Latest News

Latest News

Posted 3-8-24

Coming Soon: Illuminating a Better Tomorrow – a new LIGHTFEST Initiative

Learn more about the originators of the effort here.

 

Posted 9-20-20

Introducing  OLIVIA BOHLER

We Survive’s 2020 Youth Ambassador

Olivia has volunteered with We Survive, since she was a Brownie in Girl Scouts.  Her troop participated in several events each year.  

In 2019, Olivia‘s junior year of high school, Olivia approached us regarding needing service hours for the National Honor Society (NHS) and her Girl Scout (GS) Gold Award.  By partnering with Olivia on her NHS project and GS Gold Award, We Survive had an extremely inspirational  2019 LIGHTFEST Re-Ignited.  

It was decided by We Survive leadership that Olivia be the 2020 We Survive Youth Ambassador.  As We Survive’s 2020 Youth Ambassador, Olivia Bohler says, “I am so excited to continue my service as a member of the We Survive team.  This amazing organization has positively impacted the community for almost 27 years.  To be a part of this change has been an honor that I’ve had for a decade – one that I cannot wait to continue.”

It is an honor that We Survive is able to showcase all of Olivia’s good works through community service in the 2020-2021 school year and beyond.  Her efforts span over multiple organizations for many years.  We Survive is fortunate to be one of them.

Posted 2-6-18

You can now purchase tickets for VOICES – Passport to Art!

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Posted 1-1-18

Do you believe in Miracles? We do! Find out more about our newest addition to the We Survive team here.

Posted 12-12-17

Click here to find out more about the Miss Gifts for Angels Pageant being held on February 3rd, 2018. The Gifts for Angels pageant’s purpose is to collect toys and NICU care package items for children and their families at Norton Children’s Hospital in hopes of brightening their days.

Posted 11-30-2017

We Survive would like to welcome Erica Rhodes

College student Erica Rhodes contacted We Survive wanting to be part of a team that inspires Hopes and Dreams.  Read more about our impressive new volunteer, Erica, here.

Posted 9-19-2017

We Survive would like to introduce Jacqueline Mason, Owner and Founder of Tackle The Agenda. 

Jacqueline has offered to help We Survive by putting her marketing and social media experience to introduce people to our vision and mission of LIGHTFEST Re-Ignited.  Jacqueline is passionate about working with the under-served population and non-profit organizations.

With 12 years of administrative experience, it was refreshing to hear her say, “My Company would love to help! We support non-profits. We’re skilled with online marketing and social media platforms.”

I’m proud to announce that Tackle The Agenda is an official sponsor of We Survive and LIGHTFEST Re-Ignited 2017.

Won’t you join us in welcoming Jacqueline Mason and Tackle The Agenda to We Survive’s Social Media Team!!

Posted 9-8-2017

We Survive Hurricane Harvey Relief

We Survive is aware that Hurricane Harvey brought storms, tornadoes, record rainfall and flooding to communities in Texas and Louisiana.

The needs will change daily, weekly and monthly for those recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Harvey, We Survive is joining with St. Angela Merici Catholic Church in Missouri City, Texas—a suburb of Houston, Texas.

We Survive is asking that you donate Gift Cards that will help those in need to get their basic needs of food, clothing and repairs for shelter.

Kroger, WalMart, Target, and Lowe’s have stores in the areas where support is needed.

You can send your gift card to:

We Survive

P.O. Box 91401

Louisville, Ky 40291

Attn: Hurricane Harvey

Together We Will Change Lives!!

This collection will continue through the month of September.

September is Hunger Action Month

Plan now to make September 2017 a time to stand together against hunger.

Join We Survive in supporting hurricane relief efforts in Texas. The goal of National Hunger Action Month is to create a movement throughout September that has a real and lasting impact on the issue of hunger in our communities.

Posted 12-7-16

CONGRATULATIONS to Kyle Mitchell

In the New Year, Kyle Mitchell has a new job as marketing manager with American Association of Owner Operators (AAOO).  “AAOO was looking for someone young with a strong mind and passion for digital marketing and that’s what I bring for them.  Right now I am running over 10 different social media profiles, blogging, running email campaigns, and various other marketing projects.”  Kyle said, “I am overflowing with work here but I love it because this is my passion.”

 We Survive received an email from Kyle in November 2016, wanting to volunteer as the Digital Marketing Manager.  He said that he was eager to help share We Survive’s LIGHTFEST and Day of Hope message of inspiring Hopes and Dreams.

 In December 2016, Kyle wrote a Luminating Letter for a new project Portrayal of Hope.   Kyle felt the frustration of being a college graduate and not finding work in his chosen career.

