We recently connected with I’Lasha James and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, I’Lasha thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

During covid, is when it all began for me. I worked overnight at the hospital at this time. While working, I attended Houston Community College, I also picked up a class to become certified in mental health first aid for the youth. One day a friend called me and said she had decided to pick up a phlebotomy class. As we were talking, she began naming other certifications classes that were available. When she said Community Worker, I instantly got excited. I had the opportunity to take this class a few years prior, however my boss at the time, refused to sign some paperwork that I needed in order to take the course. Shortly after our phone call, I was inquiring about registering for the course. I remember on the application, there was a question that asked if there was anything that would hinder me from completing the course. In my mind, there were several things the could’ve potentially hindered me, however second chances don’t come around quite often. This was my sign, and I wasn’t passing up the opportunity this time, so I answered NO. Being that this was during covid, I took the course online. By the end of the year, I was a college graduate, Certified mental Health First Aider, and Certified Community Health Worker. I defeated every giant that came my way! A few months after completing my Community Health Worker certification, my instructor emailed the class a job opportunity. My instructor was amazing by the way.

I applied and got the job. This job was health disparities grant project, where I was to go into the underserved communities throughout the coastal region and connect them with the resources they needed. It was very difficult initially to build rapport within my communities. The community didn’t know who I was, and I understood. It was then that I knew building trust was a major component. As I started to build trust, walls in the communities began to come down. Some of the stories brought tears to my eyes, others brought laughter, and there were also those of sadness. My job was no longer a job, not only did it become personal, but it also became a passion. It was personal because some of their stories were similar to mine growing up. I watched my mother turn her tragedy into triumph and I wanted the same outcome for those who shared their stories. Between working I also became a certified Community Resilience Model teacher; this certification allows me to teach others how to deal with trauma and stress. In my communities I began to connect with others to help assist in providing resources to the community. I was able to connect with various community leaders, faith-based organizations, businesses, health entities, school entities, commissioners, health departments, police departments, etc. As I began speaking with community members more often, I learned their needs. With that knowledge, I began to create various health and resource fairs. Overtime I became more creative with implementing my ideas for these fairs, they turned out awesome. The community was able to come in, gather multiple resources and receive services, for not only themselves, but for other family members and friends.

I truly thank the organizations they were always willing to help me in catering to the underserved population, it meant so much to me then and still does today. Once the grant project ended, I decided that I didn’t want to stop living my passion. With that being said, I am now the CEO& Founder of my own non-profit “Extend A Helping Hand Foundation” Where our mission is to enable underprivileged families and seniors to attain long term self- sufficiency, through outreach, education and resource allocation.

I’Lasha, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I was born and raised in Galveston, Tx. Being at the beach is one thing that I find soothing. It’s funny, because when I tell most people where I’m from they think I love to swim! Absolutely not, I don’t like getting my hair wet. I believe in being authentic, and love to be around others who are authentic as well. I truly enjoy being a girl mom, they are and will forever be my motivation. Honestly, in middle high school, I just knew I was going to be a nurse, however life showed me otherwise pushing me toward community health. I am glad life didn’t push me in the direction I thought I wanted to go, instead, it pushed me exactly where I needed to be. Public health has stolen my heart. Through my organization, I connect the community with the right resources/services according to their need. Some may not need a health resource; they may need assistance with rent/utilities. That is my reason for connecting with various organizations. I make sure that before I connect the community, these resources are legitimate and that can deliver. I never want anyone to come to me and not get what they need. I am most proud of my perseverance despite adversities. I always remind myself that the outcome doesn’t depend on the cards your dealt, but how you choose to play them.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I had to unlearn that your supposed to be at a certain place in life by a certain age. This is simply a different way of the saying “keeping up with the jonses” Everyone has their own path. I don’t have the time to focus on who’s the same age as me and where they are in life. Thats not my business and how what can I benefit from that information? There is no handbook that says you should be a homeowner by the age of 20. Life is like a box of chocolates; you don’t know what life has in store for you, you could be rich and the age of 30 and lose everything the next day, you be poor one day and win the lottery the next day. One person that inspired me was my daughter’s great grandmother. She was an English professor at Galveston college, she had worked so hard for her doctorate’s degree, despite her battles she received her doctorate’s not long before her passing at 86 years of age. With that being said, live your life, explore, take chances. Don’t worry about other peoples path, focus on finding yours.

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

Everything that I’ve shared thus far, illisturates my resilience.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://extendhelpinghand.org/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555543508945
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/ilasha-james-ba6b10215