We recently connected with Sherry Nicholson and have shared our conversation below.
Sherry, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
YAIPAK Outreach was started 6 years ago after seeing an elderly woman homeless and alone on the side of the street of West End and 23rd in Nashville. A magnificent church set on the corner as a beautiful backdrop yet this lady’s presence captured my eye though invisible to everyone. My husband and I were on a date and after seeing her I wrestled all night with the Lord on what to do.
I knew there were so many other wonderful organizations helping the homeless, feeding the hungry, and ensuring these people were cared for. As I wrestled, I heard the Lord say, “It’s not what they are doing, it’s what I am asking you to do.” The next morning I pulled out all my extra purses and handbags and began to fill them with the things that every women needs. I knew what a women needed because I myself experienced homelessness with two children. My husband did prison ministry at the jail and I asked to go one night to start handing out my filled purses to women like the one I saw on the bench. Now, our ongoing joke is “My husband went to jail, and I walked the streets.”
I could never have imagined six years ago where we as an organization would be now. It is only because of the Lord’s incredible grace and mercy after experiencing domestic violence that using that experience has led to serving others. The incredible support of our community coupled with a simple YES has impacted and changed so many lives.
Sherry, 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?
At YAIPAK Outreach, everything stemmed from homeless encampment outreach. However, we are so much more than a homeless outreach program.
Our mission is to meet those that are neglected, hurting, or afflicted where they are in order to provide support, comfort, and resources aimed at promoting positive life changes and reminding them that they are loved and important.
We exist to serve the under resourced through acts of kindness, creating a world reach by impacting communities.
We do this by working with excellence in four main projects/focuses:
#BeTheHope: encompasses our whole mission. We exist to provide community outreach with a world impact.
#ProjectFosterHope: impacting children in trauma and the foster care system
#ProjectPatriotHope: providing hope for veterans moving from homelessness to housing
#ProjectRebuildHope: partnering with local government officials and first responders to aid in natural disaster relief throughout the country. Aiding small untouched rural areas quickly and being on the scene within hours of devastation
Though we are not open to the public to receive aid, we focus on filling in the gaps of other organizations to ensure people are not missed amongst the red tape or falling through the cracks.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
Our initial start was supplied by faithful friends that saw a need and wanted to see that need filled. By utilizing what they had personal, they made sacrifices to donate funds to purchase the supplies needed.
Now, as a 501(c)3 Non-Profit we do not receive any government funding and are 100% donation based. We receive funding from our community, individuals, businesses, grants that we are free to use funds how we see fit, etc.
This allows us to help people without any “red tape”. Many organizations run into hardship trying to spend money that comes with stipulations from governmental agencies.
We are 100% transparent in what we do and are so blessed to have the buy in of those around us to continue to run this race and do what we need to do to be sure that people are loved and taken care of on a base level.
How did you build your audience on social media?
For us, people love to know that their giving/involvement is making an impact. Our social media consists of giving credit where credit is due and personal, intimate stories of the peoples lives we are touching. It is our responsibility to ensure that our community has the information they need to want to be a part and social media has provided a platform where we can share the amazing stories of liifechange.
Our audience is the community that loves to be involved. They are seeing something grow and work well so as they buy in and believe in what we do, they are sharing with their family and friends creating a ripple effect. We are so grateful for that support! People want to see something authentic. In our experience, authenticity and impact are the greatest factors that people want to follow on social media. Make your purpose known, and show the follow through.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.yaioutreach.org
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/yaipak_outreach
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/YAIPakOutreach
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/yaipak-outreach
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/YAIPakOutreach
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCbM9R0uKYfqV-SJwo4odHNg