Today we’d like to introduce you to Yvette Ewing.
Yvette, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Special Forces Soldier – “Your Pain has Purpose”
It was 20 years ago this month that my destiny was determined, I had just taken 1 of 2 bottles of pills in my 2nd suicide attempt at the age of 33 (the 1st was at the age of 12). It was in the middle of the futile act that I heard a voice tell me not to do this… as I yelled and screamed and cussed and asked why? Why so much pain, why me if a loving God exists, who lets a child experience this much hurt and rejection? The voice replied, “it was your training ground” You are a Special Forces soldier. Yes, I am a United States Army Veteran and knew that everyone goes to basic training… but only soldiers who could bear trials and pain go into the Special Forces Training. Those HEROES who were made to go on the most dangerous rescue missions to save others. The voice continued to show me that “the bullets” that were sent to kill me… would be the ones I would use to destroy the same darkness that was attacking kids who were just like me in the future.
“HERO POWERS ARE DISCOVERED THRU ADVERSITY”
Raised by my grandmother, rejected by my mother and father. My mother told me she tried to kill me 3 times before I was born… but I am still here. Never knew my father, but I was that kid who loved to learn and always had a smile on my face. School was my refuge in spite of the horrors I faced while visiting my mother on weekends. Sexual abuse by older kids, and adults, physical abuse by babysitters, etc. My teenage years were hard because I emotionally disconnected from the world. “Your pain can be turned into your destiny”
I always knew I wanted to help people find hope… regardless of what looked like a hopeless life for me. I read to escape, explored other cultures and wanted to figure out how to help kids like me, find joy!
Training New Heroes
To date, since that fateful day, I have spoken to over 30,000 youth, thousands of educators at national conferences. Designed a national model program for Girl Scouts. Ran after-school clubs for 700 youth a year and wrote grants and raised millions for high-risk youth. But now, my call has changed.
The Fuller Center for Housing Hero Project Lake County!
We do 3 programs: Affordable Housing, Wellness (mental, physical and spiritual) and Working Families.
The heart of our programs is life coaching, helping people find the purpose and passions to create a balanced and fulfilled life.
How people can help! “We believe sharing your passion, bridges cultures”.
Time/Talent: We are looking for volunteers in the creative arts (sewing, jewelry, music, etc., technology, engineers, legal and finance. We are also looking for board members and advisers).
Treasure: We are raising funds for our culinary kitchen, woodshop, farm, music program and art center.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
92% of organizations, foundations fund “Relief” programs (soup kitchens, back drives, hand out programs).
We don’t do drive by programs, we design transformative programs: we walk with our clients and coach them to sustainability.
Everybody is a hero at our Hero Center – this eliminates division between races, resourced and under resourced. “Housing Heroes” “Wellness Heroes” “Working Family Heroes”
We are teaching our affluent communities to “work with communities” not “do to communities. Not a lot of funding options for young adults 18-24 or for older adults.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about The Fuller Center for Housing Hero Project Lake County – what should we know?
The Fuller Center for Housing was founded by Millard Fuller, founder of Habitat for Humanity.
Our Impact:
We are just 5 years old, we have built 5 homes debt free, we launched a free farmers market (that is now run by the community) and have distributed over 1 million pounds of fresh food in food deserts in East Lake County.
We run a 4 acre organic farm and 3 local community gardens, we distribute over 1,000 plants annually to local families to grow their own food.
We manage over 300 volunteers a year and have trained over 100 youth in gardening, construction, furniture repurposing, interior design and culinary arts.
We’ve placed over 130 people on jobs in the last few years. We are breaking down barriers… we have a multicultural/interfaith network of organizations, non profits, businesses and groups from all races and cultures… even democrats and republicans are working together. Lol!
How are we different?
Our goal is to unite non profits not compete, so we can serve our community better.
We are building a coalition of business, faith, non profit and government to work together to end poverty.
We are inclusive of all people.
We are faith-based and ecumenically friendly.
94% of our funding goes to our programs.
We are fiscally sound, and a part of an international housing ministry 73 cities and 20 countries.
We empower and transform communities, “hand up, not hand out”.
We are proud of our:
Resource Development skills: We barter for over 10,000 sq. ft. in working space for our programs.
We run a call center for a National Construction Co. We put veterans and single parents and ex offenders to work.
Network of over 30 faith organizations, over 25 business partners and hundreds of volunteers.
Under-resourced community stepping up to give back and not just take, they now run the market we started.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My Faith in God to do the impossible. My mom for her prayers, husband and my children have let me fly with no limits on this mission. My Board of Directors, Ronnel Ewing, Karen Jones, Carolyn Dapier, Frank Neimisheim, Orren Pickell, Lisa Meggs, Gwen Polk, John Hess, Kyle Surber, Jim Sieber.
Business Partners: Kent Moon of Lakeview Construction, Ace Hardware Lakowski Family
Faith Partners: Christ Church, Lake Forest, 1st Presbyterian of Libertyville, Faith Lutheran, Lake Forest, Redeemer Life, Vernon Hills, Prince of Peace Lutheran, Wkgn, Joy Lutheran.
Non Profit Partners-Northern Illinois Food Bank, Liberty Prairie Foundation, Youth Conservation Corps/Youthbuild
Government Partners: Lake County Board, Waukegan Housing Authority, Lake County Housing, City of Waukegan, North Chicago, Roundlake Beach.
Just to name a few.
Pricing:
- $100 sponsor a garden bed, music software subscription for our tech lab
- $500 sponsors supplies for a woodshop program or a stove for our culinary training program
- $1,000 and up sponsors appliances, apt makeover for veteran, mom or senior
- $5000 – and up help sponsor a home rehab or new build
Contact Info:
- Website: www.fullercenterlakecounty.org
- Phone: 312-450-0972
- Email: info@fullercenterlakecounty.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeroProjectLakeCounty
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
