FTAH

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http://foodtrucksagainsthomelessness.com

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Meet Tracey Porter – Bold Journey

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Thank you to Bold Journey for doing this piece on Tracey.

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tracey Porter a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tracey, you’ve got such an interesting story, but before we jump into that, let’s first talk about a topic near and dear to us – generosity. We think success, happiness and wellbeing depends on authentic generosity and empathy and so we’d love to hear about how you become such a generous person – where do you think your generosity comes from?
I believe that as humans we were put on this earth to care and love for one another.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Food Trucks Against Homelessness began early 2021 on the heels of what was going to be a one-time holiday donation to our houseless neighbors. Originally, we wanted to provide a warm meal for the week of Christmas and New Year’s to our houseless neighbors. It was during Covid, food trucks had been sidelined due to the pandemic and donations were down to most non-profits. We thought, how can we help and make the biggest impact at once. The idea came, we would commission a food truck for each week and feed anyone that showed up, additionally, we gathered items of necessity; socks, underwear, hand warmers, toiletries, etc.. It was wonderful! Westside CARES, a local nonprofit, serves a large population of folks that live on the margins and the streets, so they were the perfect place to partner with for this event.

Food trucks were asked to donate their time and provide the meals at cost. We started asking for donations to purchase needed items and reimburse our food trucks on social media. Food Trucks Against Homelessness was born. We now line up food trucks, ask our community for donations, arrange everything, and serve a meal every Monday. We have incredible volunteers that show up every week, donations of needed items that roll in and social media has brought in monetary donations. We currently have a food truck that also partners with us regularly.

It has been a challenge to run our organization due to lack of funds on a regular basis and to find willing food trucks to show up. There have been times that we have thought about ending the initiative due to lack of funding and just when we were seriously considering it a donation rolls in that keeps things going.

We specialize in helping those folks that are underserved and have served over 10,000 meals to date. Our mission is to partner with businesses and individuals to provide meals, resources and human connection to our houseless neighbors.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I have been volunteering since I was in my teens and realized then how important it is to help others. My volunteering increased over the last 10 years and due to that I became friends with the Executive Directors of our local non-profits, I took on Volunteer Coordinator positions and gained much knowledge all not knowing that one day this would be my life. Those friends were and are still my mentors for which I am grateful to have them in mine and our houseless neighbors corner.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
My mom is the one who introduced me to the world of volunteering and has always told me how proud she is for all I am doing as well as my father who also volunteers 1-2 times per week.

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Clothes and food donated in remembrance of Quentin Clark

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Thank you to Fox21 News for doing this piece on us.

In the spirit of “it takes a village,” the Southern Colorado community united on Monday, Dec. 18 to bring holiday cheer as well as basic necessities to people experiencing homelessness.

This was all in an effort to remember one man, Quentin Clark, who had a profound impact on those with whom he crossed paths.

“Honestly, I think he would be so proud of us just knowing that we are trying to continue, just his giving spirit,” said Laura Rupejko.

Rupejko, along with a group of other women, had been moved by the compassionate nature of Quentin Clark, and a giving event was created.

“We have collected probably almost 100 coats, probably 100 pairs of socks, hats. We have shoes, we have blankets, we have scarves, we have hand warmers,” Rupejko eagerly shared. “I mean just whatever we can do because we just want to give, we just want to be able to help people as much as we can.”

Their vision came to life thanks to the help of Westside Cares and Food Trucks Against Homelessness, working together to provide warm meals and new clothes to those in need.

“We’ve been partnering with Food Trucks Against Homelessness and Westside Cares, and we are just giving everything out,” Rupejko said. “People can kind of just come and pick through whatever they want and then there’s a food truck over here that’s going to be donating 80 to 100 meals this morning.”

A special surprise was in store for many as a flash mob was performed by Rupejko and several others to honor their friend Quentin.

“He suddenly passed away and he was such a kind and generous person that we really just wanted to continue his legacy of that,” Rupejko said. “So being able to kind of rally together and I love that what he did for us, like, kept us all together, even with him being gone.”

