I am not a political person, but when it comes to children, I get very emotional. A couple of years ago, I started working as a volunteer at A Place Called Home, a fabulous after-school program located in the heart of South Central Los Angeles.
Truth is, once you walk through the door of APCH and meet the children and the staff, you never leave. It's like a magnet--you have to come back!
So here I am, six years later, going every week to teach cooking to the kids. You might ask what this has to do with shoes? I actually created The Shoe Goddess to finance the cooking program and provide the kids with small gifts.
On Wednesday July 9, 2008, APCH inaugurated a new computer lab donated by Time Warner.
Students at APCH with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
Florence, The Shoe Goddess with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
The children with their brand new computers
Welcome all to the new ShoeGoddess site! To celebrate our new look, we have partnered with Couture Lab to bring to you a fabulous giveaway--an adorable one-of-a kind embroidered teddy bear, handcrafted by women artisans of The Forward Group giving back to their HIV/AIDS-struck communities in Africa. By entering this giveaway, you, too, can make a difference and help raise awareness of their cause. Each bear has a unique design and helps an artistic community in a small, but significant way. To enter the contest click on the teddy bear link and follow the instructions. The contest will run until July 15.
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Today my wish as a mother is that all moms of the world would join together to form a mommy shield to protect all the children. To comfort them, cheer them up when they doubt, pick them up when they fall, hug them when they succeed and give them the love they deserve, like only a Mom can do!
As Mothers we are taking today off to celebrate our mothers and enjoy our children and families. We will be back on Monday.
Thanks to Dana Green and her fabulous team of volunteers, the Cinderella Project provides over 400 gowns, beautiful shoes and jewelry to young girls from the inner city for one of the most important times in a teenager's life: her prom.
As I try to find a parking space, I can already tell that the long line of bubbly, excited girls was forming...anxious to find their dresses and shoes!
The event takes place at APCH, the fabulous center for children where I have been volunteering for years.
Check out our very first podcast! Cinderella Video
Thank you to Dana Green, Melissa Molina from APCH, Arlene and Elaine, all the girls, and the companies that donated shoes: BCBG Max Azria; Charles David; Joie; Jean Michel Cazabat; and Theory.
One of the many racks of clothes.
(More pictures after the jump)
We at TheShoeGoddess.com are proud to report on a fabulous, charitable event, that holds a special place in our hearts. The Cinderella Project is coordinated by A Place Called Home. A Place Called Home is a haven within South Central Los Angeles, dedicated to providing at-risk youth with a secure, positive family environment where they can learn how to lead a productive life, free of gangs, drugs and poverty.
For 7 years, The Cinderella Project’s real-life fairy godmothers have turned underprivileged teenage girls throughout Los Angeles into princesses by providing them with beautiful dresses and shoes for prom. This year, the event will be held Friday, May 2, from 3:00-6:00. The organization expects 300 girls this year. Special thanks go out to Lili Bridals and all the private donors, who are providing gowns, and to Joie,, Charles David, Jean Michel Cazabat, BCBG, and Ruthie Davis for providing the glass slippers!
Unfortunately many of us have faced the heardships of breast cancer, although more treatements are available today, it still remains a deadly disease. The theshoegoddess is actively supporting breast cancer research in hope to one day find a cure.
Fashion Illustration by Fashion Designers is a collection of original sketches by 50 of some of the world’s most celebrated fashion designers. Compiled by Style.com editor Laird Borrelli, the designs include some never-before-seen sketches.
Here are some of the beautiful sketches
Bagdley Miska
Rodarte
Sonia Rykiel
Peter Som
By now we should all know October is breast cancer awareness month , and because we are women we should show our colors by stepping in support of the cure.
As they do every year O.P.I& and Essie have created two beautiful soft shade of pink nail polish with Pink of Hearts, a new OPI Nail Lacquer created exclusively to support Susan G. Komen for the Cure in its promise to end breast cancer forever. In 2007, OPI will make a donation of $25,000 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.A heartfelt, hopeful light pink, Pink of Hearts is a shade every woman will be proud to wear because it represents the power of caring, the power of women supporting each other, and the power of pink
O.P.I pink of hearts $7.50 enailsupply
Essie pink is powerful a delicate shimmery pale pink
Essie pink is powerful $8.00 Essie
Daily I receive emails of support from my readers regarding the cooking class program I have created in South Central L.A (to know more about it click here a little about me), Thank you so much for your support it means the world to me, here are some pictures and updates.
The program is doing well I have 50 kids that sometime can get a little out of hand
I am anxiously looking forward to hear from companies like G.E and Bed bath and beyond that I have contacted regarding a sponsorship, here I am with my kids.APCH
For the one of you that live in Los Angeles or in Southern California, This is a fun event coming up it will be perfect to anticipate Christmas shopping and also 100% of the tickets benefit goes toward differente non profit organization. citadel outlets
Click twice on "Donate" tab, Select "Other" and enter amount ($20, $40, etc.); Then under "Type of Donation", Select -- "Other* - Specify in text field below"
In text field below, please specify "Shopping Extravaganza" and the # of tickets you purchased.