He wrote his Luminating Letter to students regarding life after graduating high school along with the ins and outs about going to college. In his letter, Kyle states, “the feeling I get from inspiring is far greater than the feeling of receiving money”

Kyle learned that volunteering gives you a chance to meet new people, being able to share your knowledge and do something you love to do.

 Volunteering has its benefits.  When you put your passion into purpose, people will recognize this when you apply for a job. Kyle feels, “You need to have a deep reason that can drive you every day to get up and put everything you have into that day because only then will you feel truly successful.”

Posted 11-10-16

LIGHTFEST Re-Ignited 2016

The LIGHTFEST Re-Ignited event at St. Augustine on Saturday, November 5 was a great success! A special thanks to all our sponsors and volunteers for making this a very special day for all!

Sponsor-Passport Health Plans
Host—St. Augustine Catholic Church

Volunteers- 

ATA College-Nursing Students
Burnett Ave. Baptist Church Youth Group
Courtney Ellis from the Louisville Nature Center

Girl Scout Troop 476
Jacqueline Browning
Jacqueline McMillian-Bohler

Katrina Bailey
Kentucky One Health—Our Lady of Peace
Linda Young

Louisville KY Bikers Guild
Matthew Simons Simons Electric
Marji Pilato
Michelle Dollar

Miguel Walker-The Best Bite
We Survive
Youth Checker/Chess Challengers
Zeta Amica of Louisville Ky

In case we have missed anyone, please know we appreciate your help. To read more about the event and to see pictures go here.

 

Posted 11-3-16

LIGHTFEST Event with Global Game Changers

Pictures from the LIGHTFEST event Sunshine Joe Mallard had with the children of the Global Game Changers afterschool program at the Ali Center.

You can see a video from the event on the Global Game Changers’ Facebook page here.

 

Posted 11-2-16

WHAS Interviews

Check out the WHAS interviews with Sunshine Joe Mallard about the LIGHTFEST event at the Ali Center held today and the LIGHTFEST celebration on Saturday.

LIGHTFEST Brightening the Community

LIGHTFEST Reaching out to Brighten the Community

A big thanks to Sunshine Joe for spreading the LIGHTFEST message!

 

Posted 10-28-16

Map of Locations Lighting Up

Check out the Locations Lighting up for LIGHTFEST 2016! Locations Lighting up for LIGHTFEST 2016

Posted 10-14-16

LIGHTFEST Re-Ignited continues to grow.  We have youth from all over the country involved.  Portrayal of Hope featuring Sunshine Joe Mallard, new this year, has generated a lot of interest.

As of today, there are 25 states and 2 countries that will have LIGHTFEST Activities this year.  This is a great time to for you join the growing list of 2016 LIGHTFEST Re-Ignited participants.

Together, we will LIGHT and UNITE to make the world a better place with this simple message of HOPE.

As we take the message of HOPE Around the World—We Survive asks that everyone join this journey and create a Portrayal of Hope at his or her school, workplace or organization.

On November 5, shine a Light of Hope wherever you are at 6pm Eastern Time.  It can be a flashlight, candle, cell phone or turn on your porch light.

By becoming a LIGHTFEST Community you are sending a message of hope that can be shared while you rally to support those who are vulnerable to poverty, hunger and homelessness.  If you think about it that could be anyone.

Together, on November 5, 2016, let’s all Shine a LIGHT and UNITE!!

Posted September 26, 2016

Join us to create a Portrayal of Hope at your school, workplace or organization. Read more here.

In conjunction with LIGHTFEST Re-Ignited, We Survive would like for you to host and share your experience creating a Portrayal of HOPE in order to:

• Raise awareness and educate communities about the issues the impoverished face.
• Empower those affected by poverty and homelessness to BELIEVE in the power of having a dream
• Showcase portrayals of hope worldwide

 

Your Portrayal of HOPE will be experienced by children and families in your community and shared with the world. See Portrayals of Hope from others here.

 

We would love to post/showcase your Portrayal of Hope. Let us know what you have planned at lightfest@wesurvive.org

 

Posted June 23, 2016

Chili’s Fundraiser

Help support We Survive’s Day of Hope when you eat at Chili’s between 6/22 and 9/9! Bring a copy of this voucher and 15% of your purchase (before taxes) will come back to We Survive.

 

 

 

Shining Bright for We Survive

Posted on February 10, 2016

Two amazing young women, Sharon (Wells) McKean and Chrissy Marzano are Stars shining brightly as a vital KEY to Brilliance for LIGHTFEST Re-Ignited fueling We Survive’s Day of Hope.

