Meet Jennifer Moore

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jennifer Moore. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jennifer below.

Jennifer, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

Since I was a child, I have always wondered about my purpose. I knew it was important to have one, I just wasn’t sure what it should be. As my kids grew to be more independent, I started questioning what I was going to do once they left the nest. It was at that point in time that I shrugged off everything I thought I *should* do and began to find things I *wanted* to do. It was a very big step for me and fortunately, my husband has been extremely supportive.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Starting a local non-profit arts organization is not something I imagined myself doing. I have always been interested in volunteer work as well as the arts, especially volunteer work within the arts community. Impact Arts Council was founded to connect people of all ages and abilities to arts education, entertainment, and community engagement opportunities. Our first partnership was with a local community that has been very welcoming. The mission of Impact Arts Council aligned well with the city’s strategic planning so we started collaborating.

Early in the process, we seemed to be off to a slow start. It takes a lot of time to start a nonprofit from scratch, begin to plan, find resources and partners. Now, it’s a whirlwind of activity. On April 5, we will host our first Creatives Market featuring local artists, musicians, and food. The goal is to have a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere for the community to learn more about our local artists and what they do. Our next event will be a children’s art festival on May 3. What started out as a small idea has really turned into something special. There will be performances, art activities, and much more – all with a focus on the kids in the community. We are also working on a book festival that will take place June 14. It will be a celebration of writers and readers with local and regional authors in a variety of genres. September will start regular programming offering weekly activities and monthly events.

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?

Taking care of your mental health, being well-educated, and having a passion for something are key to finding your purpose.

I have always struggled with depression and anxiety for which I sought treatment. I would get a prescription and say I was fine. Two years ago, I was done with feeling that way. I began to really research and found providers that were interested in me getting better, not just writing prescriptions. While it has been a long process, I am feeling good about myself for the first time.

I love quoting Oscar Wilde “You can never be overdressed or overeducated.” While I do hold a master’s degree, I don’t think traditional education translates to knowledge. Experience is the best teacher, with Google right behind. I believe asking questions and finding the answers on your own leads to the knowledge we need. If you can study the birth of civilization or astronomy, you can learn how to grow a garden or change your oil. It’s all knowledge.

I knew at a very young age that I loved the arts despite having limited access. As I grew older, love grew into passion that I began to follow. It took me down several different paths that I would have never explored otherwise. Fortunately, the opportunities I needed were given to me even if they were not presented in the ways I would have expected. If you are passionate about something, just keep going.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

I am easily overwhelmed and it had to be addressed as a part of improving my mental health. When I gave up on something, I was just glad to know what the outcome was. As I have healed, it is easier for me to recognize when I am getting overwhelmed. I take a step back and find out what is really causing me the most stress then do what I can with it. If it is hard to choose a task, I break it down into ridiculous questions. “Will someone die if I don’t do this task? What is the absolute worst thing that will happen? Am I going to be punished if I do not do this immediately?” I often found the tasks I was placing the most importance on were the ones that were the least pressing.

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Leigh Ann Edmonds

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