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Client Spotlight: The JESSE Foundation

Over the last few years, we have worked with some of the most dynamic individuals and organizations in our community. We’re thrilled to be part of their growth, that’s why over the next few months you will notice client spotlights on our website, newsletter and social media platforms. We hope you enjoy reading about them as much as we enjoy working with them. Our first spotlight is The JESSE (Just Empowering Student Success through Education) Foundation. 

Executive Director: Jesse Sneed

Website: www.jessefoundation.org 

What does your organization do?
The JESSE Foundation seeks to empower, equip and expose parents and adolescents to resources and alternatives that are available in the community. The Foundation hopes that these resources will provide assistance to members in under-served communities with achieving their goals of obtaining higher education.

What was your most memorable project?
My most memorable project was in 2012 when the JESSE Foundation first launched. The moment finally arrived for us to have the first Annual Back-2-School Giveaway in my hometown of Waco, Texas. I was skeptical about it being a success because I had to plan and coordinate the event in 3 months from Washington, DC. I arrived in Waco a few days before the event to set up the venue and to handle all of the logistics. The day of the event, I was so nervous about the unknown. I had never coordinated anything at such a magnitude.

The giveaway was a great success and the Foundation was able to feed and serve over 400 youth with backpacks filled with school supplies. I am honored and excited to continue to serve my community. I am now planning the 5th Annual Back-2-School Giveaway in August 2016!

What is one challenge you faced, and how did you overcome it?
One challenge I faced in the early stages of creating the JESSE Foundation was wanting to do too much by myself without having the proper knowledge. I began to educate myself and reached out to Andrena for consultation to gain a greater understanding of how to create an sustain a nonprofit. Receiving services from P.E.R.K. Consulting was the solution to the challenges I was facing.

What is your advice to someone thinking about becoming an entrepreneur or starting a nonprofit?
Always create something that you wish existed when you were facing a hardship, and be that one to use your instincts to create it.

Connect with the JESSE Foundation on Facebook.

Previous and current clients, we’d like to spotlight your work! Interested? Contact Project Coordinator, Hanna Hagos at Hanna@perkconsulting.net.