Today we’d like to introduce you to Charles “Bizkitt” Smith.
Hi Charles “Bizkitt” , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Charles “Bizkitt” Smith, President and CEO of Agape Executive Protection & Management, L.L.C., established in 1998, provides personal protection for celebrity and high-profile clients. Mr. Smith has served for over 10 years in law enforcement and private security and over 30 years in promotions and management in the entertainment industry.
Provided personal protection for Too Short, DJ Quick, Doug E. Fresh, and Slick Rick, among others, and served as head of security for Run-DMC and as personal executive protection for DMC of Run-DMC since 1995. Been part of major productions and tours that have covered domestic and international markets, as well as video, television, and movie shoots.
Since 2014, my life has been dedicated to serving my Lord and Savior. My wife and I are members of our church home, Hope Church, where we serve the Lord through volunteering. I serve as part of the personal protection for our Pastors, Greg Bruce, and provide support and training as a leader of the Hope church security team. I also serve as protection for Evangelist Johnathan Shuttleworth and his family of Revival Today Church in Pittsburgh, PA.
Between traveling, I began working and dedicating my time to supporting children in foster care and group home facilities. I noticed that when the youth came to the group homes. They would have their whole life in a trash bag. Whenever they went on home visits, they would use a trash bag to store their clothes and other items. During that time, the Lord revealed to me that my purpose was to bring attention to and change the way the youth transported the clothes and other things they felt were important to them.
In 2019, I began using my own money to purchase luggage. I also received donations of gently used luggage from family and friends to give to the children transitioning out of the program. Children who went on home visits got overnight bags.
In 2021, I founded the nonprofit My Life in a Bag Foundation. This foundation provides youth in foster care and group homes with free luggage and overnight bags, as well as support with hygiene products, undergarments, and socks. We will also support them in 2023 with shoes. Our goal is to provide a suitcase for every child who needs one when traveling in foster care, residential group homes, homeless youth, and the aging-out youth, because their belongings are not considered trash.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it’s not been a smooth road. We struggle with funding! It takes at least $250.00 to serve one youth with luggage and essentials. We are grateful for the community support, as the pooling of resources like luggage, backpacks, and duffel bags. These items are beneficial when they’re available at home, and people are willing to donate to the cause and mission. But the essentials are just as crucial as the luggage; the need for new packs of undergarments, socks, pajamas, and hygiene essentials helps make these youth feel self-worth and loved. My Life In A Bag Foundation, as any other nonprofit, continues to apply for grants and fundraisers. We also participate in community vendor events, providing information to the community and its leaders. Our mission and vision are to advocate, fight, and be the voice of the youth in foster care, residential group homes, homeless youth, and the aging-out youth. This movement may be starting in St. Louis, Missouri, but it’s a worldwide problem, and My Life In A Bag Foundation aims to address it. Funding and awareness can help this foundation do that; no youth should feel they don’t have a purpose in life based on their situation. A great thanks to our ambassador Darryl “DMC” McDaniels of Rundmc, who has been a rock for this foundation. Mr. McDaniels shares a deep passion for the youth in foster care, as he was adopted. Mr. McDaniels has a children’s book out called Darryl’s Dream, and he shows the youth that they can be anything in life, and their situation doesn’t define their future. Mr. McDaniels reads his book to youth in schools, foster care events, and so on. We are grateful that he understands our foundation’s mission and vision and supports our advocacy for the youth we serve. He recognizes that funding can help meet the everyday needs of these young individuals in their challenging circumstances.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about My Life In A Bag Foundation?
My Life In A Bag Foundation is dedicated to supporting individual youth experiencing foster care, residential group homes, homeless youth, and aging-out youth by providing essential resources and support. We focus primarily on assembling and distributing “luggage, backpacks, duffle bags” filled with basic necessities such as hygiene products, undergarments, socks, and blankets, books, stuffed animals. Our goal is to not only meet immediate needs but also empower individual youth with tools and resources that promote self-sufficiency and long-term stability.
What sets us apart is our holistic approach. We don’t just provide physical items—we also connect our clients with local services, job training for the aging-out youth, mental health resources, reading literacy, and mentorship. Our commitment to community engagement means that we frequently involve local volunteers and stakeholders in our initiatives, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and connection.
We take pride in our transparency and our ability to adapt our services based on the evolving needs of our community. By maintaining an open dialogue with those we serve, we ensure that our offerings are relevant and impactful.
Ultimately, we want our readers to know that My Life In A Bag Foundation is about more than just providing luggage; it’s about fostering hope, resilience, and a sense of dignity in those we serve. Our commitment to making a difference drives everything we do, and we welcome support from anyone who believes in the power of community. Together, we can create lasting change.
My Life In A Bag Foundation
320 Brookes Dr. STE. 105
Hazelwood, MO. 63042
Website: www.mylifeinabagfoundation.org
Biz: 833.909.2020
Hours: M-F donation drop-off 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm and First Saturday of each month 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Over the next 5-10 years, I see the nonprofit sector, particularly organizations focused on supporting vulnerable populations like youth in foster care and homelessness, undergoing significant shifts and transformations.
1. **Increased Use of Technology**: With the advancement of technology, nonprofits will likely leverage digital platforms for outreach, resource distribution, and engagement. Virtual support groups, online training programs, and digital resource hubs can greatly enhance accessibility and efficiency in service delivery.
2. **Emphasis on Holistic Approaches**: There is a growing recognition of the need for comprehensive support systems. Organizations will increasingly adopt holistic models that address not just immediate needs but also long-term goals, such as mental health support, job training, and life skills development, similar to what My Life In A Bag Foundation advocates.
3. **Data-Driven Decision Making**: Nonprofits will place more emphasis on data collection and analysis to measure the impact of their services effectively. This data will guide program development, allowing organizations to adapt their strategies based on the changing needs of the communities they serve.
4. **Collaboration and Partnerships**: There will be a stronger trend towards collaboration among nonprofits, government agencies, and private sectors. By pooling resources and expertise, these partnerships can create more comprehensive solutions to complex issues affecting youth and families.
5. **Focus on Advocacy and Policy Change**: As awareness of systemic issues grows, nonprofits may shift towards more advocacy work, pushing for policy changes that address root causes of youth instability and homelessness. This could include advocating for better social services, housing, and educational opportunities.
6. **Sustainability and Funding Diversification**: Nonprofits will likely seek to diversify their funding sources, relying less on traditional grants and more on innovative funding models, such as social enterprises, crowdfunding, and corporate partnerships, to increase financial sustainability.
7. **Increased Attention to Mental Health**: Given the ongoing conversations about mental health, especially following the pandemic, organizations will likely prioritize mental health resources and services as an integral part of their support systems for youth.
8. **Community Engagement**: There will be a continued emphasis on community involvement, with nonprofits focusing on building strong relationships with local communities, ensuring that services are culturally relevant and effectively meet the unique needs of those they serve.
Overall, I expect that as the landscape evolves, organizations will become more responsive, innovative, and collaborative, resulting in stronger support systems for individuals facing significant challenges.
Pricing:
- It take $250.00 to serve a youth with luggage and essentials for a dignified future.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mylifeinabagfoundation.org
- Instagram: @mylifeinabag.f
- Facebook: https//www.facebook.com/MLIAB,”BeyondtheBag”
- Youtube: My Life In A Bag Foundation
