few weeks before!) . Dr. Mary Ann Clark brought in the West Coast flavor with wonderful scarves from Colorado. And with the generous donation of Sofia Negron, we were able to transport all these items to the residence on Wednesday night.

Beginning with a solemn poem read by one of the administrators, the women attending heard of a woman who "received flowers today, even though it was not my birthday, or mother's day". As the poem was read, the reader walked through the dining tables slowly recounting ever growing tales of abuse, which invariably ended with "and I received flowers today, even though it was not my birthday". With each slap which grew to a hit, each kick that grew to being thrown, the reader continued "but I received flowers today....". As she walked throughout the dining room, she got to the rear, where two assistants lifted a cloth revealing a coffin - at which point our reader stepped into the coffin and lying down, while sharing that she received flowers today, because today was the day of her funeral!

It was POWERFUL and there was not a dry eye!

She asked us all "Do YOU want to receive flowers today?"
We all responded - "NO!"

=====================================================

The evening was resplendent in Purple and White and the support and love directed through Director Hermine Bowens was felt throughout the evening. The event featured poetry, song, and children's performances. And wonderful wonderful food.

Finally, our organization spoke to the women present about our experience creating this event and about the women and men involved in this work. Then we began fitting and styling the women of the residence with the beautiful sweaters, ponchos

At final count we had
3 full sweaters
5 mesh shrugs
30 scarves
4 hat sets with scarves
3 hat sets with wraps/purses
5 hats
7 ponchos
2 baby blankets
2 cowls
1 vest

as well as over 200 assorted ceramics.

It was yet another amazing night. Wonderful for women and wonderful to see that hands, all hands can help to create change.

News 12 features Domestic Violence Non Profit Sue Rock Originals Everyone, Inc.!

This was one of the most exciting things I have ever experienced. When Cablevision's News 12 came to Flatbush Brooklyn and interviewed my self and my husband around our recent collection drive for survivors of domestic violence living at the Women's Survival Space residence. Mary Nguyen was FABulous - coming in with her own gear and scripting her piece for that evening's show. Long standing volunteer Ramona Kearns was wonderful, lending her able hands to set up the space.

The night before we set up our venue at the Brooklyn Public Library. The Flatbush Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library features classes in crochet by yours truly at their beautiful upstairs meeting room.

As we finished, I presented Mary with one of our Sue Rock Originals fall scarves - She was touched and encouraged us all in our work.....

Sue Rock Originals Everyone featured on News 12

If this is your first time here - WELCOME. Sue Rock Originals Everyone is the first ever craft charity completely committed to providing support to survivors of domestic violence. We transform donations of raw materials into clothing and accessories for survivors of domestic violence living in residences throughout New York.

Fabric and textiles are an amazing and life sustaining medium. Created in the earliest days of human civilization, textiles are a source of function, creativity and beauty. The crafting of textiles is an art practiced by the entire world and fortunately is regaining popularity in the US with the DIY movement.

We see using fabric as a means of healing a natural response for individuals, especially women, who have left everything they considered dear in order to save their lives and the lives of their children. Handcrafted items retain the care and detail of their creator and these pieces offer great care and support to women reaching out tenderly to a new life. Learning the textiles arts, whether knitting, crocheting, needlepoint or sewing reorients a person to personal accomplishment and pride. The beauty of the sheer variety of materials available is restorative and has been used in all settings to stimulate mental and emotional health.

Sue Rock Originals Everyone is a 501(c) 3 corporation and accepts donations of money, materials and time.

To make a donation,
By Credit Card: We accept donations via Paypal http://www.paypal.com/
Our account is suerockoriginals@yahoo.com

By Check:
please make checks out to :Sue Rock Originals Everyone, Inc.
Address:
Sue Rock, Executive Director
Sue Rock Originals Everyone, Inc.
50 East 18th Street A8
Brooklyn, NY 11226

To make a fabric, yarn or needlwork tools donation contact us at
suerockoriginals@yahoo.com
or
(347) 365-8747

Thank you so much for your support and please send us your email so that we can keep you aware of all the upcoming events for Sue Rock Originals Everyone.

