We were lucky to catch up with Antionna Fuller recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Antionna, you’ve got such an interesting story, but before we jump into that, let’s first talk about a topic near and dear to us – generosity. We think success, happiness and wellbeing depends on authentic generosity and empathy and so we’d love to hear about how you become such a generous person – where do you think your generosity comes from?
My generosity comes from my parents, my humble beginnings, and my Christian values. I grew up in Bennettsville, SC, a small rural town. I was born to two, loving teenage parents (that I’m convinced are earth angels.) I did not grow up with much, but watching my parents, I learned service, sacrifice, and generosity. In everything they do, they value others above themselves. They make sure everyone around them has what they need, even if that means them going without. I look forward to the day I can pay them back with rest, flexibility and every desire of their heart.
Coming from a low-income background, there were often times I wanted to give financially but did not have the means. I learned that generosity is not just what you can give with your hand (money), but what you can give with your heart. Whether it’s time, an encouraging word, or a hug, generosity is anything that you have that you can offer another. As a Christian, I understand that nothing I have is my own. Everything I have are loans and/or gifts God has trusted me to steward well. Put simply, I give because it’s His.
At Healing Households, generosity is at the core of who we are. With every unrestricted donation, we have committed ourselves to a 50/50 donation model. With this model we give 50% out and keep 50% in. Cut at every 15K, we give 10% to local churches and charities, 40% to our assistance funds, 10% to our savings, 20% to our events budget and 20% to our day-to-day operations. We have 5 active assistance funds: first-generation support, entrepreneurship equipment investment, debt cancellation, self-care grants, and emergency relief. We receive to give back!
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Healing Households is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization on a mission to break generational patterns of pain and poverty. We serve minority and low-income families and seek to help make life easier on generations coming after us.
It all started with the decision I made at the end of 2019. After a series of unfortunate events in love, I made the decision to take 2020 off to heal and date Jesus. What I didn’t know was that Jesus would soon be my #QuarantineBae and that I would be healing from more than just heartbreak. During that time God showed me that there were many unrelated experiences I needed to heal from, as well as many other people I needed to forgive, including myself. He showed me that I was fighting generational battles, and that although, I wasn’t the first to experience these hardships, I would be the last.
We created Healing Households together during this time; however, as a busy first-year law student, I tucked the vision away to focus on my studies. Committed to public interest, I had my whole life planned on becoming an attorney for “the hood and hopeless.” But in the words of author and Emmy-nominated actress Yvonne Orji, I got Bamboozled by Jesus!
As I was preparing my bar application during my last semester, I felt in my spirit I was not supposed to practice law. I prayed a bold prayer asking God for direction and guidance. I told Him that I did not want the life that I planned for myself, but that I only wanted what He wanted for me. That day, I surrendered my will for His will and His way. He led me back to the vision we created and gave me permission to pursue it. Healing Households is simply the fruit of intimacy and obedience to God.
I wish I could tell you that I obeyed immediately and linearly, but I did not. My instruction not to take the bar and to pursue Healing Households was given in January 2022. Healing Households did not become official in South Carolina until the end of December 2022. I finally launched in April 2023. Let my story be evidence that God is patient, gentle, and does not change His mind. Throughout my entire journey, I’m confident in this – God did not change His mind because He had you and your family in mind.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Three key qualities necessary for anyone on a bold journey are fortitude, focus, and faith. First, fortitude. It takes great courage to do something that’s either never been done or something different than what others expect from you. You must be unwavering in your belief – both in yourself and in God. Many will have their own opinions or think you are “crazy,” but stand firm in what God has instructed you to do. You don’t need anyone to co-sign or validate what God said. He validates and endorses you!
Second, focus. Don’t be distracted by what you don’t have. All you have is all you need to get started. God will provide for you along the way. Don’t focus on where you are now. You are right where you need to be. I know it’s uncomfortable, but submit to your process. God has big things in store for you, but He wants to make sure you’re ready for it. He is stripping you from old mindsets, preparing your heart, and developing your character. You will need it where He is taking you. Focus on Him and everything else will be added.
Lastly, faith. Do we really trust Him like we say we do? I’ll use myself as an example. I am known by my faith. Earlier this year (with $0 in my bank account) I sat outside a 2 million dollar house that I saw for sale. My family and friends did not think this was anything out of the ordinary (at this point, they are use to it.) But faith is more than believing in the impossible or for things you cannot see. To me, that’s the easy part. It takes more faith to release. Often, we hold on to our plans too afraid to fully release it to God. Despite our history with Him, somehow we convince ourselves that it’s safer to hold on to it instead of trusting Him with it. This is not true. Un-clinch your first before you suffocate the thing you are believing God for. Whether it’s your career, your love story, or your life in general, release it in faith to the One that always has your best interest in mind. God will not let you down. I promise, because He promised first.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Healing Households seeks to set a new precedent through our 5 Pillars: Healing and Reconciliation, Family Engagement and Exposure, Love and Healthy Relationships, Generational Wealth Building, and Spiritual Nourishment and Growth. Do you provide services in any of these areas and connect with our mission? We would love to partner with you! We are hosting all events virtually, but eventually, we would love to host families at The Healing Households House to heal, pray and break generational strongholds.
You can also sign up to be a Healing Households Village Services Partner. These are business owners and/or skilled professionals willing to provide a service or skill to help support single parents. Whether you are a mechanic, therapist, tutor, or dentist, you have an opportunity to make things easier for a child by being part of their Village.
Lastly, you can collaborate by donating to Healing Households via Cash App ($HealingHouseholds), Zelle (impact@healinghouseholds.org) or by simply lifting us up in prayer. Please feel free to email me at antionnaf@healinghouseholds.org for all questions and collaborations. Thank you for your love, support, and belief in us!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.healinghouseholds.org
- Instagram: @antionnaf | @healinghouseholdsofficial
Image Credits
Daysha Fuller
