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

Suzette, 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?

At the Blakeney Children Foundation, our mission is to provide compassionate support to children who have experienced the loss of a parent. By offering essential resources such as clothing, school supplies, mental health support, and holiday assistance, we aim to ease the burden on single parents and caregivers, ensuring they never have to choose between providing basic needs and creating cherished moments. Inspired by the memory of our founder’s son and the love for his daughter, we strive to honor the legacy of those we’ve lost while empowering families to thrive with hope, dignity, and stability

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?

Hello, my name is Suzette Kelley, and I am the founder of the Blakeney Children Foundation.

Blakeney Children Foundation was born out of a profound personal loss. My son tragically passed away in a car accident, leaving behind his daughter, my granddaughter. In the aftermath, I found myself in a place of deep grief, struggling to find a reason to continue. But one day, I received a call from my granddaughter. She needed me, and in that moment, I realized that I had to be strong—not just for myself, but for her.

It was then that I understood the importance of providing support to children who face unimaginable challenges. I recognized that as adults, we often become so consumed by our own struggles that we may overlook the silent battles our children are fighting. With this realization, Blakeney Children Foundation was established.

Our mission is to provide comprehensive support to children throughout the year, from supplying school materials and organizing holiday events to facilitating mental health services. We connect children with psychologists when they need someone to talk to, and we offer mentorship programs through big brothers and sisters.

While our efforts have made a significant impact, I felt there was still more we could do. That’s when the idea of a job fair for children came to life. In today’s challenging economic climate, where bills are high and expenses are overwhelming, it’s clear that no one can do it alone. It truly takes a village to raise a child, and our job is to help prepare these children for the future.

There are so many talented children with dreams of entrepreneurship—whether it’s writing a book, designing jewelry, or creating custom shirts. Our job fair provides a platform for them to explore these interests. We also offer classes on financial literacy to ensure they understand the essentials of managing money and navigating the banking system, which are crucial before starting any business.

The Blakeney Children Foundation is committed to helping these children succeed, but we can’t do it alone. It takes a community, a village, working together to support and empower our youth. We invite you to join us in this mission, to be part of the village that helps these children realize their full potential.

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

Every year, we host an event called The Golden Ticket, where we identify families who have lost a parent and provide a fully sponsored Christmas celebration. This includes food, clothing, and gifts for both the children and the parent, as well as a large Christmas dinner where the families share their stories. One story in particular has had a profound impact on me.

A mother of two lost her husband during the COVID-19 pandemic. She explained that no one reached out to help her in the aftermath of his passing. Unable to afford daycare, she had to leave her children at home alone while she worked. Instead of offering assistance, her neighbors called Child Protective Services to report her, further adding to her stress and hardship.

When this mother connected with Blakeney Children Foundation and participated in The Golden Ticket event, she was moved to tears by the kindness and support she received. She expressed how meaningful it was not only to receive gifts but to be surrounded by other families facing similar challenges. She and her children shared their immense gratitude for being reminded that they were not alone in their journey.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I have a story of resilience that has shaped my journey. Losing my son was devastating; for a long time, I felt no desire to go on. I couldn’t bring myself to get out of bed or face the world. Then, one day, my granddaughter called and told me she needed me—and everything changed. In that moment, I knew I had to rise above my grief, both to honor my son’s memory and to support my granddaughter through this difficult time.

The children we serve at Blakeney Children Foundation have similarly profound struggles, and they inspire me every single day. We have supported over 200 families and counting, and each time we help another family, it brings me immeasurable joy. While I still face my own hardships, seeing the hope and happiness on these children’s faces makes every effort worthwhile.

I miss my son deeply, but dedicating myself to the work of this foundation in his name has given me a renewed sense of purpose. His legacy lives on through each family we assist, and I am committed to this journey for as long as I live.

Contact Info:

• Website: Blakeney children foundation.org
• Instagram: Blakeneychildrenfoundation
• Facebook: Blakeneychildrenfoundation

Image Credits

Suzette kelley own the right to the photos