South Florida Sun-Sentinel Palm Beach (Sunday)
KITS OF KINDNESS
Teens provide essentials to the homeless
Amidst all the philanthropic endeavors in these challenging times, projects started by young entrepreneurs throughout Palm Beach and Broward counties serve as a beacon of hope for those in need.
When it comes to being there for others during the COVID-19 pandemic, three South Florida teens are among those who have stepped up to make life a little easier for a struggling segment of the population.
Spanish River High School seniors Nishah
Jaferi and Jonathan Beres, and Nova Southeastern University School student Henry Hurowitz, are bringing smiles to so many through their respective Hello Hygenics and Germ Genie projects.
With health and wellness products in high demand, especially among the homeless and those experiencing poverty and desperation, these teens are showing thoughtfulness and compassion by donating kits filled with such essentials.
Jaferi and Beres, both 17, created Hello Hygenics as a way to lessen the barrier to proper sanitation that can be a significant problem among those on the streets and of extremely limited means.
“There is such a great need in marginalized communities, and especially among those who are homeless and face tough situations on a daily basis,” said Jaferi, who has been friends with Beres since they were freshmen at the Boca Raton school. “These people have the same needs for life’s basic necessities as anyone. Things we take for granted like toothpaste and shampoo.”
Hello Hygenics accomplishes its mission by distributing on-the-go kits that contain deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, a toothbrush, toothpaste, five reusable cloth masks, a bar of soap and sunscreen.
Recently, Jaferi and Beres traveled to West
Palm Beach to deliver 200 kits to The Lord’s Place, which serves as a nightly shelter and a source of compassionate care to men, women and children. The Lord’s Place can house upward of 200 people on a nightly basis and annually serves nearly 2,000 people.
“It’s so inspiring for these considerate young students to dedicate themselves to helping others and the clients of The Lord’s Place,” Diana Stanley, CEO of The Lord’s Place, said in a statement.
Hurowitz, who just turned 17 and lives in Hollywood, transformed an experience he had on an airplane before the pandemic hit into his Germ Genie venture that recently donated 250 kits to the Broward Partnership for the Homeless.
After falling asleep with his head down on a tray table and subsequently developing a rash, Hurowitz sprung into action and put together a collection of sanitary products for travelers.
“I came up with the idea of a kit containing TSAcompliant essentials for people on-the-go to stay germ-free,” he said. “Then when COVID-19 came along, I decided to expand that effort to help those in need.”
Each of his kits for the homeless contains hand sanitizer, four non-latex gloves, two medical masks and a KN95 mask.
“We love the opportunity to give back to our community,” said Hurowitz, who has enlisted the support of young entrepreneurs like himself from the Junior Achievement of South Florida club to assist with putting together and distributing the kits.
Back in Palm Beach County, Hello Hygenics and the Jaferi-Beres team set up a table outside The Lord’s Place and distributed their kits to the needy. The warm smiles and emotional words of thanks from the recipients made it all worthwhile.
“For myself and Jonathan to take on a charity effort like this and see how much they appreciate what we are doing is so amazing,” Jaferi said. “Being able to connect with our community in such a concrete way is incredibly heartwarming and incredibly humbling.”
Hurowitz is also overwhelmed by the show of support he has received as he continues to build on a positive relationship with the Broward Partnership for the Homeless.
“The donation of personal protective equipment by Germ Genie will ensure that the most vulnerable people in our community have the necessary tools to protect themselves during the pandemic,” Ryon R. Coote, chief development officer for Broward Partnership for the Homeless, said in a statement.
Back in April, Jaferi and Beres were awarded $10,000 in grant money and also mentorship by the Philanthropy Tank, an organization that gives young philanthropists an opportunity to present their nonprofit program ideas to a panel of investors.
“Hello Hygienics’ passion and commitment to help those in need is contagious and an inspiring example of what Philanthropy Tank students have and will always strive for,” Philanthropy Tank CEO Amy Brand said in a statement. “We are incredibly proud (of Jaferi and Beres).”
Hurowitz also founded FoodEase, which actually led to his association with the Broward Partnership for the Homeless.
“(My team and I) donated over 20,000 pounds of food to the homeless so I had a strong partnership with that organization even before the pandemic,” Hurowitz said. “So I thought that would be a perfect fit to also donate the sanitary kits.”
Through the distribution of these kits, Hurowitz, Jaferi and Beres say they hope to raise awareness of health and wellness issues faced by homeless and low-income populations.
“Things like brushing our teeth or washing and combing our hair to (the needy) is not always possible for them,” Beres said. “We want to help in every possible way.”
To help the teens’ projects, visit amzn.to/ 33FQRDx and bit.ly/2ZPs1QE.