Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Tyler McCullough.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Closing Eyes to a negative Past, and Opening Hearts to a Positive Future.
It sounds cliche, but it is in my blood. I am blessed to have grandparents that have had a non-profit for over 50 years. As a child I grew up boxing bread before I could walk. I spent most summers and holidays at their Food and Outreach called Adopt a Neighbor in Lake Forest, Orange County CA, building a foundation that I would utilize later on in my life.
The time spent working with my grandparents and family at the non-profit was a foundation builder of empathy and an understanding of truly helping people. I remember my grandfather would always talk to us about how to truly care about and help people, and what that truly meant.
Our focus on impacting the homeless epidemic came when we ( CEOH) were pivoting from our starting focus of a residential care facility for Pregnant and Parenting Teen Mothers.
When I founded this organization, I often had discussions about community issues that were periling neighborhoods, and always believed the best way to get to a solution was to end these negative cycles. Eighty percent of children raised in poverty repeat the process. We began to focus on how we could assist in ending that cycle and impact teen mothers towards a positive future.
Closed Eyes Open Heart’s name came about in 2012 when I was discussing what I wanted us to stand for, what was the vision and mission and the Why. I would say how I wanted to not judge individuals by their race, color or creed or previous mistakes or backgrounds, and just wanted to help people where they were at, which brought about, Closing Eyes to a negative Past, and Opening Hearts to a positive future.
We started in 2013 by getting a booth at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa. I was attending this school at the time and decided to organize sign-ups for volunteers and also sell t-shirts and raffle tickets for gas cards.
In 2016 when I transferred to California State Dominguez Hills University I was presented with an opportunity to be a charter client for the University incubator for Social Entrepreneurship. We are now finishing up our 2nd year with the program. The Innovation Incubator has been a Godsend for myself as a professional and for CEOH.
In our second year in the program, we received a seed donation to procure and develop our first Empowerment Center in Watts on 114th and Central Ave from Tabernacle of Faith Baptist Church.
We have been working and partnering with Tabernacle of Faith Baptist Church for about two years and have been blessed to renovate a building that they own, and we are working towards having rooms for transitional housing and an office to case manage as well.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has been a tumultuous and learning journey. In the incubator, they teach you about how to embrace failure, learn to fail quickly and learn fast from it. We have been progressing forward since 2012 when we started our 501c3 status. Since then we have been fundraising, trying to develop our first brick and mortar in South LA, learning how to conduct board member meetings, and procuring board members and volunteers.
I’m sure all non profits no the pains of the dirty little word, “funding”. This could help you grow and flourish, or take you out. Some say that you must savor the journey and the rough lessons learned that you experienced when striving towards your goals; which is definitely easier said than done.
When I first started Closed Eyes Open Heart, I was 23 years old and meeting with more seasoned professionals. There were often condescending
conversations and crude remarks. Often times, people wouldn’t want to work with my organization because our funding was not at their level. They would often brush me off and say that we could talk when I had more funding. When one door closes, another door opens. Having the opportunity to lead CEOH has given me priceless experience and tutelage.
Please tell us about Closed Eyes Open Heart.
Closed Eyes Open Heart is a Homeless Youth Community Outreach dedicated to treating, educating and Empowering Homeless at-risk individuals youth ages 16-25 and in South Los Angeles, CA. Closing Eyes to a Negative Past, and Opening Hearts to a Positive Future.
Our Impact
Currently, CEOH empowers the homeless South Los Angeles community by preparing meals, providing donated clothes and hygiene kits at community engagement events, and developing collaborative relationships with community stakeholders and volunteers.
Our focus is in South Los Angeles Ca, currently in Watts, CA. We were incorporated in 2013 and received our 501c3 status in 2015. I am most proud of the impact that we have continued to make through feeding people, giving away clothing, food, backpacks, school supplies, holiday events. We have assisted hundreds of individuals towards a positive future. We have partnered with an immense amount of organizations, churches, businesses, and individuals over the last six years.
Additionally, our collaborative events have increased awareness about the causes of youth homelessness and attracted support from volunteers and community stakeholders including the Innovation Incubator at CSU, Dominguez Hills, Inner City Law Center , JFLA Bank ,Western Regional Black Law Student Association, Dysonna City Art Gallery, and other local non-profit organizations.
Our Values
With core values of trust, accountability, compassion, integrity, and community, we believe there is power in numbers. Our vision is to develop affordable housing complexes with
onsite social service programs and an efficient national conglomerate committed to ending the homeless youth epidemic in Los Angeles by transforming preemptive protocols and providing access to a streamlined network of resources.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I do not believe in luck, I believe in favor and putting yourself in position to succeed and or be able to take advantage of opportunities or not.
I always tell people that my family has been rooted in religion, education and service. I was prayed for before I was born, both my Grandparents are ordained ministers. With that being said, I have a personal relationship with God and believe that He has given and will continue to bless me.
Nothing would have been possible if it were not for every volunteer and supporter, partner and friend of CEOH. I am extremely blessed and thankful for the opportunity to make an impact and continue to move towards my purpose.
Pricing:
- $20.00 CEOH T-shirts
Contact Info:
- Address: 3651 South LA Brea Ave Suite 671
- Website: closedeyesopenheart.org
- Phone: 213-444-6076
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Closedeyesopenheart
- Facebook: closedeyesopenheart
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