Besides the sounds of holiday music, smells of home cooked shepherd’s pie filled the air, and one by one, people waited in line outside the food truck These Girls Got Beef to get a delicious bite to eat. Tracey Porter, the founder of Food Trucks Against Homelessness, shared the significance these meals hold for those in attendance.

“To be able to give a warm meal on a Monday is so important,” Porter said. “Nutrition is so important, to give us good rest and whatnot and our food truck that constantly supports us is These Girls Got Beef.”

Smiles were exchanged as warm boxes of food were placed into the hands of those in need. It is the empathy and generosity of others that makes events like the one on Monday morning possible.

“I can’t do it without my community,” Porter said. “I mean, it’s plain and simple that’s why it’s the most important thing. I’m just the boots on the ground and then I have my beautiful volunteers that are here to help me out, but I need everybody to help me out. So, it’s a community thing.”

During the season of giving, you can help support the mission of Food Trucks Against Homelessness through donations, and the group is also looking for more food trucks to come out and cook for the community.

“We’re always needing monetary donations to pay our food trucks for the service that they do and to get donated items,” Porter said. “Or you can just donate items such as socks, new underwear, hand warmers, etc.”

“It’s all just people at the end of the day. And the most important thing is to acknowledge them because they are humans just like us. And that in itself, I can’t tell you how much that changes their lives.”

As for the future of this event, Rupejko smiled and said she hopes the Quentin Clark giving project will happen every year.

KOAA-120522

Food Trucks Against Homelessness

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Thank you to Street Food Magazine for doing this piece on us.

Food trucks solidarios con la comunidad sin hogar. Durante enero de 2021, Tracey Porter y Marcy Langlois vieron que la incertidumbre económica estaba teniendo un gran impacto en la comunidad sin hogar de la ciudad de Colorado Springs en el estado de Colorado en Estados Unidos.

Tracey y Marcy, que se han enfrentado a importantes obstáculos en sus propias vidas, tuvieron la suerte de estar rodeadas de personas solidarias que las apoyaron cuando más lo necesitaban. Y ahora que son financieramente estables, ven como su responsabilidad el retribuir a los demás.

Para ello desarrollaron e implementaron un programa que proporciona alimentos y artículos esenciales a los necesitados y ofrece trabajo a los propietarios de food trucks

“Esta idea no solo ayuda a las personas sin hogar, sino que también ayuda a los propietarios de food trucks al impulsar su negocio a través de la exposición que obtienen como resultado de su generosidad. Los patrocinadores de los camiones de comida donan su tiempo, sus suministros y su deliciosa comida a nuestros vecinos y, a cambio, reciben un beneficio fiscal por la donación que hicieron.

Food Trucks Against Homelessness se asocia con empresas e individuos para proporcionar comidas, recursos y conexión humana a nuestra comunidad de personas sin hogar. Nuestra visión es que nadie pase hambre y que cada persona tenga la oportunidad de volverse autosuficiente. Hemos elegido asociarnos con Westside CARES en este esfuerzo“.

Cada lunes, Food Trucks Against Homelessness alimenta a unas 85 personas en el estacionamiento de Westside CARES.

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In Colorado Springs, home-cooked food provides much-needed normalcy for the unhoused community

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Thank you to Rocky Mountain PBS for doing this piece on us.

A smiling face and a warm “thanks” is exchange enough for a hot meal, according to Hector Diaz. When he gives a freshly cooked meal to an unhoused person, he said, “It’s good to see their faces.”

“Here’s our famous pork,” Diaz said, handing a paper plate with steaming, aromatic Cuban food out his food truck’s window.

The patron smiles back.

Diaz, the founder and owner of Cuban restaurant “Lucy I’m Home,” is part of a network of food trucks that provides free meals on Mondays in the parking lot of Westside Cares, a direct services organization.

“It’s just a way to give back to the community and hopefully help people get back on their feet,” Diaz said.

Tracey Porter, a community member who wanted to find ways to serve the unhoused community during the COVID-19 pandemic, founded Food Trucks Against Homelessness in hopes of aiding struggling local businesses and providing much-needed nutrition and socializing for people experiencing homelessness.

