We recently connected with Joyce Franklin-Smith and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Joyce , thanks for joining us today. One of the most important things small businesses can do, in our view, is to serve underserved communities that are ignored by giant corporations who often are just creating mass-market, one-size-fits-all solutions. Talk to us about how you serve an underserved community.
We help families who do not have resources to cover a loved ones funeral or burial cost.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m the type of person who love to step in and offer my help to anyone who needs help. I started my nonprofit to bring awareness about living wills, advance directives and life insurance. It is important to be prepared in a unpredictable world. Often times, there are people living in our communities who do have access or resources to put themselves in a better life situation. This is what happened to me when my brother passed away and the burden of taken care of his funeral and burial fell on me. During this time is when I knew I had to do something to change the mindset of people in our community who lack the resources to plan for life unexpected moments, such as losing a loved one who do not have life insurance or a will, advance directive in place to handle their funeral cost. This is why God put it on my heart to start Helping Hand Asset Relief Program. The organization is a grass root organization, we may not the big budgets like most nonprofits, but we are committed to bringing awareness to such a growing problem in our community. Often times, I will donate funding out of pocket. However, we do appreciate any donations made to support our mission.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I remember when I first started my nonprofit. I faced so many challenges and obstacles, but I did not give up on HHARP! I just kept reminding myself, that God planted this seed. I’m going to see it come to pass, at all cost. I spent many hours in the evening and weekends working hard putting together the program. I tell anyone its not easy as it looks. You will spend countless hours writing your mission statement, brochures, flyers, creating your board of directors, budget, planning and etc…But though it all I would do it all over again! I’m passionate about serving and Helping Hand Asset Relief Program is such a big part of my existence. I will always give 100 percent towards our mission.
Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?
Most of the capital came from my own out of pocket. Later, I received funding from other organizations, private and public donations. When you are starting a nonprofit as a start up. I admit it can be difficult in receiving funding sources, due to the nature of our mission, but as we continue to grow we hope to reach more sources of funding. We recently received a grant from Community Lift in helping us with a community event next year.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hharpmemphis.org
- Instagram: hharpmemphis
- Facebook: @helpinghandassetreliefprogram