The true measure of a community is how it treats its most vulnerable in need.
Every time you check-in on Facebook when you come for a massage, fitness assessment, coaching session, or to workout, we donate to the Bering Open Gate Ministry for Homeless Young Adults to help feed Houston’s homeless youth. Just take 60 seconds to check-in and we’ll do the rest.
​
The Bering Open Gate Ministry for Homeless Young Adults is located right here in town. Every day they’re helping homeless youths right here in our community. And, together we can do so much good because consistent small donations add up to give these at-risk youth the support they desperately need.
​
You check-in, and I donate. Together we do good! It’s that easy, just follow these steps…
-
When you arrive at my office, open the Facebook app on your phone.
-
Tap on ‘What’s on your mind?’
-
Click on the ‘Check In’ tab.
-
(Click on ‘Turn on Location’ if you don’t already have that enabled).
-
Click on ‘Public’ so others can see your check-in*.
-
Type something like ‘Checking in with Houston's best coach/personal trainer/coach’ ☺ (you could also include a selfie and ask me to join!)
-
Click on ‘Add to your post’ and tag me [John Aaron Villarreal] by selecting ‘who are you with’*.
-
Click ‘Post’. That’s it. You’re done!
*Making your check-in public and tagging me personally is necessary so that I can track total check-ins and make the appropriate donations. I count all the Facebook check-ins we receive each day, add them to my monthly tally, and make a donation to the Bering Open Gate Ministry for Homeless Young Adults at the end of the month. I’ll even update you every month on our charitable fundraising progress.
​
So, will you commit to checking in on Facebook before or after each of your visits? I hope so, because together we can really do a lot of good for homeless youth here in Houston.
Thank you very much!
Sincerely,
John Aaron Villarreal
Owner: John Aaron Massage & Wellness, and JAOfitness.com
FYI: Below are some answers to your most frequently asked questions, and if you have any other questions just let me know. Thanks!
​
​
Facebook Check-In for Charity FAQ
Q: How much do you donate to the Bering Open Gate Ministry for Homeless Young Adults when I check-in?
A: It’s a small amount, but it adds up quickly. Depending on the service we donate $1-$5 per visit as follows; $1 per accountability call, workshop or seminar, $2 per "Let's Talk Strategy" Session, $3 per coaching, personal training or clinical massage visit, $4 per one hour massage visit, and $5 per ninety minute massage visit. If every client checked-in for even one workout per month we could together provide two weeks of home-cooked meals for 30-40 homeless and at-risk youth. [totaling 1,560 to 2080 meals per year]
​
Q: Can you tell me more about the Charity you’ve partnered with?
A: Yes! I learned about the Bering Open Gate Ministry for Homeless Young Adults through a client and friend David K. Johnston. David is currently serving as Chairman for this community charity that has been serving the Houston community since its inception on March 4, 2007.
​
Bering has always been about serving the poor and marginalized, from caring for those sick with yellow fever, influenza, and polio to those with HIV/AIDS beginning with the crisis in the 1980s.
​
Each week, Open Gate provides a made from scratch, family-style dinner for these youth, and in doing so, they also provide them an opportunity to relax in a safe, supportive, environment while ensuring they have a full meal.
​
Without a home or even stable housing, many of these youth are forced to keep their personal belongings with them at all times because they have nowhere to leave them without fear of having them stolen... So, the Bering Open Gate Ministry for Homeless Young Adults also provides these youth with a new, high-quality backpack that is often filled with essentials, like socks, blankets, underwear, and items that help ensure these youth can survive their current situation.
Most importantly, however, Bering Open Gate Ministry for Homeless Young Adults sets these youth up fo success by providing Life Skills & Empowerment Services to help enable these youth to overcome the challenges of their current situation and develop the skills and education needed to become fully independent.
​
Q: How do you keep me informed about donations to the Bering Open Gate Ministry for Homeless Young Adults?
A: Here’s how we track, donate and report… When you check-in each time you visit and tag me personally, I can track total check-ins, the services booked, and make the appropriate donations.
At the end of each day I track all the Facebook check-ins made by you and other clients. I then add them to my monthly tally, and make a donation to the Bering Open Gate Ministry for Homeless Young Adults at the end of the month.
I’ll even update you every month on our charitable fundraising progress by posting an in-house flyer and/or direct email.
​
Q: Why are you doing this?
A: I've never been homeless, but I've come darn close to it a few times. I remember how hard of a struggle it was in my early twenties just to come up with a couple of hundred a month to rent a crappy, one-room apartment where I slept on the floor because I couldn't afford furniture.
I was fortunate, however. I at least had friends who would not let me go hungry. I eventually managed to bootstrap myself into creating a business that has since changed my life. Others haven't been as fortunate.
Now, I have roughly 100+ clients just like you, whom I regularly work with. If every one of you checked-in for even just one workout per month we could together provide two weeks of home-cooked meals for 30-40 homeless and at-risk youth. [totaling 1,560 to 2080 meals per year]
​
​