I have mixed feelings about the first week of February being National Gun Violence Survivors Week. Every week in America is survivors week. When you consider that over 120 people die from gunfire every day in the United States, every day is survivors day, every week is survivors week, survivors month, survivors year, survivors decade. Think about the ripple effect that goes out from each one of those deaths or injuries – the families: mothers and fathers and sisters and brothers, aunts and uncles, cousins... it goes on and on, and that's only the family.
Then there are the neighbors, the colleagues, the classmates – where suddenly there's a chair or a desk left empty, or a job untended. Consider how that affects the uncountable number of us left standing. The grief, the anger, the feelings of hopelessness, the fear – and as each community feels these emotions and grapples with these realities, entire cities become populated with survivors, and then the state, and then the entire nation.
It is this loss we carry – nationwide.
~ Leslie Lee, Founder
There are many other times designated for remembrance and action. June is National Gun Violence Awareness Month, which includes Wear Orange activities. In the span of one month there is possibly enough time for the gravity of This Loss We Carry to sink in. Hundreds of organizations across cities and states will be thinking about ways to bring awareness to the gunfire epidemic and prompt action. The entire lineup of action-takers – from individuals and families, to state and federal lawmakers, to advocacy groups, huge and tiny – are intent on revealing whatever aspect of the gunfire epidemic they have chosen to influence by whatever means they have available. With the Soul Box Project Adoption Program any of these entities can become a Branch of our Project, at no cost, and use the viscerally effective tools of making and displaying Soul Boxes to further their focus.
If you would like to adopt Soul Box materials just complete this request form and get ready to be part of our This Loss We Carry–NATIONWIDE event in June 2023.
We invite all adopters to incorporate Soul Boxes into your June 2023 plans for Wear Orange and Gun Violence Awareness Month. Having Soul Box Project events and exhibits throughout the U.S. – all at the same time – will help connect and amplify our shared pursuit of a safer society.
Missed the introduction to this Branch Adoption program? Learn more
Branches are Taking Root
Since our Adoption outreach started last fall, more than 100 Soul Box display panels have been sent to new Branches across the country, along with a number of Panel and Backpack Kits to help Branches create their own ways to use Soul Boxes.
Here are a few social media posts where we share their activities.
At the end of January we met with a group of Branch leaders on Zoom to field questions and find out about their plans. It was exciting to hear about all the different ways they are planning to use The Soul Box Project.
Here are a few entries from our Branch Adoption request form:
Ann in PA:We have 100+Boxes made with another event planned as well, as a state Senator [is] willing to display them. The CHARLES Foundation supports at-risk teens in a Philadelphia neighborhood experiencing huge losses from Gun Violence.
Sandy in MO: We have been using creative placemaking in 7 neighborhoods in the city of St. Louis at high risk for violence creating parks, murals, gardens, library boxes and more to connect the residents... As part of the opening of the parks in May/June we are coordinating a large event showing art overcoming trauma. We have 1200 Soul Boxes here and the school students will be creating additional Boxes to include in the panel kit to be included in this event.
Jane in VA:We have contacted a large mall in Roanoke about using an unused rental space and displaying the Soul Box Project in a store window. These would make them highly visible, but inaccessible to the public. We feel like a display here, rather than an art gallery, would be more accessible to the population we are trying to reach.
Laura in MD:We are marching in a Pride parade in Annapolis, as well as exhibiting. Would love these [backpacks] for that.
Kathy in OR:I have an afterschool math program (1st-5th graders); we have made Soul Boxes as a "math craft." Would like to do more!
There is Still Time
To Double Your Donation.
Our end-of-year fundraising was a huge success! Once again YOU, our most loyal supporters and newcomers alike, came through to help The Soul Box Project succeed in Counting, Caring and Connecting to keep hope for change alive.
It's not too late – the opportunity still exists for donations to double, until the remaining $577 becomes $1,054 and completes our $10,000 goal.
Your donation is tax-deductible. Soul Box Project USA is a charitable and educational organization
as described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
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