Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Monica Velasquez McIlwain. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Monica Velasquez , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
The idea of Tyme To Empower was planted many years ago. When I was 17 on my way to becoming a senior in high school I became part of the teen parent statistic. I was fortunate to finish high school on time. However two years later I found myself expecting again. I became a mom for the second time and then a divorcee by the age of 20. I struggled to find my place in life but did not quit trying. I thought some day I will rise and overcome my challenges. Someday I will find my way and more importantly some day I will help others do the same. When I turned 25 things did start to change. I met my wonderful husband, we had a son , I went back to school and just kept going…In my late 20’s I started getting some attention for my story and what I wanted to do. When I started to volunteer with teen parents at the very high school I graduated from, a good friend of mine encouraged me to just jump into my non profit passion/dream.. I told her I wasn’t sure I was ready and again she told me just jump. I did. I am forever grateful to my late friend (she passed away some years ago). As each year goes by TYME (teaching young mothers to excel) has shared our mission , passion, story and we have encouraged teen parents to keep on their path and to hold their head up high as they do so. We provide baby clothes, educational books, school supplies and more.. But no matter what we always keep our message and mission at the forefront of what we do… Since becoming a teen mom I have obtained my BA, my MA, have been recognized as a NISD Pillar, have been published in Who is Who In America and have some other awards under my belt to. I now have 3 healthy and happy adult children, 5 grandchildren and consider myself blessed for so many reasons. Ironically my oldest grandson asked how long I will be running Tyme and I advised him as long as I am here.
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.
Mission TYME to Empower Ministry (active 501C3) serves as an emotional and motivational support team for teenage parents and their families. By motivating and educating the teen parents to be the
best parents and students they can be, we are building a strong foundation for the lives of the young parents and their generations that follow.
In addition, TYME provides assistance to teenage parents with their baby’s basic needs. If further
resources are needed (that we may not have) we will provide contact information of other
organizations that might be able to help. In the past TYME has donated: baby clothes, formula,
car seats, strollers, bouncers, books, school supplies, bassinets, play pens and much more. All of
this made possible due to the extremely generous donations from the community (individuals and
companies).
TYME has been the proud recipient of the Make a Difference Award (awarded by Roy MAAS and
Ruths Chris Steak House) and the Community Service Award by UOPHX . Monica Velasquez McIlwain
was awarded the Pillar of Respect 2012-13 award (NISD’s highest award). In addition Monica
was nominated and selected for Who’s Who in America. Janette Martinez
(Board Secretary) was awarded NISD teacher of the year 2022-2023.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
As previously mentioned I was blessed to have become friends with a woman ,Peggy, that encouraged me to just jump into my passion. Even when I wasn’t ready. Her thought process was if I didn’t jump into my passion it might just pass me by. She even went so far to provide me the name of the head case workers of NISD (North Independent School district) SAP (school age parenting) number and email. So one day (when I wasn’t even an official ministry or a 501c3) I looked at her/Lisa’s email address and used it. I recall the email stated I was working on my BA in Psychology and was almost done. I recall I told her that I wanted to work with the teen aga population. My mission was to motivate the teen parents of today and to help were I could. I told her I also wanted to help with holidays dinners and so much more… When My now good friend read my email she said she was about to either place it on the back burner or worst just pass over it… She stated on a weekly basis she gets emails such as mine and most often the person has good intentions but then their passion fizzles fast. So what made he not just pass on my email and my passion .. way back when as my friend was telling me jump she was also planting the seed in Lisa too. She told her that soon a lady by the name of Monica Mcilwain will be reaching out to you, She will share many thoughts and goals and when she does listen and make that partnership. Peggy was so sure our partnership was going to be such a valuable one. So as Lisa was about to hit that next email button or maybe delete button lol she heard Peggy’s voice, She recalled my name and she reached out to me instead. Shortly there after we started our partnership. We share the same passion and goals, We have been teamed up now for 17+ years. We are both forever gratefully to each other and forever grateful to Peggy for setting all of this up before she passed on.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
Our clientele are the families we serve. The most effective strategy is 1st making valuable partnerships. Our two parentships that are fore front and are the most solid: NISD and Clinical Del Norte. NISD is one of the largest school districts in Texas, This school district reaches so many areas and social economic status in San Antonio. Clinical Del Norte is managed by a former teen dad (Dr. Eduardo Sanchez) who shares the same passion of wanting to empower teen parents. The plus of this partnership: the clinic is located in the heart of San Antonio. So we are able to reach and bless and empower families from all sides of San Antonio. On any given day you will find me on my social media sites.. sharing news about what we resources we have, locating families that are in need of a hand up and building other partnerships/friendships with other non profits/ministries.
Contact Info:
- Website: tyme2empower.com
- Instagram: Monica Velasquez McIlwain
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tyme2empower
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-mcilwain/
- Twitter: @mcilwainmonica2
- Other: https://nextdoor.com/profile/01S26NYBrs9MkKTYb/