COMMUNITY // Service
MIke's Mission
by Sydney Ambrus - 06.13.2023
Ebene Givan pointing to her late nephew Mike in the clouds.
Givan recently graduated from the University of Arkansas Little Rock with her Master’s in Applied Communications.
Mike’s Mission is a non-profit organization based in Little Rock that works to prevent teen suicide by promoting family, social, and community connectedness. It is hosting a shoe drive titled ‘Sole Purpose’ where patrons are encouraged to donate new or gently worn shoes to raise awareness and prevent teen suicide.
The drive started on June 5 but will end on July 29 at the organization’s Teen Tea Townhall, where donated shoes will be given to those who register during the townhall. There are two drop-off locations: 1100 Oak Street in Conway and Sola Salons, Suite #9 in Little Rock.
“Suicide and suicidal ideation develop from many things. One of those things is bullying. Help us, help a teen/child that may not have a decent pair of shoes,” says Mike Mission’s Instagram page.
In addition to the organization’s shoe drive, it will hold a Back to School bash in August. The Mike’s Mission organization recently received a grant from Micah Fellows to provide school supplies for teens and kids, and parents will be able to pick up a pair of shoes and school supplies for their 9-12-year-olds during the bash. Locations for both events will be announced by June 21.
The Mike’s Mission organization was founded by Ebene Givan in May 2021, exactly one year after she lost her 15-year-old nephew to suicide. From there, Givan has pledged to help promote connectedness among families in the community. Mike’s Mission has hosted family events, basketball tournaments, sneaker balls, and other events to bring teenagers together.
The drive started on June 5 but will end on July 29 at the organization’s Teen Tea Townhall, where donated shoes will be given to those who register during the townhall. There are two drop-off locations: 1100 Oak Street in Conway and Sola Salons, Suite #9 in Little Rock.
“Suicide and suicidal ideation develop from many things. One of those things is bullying. Help us, help a teen/child that may not have a decent pair of shoes,” says Mike Mission’s Instagram page.
In addition to the organization’s shoe drive, it will hold a Back to School bash in August. The Mike’s Mission organization recently received a grant from Micah Fellows to provide school supplies for teens and kids, and parents will be able to pick up a pair of shoes and school supplies for their 9-12-year-olds during the bash. Locations for both events will be announced by June 21.
The Mike’s Mission organization was founded by Ebene Givan in May 2021, exactly one year after she lost her 15-year-old nephew to suicide. From there, Givan has pledged to help promote connectedness among families in the community. Mike’s Mission has hosted family events, basketball tournaments, sneaker balls, and other events to bring teenagers together.
Givan states -
“I think it is very important to understand what the statistics show us. Statistics say some teen suicides start with bullying. We have an amazing board of directors, and we had the idea to help provide teens and children with shoes because we understand that bullying is an awful circumstance for any child to experience, especially because of something they may or may not have, like shoes and clothes.
We are committed to helping those children and teens that may not have a decent pair of shoes; we want their steps to be one less worry for them. … We train on strengthening positive communication skills like active listening, disclosing, and so much more, like conquering conflict and building self-confidence through positive self-talk.
We hope people understand we can all do our part to help end teen suicide. Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for ages 10-34 in Arkansas. Something as simple as shoes can help raise awareness and provide a sense of self-confidence for teens. This boost to self-esteem can help decrease suicidal ideation. We can all give what we can, either a donation for a new pair of shoes or donating gently worn shoes. This is a call to action for our community.”
Visit www.mikesmissioninc.org for more information.
“I think it is very important to understand what the statistics show us. Statistics say some teen suicides start with bullying. We have an amazing board of directors, and we had the idea to help provide teens and children with shoes because we understand that bullying is an awful circumstance for any child to experience, especially because of something they may or may not have, like shoes and clothes.
We are committed to helping those children and teens that may not have a decent pair of shoes; we want their steps to be one less worry for them. … We train on strengthening positive communication skills like active listening, disclosing, and so much more, like conquering conflict and building self-confidence through positive self-talk.
We hope people understand we can all do our part to help end teen suicide. Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for ages 10-34 in Arkansas. Something as simple as shoes can help raise awareness and provide a sense of self-confidence for teens. This boost to self-esteem can help decrease suicidal ideation. We can all give what we can, either a donation for a new pair of shoes or donating gently worn shoes. This is a call to action for our community.”
Visit www.mikesmissioninc.org for more information.
