Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Katherine Nichols. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Katherine, 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.
I found my purpose by doing something I love while filling the void and healing the pain of losing my mother by keeping her legacy alive. As a child, I’ve always witnessed my mom be selfless in everything she did. She was a giver with a very big heart. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for her family/friends and even strangers and she would talk to everybody. When she passed away in 2010, she left a very big void. My mom was a huge part of my everyday life up until the day she transitioned. She was actually my best friend and we did so much together so I felt empty. That emptiness followed me for a while. Fast forward to 2016, as I drove around Baltimore, I realized there were so many people asking for money or food on the corners. It sat with me and made my spirit low until I decided I wanted to do something to help. On two different occasions, I drove around and passed out food/beverages to people who I felt were in need. But it was one interaction that turned from just me “helping” into my passion. During this interaction I realized I was a part of the problem more than the solution. It was at that moment I decided this is what I want to do. I want to help people who are less fortunate but I want to do it the right way, the human way. I wanted to interact and not only provide aid but fellowship. Sort of like what my mom did with everyone. She didn’t have to know you to help you or converse with you, it was just a part of who she was. I prayed on it and God has been ordering my steps and provided me with a great support system which has allowed me to serve the community for 7 years now. The journey of fulfilling my purpose has been way more than I could have ever imagined it would have been. It gives me something to feel good about and helps me feel connected to my mom because I feel close to her when I do it, it fills the void. I pray I’ll get to do this forever
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am now the founder and president of Vanessa’s HEART(Human Equality And Resource Team), which is a nonprofit organization that focuses on providing aid to the less fortunate/homeless community of Baltimore and surrounding areas. We are in our first year of gaining nonprofit status and it’s been a long but rewarding journey. I feel blessed to not only run this nonprofit but I get to run a nonprofit that’s named after my mother and I get to continue to help our friends in the less fortunate/homeless community but on a bigger scale. Since becoming a nonprofit we’ve been able to connect with so many corporate businesses and small businesses that help us help others, as well as gained more volunteers who support our cause. Since January of 2023, we’ve provided aid to over 400 plus friends in the community we serve with our GIVE (Giving to Individuals with Volunteers at an Established area), DRIVING (Distributing Resources to Individuals with Volunteers Initiating Nourishment and Goodwill), LEO BRIDGE (Law Enforcement Officers Building Relationships and Inclusive Dialogue with Genuine Empathy) and NEIGHBOR (Neighbors Engaging and Involving themselves to extend Goodwill, Help, build Bonds, give Outreach and create Relationships) Initiatives. We also pride ourselves on providing fellowship to our friends during those initiatives and building bonds which allows people to trust us to serve as vessels of good in the community. None of this would be able to be done without our supporters through donations and fundraisers. Although we are a nonprofit organization, we are a new nonprofit who solely survives from public support. Our year end Sneaker Soirée fundraiser will help us raise monetary funds to kick start our 2024 giving season and we’re hoping we’ve gained you as a supporter and you’ll attend. You can find ways to donate, volunteer, learn more about our goals, visions, initiatives and support us via our website. You can also subscribe to our newsletter to keep up with all our events.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Having a personal relationship with God, good money management skills and great interpersonal skills have been most impactful for me on this journey of living out my purpose. Without God, none of this would be possible. I believe I’m meant to be in this position because God placed this calling on my heart and has supplied everything we need to continue helping our friends in the community successfully. Knowing how to manage money is great in business and in your personal life. You have to be very aware of not only what you make, but what you spend as well . It’s not what you bring in, it’s how you manage(save/spend) it, which makes the difference between longevity and being short term. Having great interpersonal skills has also been very vital for me because most, if not all my interactions with the people we help and the people who help us help others, has been by building relationships with good communication, consistency and effectively putting actions to plans as well as gaining trust. My advice would be to look at what you’re doing or what you want to begin to do and ask yourself do you have those qualities or skills mentioned. If you don’t, I would suggest you either stop and adopt those skills immediately or find another direction. Although they are not the only skills necessary to be successful, they should be very high up on your priority list. Pray over what you’re doing or what you want to do, gain direction/clarity and execute your plan.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
Over the past 7 years I can honestly say my husband has been and is still the most helpful person who’s helped me overcome challenges, build and develop the essential skills, qualities, or knowledge I needed to be successful. He is heaven sent and my rock. He has been my biggest supporter, my listening ear, a fountain of information and a voice of reason, etc. I am only able to do as much as I do because of him. I get to live out my purpose because he believes in me and supports me in every way he can, whether it’s financially or taking his time to volunteer at every community giveback event and everything in between. I also have to give mention to my awesome board members and sister, who support myself/the organization by helping to create initiatives, fundraisers, give their time volunteering and supporting our cause. Although it’s my passion, it takes a village of support to keep our organization running smoothly and to keep it aligned with our vision and goals.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.vanessasheart.org
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/vanessasheartorg?igshid=MmJiY2I4NDBkZg==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vanessasheartinc?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Other: [email protected]
Image Credits
Nick Flicks Photography
