3,000 Acts of Kindness: Brooklyn Center Woman Offers Lesson in Hope
Brooklyn Center Woman Offers Path Toward Hope
Kelly Kunz spends many of her days helping others. She started Street Justice Ministry, a nonprofit that she says “reaches the unreachable.”
“People walk over people every day and they have no idea their story,” said Kunz. “They have no idea the abandonment, they don’t know the trauma, they don’t understand what they’re walking through, the addiction, what’s causing the addiction.”
Kunz purchased a bus to find people who need help.
“We show up. We pop the window out. Like the dope dealers serve in the streets. But we do hope,” said Kunz.
Through the bus, Kunz offers hygiene kits, blankets, snack packs, anything that could offer assistance.
“We give them everything they need so they have no excuses. If they want to get into recovery, we can get them connected to recovery,” said Kunz.
Kunz made it her mission to do this because she knows people in dire circumstances are not alone.
“I had been hiding behind my story for about 10 years,” she said. “Homeless, addicted and I was human trafficked in the streets of Minneapolis.”
A deep abyss she managed to escape from.
“I lost everything. I lost my mind, I lost my home, I lost my son, I lost my freedom and I was incarcerated and had an encounter with Jesus.”
Kunz hopes her story puts others on the path toward healing.
“That game me an opportunity to understand that my story was a way for people to know they can get healed,” she said.
Kelly Kunz speaks to CCX News about her nonprofit, Street Justice Ministry.
3,000 Acts of Kindness with Nearly 1,000 Volunteers
Kunz attended 3,000 Acts Kindness on Dec. 8, a large-scale event that provides warm coats, boots and a variety of resources to people experiencing homelessness or home insecurity.
Putting on an event like this requires a small village — nearly 1,000 volunteers worth. Tina Janeshek, a Plymouth resident, helps coordinate them all.
“To be able to bless so many people in one day, it’s absolutely impactful,” said Janeshek. “It’s life changing hopefully for our volunteers and for our guests.”
Janeshek showed CCX News the more than 15 stations set up to help people in need, including, one that carries special meaning. Guests can opt to have their feet washed with a prayer before leaving with a new pair of boots.
“It is truly meaningful and special to Coated in Love that we have this,” said Janeshek.
Coated in Love Delivers the Kindness
Coated in Love is a Plymouth nonprofit that started 3,000 Acts of Kindness five years ago. The first year brought in 900 people in need. On Dec. 8, close to 5,000 people attended.
“It’s a double double edged sword for me,” said Danielle Igbanugo, founder of Coated in Love. “I’m happy that we’re able to help. But I’m sad that there’s this much need in our community.”
Igbanugo heard many emotional stories throughout the day.
“We have people that haven’t had their hair cut since the last 3000 Acts of Kindness a year ago. We had a gentleman who was one of the first in line who hadn’t had a new coat in 15 years,” said Igbanugo.
The Coated in Love founder also offered advice for people not sure how to help.
“This doesn’t happen with one person,” said Igbanugo. “This is bigger than all of us, so be part of it.”
For more details on Coated in Love and next year’s 3,000 Acts of Kindness event, visit Coatedinlove.org.
A symbolic washing of the feet was among the compassionate gestures offered at “3000 Acts of Kindness.”
