We are everyday people aware of a need in our community. We realize that we are capable of performing tangible acts of service that will meet individual and immediate needs in order to affect wide scale encouragement. Rosa Loves is an example, an inspiration, and will serve as a possible backbone to many more grassroots "love projects" around the world.
We hope to encourage individual people to get involved in the community around them on a somewhat tangible scale. We will accomplish this by providing financial support to those in need by infiltrating the t-shirt industry with a new perspective of how clothing can serve a purpose other than outfitting. Everyone has a story. Everyone has a need. By using art and creativity, we hope to foster hope and encouragement through the aid of apparel. Each story will be told through stimulating graphics and actual text that will appear on the inverse of the shirt directly in line with the heart, where the Rosa Loves movement stems from.
Rosa Loves is less about charity and more about awareness, awareness that we are all apart of something greater and are therefore joined by common threads.
In the early summer of 2006, Mike Fretto told Chris Lewis about his vision. At that point the idea was just a start: a company that would create and sell t-shirts, and then donate a percentage to good causes. It wasn't until a month or so later that the idea began to take shape. One morning Fretto and Chris met with friend, Jeremy Dean (filmmaker, and the creator of the enlightening documentary Dare Not Walk Alone), at a local cafe to discuss the project and brainstorm about it's evolution. Jeremy has a true heart for people and loves to use his creativity for the betterment of others, and so it was in this meeting that life was breathed into Rosa Loves.
The main idea that took shape was the issue of who, exactly, would benefit from the money that was raised through shirt sales. Instead of donating to larger charity organizations that were already established and had financial support through other ways - it would go to specific individuals with needs in the community around us. It was in agreement that even though there are many wonderful organizations that are doing great, meaningful, and life-changing work, the public can already donate through other avenues - and the cause of the donation seems a little far removed from our reality. It's usually thoughts like,"those people over there" that perpetuate a sense of complacency and lack of concern. Rosa Loves wants to shed light on the stories around us, to give them a real face, a real name.
NON-PROFIT FRIENDS:
ARTIST, FILM MAKER & MUSICIAN FRIENDS:
CLOTHING FRIENDS:
THINGS WE LOVE:
ROSA LOVES offers a FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions) page to help understand some more of how things work. You will find information about who ROSA LOVES is, how it started, and common questions about the T-shirts. If you are inquiring about something that is not listed below, please feel free to send us an e-mail with your comment, suggestion or question here. To find out the answer to your question, simply click the question, and we'll lead you to the answer below.
QUESTIONS:
What is the percentage of T-shirt profits actually goes to the people in need?
What should I do if I have an idea for a story?
How will my ROSA LOVES shirt fit?
Are you a non-profit organization?
May I donate money to ROSA LOVES?
Can I purchase a shirt from a past story?
Where can I purchase the T-shirts?
I bought a shirt online and it does not fit. Can I return or exchange it?
Why does ROSA LOVES print on the insides of the shirts?
I'm having trouble on the website. What should I do?
How long does it take to receive my shirt, once I have placed the order online?
How do I know how the shirt will fit on me?
How much money has been raised for each story?
Do you accept designer submissions?
May I sell you shirts in my store?
ANSWERS:
There are a few stories we always like to share that support the answer to this question. The first story basically involves Mike Fretto's attachment to the name Rosa. Rosa was the name of his Italian great grandmother. She married Mike's grandfather Salvador Rosa, and then became Rosa Rosa. We thought that was kind of funny, but realized that in all seriousness that the name "Rosa" to us gave us a deep sense of a maternal figure. Our idea of Rosa, who obviously became a fictional character, represented the idea of what this company was about. She gave us the sense of a mother's nurturing, loving nature. As ROSA LOVES grew as a company, those of us who worked here started to see a more specific meaning to this open ended name we gave our company. We saw ROSA LOVES being more about others. Erin Lewis, wife of Chris Lewis who helped start the company said it best when she expressed: "ROSA LOVES is about the word in that name that is not included...the name after those two little words. Many times people have read our name on a sign or sticker and jokingly asked, "Rosa Loves WHO?"... Well, I always stop and think for a second, and normally reply with a name, such as Glenda, Made, Lupe, "you"."
What is the percentage of T-shirt profits actually goes to the people in need?
Sixty percent of our profits from each story-related T-shirt goes directly to the people in need. The remaining forty percent is divided up among operations and goods costs.
So far, all of the stories that have come to us have been through direct relationships we have had with people. When taking on a story, we try our absolute best to make sure that we have a reliable resource to connect with the individual or family in need. It's been a challenge to think ahead and adapt our structure to meet the needs of those who may not directly be connected with ROSA LOVES. Since the company was started to meet the needs of people we were directly connected to, many requests have been made by people all over the world to facilitate T-shirts for stories that many people have presented. If you have an idea for a story or have any suggestions or comments about any existing stories, e-mail stories@rosaloves.com
What should I do if I have an idea for a story?
