We recently connected with Mikayla Clark and have shared our conversation below.

Mikayla, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

When I was in high school, from ninth to eleventh grade, I suffered from, and with, depression. I was battling with losing friendships, adjusting to new locations and relationships, and becoming a new person. My life was changing, yet leaving me behind and it took a lot for me to catch up with. Growing up in church and giving my life to Christ at a young age, saved me from doing many things that I, in turn, found myself participating in mid-depression. I was constantly using profane language, hanging with the wrong crowds, and just losing my whole identity. While in my low place, I found God in a new way I never knew I needed him. Through my many nights of crying and not eating, I chose to turn back to my creator through scripture and prayer. One morning between three and four am, the Lord woke me and he gave me the name “Kayla’s Kourage” while reading the Bible. I felt unqualified at the time but knew I he was calling and sure enough he’s been blessing ever since.

Mikayla, 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?

Kayla’s Kourage is a nonprofit ministry that got started in 2021, as a social media brand based on spreading encouragement through scripture and inspirational quotes. For the first time in September 2023, some family and friends joined me in taking the ministry beyond the cyber walls and into the world. One day while visiting a family member at the hospital, my father and I had to opportunity to sow seed, food, and prayer into a homeless woman who was on the outside. When I got home, I immediately began planning how I could do that more and feel that fulfillment again. into We had our first outreach event entitled “The Kommunity Feeding” in which signed-up volunteers, some family and friends, and myself gathered together to fulfill my God-given vision of providing for the community. We prepared meals and “EnKouragement Boxes” which included a Bible, study materials, and information concerning the word and my ministry for 150 individuals. Our mission is to “enkourage” every individual we encounter, move and act with “kompassion”, and engage with the “kommunity”. We will be having our third event this Fall to provide for the homeless in the upcoming winter season in Atlanta where we will provide coats, hats, socks, blankets, the word of God, and most importantly PRAYER for the homeless in the community! The goal for Kayla’s Kourage in the future is to be a hub, for food, shelter, and community relief.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

Funding in a startup nonprofit is not easy, yet God always provides for us. We’re never in a deficit or underfunded, but always above and beyond our goals. Being in the beginning stages, right now we thrive off of donations. Different individuals donate their monies towards food and products, our Amazon registry for Bibles and supplies, and others buy things on the wish list themselves to donate. With the many different connections around me, I will soon be in contact with some individuals to learn the ins and outs of having a nonprofit including grants, taxing, and other official business, so that Kayla’s Kourage can grow in reach to become more effective.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn and am still unlearning is that you can do everything on your own. Doing outreach has taught me just how necessary teamwork truly is. Between planning, sorting donations, running numbers doing math, and altogether coordination was so much on my own for my last two events. I realized I actually needed help plus it’s also okay to ask for it! So moving forward, with the help of God and some trustworthy individuals, I intend for things go much smoother and as stress free as possible.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaylaskourage/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kaylaskourage
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kaylaskourage

Image Credits

FrezzKnow
Captured Images by Raven P. Smith