Sharon (Wells) McKean

Sharon joined We Survive’s WOW Team when she was in high school. Sharon says, “We Survive and the WOW program enabled me to develop skills in networking, creative thinking, and community improvement. Through this organization, I became a steward for my community and the youth  within it. By helping others and working as a team, I have become a better person and have carried the skills I learned in my youth to become a strong, active adult serving communities across the world. We Survive is truly international Beacon of Hope https://wesurvive.org/beacon-project/ that brings a world of millions to a community of one.”

Having been diagnoses with Multiple Sclerosis, Sharon will be launching a We Survive Multiple Sclerosis education and awareness initiative that focuses on how much having HOPE played in her resiliency starting March, 2016.

Chrissy Marzano 

When Chrissy contacted me, she let me know that she wanted to put her Digital Media skills to use for our cause. When we finally were able to talked, I could hear the passion in Chrissy’s voice when it came to her work with and for youth. Chrissy has over 8 years experience in Digital Media Marketing. She says, “My passion and drive come from connecting people, ideas, and brands behind a collective vision.

Chrissy was responsible for the creation of National Safe Place Social Media presence and facilitated on-line community building spreading the National Safe Place mission for youth in need. As of 2016, Chrissy is We Survive’s Social Media Director.

 

 

Grassroots Movement Gains International Exposure

Posted November 12, 2015

“How wonderful it is that no one need wait a single moment

before starting to change the world” ~ Anne Frank

 

A non-profit organization with headquarters located in a one stop light town, Bloomfield, KY, took a big step when they re-ignited LIGHTFEST. We Survive is sending the same message today that was sent by the original LIGHTFEST held from 1997 to 2001 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY— Inspiring Hopes & Dreams.

Communities around the world stepped out on November 7, 2015 to make a difference in the lives of those living in poverty. The steps taken on November 7, 2015 have kick-off a year long campaign to IMPROVE IMPROVERISHED LIVES and realize The Power of the Dream.

There are no easy solutions to poverty.

An Act Out 4 Kids (AO4K) production—Local Louisville area youth took simple steps towards social change by bringing together youth from different organizations throughout the Louisville community. They created an invitational video for LIGHTFEST Re-Ignited.

On November 7, 2015, St. Augustine in Louisville, KY as reported by WHAS 11 Staff, @WHAS11 8:47 a.m. EST November 8, 2015 “held their own ‘Light of Hope’ display to show support for the ‘Lightfest Re-ignited Movement,’ which is a worldwide campaign dedicated to showing hope and support for people living in poverty.

LIGHTFEST Re-Ignited 2016 will be November 5.

Spread the Word NOW

LIGHTFEST Re-Ignited will have activities throughout the year that will educate and raise awareness about what the impoverish face.

Check out the LIGHTFEST Re-Ignited website and get to know the LIGHTFEST Ambassadors from all over the globe.

LIGHTFEST Re-Ignited is a time to bring together communities to convey the need for attention to issues the impoverish face. Those living with and beyond poverty, family members, friends, healthcare providers and encouragers will to show the world that we all can live meaningful, productive inspiring lives.

Let’s get everyone involved in this WORLDWIDE initiative to turn this snowball into an avalanche.

 

 

LIGHTFEST Re-Ignited 2015 – LIGHTFEST Ignites a Global Awareness

Be a part of history with the creation of the Mobile Mural of HOPE.

With Pope Francis’ focus on Hope and Healing during his US visit, it falls right in line with the LIGHTFEST Re-Ignited message to Light the World with HOPE. Universally, we all need hope in our lives.

Act Out 4 Kids (AO4K) LIGHFEST Re-Ignited Invitation Video has made it possible to connect with individuals, organizations and agencies across the globe. LIGHTFEST Re-Ignited will join together hundreds of communities celebrating HOPE on November 7.

Locally, St. Augustine, 1310 West Broadway, Louisville, KY will host AO4K and We Survive’s LIGHTFEST Re-Ignited Day of Hope Festival beginning at 4:00pm and a Light of Hope display at 6pm. This will be a very festive occasion. Share this flyer about the event with your friends: LIGHTFEST Reignited Flyer 2015

AO4K will begin working on the mural at 4:00pm. If you want more information on the mural, you can e-mail lightfest@wesurvive.org or view the LIGHTFEST Re-Ignited Mural Design & Poetry Project page.

By supporting AO4K and LIGHTFEST Re-Ignited, we can turn a snowball into an avalanche to Improve Impoverished Lives.

“Brighten impoverished lives by displaying a Light of Hope wherever you are on November 7, 2015 at 6pm Eastern Time, It can be a porch light, candle, cell phone, or flashlight. Join others around the world in celebrating LIGHTFEST Re-Ignited movement!”