If you have an idea for a story e-mail it stories@rosaloves.com. In your e-mail, please try to give us as much information as you can so we can give it our highest consideration possible.
Thanks for asking! No matter who you are, you can help ROSA LOVES.
Buy a shirt!: It's that simpleÑ and you truly are helping when you do so!
Authenticity: The best way you can help is by sincerely living out what is behind these T-shirts by being aware of needs in your own community and using the gifts and talents you have to better the lives around you.
Spread the word along: The more people that know about ROSA LOVES, the more shirts are sold, and the more people that are helped. By wearing a ROSA LOVES T-shirt, you support those in need. By telling your friends, family, or co-workers you raise awareness.
Donate: Whether you or someone you know wants to donate funds to ROSA LOVES, we would like to encourage you to do so. Although this is part of our company is currently under development since we are in the process of attaining a 501(c)3 status, but anyone can certainly still donate. Unfortunately, until the company becomes a non-profit by law, we cannot provide tax deduction receipts.
Promote: Do you work in the editorial industry? Write a blog? Are you an online social network frequenter a.ka. MySpace voyeurist? Are you a celebrity or rock star? Make a difference by writing an article, bulletin or review. Wear your shirt to a photo shoot or where you can tell someone about ROSA LOVES.
All of our shirts are screen printed. Some are printed by massive machinesÑbut most of are hand-printed by our good friend, Greg Dettra.
Sweatshops are manufacturing workplaces that treat its workers inhumanely, paying low wages, imposing harsh and unsafe working conditions, and demanding levels of performance that are harmful to the workers. ROSA LOVES is committed to only using T-shirts that have NOT been manufactured in these types of conditions to ensure the well-being and fairness to all working in the workplace.
How will my ROSA LOVES shirt fit?
For the time being, all of our shirts are printed on shirts that are from two wholesale companies. American Apparel and Alternative Apparel are the two companies we have been buying from. On every product page, we try to best explain the fit of the T-shirt within the product description, but to find more information on any concerns with fit, we invite you to visit their websites for a more detailed breakdown.
Are you a non-profit organization?
We are not yet, but are in the process of applying. This process which includes a 20+ page application takes between six to eight months to be processed. We're currently in the waiting phase of applying for our 501(c)3 and hope to hear from the IRS soon! We will keep you posted.
May I donate money to ROSA LOVES?
ROSA LOVES is a group of friends with a vision who want to make a real impact in this world. Since this group, "the staff", of roughly four people work other full-time jobs, ROSA LOVES is a part-time volunteer venture. They do not bring in any income from ROSA LOVES, since the funds made from shirt sales are either channeled directly to the individual or go back into the company to cover expenses. ROSA LOVES is in the process of becoming a 501(c3) Non-Profit Company, which will allow more financial flexibility, and will eventually allow this group to work as full-time employees. This is an important and meaningful, crucial step for the project, which will enable it to help more people and inspire more to do the same.
The staff always encourages contributions of any size. If you feel moved to give to the project, know that your funds will make a huge difference in this vision. Finances will help pay for business materials, traveling expenses, marketing materials, and salaries to staff and others that give their time and resources with this project. We can't tell you how much we appreciate your support. The more resources we have, the more of an impact ROSA LOVES can have. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. If you are interested in donating, please contact Mike Fretto.
Can I purchase a shirt from a past story?
All T-shirts from past stories are immediately discontinued from our inventory once the monetary goal is met. We think of it as a good excuse to design limited editions!
No we are not a Christian company. Chris Lewis one of the individuals who originally started ROSA LOVES said it most eloquently when he explained, "I tend to hold the belief that "Christian" should not be used as an adjective. ROSA LOVES is a company that seeks creative ways to serve others, not coerce. What I will say of myself is that I follow Jesus, and what I do, I do for the glory of God." The people behind ROSA LOVES are close friends with different faith backgrounds individually. Some are inspired by their faith in Jesus, while others are driven from different sources of conviction and motivation. We are all very open about our beliefs. If you should have specific related questions for us individually, we invite you to ask us!
Where can I purchase the T-shirts?
You can currently buy ROSA LOVES shirts at:
The Closet
51 Cordova St.
St. Augustine, FL 32084
(904) 810-5699
Directions
Simple Gestures
4 White St.
St. Augustine, FL 32080
(904) 827-9997
Directions
I bought a shirt online and it does not fit. Can I return or exchange it?
Sure - just as long as it hasn't been washed! Mail us the shirt along with a short note explaining what size you'd like to replace it with, and we'll swap them out. Don't worry about sending us a self-addressed stamped envelopeÑ we'll cover the shipping for the way back.
