We recently connected with Yvette Torbert and have shared our conversation below.

Yvette, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s something you believe that most people in your industry (or in general) disagree with?

As a certified 501c(3) non-profit most people believe that an organization does not require capital to operate. This could not be further from the truth. They may not agree that a non-profit needs money in order to provide services, share information and spread our mission. Organizations like ours require enough funds to sustain its services, employees and daily operations-like any other business. We have been fortunate to begin small. Making use of working space with another small business and relying heavily on the generosity and donations from individuals and small businesses.

Yvette, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

The Torbert Foundation unofficially began over 30 years ago. After assessing the general needs of Senior Citizens through the narratives and experiences of some of our family members and close friends over the years, we saw the needs. We were made aware that the cost of living for our elderly changes drastically as they age. Issues that impact their financial state varies from the loss of a spouse, minimal benefits received through Medicaid and Social Security, lack of retirement benefits and the inability to afford the purchases of groceries hygiene and household cleaning items. In addition, single parents ongoing need for monetary support and assistance for the elevated costs of registration, equipment, travel for sports, creative arts and additional activities for their middle, high school and collegiate students continues. We are proud to have been able to assist in these areas over the years through stipends, donations, support and assistance in various forms from cars, rental and mortgage subsidies, and more.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

Shelton L. Torbert is ahead of his time when it comes to knowledge, understanding and faith ‘in the process.’ Most recently, we launched Bridgeway Christian Center in Madison, Alabama! It is another story and yet another definitive moment in our relationship where the choice to give (this time has prevailed spiritually and financially) I met him over 35 years ago in Gelnhausen, West Germany where we were both serving in the United States Army. It is amazing how our desire to give was so in sync. Our common goals in faith, family and our finances has been the nexus of achieving several milestones in the area of our personal giving. My experience as the child of a single parent, living in subsidized housing in the inner city and Shelton’s humble beginnings in rural Alabama, gave us a vast level of understanding in what it means to have a need and not have a resource for meeting that need. Being a military family, with financial constraints of our own, we consistently agreed upon ways to give. As we were blessed with more, we never lost our common desire to give more. We believe that The Torbert Foundation is a small part of how we can continue to share this legacy of giving that we have demonstrated to our children in so many ways. We are excited to continue serving others in a way that exemplifies our great love for our God, one another and those around us…for there is ALWAYS A NEED!

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

In 2006 when Shelton retired from the United States Army, with a graduate level degree and marketable skills in HR and Equal Opportunity we were confident that finding a job would be flawless for him. That was not the case and after 18 months of job searching, a lucrative opportunity brought a job, but took Shelton to another state. This was a difficult season since we had not expected to be separated again, after building a brand new home and settling in the area that we thought we would be permanently. (This was the first time he started the business, Agape Consulting LLC., which is our small business -restarted in Alabama in February 2020). After using thousands of dollars of our personal savings as capital for the business, it was disappointing to close the business and essentially lose all of our money invested up to that point. We took a loss on our home and incurred debt to the lender from the way our home was sold. We made the touch decision to move. One of our children was just beginning college in the state that we left. Nothing seemed to be ‘lining up!’ Through this all, I left my job as an Elementary School Teacher to move to the state where Shelton was. It was a ‘bumpy ride!’ Through it all we came out stronger fiscally. We both experienced career changes, pay raises, built another home, paid it off, sold car(s), bought car(s), put another child through college, Shelton attained a 2nd graduate degree, we were both promoted, Shelton retired AGAIN (lol), got a better position and the giving has continued and been elevated! In 2023, we decided to make The Torbert Foundation a registered non-profit by becoming a 501c(3) organization. It has been work that our family has continued to do, in spite of every hardship and obstacle. The Torbert Foundation has gifted vehicles, thousand in support of both the needs of senior citizens and our youth! It is imperative to us that we leave a legacy of service, selflessness and giving to our children Marcus, Shalicia & Shelton Jr. Our family is important to them and having the Torbert name on our foundation has far reaching consequences which we hope will extend to every generation beyond ours carrying the mission onward!

Contact Info:

• Website: thetorbertfamily.org

Image Credits
Fredro Star