Blog Posts - Tikkun Tokens

Received: Oakland

3/1/2019

I hugged a homeless woman and told her she was beautiful and told her my story.

Received: Oakland

1/10/2019

I put out a calling for donations to help a local homeless encampment that had recently caught fire. I asked for camping equipment, food, warm clothes, and toiletries. I also asked for volunteers to come make bagged lunches and sort thru donations. Around 50 people donated items and 30 showed up at my house early Sunday morning to help. We made lunches and caravanned out. We made over 200 lunches and collected all sorts of tents, sleeping bags, camping stoves, etc as well as blankets, clothes, and jackets. The tenants at the encampment were so happy to see us and everything we collected was taken and used. A gentleman showed up at my house that morning as well and gave us all these tokens. Met some amazing people that day.
Denice

Received: Richmond, VA

12/8/2018

A high school student gave me a token for traveling to another city to hear the Honors Ensemble perform a Christmas concert in Bruton Parrish Church in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Received: San Francisco

12/6/2018

I am a college professor in San Francisco, and at the end of each semester I take a few moments to talk to my students about Life. I try to let them know how much of an honor it has been for me to have them in my class, and how humbled and amazed I am by what they are going to become (most are pre-nursing). I also let them know that while they may fail, those are the greatest teaching moments and not to be shamed by or dismissed. If they have someone that hates on them for reasons like their gender, whom they love, the melanin content of their skin, or that they are percieved different from others to hold their head high and embrace themselves for the amazing humans they are and not let that negativity creep into their psyche. I also tell them to follow their own path and passions, and they will be happier for it rather than trying to compare themselves to others or listen to those that would plan their steps for them. After class, one of my students handed me a Tikkun Token, whixh I had never seen before. It was a great honor to receive this, and I felt humbled by this gesture. Thank you for doing this! We need rhis kind of light in our lives now more than ever.

Given:Oakland, CA

8/23/2018

My son is on the autism spectrum and has been having a really hard time with all the transitions of summer ending and school starting. He had a full on meltdown today in front of a bakery and my wife ended up sitting on the sidewalk with him cradled in her lap as he wailed pitifully. Most people just passed by but one man stopped and quietly asked my wife if he could buy our son a pastry. She had to gracefully decline since our kid was in no place to accept such a gift, but I was so touched by his gesture that I chased him down the street to give him a token. He looked totally confused by it but I hope the message translated. He made the world a better place just by stopping for a few seconds and offering aid to someone in distress. Restored my faith in humanity a little.

Received: Oakland

7/12/2018

I was just dancing next to the lake and really enjoying myself creating movement. Dance for me is a way to connect to the divine and this was a particularly great moment. I guess the woman who gave me this token was impressed and enjoyed my joy. So she gave me a token that said "You just made the world a better place." It brightened my day and til this day (about 1.5 months after) I still carry it with me as a reminder to keep shining my divine light. Even when you think no one is watching.

Received: Hercules, CA

5/19/2018

I got a Tikkun Token by a stranger. She was very sweet and encouraged me to keep being kind and helping the community. It really touched me. I came online and read more about what these tokens are and it really touched my heart. I want to pass it on and acknowledge wonderful strangers that have a kind heart. I hope to pass on hope, appreciation and love. Thank you for what you do! Thank you for encouraging people to be the best they can be ♥️

Received: Indianapolis

5/17/2018

I am not sure why I received a token, but a coworker of mine left one in my office mailbox. At the time, I was working in a female prison, as the primary caseworker on our special needs unit, which is for individuals not currently able to manage being in general population, typically due to symptoms associated with a chronic mental illness. Now while I can't say for sure why I received it, maybe they recognized how much I put into my work and also how stressful and taxing it can be at times. Finding the Tikkun Token in my mailbox defiantly lifted my spirits that day and any time I pull it out of my desk, because it reminds me of why I'm in social worker. It also made me feel good that, hopefully, I am making a difference in the lives of others, if a bystander recognized the effort and sincerity I put into work every day.

I put in an order for some tokens and look forward to carrying them with me and passing them out to others.

Thank you for starting this project, it is defiantly making an impact and difference!

~ A Smiling Social Worker in Indiana

Received: Richmond, CA

5/3/2018

I delivered care packs to the Brookside Homeless Shelter.

Received: El Sobrante, CA

4/23/2018

I literally just got to school 10 minutes ago and this lady went up to me asking where the school library was. Since I wasn't really doing anything and still had time before class started, I decided to walk her there. When we got there, I was startled that she gave me this token out of nowhere since I never knew about this until today.

To me, it just seems to be a small act of kindness, but i guess small things could lead to something greater.