Brooklyn based ECO-FASHION COMPANY creates CRAFT CHARITY FOR WOMEN IN NEED

Brooklyn based ECO-FASHION COMPANY
creates CRAFT CHARITY FOR WOMEN IN NEED -
upcoming Donation to domestic violence shelter

As the only craft charity for survivors of Domestic Violence - Sue Rock Originals Everyone, Inc. needs knit and crochet volunteers for their upcoming donation drive for Domestic Violence Awareness month. This organization is honored to be presenting volunteer created hand-crafted clothing and accessories to Women’s Survival Space, a Brooklyn based Domestic Violence residence.

When the eco-fashion company Sue Rock Originals came into a surplus of donated yarns, their first thought was, “How can we use these materials to give back to our community?” Research made it evident that there were no craft charities for women. Sue Rock Originals Everyone, Inc. (SROE) was created to fill this void. The “Everyone” addition to the company name is for women who are survivors of domestic violence living in temporary residences throughout the city. It is also a representation of the volunteers. Everyone who uses the surplus materials to create clothing and accessories for these women, supporting them as they leave the cycle of violence and start a new life. All items are presented twice a year (May – Mother’s Day and October – Domestic Violence Awareness Month) to residences based in New York. In four short years, over 1,000 items (in addition to ceramics, books and window treatments) have been presented to Safe Horizons, Sanctuary for Families and Fortune Academy.

Based in Brooklyn, New York, Sue Rock Originals is the eco-fashion brand of women’s separates. Appealing to every size from 2 to 22, their tailored selections are made from 100% reclaimed fabrics. Sue Rock Originals uses these fabrics to create skirts, dresses and handbags. No stranger to fair trade and green practices they are the first designers to develop a manufacturing arrangement with Rwanda Knits, a knitting cooperative working with Rwandan refugees and have launched a line of crochet accessories this Fall working with some of New York’s best craftspeople. Their line is currently carried at Flirt-Brooklyn and Eidolon both located in Brooklyn’s Park Slope.

For more details on the event or to find out how you can help. Contact: Sue Rock 347-365-8747

The NonProfit Experience

On the road to notprofitdom and what a ride it is. As a charity organization without the non-profit allowances, one can create a great deal of change and growth in the community.......but at a certain point the costs of gas, electricity, transportation and quite simply physical exertion can take their toll.

The Foundation Center is an amazing resource for people interested in walking this road. Their five locations (four field offices and the main office here in New York) include an extensive research library, workshops (both free and fee-based), a phenomenal online database and supportive staff. Non profit organizations have the responsibilities of fiscal accountability, fundraising, Project development, long range planning and board development.

PHEW!!! as a woman who has spent the last 20 years in the corporate sector as support staff it seemed overwhelming. However with diligent research and a supportive family, I have gained amazing resources.

VolunteerMatch provided a wonderful woman who has provided accounting support and insight for planning and grantwriting. Also, as a legal non-profit, I am registered with VolunteerNYC a New York based volunteer search site where groups can post their volunteering opportunities.

This is becoming an amazing journey - receipt of the 501(c)3 has mean the beginning of much much more work, but also much much more opportunity to help people in need.

Sue Rock Originals Everyone on the RING!

Power By Ringsurf

Volunteers from Heaven’s Hands Community Services, Inc

Sue Rock Originals Everyone, Inc. is so proud to work with a diverse group of people. It became a challenge to handle all of the responsiblities of this developing non-profit. One of the challenges was handling all of the donations.

We started out with receiving donations at our home. That would have been fine, but unfortunately we were still living there!! After navigating for the 15th time through the narrow alleyways that were our living room, bedroom and kitchen, we finally invested in a storage unit. 5x5 without lighting, we were relieved.......for a WEEK! Immediately another call came for a fabric pick up - this time 12 bags. That went into the storage space.

Almost immediately the pace became unrelenting. From having participated in this charity work for three years, we had developed wonderful relationships with men and women throughout NY who called us frequently to pick up items - books, ceramics and always fabric and yarns. For a year straight we picked up items every few weeks, sometimes once a week

When the opportunity came this year to dedicate my time to the non-profit, we had a 10x10 space crammed to the brim to TRY to organize.

This is where Heaven's Hands comes in!

Heaven’s Hands Community Services, Inc. (HHCSNI) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation that is committed to providing services and supports that assist individuals diagnosed with mental retardation and/or developmental disabilities, living in New York City, in achieving the highest level of independence, inclusion, individuality and productivity possible. As part of their mission HHCSI exists to provide habilitative and support services to individuals, families and communities in need.

