We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful ROY DILLARD. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with ROY below.

ROY, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

I am the founder and Executive Director of Life Jackets, a Non Profit Organization – “Where Everyone Matters”

which is centered around helping our youth and young adults develop rational and positive thinkin

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My Name is Reverend Roy Dillard I am the founder and CEO of Life Jackets Non Profit Organization. I was born in Houston, Texas and the oldest of six children. My mission in this lifetime is to help and inspire others to make better decisions. I strive to reach the youth on a day to day basis mentoring, educating and encouraging them to use rational thinking when confronted with the pressures of the world. The poor choices one make, can negatively affect the future and lead to unfortunate situations. Life Jackets organization is centered around empowering children and young adults in our community. Our mission is to build a stronger, and healthier community by offering resources enriched with empowerment to each individual to expand their inner skills as they operate in Christ. Life Jackets promotes hope and positive solutions, resulting in personal growth and development. In addition, to this we organize culturally diverse programs and events designed to prevent self destruction. We also have a five step program that consist of group and one-on one sessions targeting mental focus, positive attitudes, and spiritual strength. A life jacket will not only prevent one from drowning-it for me symbolizes a safety net with tools for survival.

~Rev Roy

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Growing up I was a talented boy, played sports in high school with aspirations of becoming a professional athlete. My mother kept me in the church setting, so I was familiar with who God was, but not understanding the depth of his love for me on a personal level. I began to hang out in the streets, and sell drugs. In 1989 found myself in front of judge, whom sentenced me to thirty years in prison. As devastating as it was, I still knew God had plans for my life and importantly I realized that consequence always follows bad choices. During my time in prison, I was able to connect with Christ on level like non before. I truly humbled myself and began to notice the things happening around me in prison. It opened my eyes to my own purpose-why am I here? I was then on a mission that involved a renewed me, one that transitioned from a young boy to now a spiritual, educated, and responsible adult man. I was released from prison after serving thirteen years, and held down many jobs working off shore, even landed a few remodeling projects; but my heart was tugging at me the entire time about my mission that God placed on my heart while in prison. My mission was to educate others and start a movement to keep young men out of jail/prison. So I began to write down my goals, and take steps to reach any and everyone I came in contact with. This was a big deal, not only was this my testimony of my own resilience, this was crucial information to share amongst my community because this could positively change someone’s path of life!

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

The lesson I had to unlearn was my way of thinking that my current choices would not affect my future. It is clear to me that God makes no mistakes. And, Just like I have a purpose here on this earth so does every individual out there. We have to make better choices in our walk. We must put him first in all that we do! He is the key to success. So, Learning to persevere through the pain and hard times in my life have kept me grounded in my faith and judgment. Everyone Matters on my mission in Life Jackets-we all fall short, but can recover with help in Christ.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lifejackets101.com
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/lifejackets
• Other: Email: [email protected]