We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Racheal Rickman. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Racheal below.
Hi Racheal, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the best thing you’ve ever seen (or done yourself) to show a customer that you appreciate them?
Running a non-profit that helps the homeless community it is important to show up. Showing up means staying consistent, listening to our clients’ needs and making a personal connection. I thrive to do that with every single person we meet in our outreach. I show up when I am tired, in pain, and have a million other things to do. But this is because I gave my word and the clients we serve depend on us and our services. I know Joys favorite color is yellow so if I find a yellow blanket or sweater I set it aside for her. I know Doug was a painter, so I asked donors for paint supplies to help make his days on the streets just a little easier. I know JT hates Diet Coke, so I bring another drink for him I keep to the side. I know Isabella has kids, so I try and bring something for the kids when we see her. These are all little ways we make a difference and show those we serve that they matter.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Racheal and I am the Founder and Executive Director of the non-profit 500 Projects of Love. I started my outreach Baby Clothes Worn with Love in 2010 with the goal to help moms in need, I was a young mom myself and a college student. I had a young mom reach out asking for supplies and things just blossomed from there. I helped over 200 moms over 2 years out of my mom’s house. Around this same time my own father became homeless, and I moved away from home to continue schooling into a small apartment. I could no longer store everything but still wanted to help so shifted gears. We rebranded as 500 Projects of Love, and I started doing donation drives for other organizations. I did this for a few years and then moved to another state (Las Vegas). I connected here with numerous already established non-profits and the cycle continued.
I helped these organizations with their donation drives, volunteer management, fundraising and overall operations.
In 2019 on his 60th birthday my dad passed away. Alot of different things started to come together and I realized after doing this for so long to help serve other nonprofits I wanted to create my own to honor my dad and his struggles over the years with homelessness. I also struggle with my own mental health. 500 Projects of Love does not focus on mental health; however, I mention it because through my own journey I can relate to many of those we serve.
in June of 2020 500 projects of Love became an official 501c3. 500 Projects of Love provides vital support to individuals experiencing homelessness in Las Vegas, while igniting a movement to inspire and empower others to help make an impact in the homeless community. We Serve between 125 and 250 homemade meals monthly and provide 250 Holidays of Hope Gift Bags 5x a year to our homeless friends in need.
When I think about all we have accomplished in almost 6 years of service as a nonprofit the thing I am most proud of is myself. I knew nothing about running a business or starting a nonprofit. There is still a lot I don’t know. But my client’s know Racheal keeps her word. My client’s know Racheal cares. She shows up zero questions asked, without judgment just kindness and love. Yes, I am talking about myself in the third person, ha but I do that to show the impact as why i am proud of myself.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Struggling with my own mental health I sometimes get in my own way. I tend to feel like I am not doing enough. I feel like just because the change hasn’t been immediate in our clients, or that we haven’t grown like I hoped this means we are not successful. We have had to scale back multiple times, and this feels like failure to me. I compare myself to others doing more or who have more resources and recognition. I have had to unlearn this mindset and allow myself to be on our journey. I know we are helping people and making an impact. True it may not be as big as others, but we are doing it. Every meal served provides hope, every gift bag handed out shows love. every conversation had shows that someone cares. That has been a great lesson in learning I am only one person and I am making a difference in the ways I know how.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
I said this in another answer earlier, but I think it comes down to a few words. SHOW UP. My clients and donors all know that if I say I am going to do something (within my power) it is going to get done. This builds trust and fosters relationships. My life would be such much simpler if I created outreach teams to cover different sides of town. Our outreach days happen once a month and can be 10 to 14 hour days. We serve between 15 and 30 different locations in one day. This is after cooking, plating and loading vehicles. I should add most of the time it is myself and my boyfriend only. We both work outside of running the nonprofit, we do not pay ourselves a penny and both are disabled. At times we have a few volunteers, but it is hit and miss. I mention this all not to complain or get a pat on the back but to truly demonstrate the heart and passion that goes into what 500 projects of Love does. Despite it all WE SHOW UP. I think those that know 500 projects of Love as a brand believe in the power of what we do and why we do it the way we do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://500projectsoflove.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/500projectsoflove/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/500ProjectsofLove/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7RZi9-H7AGvjyglXBj1mbg
- Other: TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@500projectsoflove
Image Credits
Briana Gray Mason Street Productions (featured photo)