A Healing Journey through creativity and self care.
We all experience hardships in life, and finding ways to cope is important. However, when we take the time for self-care and be creative, we let go of stress and focus on making something beautiful.
Caring for yourself shouldn’t cost an arm and leg, nor should it take up all your time. Here you can learn affordable ways and take a snippet of time throughout your day to practice self-care.
Our mission is to support individuals on their personal healing journey and those supporting a loved one's by promoting self-care practices and fostering creativity to overcome mental health challenges.
What is the Hair Project
The hair project is a memorial for Douglas Buggs, a hairstylist, and an aspiring entrepreneur. He was educated and trained in NYC, studying under a Japanese Master Stylist at Hairmates Group. Excelling at every opportunity given to him and never takes anything for granted. His mission was to help people through generosity, loving spirit, wisdom, and courage.
His life ended in 2021 partly due to Covid, mental health issues and addiction. He was the kindest and most generous person. His passion and values is what’s keeping this alive.
Mental Health Resources
In 2021, mental health issue affects 44.7 million Americans. It can be serious and debilitating. In addition, Healthcare can be costly, especially for those without health insurance. This section provides resources to seek affordable healthcare providers or local community health clinics for help.
Self Care
Self-care is important to improve mental health and wellness. Learn tips on how to reduce stress naturally. If you feel overwhelmed, please check out the resources below to find low-cost therapy or counseling near you.
Support someone
Mental health issues affect everyone differently. However, there are many things you can do to help support a loved one going through difficult times. Find out tips you can learn to prepare yourself so you can help someone you love.
Healing through Art
Research has shown that crafting, regardless of medium, can bolster mood, improve self-confidence, reduce stress overall, and be a natural anti-depressant. In addition, it also improves mental agility and decreases cognitive decline. Research studies have shown that those who have PTSD, Anxiety Disorders, Depression, Insomnia, and any level of chronic pain have achieved a reduction in symptoms by incorporating crafts into their lives.
It creates a situation very similar to meditation. When engaged in a craft, you focus on the moment. You can forget the stressors of day-to-day life and be part of something completely separate. In addition, crafting stimulates dopamine, the neurotransmitter responsible for pleasure and enjoyment.
Our poshmark story
Poshmark has been a special part of our lives since 2018. I would spend countless hours scouring thrift stores for clothing to upcycle into unique bags and pillows. During my searches, I would often come across “crown jewels” – high-end merchandise that we had affectionately named. Douglas would often guide me to the best stores to find these gems.
One store in particular, located near his salon, was a regular stop for me. I would accompany him to work and thrift while he was busy with clients. We also took trips to Columbus and Cleveland, where I would scour thrift stores while he worked. These trips were special to me as they allowed us to bond, as I often missed him when he went to work.
Throughout the years, I made several trips to New York City to thrift, and Douglas always supported me by helping me pack and ship my sales, even after a long day at work. He was always so proud of me when I found crown jewels and would listen attentively to my tales of my finds. He always reminded me, helped me order supplies, and shipped the packages when he was out of town.
Poshmark was a shared passion between us, and now, I feel closest to him when I am out thrifting. I believe he is always helping me find the crown jewels. I plan to donate a portion of our sales to help the underserved community thrive. I know giving back is something Douglas would have wanted.
Donations & Goals
Mental health issues affect the African American community more than other ethnic groups in the US. Social stigma, income inequality, and lack of awareness present barriers to seeking the help they need. We live in a society where treatments should be accessible to all, not just those who can afford them. The Hair Project aims to raise funds for charities to help underserved communities thrive and live fulfilling lives.
We will donate 12.22% of gross Poshmark sales towards mental health charities on 12/22 each year to honor Douglas’s birthday. To raise enough money to create a foundation providing “scholarships” to offer free mental health support for qualified individuals.
African American Male Wellness Agency
Mission: The mission of the African American Male Wellness Agency is to increase the life expectancy of African American men in terms of physical health, mental health, financial health, fatherhood, and research.
Therapy for Black Men
Mission: was born from the idea that Black men and boys face unique challenges and stigmatization and therefore need a dedicated space for seeking and finding mental health support. We’ve made it our mission to strip away that stigmatization and ease the process of finding help. By providing targeted resources and a database filled with professionals equipped to support men of color, our users can now obtain the help they need and deserve.
BEAM: Black Emotional and Mental Health
Mission: to remove the barriers that Black people experience getting access to or staying connected with emotional health care and healing. We do this through education, training, advocacy and the creative arts.