“Our small business community needed support during COVID, and it helps people who need a home-cooked meal,” Porter said. “It’s a win-win.”

Every Monday, Porter coordinates food options outside Westside Cares in the Old Colorado City neighborhood of Colorado Springs, serving up hot meals to those receiving services, like retrieving mail, applying for a state-issued ID or picking up toiletries. Porter chose the time and location because Monday is “mail day” for the unhoused people who use Westside Cares as a mailing address.

“Everybody deserves a home-cooked meal,” Porter said. “Everyone wants the opportunity to go out to eat, so it gives them a sense of normalcy. We all deserve to have normalcy.”

Food trucks typically feed around 80 to 100 people, Porter said. She covers the cost of food and supplies and asks food truck workers to donate their time. Getting commitment from trucks can be difficult, Porter said, and she will work with any truck and welcomes those interested in helping.

On Mondays when no food truck is scheduled, Porter and a team of volunteers still serve hot meals from local restaurants like La Casita. Along with the fresh meal, they also provide a weekly pantry of clothing, hygiene products, books, and snacks.

“Our houseless neighbors are amazing people,” Porter said.

On May 8, “Lucy I’m Home” served its marinated pork, black beans cooked with onions and spices and deep-fried plantains. The pork entrees have earned a reputable status in Colorado Springs. Marinated for eight to ten hours with mojo sauce, cumin, garlic and onions, the meat is then cooked slowly at a low temperature. Just before serving, Diaz turns the heat up to give the pork a crispy edge.

The truck traditionally uses Cuban bread from a Puerto Rican bakery in town to make sandwiches, but Cuban bread is difficult to bake at Colorado’s altitude, Diaz said.

“It goes really well with any kind of plate,” Diaz said.

Diaz spent the first 10 years of his life in Cuba, then, after the Cuban Revolution, became a child refugee as a part of Operation Peter Pan – in which 14,000 unaccompanied Cuban children were brought to the U.S. between 1960 and 1962. Diaz ended up in an orphanage in Pueblo with his sister for four years, and could not reunite with his parents for another 11 years.

Because Colorado has such a small Cuban community, Diaz said he struggled to connect with others from the same background. His previous career brought him to Miami several times over his 30 years on the job. Eating authentic food in a city with a significant Cuban population inspired him to bring his heritage to the Centennial State.

“I became totally Americanized growing up here, and I really lost my culture,” Diaz said. “But I always had that passion for it.”

The restaurant’s name — “Lucy I’m Home” — came from Ricky Ricardo’s character of the 1950’s television sitcom “I Love Lucy.” Diaz remembers Ricardo as one of the first Cuban characters on an American television show, and chose the name as a way to bridge his two communities.

“I wanted something that would connect America with Cuba,” Diaz said. “It’s a lot of work, but we love what we do. It’s a family affair. It’s allowed me to share some of the Cuban culture with people in Colorado Springs that might not otherwise be exposed to it.”

While Diaz passes out plates of food, Porter delivers cards with inspirational notes on them. Sayings like “Your presence is a present to the world,” and “Some people make the world more special just by being in it” decorate pieces of card stock. Unhoused recipients smile and chuckle as they read the kind words.

“That must be talking about you,” Porter says to one man with a card.

Porter knows all that unhoused individuals deal with — harsh weather, theft from other homeless people, and harassment from police officers. Porter lives near a spot where groups of people experiencing homelessness stake tents. Seeing police officers take belongings — leaving folks with nothing — is a frequent and tragic occurrence.

“It’s ridiculous,” Porter said of homelessness cleanups, commonly known as “sweeps.”

She often sees the same people lined up for more survival products after officers took what little they already had.

“Whatever few pairs of socks they had previously are now gone,” Porter said. “I don’t see the purpose in it at all.”

Food Trucks Against Homelessness relies on donations from community members, including hygiene products. Porter hopes to eventually turn the effort into a nonprofit, making it easier to receive partnerships and donations from large corporations.

In the meantime, Porter hopes community members will continue to make themselves aware of causes that support unsheltered neighbors.

