Why was NextStep Effect Foundation started?
The NextStep Effect Foundation grew out of a sister organization, We Stand For Change, which I founded on May 11, 2018, in response to the rise of police brutality. That experience shaped my perspective on law enforcement without limiting my resolve. Following a concussion and neck injury, I recovered with renewed strength and developed lasting commitments to education, grace, the gift of life, and forgiveness, choosing to pursue an impact greater than the hardship behind it.
My choices, my accountability. I have faced circumstances that would have deterred many people, including failed relationships, the demands of being a provider, and the quiet burden of carrying the trauma of others. Disappointment became a regular part of my life, and much of what I gave went unrecognized.
I have also experienced homelessness, enduring temperatures as high as 115 degrees and as low as the low 20s, sheltering in tents, losing a vehicle to an impound tow, and living with mold. These seasons developed my resilience, strength, and courage, and deepened my relationship with God. Even then, I continued to give, sharing my tent, clothing, money, and assistance with others in need. My resources were limited and the effort was demanding, but I trusted in God's support.
I chose not to let these experiences define the end of my story. I turned that pain and experience into a decision to build something that genuinely helps people who understand the weight of such hardship. My faith sustained me. As opportunities and blessings opened to me, I connected with a nonprofit that helps homeless men recover and move forward. That support is the heart of the NextStep Effect Foundation: helping others take their next step forward. That is how the NextStep Effect Foundation was born.
