Today we’d like to introduce you to Jackie Hardy.
Hi Jackie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My story mirrors many others in that I discovered my purpose during one of the most challenging periods of my life: the early stages of motherhood. As a new mom who had recently relocated to a new state in the early 2000s, I struggled with feelings of inadequacy and questioned my worthiness as a parent. Unbeknownst to me at the time, I was experiencing postpartum depression. The difficult days of caring for a colicky newborn and navigating the complexities of motherhood laid the foundation for what would become the nonprofit organization, Love On You Mommy Ministry (LOYM).
While battling depression, loneliness, and persistent thoughts of not being enough for my son, I began to sense a calling to create a supportive space for mothers. I wanted to unite moms who faced similar feelings of inadequacy or outward challenges, providing a community where they could find connection and understanding. LOYM was established with the sole mission to help moms feel seen, loved, and valued—exactly what I longed for during my introduction to motherhood and still seek, regardless of where I am on my motherhood journey, whether raising teenagers or navigating an empty nest.
I find immense joy in bringing LOYM’s mission to life by engaging, encouraging, and empowering mothers. What began nearly 15 years ago in our living room has grown significantly. Today, LOYM hosts two annual events designed to refuel and recharge moms, offers various enrichment opportunities for holistic growth—mind, body, and soul—and awards annual scholarships to single moms and mothers who serve as caretakers for family members with chronic illnesses or children with special needs. Our outreach initiatives also serve the broader community.
The realization of this dream would not have been possible without the unwavering support of my family, friends, and financial supporters. LOYM continues to expand its reach, impacting mothers across the globe.
Recently, I published my first devotional, an Advent study titled “The Un-Christmas: An Advent Study for Navigating Life’s Un’s.” This work was inspired by my own experiences and the recognition that many mothers enter the Christmas season feeling “Un-Christmas”—unloved, unseen, or unworthy. The devotional reassures moms that these feelings are not unique; many characters in the Christmas story felt similarly. During the holidays, mothers often feel the pressure to create perfection, and the purpose of this book is to validate those feelings and remind moms that Christmas is about hope greater than themselves or their emotions.
LOYM continues to grow each year, and I am excited to see what God has planned for the next chapter of our ministry.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Building Love On You Mommy Ministry has presented challenges, especially in fundraising and engaging moms post-Covid. Competing demands make consistent audience engagement difficult. During Covid, we adapted by using virtual platforms, but as a small nonprofit, our resources are limited compared to larger organizations. Fundraising remains crucial, yet securing grants is tough since our private foundation status restricts eligibility. While our board aims to reclassify as a public charity, the process is costly and slow. Nonetheless, we work diligently each year to address fundraising so we can continue offering low-cost services to moms.
Despite these obstacles, we remain committed to finding creative solutions. We actively seek new partnerships within the community, explore alternative fundraising avenues such as virtual events and individual donor campaigns, and regularly evaluate our outreach approaches to ensure we reach as many mothers as possible. By staying adaptable and persistent, we hope to expand our impact and sustain our mission for years to come.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a freelance writer for a minority-owned and operated publication. Over the course of my tenure, I have had the privilege of authoring articles that highlight local politics, business, and community news. Recently, I assumed the role of host for the publication’s YouTube channel, where I conducted interviews for their entertainment segment and narrated the documentary series “Black Dallas.” I take particular pride in my contributions as a narrator, showcasing historical African American landmarks throughout the DFW area. Participating in this project was an honor, as it allowed me to help raise awareness of the rich African American history that shapes our city.
What distinguishes me within the industry is my capacity to establish authentic connections with both interview subjects and the stories I am entrusted to share. This ability enables me to engage not only with those I interview but also with our audience, fostering engagement and building trust.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
During our nonprofit events for mothers, we continually seek sponsors to offset event costs. One key avenue of support involves inviting business owners to participate as vendors. For a nominal fee, vendors may reserve a table to showcase and sell their products or services at our fall and spring events. Small business owners interested in serving as vendors are encouraged to connect with us via email at info@loym.org.
Love On You Mommy Ministry also welcomes financial partnerships through our “Do You Dare to Pick a Square” campaign, which enables partners to select donation squares in $5 increments—available on a monthly, annual, or one-time basis.
Additionally, purchasing the book “The Un-Christmas: An Advent Study for Navigating Life’s Un” provides another means of supporting our ministry, as a portion of proceeds is allocated directly to our programs. To make a donation, please visit our website at www.loym.org (see the Donate page). The book is available via Amazon and other online retailers (https://a.co/d/6E54KGt).
Pricing:
- $60 (Vendor table)
- $5-$1,000 (Financial Campaign)
- $8 – $15 (Advent book-varies based on online retailer)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.loym.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loym.ministry/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070101264022
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-hardy-6a76033/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmMfk0jqTJBFczuph5cOD6g
- Other: https://a.co/d/dqNtrQT
Image Credits
Darien Hardy
Sarahi Salvador