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Meet Tracey Porter

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Thank you to VoyageDenver for doing this piece on us.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracey Porter.

Hi Tracey, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
Food Trucks began in early 2021 on the heels of what was going to be a one-time holiday donation to our houseless neighbors. Originally, my wife and I wanted to provide a warm meal for the week of Christmas and New Year’s to our houseless neighbors. It was during Covid, food trucks had been sidelined due to the pandemic and donations were down to most non-profits. We thought, how can we help and make the biggest impact at once? The idea came, we would commission a food truck for each week and feed anyone that showed up, additionally, we gathered items of necessity; socks, underwear, hand warmers, toiletries, etc. It was wonderful!

Westside CARES, a local nonprofit, serves a large population of folks that live on the margins and the streets, so they were the perfect place to partner with for this event. We paid the food trucks; they were so grateful for the event and were thrilled to be of service in this way. They expressed how much it made them feel like they were making a difference. The neighbors loved the food and were equally grateful for the warm meals. One of the food trucks suggested we would make this a regular occurrence. The original idea was that the food truck owner would gather a food truck for each week, and we would gather donations of needed items and money. Food trucks were asked to donate their time and provide the meals at a reduced rate. We started asking for donations for items and cash contributions on social media. Food Trucks Against Homelessness was born.

Since then, things with the original food truck didn’t come to pass, we had conflicting ideas, but we totally appreciate their help to get things moving in the right direction. We now line up food trucks, get the donations, arrange everything, and serve a meal every Monday, if funding allows for it but at a minimum twice per month. We have incredible volunteers that show up every week, donations of needed items that roll in and social media has brought in monetary donations.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has been a challenge to run our organization due to a lack of funds on a regular basis and to find willing food trucks to show up.

There have been times that we have thought about ending the initiative due to lack of funding and just when we were seriously considering it a donation rolls in that keeps things going. We like to say, “We are so grassroots that we are grassroots!”

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We specialize in helping those folks that are underserved. Our goal is to make sure that they have one hot meal per week, bare necessity items, and human connection. Seeing people and validating them is as important as feeding them. There are many moments that we feel truly proud of but here are a few that stand out. We have a neighbor that was houseless for six months.

She has since found an apartment that has worked out to be perfect for her. She still frequents FTAH on Mondays because she still needs assistance with food and other items. In a private moment, she told me, “The only reason that she is in a house and thriving is because of Tracey and her constant encouragement, support, and love.” Just in the last week, we have another woman that has been fortunate enough to get housing and let us know that she is alive and housed because of FTAH! Lastly, we have served 7337 meals since our inception, and we have done it all with the support of our community, friends, family, and other local non-profits.

We feel that our biggest asset is our willingness to collaborate with other organizations and people that are looking to move the needle on homelessness. We aren’t trying to take the corner on something, we don’t need to be the hero, we just want to work together to contribute what we can to help the folks that need it the most.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
We love all books and podcasts about self-help, growth, evolution, inclusivity, civil rights, and spirituality. We don’t have a favorite per se but anything that gets us to think greater than where we are at and will inspire us to contribute to society and community in a positive way.

Currently on our nightstand is, How We Show Up by Mia Birdsong, reclaiming family, friendship, and community. A long-time favorite podcast is On Being.

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2022 Generosity Update

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We are so grateful for everyone who chose to partner with us in 2022 as we continue this program to help feed our neighbors. Without your help and generosity, this would not have been possible and we are blown away by you. THANK YOU!!!

In 2022 we collected $8,747 in monetary donations that not only helped feed our neighbors. Together we served 2475 hot meals to our neighbors every other Monday in 2022. We have 2 food trucks that continue to partner with us, 8 new food trucks added this year, and 2 restaurants. We did have to cut down from serving weekly to every other week due to a decrease in donations from what we had in 2021.

We also collected and gave away socks, underwear, gloves, and hand warmers to our neighbors. You can visit our Amazon Wishlist and help purchase some items. The link will take you to one particular item but you can choose any item by tapping on the part that says “In Your Friends List” (which is what it will say when you save the list) and then choose “Tracey Porter” from your friend’s list. The most commonly needed items are men’s boxer briefs (M & L), women’s underwear (5, 6, 7, & 8), hand warmers, and gloves.

