You Are Loved Pop Up

05/06/2017

We will form circles that can't be broken. We will protect and protest. If we solidify our unity, it is harder to tear us apart. ❤❤.

The antigay atrocities in Chechnya reminds LGBT folks everywhere how fragile our safety truly is.

03/26/2017

Ken Farrell is a local makeup artist and personal stylist that generously donated his time and skills to our event! The kids LOVED him. He did such an amazing job, I was blown away! Also he was easily the best dressed at the event 👌 Thank you Ken so much for all that you gave, it was so incredible to see how happy and confident everyone was when they left your chair ❤ If you ever need a makeup artist or stylist or want to try something new check out Ken!!

03/26/2017

Tricia Pleu generously donated her time and skills to our event and kept her hands busy all day giving haircut after haircut! This lady is a boss! She also has an incredible traveling stylist business and who doesn't need that!? Check her out, she is based in Saratoga. Thank you so so much Tricia you did such an amazing job, all those kids were so happy, everyone left your chair with such good energy ❤

Hair Salon

03/26/2017

HUGE THANK YOU to Albany's very own Infamous Graphics!! They donated this amazing banner for our event (and to be used at all future events!) valued at $196! What an incredible donation!! YAL is just a dream without our sponsors and volunteers and these incredibly generous people had such an important role is bringing the vision to life. They are a superb business that gives back to the community in many ways, thank you!!!!

03/26/2017

A look inside the YOU ARE LOVED POP UP SHOP! A couple months ago, prompted by a negative shift in the social and political climate surrounding LGBGQI justice and rights, I wanted to create an ongoing event that spread love to my local LGBTQI community. The YAL Pop Up Shop is community sponsored, meaning all goods, services and volunteers are from their local community. I want the LGBTQI youth to know that despite what they may hear happening in politics, there are people all around that love and support them. It is also to confront the issue of income based evolution of identity. The way we present ourselves to the world is paramount and can affect our confidence and our happiness. Offering free, good quality, modern and clean clothing, shoes and accessories as well as free haircuts and makeup was my idea to find a loophole in the income based plight of limited access to identity. In a deeper connection to the Transgender community, my hope was that it gave youth access to the gender identity clothing they needed and wanted. I came to this project through a lens of Intersectional Feminism and with that came many times when I learned how much I didn't know, how hard I had to work and how far I have to go to understand how we can be of service. To serve others is the greatest gift. Thank you to everyone who came and let us give. And most of all THANK YOU to my volunteers who were the lifeblood of the event, without you this was just a dream. You made it real, you are my dreams come true. Thank you to Boy & Girls Club of Albany, The Pride Center of Albany, Uncommon Grounds, Infamous Graphics, DJ Touch Onez, Ken Farrell for doing makeup, Amy Rose & Tricia Pleau for doing hair, Llona Hogan & Beth Alexander for their amazing clothing drive at Hattie's Restaurant as well as volunteering at the event and a special thank you to my husband, Greg DeLuis for working tirelessly with me on getting all the clothing ready, all the trips to get supplies and allll the loading and unloading and undying support and love for this event. YOU ARE SO SO SO SO LOVED ❤ I can't wait to do this again. My goal is that YAL spreads to other cities. As many as we can, because there is a need for this everywhere, in every city, in every state. We can do it if we try, and we will try for you ❤

03/26/2017

Some photos from our event! I'm blown away by the love that was palpable in the room ❤

03/19/2017

The "You Are Loved" Pop Up Shop is having an online auction to raise money for our March 25th event! We still need funds to pay for our bags, garment racks, transport of goods, food and beverage, hair/makeup tools, and decorations. Let's make it happen!

Here are our items (all donated at our last collection event at Hattie's). They are from local and loving homes! Look for pictures in other posts!
Fendi Purse
Louis Vuitton Purse
Christian Louboutin Heels
Gucci Sunglasses
Diane Von Furstenburg Dress

Click on the photos for starting bid, and to make a bid just comment below the pictures! I'll be ending the bidding Monday at 5pm and making deliveries on Tuesday! Good Luck and let's make some money!!!

03/10/2017

02/04/2017

Capital District Folks!!! Hattie's in Saratoga Springs has generously donated their amazing restaurant to the "You Are Loved" Pop Up Shop Fundraiser and Clothing Drive!!!

Thursday, February 16th starting at 5pm and going till whenever!
$5 Mojito Special!!

Bring your Clean, Modern & in Good Condition Clothing, Shoes and Accessories, all sizes/styles!!! Also collecting monetary donations via our GOFUNDME campaign on site!

Get started early on your spring closet cleaning and be a part of something beautiful. "You Are Loved" Pop Up Shop is a monthly event for area LGBTQI Youth at the Boys & Girls Club of Albany. Many of the participants are low income and some are at risk homeless.

YAL is a free shop experience. Once inside, the participants ages 13-20, will get to fill up a canvas bag with anything they like. The shop will be set up like a boutique, complete with a denim bar! We will also have some of the areas top stylists giving complimentary haircuts.

My goal is that we create a safe space, a sanctuary, for all who attend. I want this space to be an engaging environment to foster positive relationships, sense of community and evolution of identity. I want the kids that walk into our pop up shop to feel as though they not only belong in this world, but that they are a vital part of its existence. I want them to feel the love their community has for them. Although they may not know these people personally, there exists a network of support wanting to build them up. What more do we have in this world than each other? Being a good neighbor is all about having and showing love for one another in the form of solidarity and support in any way we can. Even if all we can do is donate a little clothing or money to a cause we believe in. Every bit counts, always, to people who need it.

Come be a part of something beautiful and benefit from the love that comes from giving. We all win when we give.

01/26/2017

Let's keep the moral up and the progress strong. Join me in bringing a beam of light into the LGBTQI youth community. Give what you can, as little as it may be, to help get the You Are Loved Pop Up Shop off the ground!

Funds will be used to purchase infrastructure for the pop up, cleaning and storage costs, funds to apply for official non profit status so that we may spread the pop up to other cities, funds to purchase garment racks and other functional art pieces as part of the pop up, purchase of canvas bags to be given to all youth who participate and so much more!

Together we can make a positive change ❤

https://www.gofundme.com/youarelovedpopup

In light of the recent political and social events, in combination with the previously occurring prejudices and political maneuvers that have tried to shame, target and put down the LGBTQI community, it is imperative that LGBTQI youth know that there are people in their local community that care....

01/11/2017

Would you like to donate? Are you a local business that would like to accept donations or hold special "donation events"?? YOU ARE LOVED Pop Up shops needs good quality items to give back to the community. Too often we have things sitting in our closets and drawers that are perfectly useful to so many. Let us take them off your hands and put them into the hands of area LGBTQI youth!

The best ways to facilitate donating is to:
1) Get your group of friends or neighbors together and pool your donations for pick up.
2) Let us use your business as a drop off location. I will provide you with a collection basket and will pick up weekly.
3) Let us use your business, restaurant or bar for a "Donation Event", I will be there to answer any questions and to collect donations during your normal hours, while taking up minimal space and hopefully encouraging people to stay a while and take advantage of what you have to offer!

Let us know if you are interested in doing any of these, any level of help is apprechiated!