🗣Here ye Here ye Joy Blazers☀️🌍‼️

The “Joy Jam” was Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, hands down! I mean I woke up saying to myself “we are really throwing an event wow”! I’ve never thrown a party 🎉in my life, I’ve attended many but could I pull this off? On top of that how would we get our friends to Richmond? Then my childish mind goes off to thinking 🤔 “what’s a party💃🏾🕺🏾 without balloons🎈, cake🎂 and ice cream🍨”?

September 4, 2018 H360 came to Richmond and made new friends/ partners effortlessly. As we met people we shared ideas and many laughs. The support of our new found friends and of course our support system back home we knew this event would be a success🏆! Not to mention the trials and tribulations we were faced while trying to secure a space.

Needless to say it worked out! Shontice was literally canvassing 🏄🏾‍♀️🚣🏾‍♂️🤸🏾‍♂️🏇🏾the surrounding neighborhoods drawing people into the Expo. Next thing I knew so many beautiful souls began to enter those doors, I was overjoyed. Those who attended then called up their neighbors and families 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 to join. The power of word of mouth 🗣 at its finest.

The vibe in the room was phenomenal, everyone was comfortable and open. I had received a call 📞from a veteran 👨🏾‍✈️the day before who disclosed his PTSD was spiraling out of control. He came and was connected with one of our partners “Leaders for Life” who set and spoke with him for hours. Before he left we spoke briefly and he was extremely thankful for this much needed event.

This was a domino 🎳 effect, everyone had such a great time. We had a coloring 🎨 🖍area, puzzle table, Jinga, Connect 4, hola hoops, food🥪 and beverages🥛! The success of this event lies in the notion that the people who attended this event will not keep this experience a secret🤫, thus fulfilling our part of our mission, by getting the mental health conversation started.☀️🌍‼️

Dric & Shon💫