We are hopeful for an even better 2023 as we do our part to help our neighbors through a hot meal and help to meet their basic needs. Make sure you follow us on our Facebook page so you can see what we are doing and find out any needs we may have. You can also make a donation here on our website by going to the Donate page.

Again, we can not thank you enough for your generosity.

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5 questions: Tracey Porter

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Thank you to Sixty35 Media for doing this piece on us.

Tracey Porter is the founder of Food Trucks Against Homelessness. She started the organization in 2021 with her wife, Marcy Langlois.

Why did you start Food Trucks Against Homelessness?

The COVID economic crisis inspired my wife and I to start talking to food trucks and help them out in the small business community. We were like, “Why don’t we take the food trucks to Westside Cares? And take care of our houseless neighbors?” So that’s what we did — and then it just blew up. It’s necessary, right? We have to help other humans, and our houseless neighbors need human connection on top of the food, on top of the clothing, on top of the shelter that’s necessary. I’ve always had a big heart for those that are underserved within our community and elsewhere, so that’s pretty much how it started. My wife and I have just done really well. I’ve always worked hard and obtained several properties so we have this residual income. [Marcy] has been a loan officer for 20 years. So it’s just that hard work to get us to a position where we’re financially secure, where we can then turn around and help others.

What does the community feel like at Westside Cares when you’re there on Mondays?

At first it was really interesting because the executive director said that not everybody’s gonna give you their name. Some people want anonymity, just like housed people want anonymity. At first it was just handing out food. Today, I know names, I know peoples’ life stories, I know reasons why they ended up homeless. Now I have three volunteers. It’s really cool because I get the ability to interact with people, to create human connection — that’s the best thing ever. It’s not robotic anymore. People expect me. I just recently went to have an emergency appendectomy and they were asking about me. People were checking in on me. I mean, we’re in a relationship now — which is absolutely beautiful.

How do you get the word out to vendors and people experiencing homelessness about services through Food Trucks Against Homelessness?

Because I partner with Westside Cares, it guarantees us at least serving 60 to 100 people. So they help to get the word out, and also social media — Facebook. How do I get food trucks to come? Same thing. On Facebook I ask them to give up their labor for free, and we will pay for the cost of food and supplies. Most of the time I pay minimally, or they donate. Then I can offer them a donation letter to help with their taxes.

What was it like to be in charge of Food Trucks Against Homelessness as it grew?

It was really exciting at first when it was growing, because I do everything. Really the hardest part is getting the food trucks and getting the money. I’m trying to find an easier way to get money coming through the door and in order to do that, I need to be a 501(c)(3). Or I have to change what I’m doing and program within somebody [else’s] nonprofit. My biggest challenge right now is not existing as a 501(c)(3) and maybe getting into the grant side of things. We’re actually in the midst of figuring out what we’re going to do with that. Either we’re going to become a 501(c)(3), or get involved internally with a nonprofit.

How do you fundraise?

Facebook is where I ask for money. Also constantly going out and doing social events. I’m an introvert by nature, but I love gatherings and stuff like that. I have a little bit of extrovert in me, so I just sign up for almost anything and everything around town. If I talk to one or two people then there goes the word, and hopefully in comes the money. But it’s really just that — social events and asking for money on Facebook. We have PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, and I have QR codes on my business cards that I leave everywhere. It’s just me putting out the word.

KOAA-120522

FTAH feeds local people in need

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Thank you to KOAA for doing this piece on us.

As times are tough for many, a local nonprofit organization is helping feed people in need in the Colorado Springs community. It’s a partnership between Food Trucks Against Homelessness and Westside Cares.

Every Monday morning, a group of volunteers park in the parking lot of Westside Cares, and they gave away food, winter clothing and other personal items to up to 100 people. If a food truck is available, the truck and staff will show up to provide a meal instead.

Tracey Porter and her wife founded Food Trucks Against Homelessness in early 2021. It was a time during the pandemic when the economy was impacting everyone, especially the homeless community.

