The Work – Beats, Rhymes & Relief

Our First Campaign of 2019 is a Big One!

#BridgeOverTroubledWater

Wednesday, April 24, 2019, marks the 5 year anniversary of the
#FlintWaterCrisis

Help us life some of the burdens the good people of Flint, Michigan have been forced to bear.

40 gallons of fresh water delivered to EVERY household, EVERY month for a year,
starting with the most marginalized

UNTIL ALL THE PIPES ARE REPLACED!

When we first arrived in Flint in February of 2016 with our Justice League NYC family,
we saw how devastated this community was by the toxic, lead-filled water
that had been flowing out of their taps for almost a year.

When we first arrived in Flint in February of 2016 with our Justice League NYC family, we saw how devastated this community was by the toxic, lead-filled water that had been flowing out of their taps for almost a year.

We embedded ourselves at Joy Tabernacle located in the historic, Civic Park neighborhood of Flint, Michigan because our dear friend Pastor Robert McCathren had explained how although his community had been suffering long before the switch it was comprised of some
pretty resilient folks determined to see their city survive!

Watch Pastor McCathern introduce us to the community on our first visit to Flint below.

We embedded ourselves at Joy Tabernacle located in the historic, Civic Park neighborhood of Flint, Michigan because our dear friend Pastor Robert McCathren had explained how although his community had been suffering long before the switch it was comprised of some pretty resilient folks determined to see their city survive!

Watch Pastor McCathern introduce us to the community on our first visit to Flint below.

But at that stage of the crisis, when all eyes were on Flint, and with support pouring in from around the globe, we never thought they’d still be struggling to get safe water 5 years later!

But the city, state and federal government stopped supplying bottled water almost a year ago… and as private donations dry up, folks are waiting in line for 6-8 hours for 2 cases of water…
that’s roughly a quarter of their day for about 3 gallons of water.

The city has only completed 20% of the lead service line replacements – in large part because they are refusing to even consider any home for the replacement program with inactive or past-due water accounts.

Outrageous, right?

We think so, too!

So we’re calling on you to join LeeAnne Walters, Paul Simon and our friends at Joy Tabernacle as we try to help lift some of the burden the good folks in Flint have been forced to bear.

Here’s how a #BridgeOverTroubledWater will fill the void:

But the city, state and federal government stopped supplying bottled water almost a year ago… and as private donations dry up, folks are waiting in line for 6-8 hours for 2 cases of water…that’s roughly a quarter of their day for about 3 gallons of water.

Outrageous, right?

We think so, too!

So we’re calling on you to join LeeAnne Walters, Paul Simon and our friends at Joy Tabernacle as we try to help lift some of the burden the good folks in Flint have been forced to bear.

Here’s how a #BridgeOverTroubledWater will fill the void:

Why water – you ask?

Well for folks to live their BEST LIVES they need to consume at least 8 full glasses of water a day.

Now, that’s not so tough considering you can find it in coffee, tea and even some fresh juice.

But for now, we’ll just use coffee as an example…

Here’s how the #BridgeOverTroubledWater pledge works:

But wait a minute – why coffee?

Most of us don’t think twice about buying a coffee at the start of our day… regardless of the price.

Whether you grab a cup from your favorite spot or buy in bulk to make your own concoction at home, it all starts with freshwater. Something Flint residents have been fighting for… for the last 5 years!

This is a way to remind folks what a privilege it is to have access to safe, clean, affordable water.

Here’s why you should support:

Imagine this is your reality: The government has lied to you for FIVE years, your neighbors have died, and your children and the next SIX generations will suffer the debilitating side effects from lead poisoning. All because gross negligence, corruption and a wide spread cover-up trumped humanity.

And if that wasn’t enough, the state then penalizes you because you struggle to pay your water bill. You can’t afford to move, but it doesn’t matter anyway because the housing market
plummeted after the water crisis destroyed your city.

Wouldn’t you want someone to give up a few cups of coffee for you?

Of course you would!

But I thought I heard something about Paul Simon… what was that!

So first and foremost let’s all take a minute to thank the legendary Paul Simon for his legacy of philanthropy, community work and of course all that amazing music.

Ok… now here’s the story – Mr Simon, being the amazing human he is, actually took the time to research local change-makers in every community he’s ever toured in… just to say “thank you” for supporting him and his music. He found Lee Anne on his own and decided to honor her commitment to the community by donating $15,000 with the idea that the money would help sustain her work.

And he did it all without ever once wanting any credit or publicity for his actions.

But of course Lee being Lee, never wanting anyone to be left out,
she reached out to me, and “the rest is history” as they say.

And he did it all without ever once wanting any credit or publicity for his actions.

But of course Lee being Lee, never wanting anyone to be left out, she reached out to me, and “the rest is history” as they say.

The reality is the overwhelming majority of Flint residents are still suffering. We believe that with a little support and the right intentions we can make a real impact.

Last week the world witnessed a massive, historic effort that raised over ONE BILLION DOLLARS in donations, to rebuild Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris after a fire devastated an iconic building.

Surely the lives of 100,000 Americans are worth as much.

62 Cups = 1 month water delivery
128 Cups = 6 months
208 Cups = 1 year

But remember #EveryDollarCounts so donate whatever you can afford – All donations are 100% tax deductible.

So what happens after the money starts coming in?

Well we arrived in #Flint on May 1st to begin to set up a mechanism to prioritize needs, the delivery system, and a way to ensure those closest to the problem were included in the conversation about solutions so of course our first stop was Joy!

62 Cups = 1 month water delivery
128 Cups = 6 months
208 Cups = 1 year

But remember #EveryDollarCounts so donate whatever you can afford –
All donations are 100% tax deductible.

So what happens after the money starts coming in?

On May 1st, 2019, we opened the doors to our new headquarters at the Urban Renaissance Center located in the heart of Civic Park. We needed to set up a mechanism to prioritize needs and take the delivery system out for a test run. But first we sat down with our distribution team to discuss next steps.

After a powerful listening session with Pastor Robert McCathern, Mr. Trey Crockett, LeeAnne Walters and several forward thinking residents, it was decided that Flint would utilize the city’s collective experience to create a #blueprint for water delivery during a times of crisis while empowering the affected community!

So with our partners at URC and Joy Tabernacle leading the way, we will employ the community’s youth at $15/hr to take care of the initial water delivery and set up as well as all monthly replacements.

Follow along as we update our progress on the map below.

To sign up for water delivery service, please click the button below to fill out the questionnaire and we will contact you to schedule your service. Or, come see us at the Urban Renaissance Center located at
2505 N Chevrolet Ave, Flint, MI, 48504.

ALL submissions will be prioritized based on the information provided on questionnaire.

CLICK HERE TO BEGIN QUSTIONARRE

Make the pledge and help us build a #BridgeOverTroubledWater

Donate to #BridgeOverTroubledWater

All donations are 100% tax deductible.

Our Artists friends have taken notice of the work and see how important it is to support! Take a minute to show your love for their support by sharing this video on your social media platforms!

Major #SALUTE to our friend Joey BadA$$ who donated $5,000 during our second week of work! That’s enough water to cover 10 families for the entire year! And he took the time to make this video calling on the rest of us to do what we can to ensure ALL the #survivors of the #FlintWaterCrisis get the water their bodies so desperately need to heal and focus on their future!