Arlene Rado of HHCSNYI found our volunteer opportunity on VolunteerMatch.com. At that time we were looking for fashion students and lovers of fabric to assist us in the sorting and organizing of our stock. One of the students at HHCSNY, Jade, had been accepted to a special federal program which focuses on one on one guidance with a focus on the interests of the student. After a few weeks of getting things together, Jade and her counselor April came to assist us. Jade is an Autistic young woman with a love of drawing and art. April works directly with her and it has been going great.

Fundraising for SROE at the Prospect Park Greenfoods - Saturdays

Sue Rock Originals Everyone, Inc. is at the corner of Union Street and Prospect Park West generating funds for this amazing organization.

The GreenMarket of New York makes a beautiful backdrop to wonderful handcrafted pieces from throughout the tri-state area. Thanks to the generous donations of MAKE beautiful ceramics are available for all to enjoy!

Fundraising, fundraising, fundraising - the quest continues

So once an organization becomes a legal tax exempt 501(c) 3 entity - just how do they get funds. I mean sure the benificent effort of helping others is marvelous but between you and me, gas is over $4.00 a gallon, right?

Sue Rock Originals Everyone, Inc. is beginning to tackle the concept of creative fundraising. and it is NOT easy :)) I have never been good at asking for money and the learning curve could be staggering. Fortunately we have received amazing donations that can create a source of joy and income for the organization and for the women we service.

MAKE is a wonderful ceramics painting studio located at two sites in New York. By receiving their donations of unused ceramics, we are able to vend and create resources for Sue Rock Originals Everyone! Here are some pictures at the events we have sold at!


The beauty of the artwork speaks for itself. We have called this fundraising effort BY KIDS FOR KIDS (of all ages....). Creative work by children inspires the artist in all of us. Items like ceramic cellphones, butterflies and robots (a favorite with the over 20 male!) sell wonderfully as well as mugs, plates and ceramic high heel shoes. We can't thank MAKE enough for making this opportunity possible!

Make - www.makemeaning.com - check them out!

Mother's Day Clothing Drive - Honored Volunteer Jacqueline Lemon-Denton

Today I had the opportunity of meeting a wonderful new volunteer. Jacqueline Lemon-Denton is a Queens native, who came out to see just what Sue Rock Originals Everyone is all about!

Jacqueline and her four sorority sisters who are spread out across the US will be contributing items to our Mother's Day effort. She is an avid crocheter who loves making ponchos, wraps and shawls.

We talked shop - the merits of vertical versus horizontal scarf construction, and plyed over potential color combinations. Both of us marvelled at the "give" in Brown Sheep Company's Cotton Fleece (a great combination of Cotton and Wool).

After much chatting, Jacqueline left with yarn for her and her sisters and shared her enthusiasm for this cause.

.......and I can't wait to see what they come up with !

Mother's Day Donation Drive BEGINS!!

As the rains come, we begin the steady work of scheduling and planning our MOTHER'S DAY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DONATION DRIVE . Craigslist is our mainstay for seeking volunteers. Their volunteer postings always bring wonderful people from throughout the New York area. VolunteerMatch is also quite good. VolunteerMatch provides non-profits with the ability to post opportunities and provides individuals and groups with opportunities that may appeal to them. The range of opportunities is extraordinary from driving to reading, from knitting and crocheting to sports. It's really wonderful!

Help survivors of domestic violence get a new take on life!

The percentage of women who actually leave the home is heartbreaking. Women who do are ostracized, devastated and alone. Sue Rock Originals EVERYONE!!!! seeks to restore humanity to women who still have to work, tend to children and maintain normal appearances during extraordinary times.

Sue Rock Originals EVERYONE!!! teams knitters, crocheters and weavers with the raw materials they need to create clothing and accessories for survivors of domestic violence. In the two years we have been in existence, volunteers have contributed over 200 shrugs, sweaters, ponchos, hat/scarf sets, gloves and handbags. Yarn companies nationwide have come to the table and contributed exquisite yarns of every color and description - and needles and findings.

Your hands can help to make another person's life uplifted. Yarn companies and individuals have already stepped up to the plate donating boxes of yarns and supplies to make this effort happen.

If you are interested in more information and wish to contact Sue for yarn and pattern pick up, email suerockoriginals@yahoo.com or call (347) 365-8747.

