Today we’d like to introduce you to LaCrisha Burton Saba.
LaCrisha, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Born and raised in smalltown Tennessee, I learned the importance of helping others at an early age. My mom worked for a children’s transitional home, which led to my parents opening our home to foster care. My father was a deacon and youth minister, who eventually moved us next door to our church. My grandmother’s fed EVERYONE in the neighborhood-and still does to this day. All of these life experiences shaped me into the person I am today.
I have always been an avid volunteer-locally and internationally. My efforts continued when I moved to Atlanta in 2010. I volunteered for years with several organizations throughout Atlanta, but could never find the perfect match. This was one of the factors that led me to found my own organization, With Love – love meaning Let Our Voices Echo. “Global” was later added in 2016 after we completed our first global initiative in Africa.
While we help wherever help is needed, hunger and homelessness became our focal point. I began opening my home to friends for cooking and/or packing parties. During this time, we would prepare the food to take downtown to feed the homeless. I am a firm believer of not giving them anything I would not eat, so we always have a great menu.
A few months later, I started reaching out to local business trying to rescue food. This would not only help with food waste but also help me offset my costs for operation.
Unfortunately, it was not as easy as I had imagined. I needed to build my presence in my community because businesses questioned my motives. To help with that, I decided to enter a beauty pageant. I figured if I won people would want to help and be apart of what I was doing. Finally, I was right!
My first year in pageantry was a hot mess, but pageantry could not get rid of me that easily. I was on a mission! I came back the following year and won the title of Mrs. Georgia United States 2016 followed by Mrs. Georgia America 2017. I used this amazing platform to promote my nonprofit and the growing rate of hunger & homelessness right here in the heart of our great state. The response was amazing! I have had unwavering support from local businesses, colleges, volunteers, and the pageant community. I am truly grateful!
My reign as Mrs. Georgia has come to an end, but my mission to end hunger & homelessness has not. As the new State Director for the Miss/Mrs. Georgia United States Pageants Organization, I will continue to educate and bring awareness to this epidemic by designating With Love Global as the pageant’s charity of choice.
With Love Global continues to meet at GSU Hurt Park on the 3rd Sunday of every month to feed and spread love to 125+ friends in the homeless community. Since 2016, we have not missed a month!
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?
Smooth! What is that? Lol! Anyone who sets out to do something new knows they will be met with opposition. In my case, it was the city, other organizations, and the very people who we are trying to help the homeless community.
While the opposition does not represent the vast majority, it is hard to accept. You feel like you are doing something good and people should be happy about that.
Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Over the years, it has just made me stronger. There are so many lessons to learn when things do not go as planned. I feel it has not only made me a better person but opened my eyes to other problems that needed attention.
I now try to see things through the eyes of the opposers, and we always find a solution. If anything, the bumps in the road have taught me not to take it personally and find another road!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with With Love Global – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
My company is my heart supported by amazing friends, family, and volunteers. They believe in any vision that I present to them; whether it is an initiative for Georgia, another state in the U.S., or relief in Peru.
With Love Global, a 501c3 Non Profit is a hands-on advocate for all who are in need. We provide meals, clothing, and hygiene items to the homeless and shelters throughout Georgia. We also conduct various drives to stock shelters with food and necessities.
In 2016, we began doing global initiatives and disaster relief projects. With Love Global meets at GSU Hurt Park on the 3rd Sunday of every month to feed and spread love to 125+ friends in the homeless community. The menu varies with the seasons.
In the warmer months, we may have pizza, grilled hotdogs, and hamburgers; while in the winter months a hot bowl of soup or chili. The holidays receive a little extra love. For instance, Thanksgiving consists of a full spread: turkey, chicken, dressing, corn, green beans, mashed potatoes, rolls, pies, cobblers, etc.
I feel what sets us apart is the extra time we spend with the homeless community. After each feeding, we stay around to clean the park and catch up with our homeless friends.
Some of the volunteers are there for an hour or more following a feeding just listening to the highlights of that person’s week or helping them in various ways. I also feel my effort sets us apart from others. As the founder, I try to be 100% present and contribute just as much as my volunteers. I think this has been a huge plus for the organization. I have had many volunteers verbally recognize my efforts.
I am most proud of the success stories. It is such a blessing to have someone who was once homeless show up to volunteer with you. To hear them proudly say that they followed up on that job lead that you recommended and that they are now working and have an apartment. Those moments make all the bad moments worth the fight.
I am also proud to have joined forces with so many other organizations in the fight to end hunger & homelessness. I truly feel that when I join (or vice versa) another organizations’ efforts, we are able to get more accomplished.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
No big changes. I feel like we have found our place, and the organization is in a good spot. Volunteer growth is always a goal, but I do not feel any organizational changes should be implemented at this time.
Going into the winter months, we will start conducting “Share the Warmth” drives. These drives provide new coats for students, as well as, coats, winter clothing, and socks for the homeless.
We will gear up for our annual Toy Drive and Adopt A Senior Citizen initiative for Christmas. I am currently researching countries for our 2019 global initiative. I am so excited!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.WithLoveGlobal.org
- Email: support@withloveglobal.org
- Instagram: @withloveglobal
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WithLoveGlobal
Image Credit:
Matt Boyd Photography | ChrissyK Moments | Mecca1 Photos
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