We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jacqui Jackson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jacqui below.
Jacqui, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
It may sound cliche but I have to attribute my resilience and “stick-to-it-iveness” to my Momma. Even when I was young, my mother always encouraged me to reach for the stars, never to settle and just filled me up to the brim with confidence in whatever I happened to be involved with. From Pageants, to professions – she was my number 1 cheerleader. Even if I didn’t come out on top, she would never co-sign quitting. I honestly remember watching “game film” as she called it of my recitals, pageants, interviews – anything. She would stay up late with me- helping me to hone my message, my speaking skills – whatever it was I was working on. That willingness to stay up late, encourage me through it all, and to just be there spoke volumes into my heart.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am so very blessed to have a job that I not only enjoy – but one that I was literally tailor-made to do! I lead Atlanta-based Ignite Hope, a child welfare organization working pre-born to permanency on behalf of kids in crisis. Ignite Hope is a bridge ministry that connects the kids and families to the resources, support and encouragement needed to thrive. We Advocate, Resource and Empower in the space of foster care, adoption and family preservation. Working with these kids and these families is an honor, because it means so much to me personally. I was in foster care before my parents adopted me, so to me this isn’t just a job. To that end, I have just begun my PhD through Liberty University working towards a Doctorate in Public Policy! Lastly, I am so thrilled that my very first children’s book should drop this FALL just in time for November, National Adoption Month and for Christmas. It is a story to help kiddos understand that God makes families in all kinds of ways – including through fostering and adoption, I’ve included some questions in the back for parents or guardians to talk about with their kids! So excited about this!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Three areas of knowledge that I believe will serve anyone well who chooses to go into either advocacy or nonprofit work is the understanding that you cannot be all things to all people. Especially for leaders who are working in grass roots efforts, or working to make changes in policy – it is important to stay focused, to avoid mission drift and to find your niche. A second skill-set is to be comfortable collaborating. Actively work to foster relationships with other leaders, with other organizations who have been working in your field, and with those who you can connect to one another. I think when we all work in our lanes, understanding that there will be crossover and connection that tendency to be territorial will lessen – leaving space for collaboration, synergy and forward movement.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Ignite Hope is always looking for great partners. We are actively recruiting to grow our Board of Directors – because they are truly the heart and soul of the ministry – sharing wisdom and counsel toward our vision, our strategic plan and being our biggest cheerleaders out in the community. We very much want our community represented in our Board of Directors and in our new Board of Advisors. If you have professional or lived experience in family preservation, foster care or adoption – or simply have a heart for Jesus, Justice and Kids we would LOVE to hear from you! You can email our team at info@ignitehope.online ! We are also beginning a Corporate Sponsorship program – because we want our Igniters and Families to know the businesses that support families. Further, we want to celebrate the businesses and get them in front of our people for their investment in the community and in these families. We are part of the Christian Alliance for Orphans, the 127 Network and Foster Stronger. Working with organizations collaboratively I believe makes all of our impact exponential. Working legislatively and within the church raising awareness of ways we can all help kids in crisis is my passion. If what we do in Ignite Hope interests you – I’d love to talk with you!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ignitehope.online
- Facebook: ihope4kidsincrisis
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jackson-ignite-hope
Image Credits
Jeff Jackson – 360 Media Stuart Hassan – Stuart Hasson Photography Personal Photo
