Threads...

when you're working real hard

2018-11-16T21:53:00.000-05:00

on mastering that pencil grip

Tomorrow we're going to NH to have Thanksgiving with Dave's family and then to my parent's house to celebrate my Dad's birthday. Tonight when I was putting her to bed she asked if we can go golfing tomorrow. I said "no! it's cold and there's snow on the ground!" to which she replied '"but Papa loves to golf and I want him to have a special birthday" <3

TFE turns 2!

2013-05-20T07:00:00.000-04:00

Tailored for Education turned two yesterday. When I really thought about this birthday I was reminded what a journey the past two years have been……..

I still remember right where Jess and I were when I told her my plan. I hadn't finished my sentence before she said "I want to be part of this" (the sentence finishing is nothing new for the two of us). Interestingly enough we remember all of the responses from people we told; our parents, friends, co-workers, grandparents, extended family and even some strangers. I even remember Dave's response when Jess told him. It is funny how the first moments of something that would grow to be so important still stand out, but in all honesty that's how we got here. Support. Encouragement. Enthusiasm. Friendship. Teamwork. Generosity. Faith. Hope. Kindness. The only reason we have been able to provide almost 9,000 uniforms in the past two years instead of ending with the 200 Jess and I started with is because of those who have believed in us along the way.

We have learned a lot in the past two years. I know that if it weren't for Jess everything would be misspelled and I probably would have given up one of the 500 times over the past two years I was discouraged. I know that if it weren't for Dave we wouldn't have our 5013c designation or financial statements. I know if it weren't for my Dad the Michael scarf would never have been this popular. I know that providing uniforms gives the children we help the chance to receive an education. I know that every child in this world deserves to be educated and have the chance to change their life. We learned recently that the students in Kenya who received uniforms test scores were better. I know that having the uniforms made locally to the schools improves the local communities through job creation. We have lots of years ahead to test these data points and measure our progress, but I know what we set out to do works. I also know we will keep going and that our third year will be out best yet.

From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU to all of those who have helped us get here.

Happy Birthday Tailored for Education!

xo, Megan and Jess

Celeb-ri-TFE spotlight on Dave Roy & Matt Aresenault!

2013-05-15T07:00:00.000-04:00

Celeb-ri-TFE
(n) 1. someone who has gone out of their way to help Tailored for Education raise money or awareness

This week our Celeb-ri-TFE spotlight is on Dave Roy and Matt Arsenault! Dave and Matt have worked countless hours over the past few weeks to wrap up our 2012 financial statements! They had to be postmarked by today and the boys got them in the mail yesterday, one day to spare!

Dave's official title is TFE Treasurer but without his permission we have expanded his role to include Chief Risk Officer, Compliance Manager, Accountant and All-Things-Financial Consultant.

Matt is a new face to TFE; he and Dave used to work together. Matt graciously agreed to be our independent CPA and was a tremendous help in closing our books on 2012.

this is not Matt (we don't have a picture), but the best image when I googled "accountant"!

DAVE & MATT, thank you so much for all of your hard work these past few weeks. We couldn't do it without you!!

Introducing The Vertile Foundation…..

2013-05-13T07:00:00.000-04:00

We are so thrilled to introduce you to The Vertile Foundation. The Vertile Foundation supports 15 children in Carrefour, Haiti (right outside of Port-au-Prince). Those 15 children live in The Vertile House where they are provided with a safe haven and access to education. We are so happy to be providing all 15 children with uniforms!

We will....

2013-05-03T07:00:00.000-04:00

We haven't forgotten about you! Quite the opposite actually, as we have LOTS to share with you! It's just that we are in the middle of a secret project and are waiting until it's finished to update you on what we've been up to. Please email us if you have any specific questions but if you can be patient, we know you will agree it was worth it!

Thank you for all your continued support!

xo,

Megan & Jess

Introducing Flying Kites...

2013-03-27T07:00:00.000-04:00

...our newest Giving Partner!

