Today we’d like to introduce you to Lucretia Doyle. Lucretia and her team share her story with us below.
Please kick things off for us, we’d love to hear the story.
This organization is in memory of Patricia A. Doyle, a formerly incarcerated mother of Lucretia T. Doyle. Lucretia, aka CC, is the founder of The PAD Foundation. Today, Lucretia continues her legacy and has broken the barriers by being the first on her maternal side to graduate from college and graduate school. CC is the oldest, a twin, and always strives to be the best. CC had strong family support growing up which many children of incarcerated parents have. Our society does not like to acknowledge that, but as is with many families, her grandparents and other relatives stepped in as caregivers and support for the children, as well as the incarcerated parent. She is the first in the Doyle family to graduate from college and graduate school because her mother and family always taught her the importance of getting an education.
CC has always had a passion working with youth and is currently employed with the Points of Light Foundation for the ServiceWorks program as a Program Manager. ServiceWorks is a groundbreaking, national program that uses volunteer service as a strategy to help 25,000 underserved youth and young adults develop the skills they need to prepare for greater college and career success. She has previously worked as a Program Manager at The Center for Children and Young Adults (CCYA). During her tenure with the agency, Ms. Doyle developed programming focused on youth development, handled case management, supervised staff and delivered training. She has over 15 years of experience working with youth facing various challenges including youth from low-income communities, in foster care, with an incarcerated parent, struggling with substances abuse, and in juvenile court and detention centers.
Prior to CCYA, Ms. Doyle worked for the Fulton County Juvenile Courts as a Youth Coordinator for three years and Department of Juvenile Justice as a Social Services Worker for six years. Ms. Doyle is a graduate of Towers High School, class of 1996. While at Towers she was in the band, choir, on the student council, played soccer, won Most Humorous and 1st runner up for Football Homecoming. After graduating from THS she was accepted to Alabama State University and was a student there for two in a half years.
While at ASU, she was in the band and played the drums for the gospel choir. Lucretia graduated from Herzing University in Atlanta with a Bachelors in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management. She received her MBA from American Intercontinental University in Dunwoody. From 2002-2006, Ms. Doyle was a member of the National Advisory Board of Foreverfamily, Inc., an agency that serves youth with an incarcerated parent.
Currently, she serves as the Alumni President for the Atlanta Chapter of Herzing University. Also, she is a musician and leads the HYPE Youth Drum Line at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Stockbridge. Lucretia enjoys music, traveling, reading, exercising, and volunteering in the community.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It was hard to get my degrees and not let school be an obstacle but a stepping stone. I was on academic probation at Alabama State University, and I can honestly share that school was a challenge I had to overcome. Many young people give up because getting a degree or several degrees is hard while you working a full-time job. I’m excited I overcame my obstacles by obtaining three degrees, in addition to my MBA. Hard work pays off. I hold myself to a higher standard than anybody else expects of me. I took a risk and prospered in the midst of my struggles. I was the first on my maternal side to graduate from college and graduate school. The next goal for me is to go to Law School.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Patricia Ann Doyle Foundations (PAD) story. Tell us more about the business.
The organization is a 501c3 and we provide scholarships with care packages to deserving high school seniors, GED graduates, or undergraduate/graduate students that have a current or formerly incarcerated parent. Many are called, but only a few are chosen. I step out on faith that God will add resources to meet the needs of the community. I’m most proud of the company, as I started it with my own money. I’m a product of a former child that had a parent in prison and the vision was given to me in 2015 to start this scholarship program.
This is what sets me apart from others. I am a living testimony and able to make a difference in the lives of others. In July of 2016, I launched the Patricia Ann Doyle Foundation, my nonprofit business. I hired a CPA to complete all the documents to obtain my business license, IRS paperwork, and any other important documents to start my business. I opened up a business account and deposited $100.
In October of 2016, I awarded two scholarships in the amount of $250 to two young men whose parents were incarcerated. Recently, our first PAD scholar graduated with his MSW, Masters of Social Work, from Clark Atlanta University. I’m grateful for my partnership with my Alumni Herzing University for their donation to my foundation. Also, to my church for allowing me to use the facility to host my benefit concert at no cost. I’m grateful for the many doors that have opened and I know my foundation will bless many youth around the world. For an organization with my budget and size, I have been fortunate to have many high-end donors who have given $1000 or more to the agency. Their participation let me know that important people in the community believe in the PAD Foundation’s mission and are committed to help make a difference in the lives of our youth.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I’m not sure it has been luck for me. It has been more about being consistent and having high standards. I believe to be a change-maker for our youth and community, I need to make sure my character is on point at all times. Many are called to do this work but only few are chosen. I treat everyone with respect in my life and business by honoring their diversity.
Pricing:
- Sponsorships are available platinum level $1000/Gold level$500/Silver level $250 and Bronze Level $100
Contact Info:
- Website: www.padfoundations.org
- Phone: 678-871-6250
- Email: padfoundation2016@gmail.com
- Instagram: @padfoundations
- Facebook: @padfoundation2016
Image Credit:
Creative development- (website and graphic designs for PAD)
on3photoinc- (photographer for the benefit concert in October 2016)
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