We are not currently hiring, but hope to be soon!
Yes, we do offer internships. Unfortunately they are unpaid, but if that doesn't matter to you, please contact Johnpaul McLean.
I have a similar idea to raise money for my company/organization/team/church. Will you design it for me?
We generally try to focus and funnel all of our time and energy into ROSA LOVES exclusively, but we absolutely would like to hear your story and do as much as we can to help support your efforts. If you are fund raising in a similar style as ROSA LOVES, let us know! We always enjoy and encourage others to use the idea to impact people in need.
Why does ROSA LOVES print on the insides of the shirts?
The reason every ROSA LOVES T-shirt has the story printed on the inside is to remind the person wearing the shirt of its meaning and purpose. We want story of those represented by the shirts to be "close to your heart", and by printing on the insides of the shirts its our way of symbolizing that. We also want to mention that we do not claim ownership to this idea. We're not exactly sure where "inside printing" was ever originated, but our shirts were originally inspired by those created by a company we very much respect, Jedidiah Clothing.
Yes - and he is still regulating.
I'm having trouble on the website. What should I do?
If you are having any issues on the website, whether it be with an order, getting information, or registration issues, send a detailed message outlining your concern to: nerd@rosaloves.com.
How long does it take to receive my shirt, once I have placed the order online?
After you place an order, it usually takes between 5-7 business days to receive it depending on where you're located. We have found that if you live outside the Continental United States, it takes a few days longer. We try to fulfill our orders everyday, but that sometimes doesn't happen since we are near part-time employees.
Yes. Unfortunately we currently do not have our website structured to accept international orders. However, if you find yourself abroad and fancy out shirts, we will happily fulfill your order. Simply follow the steps listed below and we'll ship them out!
1.) Decide on which shirts and sizes you would like to order.
2.) Register for a Paypal account if you do not already have one.
3.) Send an email to orders@rosaloves.com with your mailing address, email address, shirt name(s), size(s), and men's or ladies style.
4.) Pay using Paypal once you receive the invoice from us.
5.) Once we have received payment, we will ship out your order, which you will receive within 6-10 business days.
SHIPPING COSTS:
| Costs of Shirts | Shipping Price to Canada & Mexico | Shipping Price to all other countries |
| $25-125 USD | $12.00 USD | $14.00 USD |
| $150-300 USD | $32.00 USD | $50.00 USD |
We apologize for the few extra steps, but we promise, it's worth it!
How do I know how the shirt will fit on me?
All of our shirts are generally fitted tees; that meaning that they fit a bit more snug than your common T-shirt. For the time being, all of our shirts are printed on shirts that are from two wholesale companies. American Apparel and Alternative Apparel are the two companies we have been buying from. On every product page, we try to best explain the fit of the T-shirt within the product description, but to find more information on any concerns with fit, we invite you to visit their websites for a more detailed breakdown.
My billing address on my credit card is different than where I want the shirt(s) shipped. How can I specify its shipping address?
We're sorry about the inconvenience. Simply send an e-mail to orders@rosaloves.com titled, "About my order (type your order number here)" and specify the desired mailing address in the message. We'll reply a.s.a.p. to let you know that it's headed to the correct destination!
How much money has been raised for each story?
Those amount are changing every day. Once and a while we try our best to mention the amounts as much as possible whether it be in an announcement, news post, or newsletter, etc. We are working on a more efficient and public way of constantly providing this information on our website. For the time being, if you're curious about how much ROSA LOVES has raised for a specific shirt (or all of them), feel free to e-mail Mike Fretto.
Do you accept designer submissions?
Yes. We eventually want to make designer submissions a large part of how ROSA LOVES operates. For now, if you're interested in designing a ROSA LOVES tee, send an email to our designer, Mike Fretto with some samples of your past work.
May I sell you shirts in my store?
We'd love to! If interested please contact Johnpaul McLean.
Currently there are not any fulltime employees working for ROSA LOVES. Our team consists of four close friends who get paid an extremely low part time wage for working a few hours a week. This is something we hope does not last forever. Since we all have bills to pay, it's constantly our biggest challenge putting time into ROSA LOVES when it cannot financially support us yet. Clinging to the vision of ROSA LOVES, our hope is that when the company attains its Federal non-profit 501(c)3 status, it will enable outside fundraising. This will support the infrastructure of the company and enable all of the employees to focus solely on ROSA LOVES, which in effect would open up more doors to help those in need.
My name is Mike Fretto. I am a graphic designer.
