Today we’d like to introduce you to Tanisha Edwards.
Hi Tanisha, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Well, I found myself Homeless in my teenage years, didn’t finish high school, was couch hopping, living in shelters, bathrooms, and basically anywhere that I could find back then to have a place to sleep. No family would take me in and turned me down when I was looking for somewhere to go. I was devastated and didn’t know what to do, but I knew that and felt that God didn’t love me. I nearly gave up at one point, my depression and fear of being alone was traumatizing because I felt that why was I here on this earth if there was nothing good happening for me. Lies were told on me by my own family and they were on the outside looking in as my grandma would say because they did not know the real-life story and would not help me. I left the small town that I was from by hitchhiking and relocated to DFW. I came here with no money, no cell phone, and no hope. But when I arrived, I went to the area North Dallas where I found a job Bennigans as a host. I couldn’t even afford to get a uniform for work so the manager heard my story and gave me money to buy a uniform which was Black Pants and black shoes. I was then offered a place to stay per the manager and his wife. The manager’s wife also had a store that they owned at the Community Bazaar in which she was so gracious to have me there with two other young ladies. I eventually met my future husband whom I’m still married to till this day 20 years and still going strong. That’s my ride or die and he has been there the whole step of the way as I have with him. So together we have been unstoppable and God has made it to whatever business we open it turns into a success… We managed to open Licensed and Independent homes, Non-Medical Transportation, Home Healthcare, Nonprofit, Turo, Clia Lab, and a Landscaping Business. I’m partnered with Texas Veterans Network, Texas Veterans Commission, Homeless Coalition, United Way, Unlocking Doors Reentry along with Several Homeless Shelter Partners. I have appeared on several Podcasts and was even Featured by NBC 5, Fox, Newsbreak, and DFW Radio Stations for Feeding over 10,000 Homeless Individuals along with our Community Nonprofits and Housing over 500 Homeless Individuals. I took care of my Army Sergeant Vietnam Veteran father which he the reason I opened the Nonprofit in order to help the Homeless and the Veterans. We are also now a Nonprofit of the SuperBowl 2022 and partnered with the NFL Alumni on this venture to help give out Sport Scholarships to our Dislocated Youth. We also offer Financial Literacy, Job Training, and Enhancement Skills, Employment, Permanent Housing, Transitional Housing, Rental Assistance, Advocacy on a local, state and national level to help address the needs of the Homeless and Veteran population. We have more work to do and God is not done with me yet. We definitely have favor and I owe all this to God to continue to help House and Feed his people and I have dedicated my life to doing this.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it hasn’t been smooth. People look down you and stereotype you and make it seem that you’re on the streets because of something you did. This was the case and it’s hard to get people to understand that. My husband took care of my father and the severe PTSD, Anxiety, and Hallucinations was a challenge. That’s why today this Nonprofit is dedicated to helping loved ones get support and resources to help our Veterans. My father didn’t get services like he should have but my husband and I created this program for Veterans Resources and Services that we offer within the Nonprofit to help others that need along with the other services for the other populations Homeless, Aged Out, Women of Domestic Violence, Seniors, and Ex-Offenders.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The mission is to Help House and Feed the Homeless and to help them become self-sufficient again.
What does success mean to you?
Success is when you come out of a bad situation and turn that situation into something good that God will be pleased with.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@edwardshousinginc.org
- Website: www.edwardshousing-inc.org
- Instagram: edwards_housing_incorporated
- Facebook: Edwards Nisha Founder
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