This journey started back in 2012 when I was in the 10th grade at Riverdale High School. After being introduced to a few great leaders around Riverdale and taking their advice, I joined an organization called Gentlemen of Quality 100 (GQ-100). We had an exceptional advisor by the name of Mr. Jermale Jenkins that would always take us on trips, tour colleges, and have a heavy presence within our community doing community service. For many of us, Mr. Jenkins was our father figure away from home. One service event in particular that we would do yearly was called “Fill the Basket”. Fill the Basket was a food drive initiative geared towards battered women and children. This specific service project hit home for me because I grew up in an atmosphere of domestic violence. It was a silent battle that I endured for a long time. Although my story did not end tragically, I bear those pains that many other families faced that forced them to live in a shelter. Now, this specific food drive has become my largest community service project and has catapulted me into wanting to service others regularly.
After graduating high school, I attended The Unsinkable Albany State University. During my second year of my collegiate career, I decided to carry on the “Fill the Basket” food drive initiative down in Albany, GA. While in the good life city of Albany, I donated to Liberty House domestic violence shelter yearly. Outside of doing the food drive, I would participate in campus/street cleanups, do feeding for the homeless, visit nursing homes, and local schools to give back. Upon completion of my Bachelor of Science degree, I relocated back to Riverdale, GA and continued being heavily involved in the community. At that time I partnered with Securus House domestic violence shelter that services the Clayton County area along with Atlanta Mission: My Sister’s House in the downtown Atlanta area. During COVID there was a heavy demand with many shelters needing assistance with supplies, food, and funds. Understanding my purpose, I knew I had to step in and provide assistance.
Later, in September of 2020, it was placed on my heart to start a nonprofit organization. At the time I had little knowledge as to where to start with creating my nonprofit, how a name would come about, who would help me, where the funds would come from, etc. All I knew was that I was called to do a great work in the community despite the obstacles of life and my day to day functions. Reflecting on the man that I was becoming and foreseeing where I wanted this organization to go, I was reminded of a few things. Don’t start something without seeing it through, put God first, and keep the faith. Every time I said I was going to do something, I always seen it come to past. Even through the ups, downs, tears, and financial struggles, it always worked out for my good and I came out on top. Attempting to start this organization during that time in my life was difficult for me mentally and physically because I already had a lot on my plate.
However, the word persevere came to mind. What is the definition of persevere? It is to continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty or with little or no prospect of success. Through every attack, struggle, financial loss, limited assistance, and long nights that came with starting this organization, I kept hold of the vision. I didn’t throw in the towel. That is where Persevering Through Purpose came from. This heavy presence in wanting to give back to others has had a hold of me for many years, I knew it was a part of my purpose. Daily, it is a fight but it is a fight to make all things right. Persevering Through Purpose was birth in January of 2021 and is a 501(c)3 organization. Now, we are growing, have a solid group of volunteers, feeding hundreds of families, making many connections, and are doing better than ever! I am so glad I kept persevering.
Fill The Basket is our largest food drive initiative geared towards women and children of battered homes. We shed light on these individuals by donating meals to domestic violence shelters to ensure they have a memorable holiday.
Every month we mobilize our team of volunteers to make a real difference. Once a month we go into our communities and clean up local parks where the less fortunate individuals reside to ensure they have a nice clean area to enjoy themselves and rest.
Our community is full of people who want to help. We work to provide freshly homecooked meals to the homeless around the city of Atlanta by partnering with local organizations and shelters.
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