Becoming Better Together is a passion project of the Reverend Lawrence J “LJ” Stevens which grows out of his experiences with the severe and sometimes suicidal depression and other issues related to homelessness after becoming homeless due to severe, chronic health problems.
Based in part on Henri Nouwen’s concept of “wounded healers” as those best qualified to show God’s compassion to others, it is firmly based in the Biblical teachings of how we are to show God’s loving kindness to those on the fringes of society.
As such, Becoming Better is the Reverend Stevens’ way of “paying forward” the help he has received and is still receiving from the health care and social service professionals who got him through the worst of the crisis and are continuing to help him regain his health and rebuild his life.
The project consists of using leathercraft and and handicrafts as ongoing activity therapy to help the participants deal with the depression and low self-esteem homelessness often produces. The face to face and online craft training in the Becoming Better Academy is combined with vary basic business training for those who wish to use their new skills to earn some money by selling their products in our Becoming Better Market, and basic life skills articles posted to the main blog and in the Academy.
As of this writing, 25 October 2024, Becoming Better has been entirely funded by the Reverend Stevens by diverting money from his meager funds to pay for items such as webhosting, leathercraft tools and supplies, and other related startup costs, rather than spending it on other, less important items.
Unfortunately, neither he nor those helping him with the project have the funds necessary to go much further.
Therefore, we need your financial or other donations to launch Becoming Better Together, so that, as one of Nouwen’s “wounded healers,” the Reverend Stevens can begin helping others heal and rebuild their lives.
Any financial or other assistance you can give, including joining those who are helping with the project, or donating leathercraft tools, materials, and supplies would be greatly appreciated.
All financial and other assistance will go entirely to the Becoming Better Together project.
Therefore, supporting us at this time helps us start helping others heal and rebuild their lives.