In December of 2005, just under three months after Hurricane Katrina violated the Gulf Coast, I was privileged to have the opportunity to visit the city of New Orleans with a group of college students. When I approached the city, I remember how I was silenced as I witnessed what looked like a war zone. The interstate's shoulders were sprinkled with debris, and metal highway signs were folded like envelopes. While there I realized that all of the media coverage on television and on the internet I had seen up to that point could never possibly convey the destruction and loss that was, and still is, in many peoples' lives. During my visit I met newlyweds, elderly and children that lost everything. Side by side, working in teams like assembly lines armed with breathing masks and crow bars, we did what we could to help in the rebuilding... and the recovering. It was that trip to The Big Easy that transformed the way I thought about my life and people in need. While we were there, I was overwhelmed at the enormous need. I was in New Orleans, a city with people who needed so much, and there I was stripping moldy drywall from just one house. But I came to realize that my team and I really were affecting change - perhaps not on an enormous scale, but rather in a more tangible way.
I have always been connected with art. I studied graphic design, advertising, and fine art at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida. Since then I've worked at a branding studio in St. Louis, Missouri and started my own graphic design business. Visual communication has the power to compel a diverse audience to believe, consider, or act. On the other hand, I believe it can be used carelessly and manipulatively. Tired of seeing the misuse of communication, I dream of using it in a more simplistic, creative, and effective way. I sincerely believe that art and creativity can be used as a tool to foster hope and encouragement.
Fashion has always been a tool of self expression and identity. Though fashion trends are fleeting, people's desire to express something with what they wear will always remain. My hope for Rosa Loves is that its t-shirts can be used not only to express themselves but also serve as a medium to encourage people to carry the weight of the story of someone that they normally would not encounter. By infiltrating the recently developed t-shirt culture, Rosa Loves will bring a fresh perspective on how shirts will serve purposes other than simply outfitting people. Just as in New Orleans, my prayer is that Rosa Loves meets individual and immediate needs in order to affect wide scale and deep-rooted change.
My name is Chris Lewis. I am a software developer.
When I was in the 5th or 6th grade, I became really good friends with a kid from Sawyer Town, an impoverished neighborhood in my hometown. For those familiar with St. Augustine, or who have seen the film Dare Not Walk Alone, Sawyer Town was roughly equivalent to West Augustine. He would come over after school; we would play together, do homework together, etc. I didn't really see this at the time, but he had become like a brother to me. My parents loved him like their own and had even considered adopting him. He was one of my best friends.
Two memories from that point in my life have stayed more prevalent than others, and of late, increasingly so. One was the extreme poverty in which he lived. He lived in a small house with his two sisters, aunt, grandmother, and grandfather. His mother lived with a friend in a nearby neighborhood and was constantly in and out of legal troubles. I didn't know his grandparents or mother, but his aunt was a kind-hearted woman. I have vivid memories of the inside of his house. It was dark, damp, and hot. Foul odors permeated every inch. There were holes in the wall so deep I was amazed you couldn't see outside. The kitchen was littered with dishes, and roaches were everywhere. Even at that age my mind was blown at this. I just didn't understand and didn't have the courage to ask.
The other memory was his unshakable heart. When we graduated the 8th grade, I lost contact with him. He stopped coming around, and when we started high school I think I saw him once. I assumed he dropped out, and knowing his situation, I thought I knew why. It was 4 years until I was proven wrong. One day he randomly drove by me in a bread delivery truck - we saw each other, and I couldn't believe my eyes. He stopped, we talked and exchanged contact information, and then we met up a few days later. He didn't drop out because life was hard or because he didn't care. He dropped out to be a full-time caregiver to his aunt and grandparents, who had become increasingly ill. Several times after I learned this, I wept. I don't know where his fortitude of heart came from, but if everyone would serve others this way, I can't imagine the good that would flourish.
Somehow these experiences have been fostering a change in perspective for me, since sometime in 2001. I feel like I have begun to understand what our purpose as humans is. I realize such a statement may be just a faint echo in what can seem to be the void of our existence, but nonetheless, I am convicted.
Rosa Loves is less about charity and more about awareness, awareness that we are all a part of something greater and are therefore joined by common threads. I believe that accepting this truth means accepting our place in community, and more importantly, accepting responsibility for each other. I don't mean to undermine personal responsibility, but it seems to me that "personal responsibility" is used as a crutch - an excuse - to ignore the suffering around us. I believe this chosen ignorance is the architect of deep social chasms that keep us from venturing to places like Sawyer Town.
What I pray is that people come to experience Rosa Loves not as a charitable company, and not even as a company that does the things it does because they are "good things to do." My prayer is that people will realize this is what we as people were intended to do.
I'll close by saying that Rosa Loves is not a Christian company. I tend to hold the belief that "Christian" should not be used as an adjective. Rosa Loves is a company that seeks creative ways to serve others, not coerce. What I will say of myself is that I follow Jesus, and what I do, I do for the glory of God.
If you have any other questions about who we are,
please contact us.
Coming Soon.
Coming Soon.
