JENNIFER COX
JENNIFER COX RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS
QUESTION 1: You have deep commitment to helping people in need. It is interesting that in life we all have the opportunity to walk away from helping others, and it is equally interesting that some people don’t take those steps away from others in need. What were the main factors in your life that encouraged you to walk toward people in need and devote a significant part of your life to helping others? Please elaborate some about each factor.
RESPONSE:
- My belief that education can change the world-I started my career at 21 years old teaching at a struggling high school in Baltimore County, on the line of Baltimore City. I very quickly learned that I was standing in front of 'kids' (17-19 years old) who were living at the local homeless shelter. I was mind blown by this. I grew up just a few miles around the corner (in a very middle-class community) and didn't even know there was a shelter in this community. I wanted to learn more about what life was like for these young people so I started volunteering my time at the shelter, simply serving meals, helping with laundry, etc. I was watching these children get home from school and engaging in zero productive or meaningful activities. They were stranded in toxic, cramped, stressful spaces with no programs to support them. I thought back to my childhood which was filled with sports, swim lessons, church activities and many other enriching experiences. I firmly believe these opportunities for children are just as meaningful and impactful as formal school. I started bringing over very small programs to the children (arts/crafts, teambuilding, etc). I was watching the impact we were having and how thirsty the children were for us to come back! This is when E4L took off. Our programs are designed to empower these children and hopefully help them see/understand that they can pave their own path in life. They do not need to fall into generational poverty/homelessness, which typically lasts three generations.
- Kids deserve better-Maslow's Hierarchy of needs is something I talk about often. If our basic needs are not being met (food, shelter, clothing) we will never be able to feel safe, learn or thrive. Our 'resources' program ensures these children have the basics first. Shelters are often designed for adults---all the programs/case management is geared toward the adults. The children should not be left as an afterthought. They too are experiencing a lot of traumatic things and need to be lifted up!
- It is my belief that it is our obligation to lift others up-In my humble opinion, we all have an obligation to do more, to be better. It does not matter how little you have yourself, we are all in a position to make a difference in someone else's life. This could be with resources, time and even compassion. We are not here for ourselves, or meant to live in a bubble of entitlement.
- Collaboration-I have always had a gift of bringing people together for a common cause. I am able to build relationships and put in the work to help people understand why it is important and the impact it is having.
QUESTION 2: When you started your nonprofit, what were the main challenges? Please explain the main challenges and how you overcame them.
RESPONSE:
- Backwards work: I was so eager to get this off the ground that we launched and then worked really hard to catch up (I still feel like we are catching up). We were "building the plane as we flew it".
- Saying 'no': the outreach and support from the community was overwhelming. There were really kind offers (like huge warehouse spaces for example) that were offered to us that I had to learn to respectfully decline. We did not (and still don't) have any staff on our team; we are all volunteers. As much as my mind was taking me to places of "what if", I knew I could not take all of this on right away.
- Space: my home turned into a revolving door of 'stuff'. As a part of our 'resources' program, I was getting overwhelmed with bedding, care products, clothing and so much more.
- Time management: so many businesses and organizations wanted me to come and speak about what we do/why we do it. I had to weigh the reward of doing that. I wanted to take every single opportunity to spread the word but I also have a fulltime job with the school system and small children at home.
- The unknown: people were asking so many questions I could not answer. What is your operating budget? Can you send me your 5 year plan? I was not (still am not) a business minded person. I simply have a passion for making the world a better place with extensive background/training in education. I know nothing about financial planning, building a business plan or anything else along those lines.
- Grants: we had 3 back to back large snow storms that first winter after we launched. I remember being 'off' from school and spending ALL my hours applying for small grants. I was turned down 100% of the time because we lacked "stability". We were "too new".
- Finding the right people and quick!
QUESTION 3: What suggestions would you give to university students who are committed to helping others in need and are considering starting a nonprofit?
RESPONSE:
- First and most importantly--thank you! :)
- DO IT! Seize the day. Don't wait for anyone's approval. If it is in your heart, go and don't look back.
- Be prepared to get creative!
- Be prepared to be tired; don't ever stop advocating
- Recognize your strengths/growth areas and find people to fill those holes---make sure these people share your same beliefs and value system
QUESTION 4: If a person wants to start a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation, what suggestions do you have based on your experience doing this? Did you complete the paperwork yourself, or did you hire professionals? If you experienced any problems with this process, please share the problems and how they were resolved.
RESPONSE: I relied on a close and dear friend who was fully retired. He worked in the NPO world through recs & parks his entire career as a supervisor. I knew I would not be able to dedicate the time and attention it needed and deserved. He was my boss at a summer camp when I was in college. We remained very close friends after that. We knew each other well and he knew and understood and supported my vision. He handled all the backend stuff for us. Problems:
IRS is SLOW!
A lot of paperwork
A lot of follow-up/calls/letters/etc
I personally put money out because we had non as a grassroots start up
QUESTION 5: The selection of members of the Board of Directors for a new nonprofit is important. What characteristics for Board members do you believe are important? What contributions by Board members do you believe should be expected? Did your Board members receive any training? If so, please identify that training.
RESPONSE: State of MD required 2 board members. The same friend mentioned above was one and a very close friend with a like-minded heart/brain was my 2nd. I was looking for people I knew would be passionate about our mission, dedicated to our cause, patient with the process (as we were building as we fly), heard working, a great advocate, responsive, responsible, effective communicator. The only training was training we learned together during that first year.
Contributions expected-
Full participation/engagement, advocacy, serving on committees, bringing ideas/thoughts to the table, open and honest feedback.
QUESTION 6: Most nonprofits benefit greatly from the contributions of volunteers. Approximately how many volunteers do you have? Approximately how many paid staff do you have? Have you experienced any problems recruiting volunteers? If so, please share your experience. What suggestions do you have for recruiting volunteers?
RESPONSE: Internal volunteers that help run/operate the organization-20
Volunteers that teach our programs-30
Volunteers that show up for projects/packing bags/etc-more than 1,000
0 paid stuff
35 independent contractors we pay to provide services to the organization
Problems recruiting volunteers:
-must have an internal group that you trust and can lead the others-THIS IS CRUCIAL!
-find ways to KEEP your good volunteers! They are our heartbeat.
-I never want to turn down someone who wants to help so continuing to find ways to engage the community is EVERYTHING that we stand for and this includes children of all ages.