From their website:

Flying Kites was started when a little boy living in an overcrowded orphanage in the slums of Nairobi challenged a small group of volunteers to see him as a child, and not as an orphan.

Orphans need bowls of rice. Children need families, people to invest in the quality of their education and the possibility of their dreams. They need nourishment and inspiration and adventure and security; they need to be shown that the world cares about who they are and who they will become.

We couldn't agree more.

Flying Kites was referred to us by a mutual contact and after a quick introduction we knew we were an obvious fit for one another. We will be providing uniforms to 89 children attending various schools - primary and secondary schools as well as various Outreach programs.

We are psyched about this new partnership and will keep you posted as the project progresses and we have pictures of smiling faces to share with you!

xo,
Megan & Jess

You're Invited!

2013-03-13T11:31:00.002-04:00

We are excited to invite you to an exclusive screening of Girl Rising, a groundbreaking new film from Academy Award-nominated director Richard E. Robbins. The feature film tells the stories of nine extraordinary girls, each transformed for the screen by an acclaimed writer from her native country. The chapter on Haiti tells the story of Wadley, a girl who Partners In Health helped in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake.Girl Rising showcases the strength of the human spirit and the power of education to change the world.

On March 21st at 5:30pm we are hosting a special VIP event at West Bridge Restaurant in advance of the screening and we would be thrilled if you could attend. Purchase your tickets here! If you can't make it to our VIP event we would love to have you join us just for the movie screening at 6:30 pm at The Kendall Square Cinema (tickets here). Please purchase your tickets well in advance as this will certainly sell out!

Sponsored by Intel, the event will benefit the work of Tailored for Education, The Komera Project (our amazing all girls project in Rwanda) and Partners In Health (our fabulous partner in Malawi).

March 21st, 2013 at 7 p.m. EST
Kendall Square Cinema
355 Binney St., Cambridge, MA 02141
VIP Reception begins at 5:30 p.m. EST and doors for the movie screening open at 6:30 p.m. EST

xo, Megan and Jess

Happy International Women's Day!

2013-03-08T14:44:00.001-05:00

xo, Megan and Jess

We are on Recoup!

2013-03-04T07:00:00.000-05:00

We are so thrilled to announce that we are one of the causes on Recoup! Now you have another way to shop fabulous products while helping Tailored for Education!

What is Recoup?

we are the first cause-shopping platform that brings consumers, businesses, and nonprofits together. shop for the things you want, save on exclusive promotions, all while you support the causes you love.

to learn more visit our page and start shopping!

xo, Megan and Jess

Gracias

2013-02-27T09:00:00.000-05:00

From one of our fifth graders in El Salvador :-)
Today we are wiring funds for a second round!!

Week in Review

2013-02-22T08:00:00.000-05:00

It's been a few weeks since we have done a review. Apologies for our low blogging volume, we have had a lot going on...which is a good thing! A few things we wanted to bring to your attention....

Check out this post on HP Impact: Entrepreneurship: One Answer to Poverty It talks about the public and private sectors working together to enable more entrepreneurial opportunities for the impoverished, and most notably, for women. It ties into a lot of the same points that were discussed at the Social Enterprise Conference that we attended when Nemo was in town.

We are busy planning TFE's first trip!! Can't tell you any details yet, but this picture is a clue. If you are up on your endangered species and have kept up with our project locations, you will figure it out!

Lastly, we have two new projects for 2013! They aren't 100% official just yet, but they will be after budgets are finalized and MOUs are signed. Stay tuned ....

Happy Friday, have a great weekend and a snowy one for those of you in the Northeast. Stay warm and safe.

xoxo,

Megan & Jess

The words of a hero….

2013-02-05T07:00:00.000-05:00

"I want every girl to be educated"

- Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousafzai, the 15 year old Pakistani advocate for girls' education broke her silence this week. As you all remember she was shot by the Taliban in October for her powerful stance on universal education for all girls.

