Today we’d like to introduce you to Zhanae Jackson and Pedra Jacobs.
Zhanae and Pedra, before we jump into specific questions about your work, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
It all started about a year ago when my mother came to me and told me she wanted to do a boarding home. At that time, I had just gave birth to my son so business wasn’t really on my mind. And because my mother and I operate better together, she waited. I remember her taking a trip to the Bahamas to preach a few months ago and she called me and asked if I was ready and I told her yes! Upon her arrival, I met her at her house and we started all of our paperwork and started to look for properties. We created the name, “Pedanae”, to show our mother and daughter partnership. Pedra and Zhanae! We had guidance from our sister facility, At The Hands of Jesus Boarding Homes. And without that guidance and help, we wouldn’t have made it this far.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road has been complicated! My mother and I have other commitments that we had to put off to make this happen. One of the houses we used was once a “Trap” house. We didn’t just want to help South Dallas, we wanted to change South Dallas. We did some remodeling, some serious yard work, and we made sure that it was a house that someone would be happy to be in. Besides that, I am also a college student, a mother to a two-year-old and a one-year-old, and a wife. So in the process of remodeling, I would disappear to study for an exam, or disappear because maybe one of my kids had gotten sick. My mother is in ministry full time so if she disappeared, it was because she had an engagement. And in the process, she had heart problems because of the stress of starting up our boarding homes. It was a lot that we overcame to make this possible!
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
Pedanae Boarding Homes offer to the house to people who are mentally ill, rather young or old, male or female and we also except people who have criminal backgrounds that just need a start. Some boarding homes in Dallas focus on collecting checks, we don’t! We give our residents a certain amount of money back each month. But the thing that I’m most proud of, is how we are involved with each one of our residents. We celebrate Birthdays, Christmas, and Thanksgiving. We also have rewarding weeks, and maybe we’ll do Pizza night or Chinese. We’re family, and we take our caring seriously.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Oh yes! Holly Scarborough, owner of At The Hands of Jesus Boarding Homes. She has been the best big sister I could ask for. I remember when I would doubt, (now my mother never doubts, she’s like superwoman), Pastor Holly would tell me, “Zhanae, don’t let the enemy trick you, you will be successful”. And her confidence in me gave me confidence in myself! She taught me everything I didn’t know. She would randomly call and say, “oh yea, make sure you get this”. Or she’ll call and say, “Zhanae, meet me with your truck”. And when I saw her, she’d be loading all types of helpful things that I needed into my truck. My mother also, even though she’s my business partner, she also pushed starting this boarding home. My mother has care for people that’s amazing, and watching her take lead during this process has just been inspiring. Even my 15-year-old brother was amazed! I’m so thankful for them, without them both, I couldn’t say that I’m a 23-year-old business owner and a proud business partner with my mother.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3005 Wellington Dr, Dallas TX
3702 Cauthorn Rd, Dallas TX - Website: Www.pedanaeboardinghomes.com
- Phone: 6825618882
- Email: pedanaeboardinghomes@gmail.com
Image Credit:
Dr. Pedra Jacobs, Zha’Nae Jackson
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