Today we’d like to introduce you to Destiny Jernigan.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Destiny. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I have always known my passion and purpose on earth were to help others. This required me to seek God to determine in which capacity I needed to help other individuals.
Growing up, I did not have the luxury or the finer things most children I went to school with had. Even through college; four years at Prairie View A&M University as a student-athlete was tough with limited support and resources.
I have worked in capacity with foster children since 2013, where I started as a Camp Counselor at the YMCA. Thereafter, I worked at a Child Placing Agency as a Compliance Coordinator, ensuring foster homes were in compliance with the State of Texas Minimum Standards.
The last five years of my career were with The Department of Family and Protective Services, where I served as an Abuse and Neglect Investigator conducting investigations in foster homes. The last two years of my career, I supervised three regions covering more than half of the Eastern part of the State of Texas.
Observing the struggles and obstacles foster children endure while in care stemmed the development of Destiny’s Giving Hand Inc. Some children were not strong enough to overcome their obstacles and found other alternatives which consisted of taking their own life. Providing support on many levels to help foster children overcome their trauma is where Destiny’s Giving Hand will bridge the gap and be an additional resource to foster children and foster parents.
There are limited resources helping foster parents. These individuals build relationships and bonds with children placed in their home, just to have the children removed and returned to their biological families. This causes a level of trauma on foster parents and my Organization plans to provide multiple services and resources to support the individuals who step up and take the responsibility of being a foster parent.
I believe God required me to go through those hard times and struggles as a child in order to prepare me and develop the level of compassion I need to help the foster care system. Not only did my childhood prepare me to build my Organization, but my career path also prepared and educated me as well.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Life is never a “smooth road..” Without the obstacles and struggles, you cannot learn from your mistakes. I believe trial and error has been my biggest teacher thus far.
In the Nonprofit sector, fundraising and keeping individuals engaged are very difficult. The economy and other factors play a major part in individual donations.
My biggest struggle has been learning how to network and connect with the right people in the Dallas, Texas area who can guide me to the right businesses where I can share my vision and purpose. Without funding, Nonprofit’s cannot function or thrive.
I’m thankful for my community and supporters. Without their donations, Destiny’s Giving Hand would not have been able to help the 36 foster children we served with backpacks and supplies this 2019 school year!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Destiny’s Giving Hand – what should we know?
Destiny’s Giving Hand Inc. is an Incorporated 501(c)(3) Non-profit Organization. Our mission is to promote and provide continuum emergency services and resources for foster children and foster parents. We will target children exposed to abuse, neglect, and exploitation who have been removed from their primary caregiver(s). We aim to help foster parents by providing resources and support to minimize abuse and neglect in foster homes.
My Organization is known for its professional and organized presentation. Behind my purpose is a creative vision. Each event is structured and planned by myself from the color of the table cloth to the color of each balloon. I want the individuals I serve to experience quality and professionalism each engagement.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I have a great team of friends and family who support my vision by donating or volunteering. Without their dedication, Destiny’s Giving Hand would not be able to function.
Contact Info:
- Website: destinysgivinghandinc.org
- Email: [email protected]
Image Credit:
Otis Claiborne
Vincent Watts
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