Her kind words, gratitude and determination should be an inspiration to us all! What an amazing young woman and a hero to us all!

xo, Megan and Jess

Dignitas Part 2: Complete

2013-01-24T07:00:00.000-05:00

We know we have been running a little silent lately, but don't mistake that silence for inactivity! To be honest the holidays got the best of both of us. We were so blessed with phenomenal scarf sales during the holidays, which helped us reach a whole new audience! Once we got through the holidays we both welcomed 2013 sick and tired. So we took a deep breath and slowed down to get better, get organized and catch up. Big things are coming to Tailored for Education in 2013! Some reflection on the past year and goals for 2013 are coming soon, but for now we are pleased to announce that round two of uniform distribution with The Dignitas Project in Nairobi, Kenya is COMPLETE!

We provided uniforms to 141 girls and 171 boys at seven schools in the Mathare Valley. The light and hope in their faces should be an inspiration to us all. As well as a reminder than no day is a bad one!

P.S. Are you loving all the bright colored uniforms as much as I am?

xo, Megan and Jess

Bonjour + Hola Giveaway!

2013-01-16T07:00:00.000-05:00

Thanks to the amazing Elizabeth Baker we have a giveaway for you this week! Pop on over to Elizabeth's fabulous blog, Bonjour + Hola to win your very own Michael scarf. Between now and Tuesday, January 22nd all you have to do is:

1. Facebook or Tweet about this giveaway {with a link back to this post!}

2. Send Elizabeth an email {elizabeth@bonjourandhola.com} stating you have done so {include your tweet so she can see it!}. Also, include your contact info!

3. Like Bonjour + Hola on Facebook

The Michael scarf is the perfect "pick me up" to cure those January blues while giving the gift of education! A big thanks to Elizabeth for helping us raise awareness with such a beautiful write-up on Bonjour + Hola, our go-to spot for all things fabulous!

xo, Megan and Jess

Sneak peek....

2013-01-09T08:00:00.000-05:00

of our SECOND project with The Dignitas Project! We provided uniforms to 141 girls and 171 boys from seven schools in the Mathare Valley. These uniforms included a pair of shorts, a shirt, a sweater, shoes, and a pair of socks for boys and a dress, a sweater, shoes, and a pair of socks for girls. Aren't they just adorable?!

xo,

Megan & Jess

2012

2012-12-31T09:29:00.000-05:00

I had big plans to write a letter reflecting on the past year, but when I sat down to collect my thoughts the message was very simple, THANK YOU. Over the past year you have helped us provide 6,794 uniforms to children in seven countries. You have helped us make dreams of going to school a possibility for over 8,000 children. Those 6,794 uniforms will change the lives of those receiving an education and countless others. We are eternally grateful for your support, encouragement and enthusiasm. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined this is how far we would have come in a year and I know for certain we could not have done it without our amazing donors and partners!

So from the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU for an amazing 2012.

We cannot wait to see what 2013 will bring for Tailored for Education!

Happy New Year! xo, Megan and Jess

A big thanks to our favorite photographer, Elaine Donohue for putting together this fabulous video!

Happy Holidays from Tailored for Education!

2012-12-25T11:18:00.002-05:00

Wishing you all the Happiest of Holidays! We are beyond grateful for the support, encouragement and excitement you all have provided us with this year. As we all open gifts today I can't help but be reminded that education is the greatest gift one can receive. A gift that you have all helped us give to over EIGHT THOUSAND children this year! Lots of love from our homes to yours, Megan and Jess

La Vallée, Haiti Round 2: Complete!

2012-12-10T07:00:00.000-05:00

Last August we funded our very first project; 200 students at Ecole Ste Therese De La Voute in La Vallée, Haiti. This project will always have a very special place in our hearts and we are thrilled to announce that thanks to all of our amazing donors we were able to provide uniforms for all 200 students for the second year in a row. Additionally, this year we provided 400 uniforms at Ecole Ste Therese De La Voute's sister schools IPEPH at Musac and Parish Church Ste Clair at Tuff. As you can see each of the three schools have different uniforms and many of you will probably recognize the green ones!

