Our Founder

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, 

who have been called according to his purpose. -Romans 8:28

Since I was 12 years old, I entertained the idea that people who were alone and less resourced might live together, pooling their talents, time, and money for mutual benefit. My neighbor "Shaky" was the inspiration. The community narrative was that “Shaky” was an intelligent and talented man who went into combat and came back "different."

To me, it did not make sense that "Shaky" should live as he did. What if,' I entertained, people like him could live together and support each other. From that time, the thought would recur, but only as a teaser. I imagined it would work for single mothers or dads, abandoned teenagers, college students, artists, etc. For most of my adult life, I considered it an improbable dream. I felt constrained by a lack of personal finances, power, and know-how. As a result, I never acted on those fleeting thoughts.

Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 

-Jeremiah 29:12

In 2016, I found myself in a place of deep despair. Those times were very confusing for me because I am usually content. I was in a happy marriage, our kids were fine, and I had a job that I enjoyed. Yet, something was amiss. When the heaviness did not quickly pass, I knew that I could not linger in that state, and decided to get help.

Being a student of Dr. Henry W. Wright’s work, "A More Excellent Way," I searched for the spiritual root of what I was going through. My studies led me to "YouTube University," or so I called it. There, I encountered Terry Savelle Foy, a pastor and motivational speaker. It was a short-lived relationship, but hearing about her own personal journey from a place of anguish put me on a course that led to my comeback. As we described it, Ms. Foy discontent was due to her not fulfilling her purpose. 

The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,

but one who has insight draws them out. -Proverbs 20:5

I had often sought God about my purpose, but at the time, it was still unclear to me. I knew I loved houses—I would often draw them as a child, tour neighborhoods just to look at them, and oddly enjoyed the smell of building materials. I also valued homeownership. My father used to tell us kids, "Have your own," and I often entertained the idea of creating housing on a larger scale for people with fewer resources. But none of that seemed like a purpose. Instead, they felt like things I might enjoy doing someday. I enjoyed teaching to some extent, and though I came from a family of educators, it didn’t feel like my calling. I did, however, deeply value education and often encouraged young people to pursue opportunities beyond high school. For seven years, I taught 7th to 12th graders how to prepare for higher education. When it came to people, my heart often mourned for those who were alone and often lonely, like elders, people with disabilities, abandoned youth. As an undergraduate and graduate student, I was drawn to community-based theories and practices for social change, like people helping each other. To me, these were loosely connected ideas—interesting and meaningful, but none of them felt like the purpose I was seeking.

You will seek me and find me when you

seek me with all your heart. -Jeremiah 29:13

Having a determined nature, I started binge-watching Ms. Foy’s YouTube videos to learn how she came to understand her purpose. And, finally, one of her videos described it - get a piece of paper and a pen; lay down in a quiet room; close my eyes; ask God what he has called me to do; write down any words or images that occur to me.

The date was July 16, 2016. The word was “cooperative.” Initially, I did not put it together. I questioned, ‘God, I am an amenable person?,’ and just like that, the image of my 12-year-old self was revealed. Today, I recognize that my life experiences and services up to that point have been preparing me to answer the call. Looking back, that anguish I experienced was a call to pursue my purpose. Interestingly, I was always on the path, but wavering in the absence of a clear destination. Since meeting Pastor Foy (albeit online), I have been giving shape to the vision that God gave to 12-year-old Donna, and by some miracle, meeting many others along the way who have informed and/or inspired my steps. Moreover, that feeling of anguish has not returned.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,

who have been called according to his purpose. -Romans 8:28