“It’s so difficult, their stories are challenging,” said Porter. “When we connect with those that are on our streets, then we can offer connections, so that they feel worthy and that they can work to get off the streets.”

Since the effort started, they have served more than 6,300 meals to people in need, and on Monday, they served a little more than 80 people. With inflation, and the high prices of food and items right now, the need continues nearly two years later.

“We’re seeing new faces definitely all the time, and then we see some of the same faces,” said Porter. “We need to be out there, and we need to connect with all human beings so that we can all help each other.”

For many, a little help goes a long way especially during hard times like the holidays.

“They give you blankets, they give you shoes, and they’re just good people,” said Lance Reede, who’s been receiving food for a few months now. “I’m still trying to find my way and trying to do what I can do. They help a lot and I really appreciate them.”

Porter said she enjoyed giving back to her community, and forming connections with people who are houseless.

“They give me the opportunity to give back to my community and to make a difference, and that is the most important,” said Porter.

Volunteers from Food Trucks Against Homelessness will be at Westside Cares from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Monday. They are also accepting cash donations and other forms of donations including winter gear, like sweaters and sweatshirts, coats, hats, socks, hand warmers and gloves.

The organization is also looking for more food trucks to participate at Westside cares in Old Colorado City.

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Meet Tracey Porter | FTAH

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Thank you to Shout Out Colorado for doing this piece on us.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tracey Porter and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tracey, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
We never intended to start Food Trucks Against Homelessness, it just organically unfolded. Our original intention was to feed our houseless neighbors through the holidays during the pandemic and to provide business to our local food trucks then this morphed into a weekly endeavor. We partner with Westside CARES to serve our houseless neighbors on Mondays. I have always been a “make it happen” type of person so that is what I did and am still doing. I am definitely learning some things along the way but I feel that Food Trucks against homelessness is necessary. WE (meaning FTAH and our community) need to help each other, that is what I believe as humans we were put on this earth for, to help each other.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Food Trucks Against Homelessness brings food trucks to Westside CARES to fill the bellies of our houseless neighbors. If a food truck is not available then we will serve burritos from La Casita. We also provide needed items such as new underwear, socks, hats, gloves and hand warmers.

We are so grateful that we have the opportunity to help our underserved. Our hope is that we can hold space for our most vulnerable neighbors in our community and provide them with a warm meal and items to help them during their time on the streets.

My wife and I both have full time jobs on top of Food Trucks Against Homelessness. All of this can take up a lot of time but after almost 2 years of helping our houseless neighbors and seeing the appreciation they have, the encouragement they have from us just showing up and helping them out, how can we not continue this mission? It makes a difference in their lives and we get the opportunity to see them succeed in finding housing and getting on a path to an independent life.

We have been put on this earth to help each other. That is what Food Trucks Against Homelessness is about.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Colorado Spring is an amazing city with some amazing things to do and see. I have been here since 1993 and seen some major growth.Of course, I would take my besties to the mountains and to hit the stair stepper from hell aka the Incline. Some of my favorite joints to eat at would be Skirted Heifer for the best burger in town, Shuga’s which has amazing food, drinks and decor, and hunting down our local food trucks. We definitely have more choices in restaurants than when I first moved here. Coming from the Detroit area and having diverse food choices, I am so grateful that Colorado Springs is finally catching up. I certainly would find a local Silent Disco to top the night off, I live for Silent Discos.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I suppose we ought to give thanks to the pandemic because without that Food Trucks Against Homelessness may have never happened. I am a lover of live music and people and without that during the pandemic, FTAH connected me to people. Our local houseless neighbors are some of the most resilient people and that in itself gives me so much encouragement. The local support that our community gives to FTAH is what keeps me going, without them FTAH would not exist. It is persons like my family, Kristy Millligan from Westside CARES, Jessie Pocock from Inside Out Youth Services and Shawna Kemppainen from the Place who lead by example and always answer their phones should I need any support or advice. This list could go on, if you have had a part in my life journey then you get a shout out as everyone has added some type of support, mentorship, love and encouragement.

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