The Kids Behind Threads.

 Today I want to introduce you to a few members of our team behind Threads. We're missing some kids, but here are 5 of our amazing student employees who are making your bracelets. If you want to read more about this new project we launched last week, click here. And you can shop for bracelets here.  Our student employees are all from the inner city, and your purchase helps provide jobs for them so they can pay their way through college and accomplish other things that will lead them to reach their goals. These guys are so excited to be a part of this, and have truly come together to help everything launch so smoothly. They all graduated high school this year, and are now saving and preparing to go to college. Their insights are profound. What they have to contribute to society is so incredible and I am so blessed to have them on my team. 

Yesterday NBC local news in Phoenix filmed a story about Threads. Oh my gosh we were all so excited. One of the girls told the producer, "We're all trying to break the cycle. People just don't expect a lot out of us coming from South Phoenix. We're not expected to go to college, they just don't care what we do. This is giving us a chance to make a change. And it feels so good that people believe that we can."

I cried. But tried to be quiet about it so my mic wouldn't pick it up. I wouldn't trade this in for anything in the whole world...

(instagram- @theshineproject)

Every week I'm going to introduce you to a new member of the Threads team. These kids spent the morning writing thank you notes to everyone that has purchased so far, and to everyone that will purchase in the future...

Today, meet Alyssa.

Alyssa comes from a single parent home and finds a lot of strength and joy from her siblings. She told me that her biggest motivation is to conquer the odds that have been stacked against her, and to use all means to do that. She wants to become a neurosurgeon so that she can save people's lives. She'll start at a community college in the fall, and transfer to ASU after two years. Her biggest heros in her life are her mother and sister because of all the obstacles they've overcome. She wants to be remembered for her optimistic outlook on life, and for her hope for a better tomorrow. Alyssa wanted to tell you, "You are the change we need in the world, you're changing my life by supporting Threads. I love you and appreciate you!"