Today we’d like to introduce you to Jasmine Maurer.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jasmine. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Passion drives purpose. It’s something that I strongly believe. I’ve had the passion to help people since I was a young child. I always knew I wanted to help people. I was born in Louisiana raised here but Louisiana will always be home. I started volunteering in the community at a young age. I was always involved. In high school, I was a member of the Teen Theatro program. Being a part of this program helped me to connect with others in a way that I had never imaged. While in the program, I wrote a play about my life. Writing the play was therapeutic for me. I was able to write out my intimate thoughts and feelings. My play allowed me to share my story with others who had the same experiences as me. The connection with others provided me with so much joy! I didn’t expect my writing to help others deal with issues from their past. At that point, I knew, I wanted to do more. A few years later after graduating high school, I developed a mentoring program that focused on addressing life issues and overcoming obstacles. I contacted a family member that worked at the juvenile detention center to begin volunteering. After volunteering for a few months, I realized that I was starting to really connect with some of the young ladies. There were a few young ladies that couldn’t seem to reach. I didn’t understand why it was such a challenge. How could I not be able to mentor a group of young ladies? I had to reevaluate myself. I needed to be whole first, in order to help these young ladies. I needed to lead by example. I created an action plan for my life to include my three main goals, finishing school, finding a better job and building my non-profit organization. With two of the three goals completed, I begin to put more focus on my non-profit organization, Under Construction Stability in the Making (UCSITM).
UCSITM started as a mentoring program and gradually transitioned into an organization that focuses on the stability of individuals and families to reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness. Prior to providing direct services to the Fulton County community, I did outreach work in Haiti, following the damaging effects of Hurricane Matthew. I was sitting in the living room one day watching the news reports on the devastating impact brought on by Hurricane Matthew. Immediately, I knew I had to get to Haiti, and I had to help. I started asking for donations and a coworker put me in contact with a pastor here that has connections in Haiti. I received clothing donations from donors. I provide the school supplies and water filtration pills from my personal earnings. My decision to visit Haiti was life changing. I had no idea how much the visit would not only impact my life at that present moment but that it would continue to empower my thoughts for the work that I am currently doing here in Fulton County. In fact, the initial trip motivated the documentation of my organization.
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 hasn’t always been a smooth road, especially financially. I’ve had some challenges along the way. Some people don’t understand or see my vision. They don’t understand that my passion for people requires me to be selfless. As a visionary, I don’t expect everyone to see it immediately. However, as I continue to move strategically with the plan to create an environment for the people of this community, I anticipate some struggle. It’s never easy when you are trying to be a beacon of light in a community that has struggled to remove certain barriers that have ultimately led to he/she is in the position to position to experience extreme hardships.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Under Construction Stability in the Making story. Tell us more about the business.
At Under Construction Stability in the Making (UCSITM), our mission is to collaboratively build economically sound growth strategies and methods of empowerment to satisfy the advancement of the community while promoting personal and professional expansion. Currently, we are focused on feeding the homeless, individuals and families, in downtown Atlanta. For the last two years, we have provided hot meals, clothing and hygiene products to those in need. I interact with everyone that utilizes our services. We don’t always talk about their situations, we talk about life, their goals, how they are doing and what kind of meals they may want next. I develop a relationship with those that I serve. I take pride in knowing that I’m not just providing a service. I am actually making a connection. I believe this sets myself as well as my organization apart from others that are also providing meals or any additional services to this particular population. I realize that although everyone has their own story, the underlining issues are the same. From job loss to the lack of stable housing. I am in the process of developing a new program, Project Second Chance, to address the challenges that directly and indirectly affect the community. The purpose of Project Second Chance is to provide homeless individuals within Fulton County the opportunity to transition from homelessness to stable and housing by providing education and social services that will assist individuals with becoming self-sufficient. The main goal of the project is to reduce the number of homeless individuals and families in Fulton County. By addressing lifestyle barriers such as poverty, lack of employment opportunities, a decline in public assistance, lack of affordable housing, domestic violence, mental illness, lack of affordable health care and addiction disorders, I believe that transition occurs, allowing these individuals to enhance their quality of life and provide sustainability.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
UCSITM has been fortunate enough to remain stable. Both private and public donors have been instrumental in ensuring we are able to carry the mission forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.ucsitm.com/
- Phone: 404-509-5607
- Email: helpothers@ucsitm.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Ucstabilityinthemaking/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UCSITM
Image Credit:
Volunteers and Aviel Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
