We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Rhonda Willingham a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Rhonda, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

Making It Count, Inc. didn’t start with success. It started with surrender.

I tried three different times to help the homeless on my own. Three times I had the vision. Three times I had the passion. Three times I tried to execute the plan in my own strength.

And three times, it didn’t work.

It wasn’t until I put God first that things began to fall into place. What I was trying to force, God was already preparing. He opened doors I couldn’t open. He connected us with people I never could have reached on my own. He provided resources, volunteers, donors, and opportunities that only He could orchestrate.

The reality is that before I could lead this work, I needed God to do a work in me. I needed deliverance. I needed to release control and stop trying to build something for God without God.

Today, Making It Count, Inc. is in the streets, serving our unhoused neighbors and walking out the calling God placed on our hearts. Every meal served, every hug shared, every prayer prayed, and every relationship built is a reminder that this ministry belongs to Him.

We’re not just meeting needs. We’re answering a call.

This work isn’t easy. It’s a battlefield. But when God sends you, He also sustains you.

Making It Count, Inc. exists because God made a way where there seemed to be no way. To Him be all the glory. ✝️❤️

“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” — Psalm 127:1

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

For those who may be learning about Making It Count, Inc. for the first time, our organization exists to improve the lives of homeless families, veterans, and seniors by connecting them with essential resources, coordinated case management, and community-based support services.

We were founded on the belief that lasting change happens when immediate needs are met while also addressing the underlying barriers that prevent individuals from achieving stability. Through our programs, we provide food and hygiene products, individualized case management, and direct referrals to trusted local agencies that support housing assistance, substance use recovery, education, and other critical services.

What led me into this work is a deep awareness of how difficult it can be for individuals to navigate systems alone—especially when facing crisis situations. Many of the people we serve are not just in need of resources, but also guidance, advocacy, and consistent support to help them move forward. Making It Count was created to bridge that gap by offering both practical assistance and a clear pathway to community support.

What sets our organization apart is our commitment to treating every individual with dignity while providing structured, compassionate support. We recognize that every situation is unique, and we take a personalized approach to helping each person access the resources that best fit their needs. Our work is not just about short-term relief—it is about helping people move toward long-term stability and improved quality of life.

We are also proud to operate with accessibility in mind, offering services on a sliding fee scale based on eligibility and documented participation in low-income assistance programs. This ensures that support remains available to those who need it most, regardless of financial circumstance.

What I am most proud of is the trust we have built within the community and the ability to serve as a consistent point of support for individuals and families during some of their most difficult seasons. Whether helping connect a veteran to housing resources, assisting a senior with basic needs, or guiding a family toward stability, our focus remains on creating meaningful, measurable impact.

At Making It Count, Inc., our mission is to strengthen communities by ensuring that no one has to navigate hardship alone—and that every person has access to the support, dignity, and opportunity they deserve.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

What has helped build my reputation is a combination of personal experience, resilience, and a deep commitment to the calling God has placed on my life.

My work is rooted in lived understanding of the challenges many individuals face, particularly those experiencing homelessness, instability, or limited access to resources. That personal awareness has shaped the way I approach service—always with empathy, patience, and a focus on meeting people where they are.

At the same time, resilience has played a major role. Building trust within the community and developing meaningful programs has required consistency, perseverance, and a willingness to keep showing up, even in difficult circumstances. Over time, that consistency has helped establish credibility and trust with both those we serve and the partners we work alongside.

Above all, my commitment to my calling is what guides everything I do. I believe this work is not just professional, but purpose-driven. That sense of purpose has kept me focused, grounded, and intentional about serving others with integrity and compassion.

Together, these elements have shaped not only my reputation, but also the foundation of the work we continue to do through Making It Count, Inc.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

There was a moment in my journey when my life should have ended. I was stabbed in my heart three times and left for dead. By medical standards, I was declared DOA on the table.

But God said, “Not yet.”

I survived an experience that doctors could not explain, and I believe it was by nothing other than His mercy and grace. I was brought back to life for a purpose that extended far beyond my pain and my scars.

That moment became a turning point in my life. It forced me to confront the value of my existence and the reality that I had been given a second chance. I should not be here, but I am—and that truth has shaped everything about how I live today.

It strengthened my resilience and deepened my commitment to serve others. I no longer see my life as my own, but as something entrusted to me with purpose. That understanding is what drives my work, my compassion, and my dedication to giving back to the community.

Today, I live with intention—serving, loving, and showing up for others whenever I can. Because when you are given a second chance at life, you do not waste it. You make it count.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://makingitcountinc.org/about-2/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100071858539695