Carolyn’s Heart Inc., a Gainesville nonprofit, seeks to eradicate generational poverty
Carolyn’s Heart Inc. seeks to eradicate generational poverty by providing free financial literacy workshops and other services to needy families.
Romona Jackson, founder and executive director of Carolyn’s Heart Inc., said she created the non-profit organization in honor of her mother, Carolyn Jackson.
“I wanted to carry on her legacy to make sure her heart kept beating everyday,” Jackson said.
Carolyn Jackson died on Oct. 24, 2020, due to kidney cancer that metastasized to her bones.
Romona Jackson said her mother was known for her giving heart, which is a trait she continues to share with communities in need.
The non-profit was officially established on her mother’s birthday on Aug. 18, 2022.
According to its website, the mission of Carolyn’s Heart Inc. is to not only provide aid to those community members who need assistance with basic needs, but to also provide financial literacy and effective money management that will help maintain and promote sustainability that breaks the curse of generational poverty.
When someone requests to have financial assistance for their rent, mortgage or utilities, they are required to attend three free financial workshops, Jackson said.
Jackson said she believes in the adage, “If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for life.”
“We teach them financial literacy before we give them a check,” Jackson said. “Another month is coming and the same thing will happen if they are not taught.”
The application for financial assistance can be found online at carolynsheart.org and applicants can choose to meet virtually for the financial workshop or in-person at Santa Fe College’s Center for Innovation & Economic Development (CIED) at 530 W. University Ave. by appointment, Jackson said.
“We want people that really want to make a difference,” Jackson said.
Future goals for the organization are to provide financial literacy workshops for youth, create a six-week women and young girls youth career-building program and to continue hosting the Biggest Heart Giveaway, which provides free clothing to men, women and children, Jackson said.
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“We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel,” Jackson said. “We’re trying to do a small part to make a big difference in our communities.”
Alena Lawson Bennett is an executive board member of Carolyn’s Heart Inc.
Bennett said she read Jackson’s book titled “Crazy Faith Unexplainable Peace: A Lesson My Mother Taught Me.”
She said reading the relationship Jackson had with her mother and her mother’s journey touched her.
“Even though I did not know her mother, I felt like I knew her through the book,” Bennett said.
Bennett said her and Jackson are involved in many organizations in the community such as the local chapter of The Links, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. and being involved with the Siatech MYcroSchool, a high school dropout recovery program.
Bennet said she immediately accepted Jackson’s offer to become a part of Carlolyn's Heart Inc.
“Without hesitation I said sure because I understood what the organization was trying to accomplish,” Bennett said. “When people take the financial literacy class, the tools can prevent them from being here again. If they’re willing to do it, it means they’re trying to improve their way of life.”
She enjoys seeing the non-profit helping families during its Biggest Heart Giveaway in May, Bennett said..
“The clothes giveaway was a huge success,” Bennett said. “People were grateful. It’s great to see that we’re on the right track to help people in need.”
Melinda Grimmage said she heard about Carolyn’s Heart Inc. at the annual clothes giveaway.
She said she is thankful for the non-profit’s efforts in helping her with financial assistance.
“The organization helped me by paying a portion of my mortgage,” Grimmage said. “The organization is helpful in the community by assisting with clothing, utility, mortgage/rental assistance and also by informing the community of how to take control of their finances.”
Grimmage said she enjoyed the financial literacy classes and consultation provided by Jackson and executive board member Annette Kleckley.
“I’m grateful for the experience I had with Ms. Romona and Ms. Kleckley,” Grimmage said. “I would definitely recommend them to others.”
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Nonprofit in G'ville promotes financial literacy, generational wealth
