I saw this post over the weekend – Denver Coffee Shop Hires Homeless Youth, Gives Them Second Chance ‘No One Else Would’. Yep, the Purple Door coffee shop takes in homeless teens and young adults three at a time and provides them with a job for one year. They have a 52-week training program that teaches a diversity of skills, including financial budgets and projections, while interacting with mentors and encouraging customers.
Even the name has a focused meaning. “Our name comes from the fact that historically the color purple is the color of royalty, and we truly believe that every person, no matter their station in life, has unsurpassable worth and value and deserves to be treated like royalty.” As we all know, purple is the color of royalty. In I Samuel 2:8 we find: “He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor.”
We know that handouts, free housing and “donations” do little to address the issue of homelessness. I like this attempt at teaching usable skills for self-sufficiency.
Several years ago, at Joanne’s insistence, I met with a 53-yr-old lady who had just been released after many years in prison. I cringed, confident I was going to be hit with a “what will you do for me” attitude. And knowing the barriers women like this face – no one will rent to them, give them a job, or sell them a car – I expected I would be asked for resources beyond my means. Instead, this lady looked me in the eye and said, “Dan, I’m not looking for a handout, I’m looking for an opportunity.” I was blown away by her accepting full responsibility for where she was and her willingness to change her habits for a better future. We did help her get a single sewing machine and she went on to building a large, loyal audience of people who recognized her skill. The last I heard she had seven machines and kept about a six month backlog of customers willing to wait for her excellent upholstery talent.
We all share responsibility for helping those who are struggling. How are you “raising the poor from the dust?” Are you like the masses who drop a few bucks in the cup on the sidewalk, or in the offering plate on Sunday – or do you have a better plan?
What a GREAT story Dan. I love meaning behind the purple door. What a wonderful program to help kids learn how to become empowered versus dependent as there is such a difference between enabling and lifting forward.
My purpose is to help those who serve our communities so they can become strengthened to help others in need so in a way my method is to indirectly help people help others. Having said that, your post will have me pondering more to look for ways to help people become empowered instead of enabled.
Jen – isn’t that great. I just get so inspired when people do something different – and meaningful. I know you’re a force for exactly that is so many ways.
It really comes down to what is your purpose and who you are… for eg I would lean towards helping those who have already shown initiative to bettering themselves and those around them. I have given valuable info away to people who were not ready and saw no results… I could not do this purple model personally. But that’s just me:)
Paul – just curious. Are you saying you couldn’t help these people because they haven’t shown enough initiate to better themselves?
Dan – I am not the one to facilitate initial steps of transformation. That gift someone else has. I hope that makes sense.
what a inspiration for a model of change
My cousin asked if I would help him market something called a drift trike he made. I can work with that. He took the initiative and did something. I have never heard of these, but a little market research and I know I can help him sell them:) Dan – If I improve his life by helping him market… how is that different from helping a 53 year old ex con? Isn’t it about how we can individually best add value in our world? I would love to hear your thoughts.
Paul – man I’m totally in with you helping your cousin. I certainly don’t think it’s more honorable or necessary to help someone at the bottom than someone already moving up. Helping those who have already shown significant initiative usually creates more total impact by far. I love the drift trike you’ve shown here. Reminds me of the old Green Machines my kids had when they were little. We tried to do the same maneuvering and sliding these drift trikes are now designed for.
Thanks Dan. I thought you would get a kick out of it. He is doing some final tweaks and off to market we go.
Paul,
I just met the folks from Local Motors at the INC Grow Conference here in Nashville. They were one of the sponsors – doing 3D cars but they also have a killer drift trike – http://shop.localmotors.com/products/verrado-electric-drift-trike
Cool Dan – Love what they are doing! The neat thing about this trending market is there is room to speak to a niche within the niche that is very profitable! I had my cousin shoot some raw footage, I edited it into a entertaining commercial and boom! I have not even created the paid YT ad campaign and almost 300 views and a client from Australia comes a knocking. To quote Nike… Just Do It:) Anyone who does not want to go the extra mile and take a risk can not be helped except with a food hamper… IMOP. Thanks for all ya do:) Here is the no budget video that is already making money. Help the poor by teaching them to fish… but only the ones that are not lazy… because they are a waste of your time. Cheers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvj4GZc6lKI
Hi Dan, I think this is a wonderful idea. Would appreciate it if you would share more stories like this with us.
Hey Dan – I have been chewing on this topic of who and how to help for a few days and have come up with this… “The light gives and the dark takes. Stand in the light! In the grey lies confusion.” – Paul Bonk
What a practical, great idea! Thanks for reporting on this.
Thanks, Dan. This is a great story, as is yours, which together highlight the challenge and calling to help others. “There, but for the grace of God, go I.” The Purple Door coffeehouse looks like a great model for teaching people LIFE skills, as well as marketable skills for a start towards a future.
LOVE this!! This has to be one of my all time favorite blog posts you have put out there!!
The Jewish philosopher and rabbi Moses Maimonaides said that the best charity you could ever give is to teach someone a marketable skill and how to work. In the 12th century, he recognized that continually giving people a handout cripples them, takes away their dignity and turns them into house pets. In today’s lexicon, he would be considered a “right wing whack job who hates the poor.” Luckily, the literate, orthodox Jews recognize him as one of the wisest people ever to walk the planet.
Oh my – how very true on all counts. Love the philosophy and you are so right about how that sentiment is viewed today. Unfortunately for all concerned.