We will mail tickets to the address you provide.
Purchase tickets on the day of the event (though we prefer that you purchase in advance).
Thank you so much
Florence theshoegoddess
As many of you have read on theshoegoddess.net, my life is dedicated to improving kid's lives and especially kids from Los Angeles inner-city.
I have been a volunteer for years at a fabulous after school program that not only provides a safe haven for many children but also enables them to learn and enjoy many activities such as music, dance, creative expression, yoga, computer literacy and many more. But First and foremost it shields these children from the dangers of gang violence and drugs.
A few months ago I was able to create a cooking program that I teach every Tuesday. The response has been incredible; it started with six kids signed up to 15 and counting.
My hope is to find advertisers through this blog which will hopefully provide me with the means to create many more programs. I would like to redo the whole kitchen and provide scholarship for the less fortunate.
A place called home
Although it has nothing to do with shoes, I wanted to share with you, some of the pictures. taken during the cooking classes.
This is me the Florence theshoegoddess with some of my students.
One of my cute little one.
Last week me made a chocolate cake.
Our brand new kitchen aid stand mixer.
Thank you to Melissa for taking this great pictures.
I want to tell you about a wonderful event that I attended yesterday. The A.P.C.H. “Girlz in the Hood Women of Achievement†luncheon. However, I was extremely upset when I got word that Paris Hilton was released from jail because of medical condition! I usually don't give too much into the celeb gossip world. But, this time I have to say that I am as very shocked about the unfairness of her treatment. Being involved with young people throughout South Central Los Angeles, I can’t help but think what kind of message this action is sending to young kids. Is justice not the same for all? If you are famous and have money you can easily buy your way out of trouble? To me, this action is saying you don't need to be a responsible individual toward society because society will forgive you. If you are Paris Hilton society will reward you for even for being a piece of trash. We must ask ourselves, is this what we want our youth to look up at? Is this the new role model society has set up for them?
I place blame on the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for being such cowards and releasing Paris Hilton for fear of a lawsuit. But also shame on us for empowering people like Paris Hilton and letting her believe that she is above the law. I also believe the system is blind and corrupted. Where is the justice for all the South Central children and many other young victims of urban violence who are gunned down every day on their way to school just because they are born on the wrong side of the freeway? Where do we stand as a society to protect them? My heart goes out to all the young people who every day are pulled over, thrown on the ground and handcuffed on a first offense. The constitution tells us that all humans are equal. I feel that today, unless proved otherwise, this statement is untrue.
THE LOCATION: The crystal Ballroom, Beverly Hills Hotel, 9641 Sunset Blvd.
THE SETTING: The classy crystal ballroom decorated in peachy tones.
THE EVENT: The morning started with a boutique (to raise money) and of course shoes were involved. The following graciously donated shoes....
Fendi :Fendi
Joie: Joie
Mink: Mink
The Shoe Table
APCH is a wonderful place that provides at-risk youths from the inner city of L.A. with a secure and positive family environment Here, they can regain hope, belief and learn life skills that will help lead them to a positive future.
The “Girlz in the Hood†luncheon was to benefit the ACPH girlz project, a ten week program that inspires inner-city girls to strengthen their minds and spirits and teach them skills that will empower them. This program is designed to break the vicious cycle of abuse, violence and gang activity.
GUESTS: Molly Sims, Michelle Rodriguez, Suzanne Rico, Dolores Robinson and Holly Robinson Peete, and a lot of amazing women.
Michelle Rodriguez
The Award Recipients:
Molly Sims: She is a co –star of NBC’s drama show Las Vegas. Molly also supports many other charities such as El Faro (which supports Casa Hogar Sion, an orphanage in Tijuana Mexico), the ovarian cancer research fund and operation smile.
Roselyn Sanchez: She is a co-star of CBS series “without a trace." Off set, Roselyn dedicates her time to “Make a Difference,†“MANA†(a group committed to empowering Hispanic women) and PETA.
Michelle Rodriguez: Michelle once said, "I don't think it's narcissist to believe in yourself .I think some people are really scared to do that."
Ava T-Shamban, MD: Ava has been an acclaimed dermatologist for fifteen years. She has been committed to helping others and she is deeply involved with a number of worthy causes including Planned Parenthood and Westside Food Bank.
Sandra J.Evers-Manly: She is vice president of Ethnics & Diversity, Northrop Grumman corporation. In addition, she is the president of Northrop Grumman foundation which supports programs that improve educations.
Here are two of A.C.P.H.’s wonderful kids:
The “Be Girlz†band:
One successful young member:
Beautiful young girls with hope:
My post is written in memory of all the children who have died too soon in South Central Los Angeles. I also give a big thank you to Scott, Melissa, Derrion, Juliana, and all the fabulous people who are part of A.P.C.H. who make a difference every day.
Posted by Florence The Shoe Goddess.
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