As we know from all of our partners in Haiti, the country is still suffering greatly from the earthquake in January of 2010. However, it is wonderful to see these children, who have all been through so much, in their uniforms and receiving an education. Their education is the first step to bring their families out of a life of poverty!

THANK YOU to all of you who have helped make this project possible, for the second year in a row!

xo, Megan and Jess

Give x 2 this Holiday Season: babies, children and pets

2012-12-06T07:00:00.000-05:00

1- Little Adventurer / 2- Toms / 3- Global Compassion World Map / 4- Baby Teresa onsies / 5- Give baby teething rattle / 6- Altruette Girls bracelet and Tailored for Education charm / 7- FEED 5 bear / 8- Dura Doggie beba toy / 9- Harry Barker rope cat toy / 10- Indoor pet futon from Gifts that Give

Give x 2 this Holiday Season: your hostess

2012-12-05T07:00:00.000-05:00

1- FEED 10 Holiday Greeting cards (each card provides one school meal to a child) / 2- Handcrafted Nutcracker ornaments support the Florence Hospital in Kashmir / 3- Cocktail napkins from Gifts that Give / 4- Jubliee beer (also brewed in Nashville!) / 5- Belvedere Red vodka /

6- Hand in Hand soap / 7- glassybaby Naughty & Nice votive set

xo, Megan and Jess

Give x 2 this holiday season: Men

2012-12-03T07:00:00.000-05:00

While we wish all of you would give everyone on your holiday shopping list a Michael scarf or a donation to Tailored for Education in their honor, we know that is highly unrealistic. However, we think (know) gifts that give back are always the way to go, especially during the holidays! This week we will be helping you cross everyone off your list with holiday gift guides, the TFE way: awesome gifts that ALL give back allowing you to GIVE TWICE! First up, for the guys on your list…….

1- Warby Parker + Pencils of Promise / 2- Krochet Kids International "Fun" t-shit / 3- I won't WATCH / 4- Bonobos + Charity Water / 5- Krochet Kids International winter hat / 6- Tailored for Education Pura Vida bracelet (email us to order at shop@tailoredforeducation.org

/ 7- Gifts that Give: Baseball Cufflinks

Happy shopping!

xo, Megan and Jess

Sneak Peek!

2012-11-30T07:00:00.000-05:00

It has been a long week, but nothing inspires us more than these girls working hard in their new uniforms! This is one of our most recent projects in Haiti and we can't wait to share all of the details and tons more pictures on the blog next week. Until then, Happy Weekend!

xo, Megan and Jess

Michael is starstruck!

2012-11-28T07:00:00.000-05:00

after meeting Auggie from Covert Affairs!

Giving Tuesday

2012-11-27T07:00:00.000-05:00

xo, Megan and Jess

Grateful.

2012-11-22T08:00:00.000-05:00

By now Jess and I are both with the people we love the most. It has been a wild year and today we are both feeling very grateful.

Grateful for the gift of our education, for we now know how truly precious a gift it is.
Grateful for an organization that has come further than either of us imagined, in less than a year.
Grateful for our generous donors who have helped us get more children to school.

Grateful for Dave (Jess for a lot more reasons) because he is the brains and the calculator behind TFE.
Grateful for our interns Jackson and Griffin, they are the perfect reminders of how important is is to help children succeed!

Grateful for our families who support us, and on some days put up with us.

Grateful for our friends who have encouraged us, helped us raise awareness and made us laugh.
Grateful to live in a country where women can follow their dreams and do most anything they dream of

Grateful for our health and the health of those closest to us.

Grateful for job that challenges us and allows us to surround ourselves with someone the kindest and brightest people.

Grateful for each other. Our friendship and ability to be business partners, as we attempt to make the world just a little bit better.

Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!
xo, Megan and Jess