When St. Mary’s County resident Tashibra Briscoe walked in to Mark’s Automotive in Lexington Park last month, she hoped to work out a long-term payment plan for the over $3000 worth of work needed to get her family’s van back on the road. Mark first explained the long list of fixes needed on the van; then, with a smile, he shared the good news – not only was Tashibra’s van already fixed, but Mark’s Automotive had donated most of the labor, and the remainder of the bill had been paid for by national nonprofit Random Acts (www.therandomact.org).
Briscoe, a single mother with three children, is a client of The Crib, (www.cribhome.org), a St. Mary’s County non-profit providing case management and support services for single parents in critical situations. She has been working hard to provide stability for her family, and a working vehicle provides a large step in that direction. Briscoe said of the help by Mark’s Automotive and Random Acts, “It’s putting me back where I used to be, which is being independent.”
Another recipient of a Random Act of kindness is Crib client and Lexington Park resident Jasmine Berry. Berry, who has been working hard to find employment so that she can care for her two children, was surprised with a $300 gift card to purchase work and interview clothes. Berry is featured in Random Acts’ informational video which can be accessed through their website.
Random Acts, founded by actor Misha Collins, is an organization that “facilitates acts of kindness by connecting individuals who want to make a difference.” The Crib came to the attention of Random Acts when Crib clients participated in the Annual Melee of Kindness (AMOK), a March event created by Random Acts that encourages people to spend a day being kind to those around them. Crib clients spent the day cooking meals, cleaning houses, doing chores for others and smiling more often. Clients are already talking about what they would like to do next year.
The Crib assists parents in crisis by providing a place where they can find support and encouragement. Beyond providing critical assistance in locating and accessing resources for essentials such as food, shelter and medical care; the staff and volunteers at The Crib work towards providing education and support for both pare