Thank you in advance for your creative efforts :))

Receiving Contributions from The Point in New York City

The Point Knitting Salon is a sweet knitting haven nestled on Bedford Street in the West Village section of New York City. They feature sweets for the sweet, coffees and teas and some of the most scrumptious yarns you could set your eyes on. The Point recently had an event "Go Green". Part of the event included asking their customers to bring in their unwanted yarn for donation to charity.

The Point selected Sue Rock Originals Everyone, Inc. as their designated charity.

I arrived there on Wednesday, September 19 to receive the huge box and many bags of contributed yarns. These will go a long way in helping a woman make it through her transition.

And this all for the sake of asking......

The Point Knitting Cafe

37a Bedford Street

New York, NY 10014

212 929-0800

877 60-POINT

On the Web at: http://www.thepointnyc.com/

STORE/CAFE HOURS: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 12-8pm Thursday: 12-9pm Friday: 12-7pm Saturday: 10am-6pm Sunday: 12-5pm

Let's do it again!! SROE, Inc gets ready for Domestic Violence Awareness month, October 2007

Starting up the volunteer/yarn request for October's Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I can not believe that we are in our third year of donating volunteer created items to survivors of domestic violence living in transitional housing. This Fall we will be making contributions to Sanctuary for Families. From their website:

We are dedicated to the safety, healing, and self-sufficiency of battered women and their children. To that end, we offer a broad range of high-quality services including shelter, legal assistance, and counseling. We work to end domestic violence and its far-reaching impact through outreach, education, and advocacy, and to create a world where every woman and child lives with dignity.

If you are interested in volunteer your time or skills to our effort - please contact me, Sue Rock, at suerockoriginals@yahoo.com with your name, address, contact number and best times to meet with you to discuss our program.

Always the best!

Sue Rock

Happy New Year

Happy New Year

January
Starting the year with a fresh outlook. Covington and Burling has accepted sue rock originals EVERYONE!!! as a client and will be processing our paperwork for 501(c)3 status. There is a tingling in my chesk and flutter all around just thinking about it. I just focus on the tasks at hand which are, reviewing the last year’s deliveries, the relationships developed (or lost) and the plans for this year, not necessarily in that order.

After the past two years, I think that the concept of a craft charity is a good one – longevity is definitely key. I find a few things disheartening, thought, that I will be focusing on learning how to handle better.

VOLUNTEERS WHO DISAPPEAR……

Of the cases of yarn I have received over the past five years, I would say one full case has been lost to people who basically fell of the face of the planet. Whether it was the concept to free high end yarn for the taking, or the “oops I just forgot” – I realized rather early on that I had a misperception of some sort of knitters/crocheters code. Though many people show up, email, call and write – mostly everything is created by a core group of around six to seven volunteers – with me picking up the rear when things get close to the wire. Now it may not be the same six to seven people, but that seems to be the core number. I’ll have to develop a way to entrust the “good Yarns” to my tried and true volunteers and allow people to run rampant on the Red Heart Pink Rainbow One Pounders!

Which leads me to my next topic.

MAKE SURE VOLUNTEERS GET CREDIT

During the summer of last year, I received a number of requests for interviews around sue rock originals EVERYONE!!! A small newspaper, I assumed that distribution would be small, however was excited at the prospect of being in the press. The writer of the piece requested photos and some print copy about what we do – I immediately sent out two of my best photos, items that had been designed and created by a volunteer. I forgot to give the writer the artist’s name.

You can imagine the look on my face when my volunteer contacted me on the voicemail, wanting to know why her name had not been mentioned in the article at all. Unfortunately, double injury had been made, due to the fact that she and I had met THROUGH the writer of the article. After profuse apologies, retractions and clumsy explanations, I was able to smooth things over (barely). New relationships are something which I treasure developing, however the combination of talent, representation, publicity and interpretation of experience all got jumbled together. It was a great lesson. Everyone deserves their due, and I am always admiring the work of my volunteers as phenomenal. This year I look forward to framing the organization in such a way as to feature the volunteers and the organization as a whole, for if it was not for them, this organization would not be successful.

DELIVERING TO THE WOMEN

Domestic Violence services are generally delivered though a social service organization. As such they are often overwhelmed, understaffed and underfunded. The women they are assisting may or may not leave the abuser, may or may not press charges, heck – they may or may not be abused! The process of working with revolving door administrators and directors with WAY too much on their plate to be concerned with what was going on was very challenging – emotionally.

