It's Celebration Week here at The Brave Files!
This week we welcome Paige Chenault to the Brave Files family. Paige is the founder of The Birthday Party Project, an amazing nonprofit organization that throws birthday parties for homeless children. If you haven’t heard of this life-changing organization, you’re going to want to tune in. No doubt about it, the world needs more people like Paige encouraging us to live bigger and spread joy. This is how we change lives!
Bringing Joy To The Homeless
The Birthday Party Project partners with homeless shelters and transitional living facilities to throw birthday parties for the kids and families staying there. “Birthday Enthusiasts” (volunteers) give their time to throw the biggest monthly birthday bashes you can imagine. It takes an entire community to make these parties happen, so The Birthday Party Project truly relies on the giving spirit of their diverse group of volunteers. It's through these volunteer efforts that we see just how much joy changes the lives of everyone involved.
Every month, children celebrating their birthday receive a cake and presents. In addition, there are games and activities for all party-goers to enjoy. It’s truly a gigantic celebration! At least for this hour a month, children receive the chance to simply be kids and experience joy. It’s an overwhelmingly heartwarming experience for everyone involved.
The Impact of Joy and Celebration
Paige sees the impact of these birthday parties firsthand. Oftentimes, the guests of honor have never celebrated their birthday before. It may be their first time experiencing this level of attention or receiving so many warm wishes. The result of the celebration is often an obvious boost of confidence for the birthday children and their parents.
Paige sees children walk out of the room with their heads held high and their shoulders back. Obviously, this moment in time provides each child with a sense of normalcy. It infuses a little joy into their life circumstances. Imagine how you feel when you're celebrated. Now picture what that feeling could do for a child who is homeless. In short, it can literally change lives.
A Ripple Effect of Joy
The Birthday Party Project creates ripples of joy throughout the communities they touch. After each party, all over the country, morale at the agencies is boosted. A sense of community within each of the shelters or organizations increases too. Additionally, the children who are celebrated are shown they are not alone – a profound moment in any child’s life. The Birthday Party Project is, undoubtedly, changing the world one joyful celebration at a time.
We encourage you to learn more about The Birthday Party Project via their website. Read about their mission, find ways to donate, or sign up to get involved.
Making The Brave Leap
The Brave Files host, Heather Vickery included Paige's story as a “Brave Spotlight” in her new, best-selling book, F*CK FEARLESS! Be sure to grab your copy today!
Connect with Paige
Connect with Paige and The Birthday Party Project on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
