The power of community ;

My name is Margela (Djema) Olivier-Galette, the founder of the nonprofit organization, Shut Up Until You There (SUUYT). I have always believed in community and its power when it comes together as one for a common purpose. Lately, with the birth and engagement of the organization, that belief has grown stronger. In the past 4 months, SUUYT and its team witnessed how a community can turn an idea into a positive, powerful, and successful event as long as it believes in it. When Shut Up Until You There presented the need to host a special thanksgiving dinner for the new arrivals of Haitian immigrants leaving in shelters to local businesses, that idea turned into an incredible and successful dinner that served 84 families (240 shelter recipients) at Voltage Park Event Center on River Street, Hyde Park.

Thanks to Wilson Occeus of Radio Tele Boston, Voltage Park Event Center team, Toutwèl restaurant (Haitian cuisine), Eagle Eyes transportation, Creative Styles Events, Timeless Studio LLC, Circle of Hope, Praying For My Husband, and Vwadèzil AKA Fresh La, and the list goes on, those 84 families didn’t just receive a dinner meal on a plate. Those local businesses and many other individuals came together and made sure they created an atmosphere where those shelter recipients knew and felt that there are people out there who are thinking about them, love them, and see them as people, not as life’s circumstances . “I thought I was coming to a wedding when I walked in here” said one of the shelter recipients, Olguaise. Creative Styles Events wanted to make sure when the families walked into the hall, they felt special and enjoyed the moment and that’s exactly what happened.

240 shelter recipients were welcome to Voltage Park Event Center donated by the team as a way of saying, “ we are with you and we are here for you.” Fed and catered to with food provided by Toutwèl with a flood of volunteers who happily served them and the presence of City Council at Large, Julia Mejia whose story resonated with many of our immigrants. At the end, each family left with a personalized bag with what the family needs, especially a winter coat; all costs donated by Circle of Hope and Voice of The Gospel Tabernacle.

SUUYT and its team want to make it very clear that no grant money, private or otherwise, no other organization’s funds were involved in Shut Up Until You There 1st annual thanksgiving dinner. Every expenses associated to make this event the success it was, all came from local businesses (some of which are mentioned) and individuals in the community and they deserve all the acknowledgment.

We, at SUUYT, can tell you there are people in the community who want and are willing to help. They will help as long as they believe in your cause and they can see your heart is in the right place.

Book your next event with Voltage Park Event Center at +18573997762

For a declaration that will take your breath away call Creative Styles Events at +1617-678-4370

For your all your catering events call Toutwèl restaurant at +1617-698-8800

For a beautiful capture of your special moment call Timeless Studio at +1781-752-7556