This year, as my status becomes legally binding, I will be looking a reaching out to a broader range of agencies, making my current associations stronger and most of all

Keep on Keepin on!!!

Love to you all and look forward to meeting you this year

HAPPY 2007!!!

October was Domestic Violence Awareness Month

as you look at the extraordinary artistry of the volunteers of sue rock originals EVERYONE!!!...
remember that all of this came
just for the sake
of asking......

VOLUNTEER FOCUS - RAMONA KEARNS

The charity had the wonderful opportunity to be featured in Calabar Magazine. If you don't know about it Calabar Imports is a magnificent business located in Brooklyn in the newly declared "Heart of Brooklyn" section - a stone's throw from the Brooklyn Museum. CALABAR Imports is a trendy, specialty retail and gift store for discerning, quality-conscious buyers of home furnishings, unique crafted jewelry, fashion and brand cosmetics sold at moderate prices.

Well back to Calabar Magazine - the fashion/culture conscious newspaper produced by Calabar Imports - they featured us in their September Socially Conscious Fashion Article by Bonny Sandy Sterling.



















The pieces featured were created by Ramona Kearns. Noted writer and poet and original member of Neema Barnette's theatre group "Live Theatre Gang", Ms. Kearn's love has always been crochet. Using intuitive crochet (the ability to create designs ideas while crocheting without patterns) she creates bold rich fashion forward designs that are appealing to every figure.

Ms. Kearns is currently on the board of Bailey's Cafe, a Crown Heights based non-profit that connects young people with senior citizens for joint work on cultural projects such as oral history, murals, and protection of community gardens.

FINALLY - I have an Apartment again!!!

YAAAAAY I AM SOOOOO HAPPY!

There were books, big books, small books, big hardcover books, small science fiction books, big splashy poetry BOOOOOOOOOOKS - from one side of my one bedroom apartment to another.....Then there were bags, bags full of clothes and bags full of hats and bags full of sweaters and bags full of ..........well ...................BAGS !!!-

but today at 3:45pm two mainenance workers from Safe Horizon's living center came and pick up everything - the van kept filling and filling and filling - until finally they asked - "is that all? - PHEW!"

at final count?
innumerable children's hats
a car coat and hat
a dress jacket
two poncho and hat sets
seven ponchos
seven adult hats
five scarves
one fuscia head wrap
and three gorgeous shrugs

add to that a box of audio books and exercise videos
a box of R&B CDs
a bag of clothing (children and adults)
and over 500 children's books from 2nd - 8th grade
and you have a brilliant tribute to Safe Horizon and
families who are making a commitment
to creating a way
out of no way........

.........with a little help :))

Thank you All!

I want to take this time to thank Sheila from Sheila Crochetz, Tamiko Beyer, Amy Griffin Otterberg, Jennifer May and the wonderful crew up in New Paltz (SUNY ROCKS!) and Lisa Mullings.

Of course I wouldn't have any peace if not for the love and patience of my husband Ifasina Akinsegun who is just as intense about creativity as I am and allows me to fill the apartment with infinite amounts of "potential" goodies with relatively little complaint ("just as long as I can get two yards of this - I mean you know how I feel about gabardine.......)

Love you all - more tomorrow when I go to the space and do the distribution

WOO HOOO!!!

Yep, that's an illustration of how we look now - after all that knitting and crocheting, our heads have just SWOLLEN to phenomenal proportions.....we simplly sit with our pattern books in our hands and wait for the swelling to recede.....alas!

Well with the beautiful items you have made, your heads SHOULD be swollen!!! CONGRATULATIONS!! AND THANK YOU to all the volunteers that have come through to create clothing and accessories for survivors of domestic violence for OCTOBER - DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

Please come out on SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15 to Brooklyn - 1069 BERGEN STREET, between ROGERS AND NOSTRAND AVENUES at 3:00 PM.

(Travel Directions: Take the A or C trains to Nostrand Avenue. Exit the train to your right and walk in the direction of traffic along Nostrand Avenue to BERGEN STREET. Turn right and 1069 Bergen Street is on the left side.)

Bring the wonderful clothing you have created and any leftover yarns. We will be taking pictures, having food and sharing just how great this experience has been for all of us.The contact number in Brooklyn is (718) 771-3687

WE WILL ALSO ACCEPT YARN, FABRIC AND SEWING DONATIONS!!!

Thank you so much and see you then!!!