Today we’d like to introduce you to Alicia Bradley.
Hi Alicia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a just a girl with big dreams. I am originally from Bridgeport CT. I was raised by my mother and my grandmother. My father was killed when I was one year old. I was a quiet little girl with dreams to take over anything I saw fit. My original plan growing up was to become an attorney but life didn’t take me in that direction. I graduated high school and lived life. Not always in the right way but I can truly say that I lived my live in the way I saw fit at the time. I became a mom at the age of 20 to my beautiful daughter and again at the age of 22 to my handsome son. My kids are my world but I needed more in my life. I need to be able to provide for them. I joined the army at the age of 23 this was my passion. I finally felt like I was living in my purpose. After serving 7.5 years and two deployments, I wanted to attend college. I knew what I wanted to do I couldn’t do as a full-time Soldier so I finished my time and registered for college where I received my Bachelor in Human Services. I became a Case Manager for a local agency and I was in love with my path. I was able to make a change and impact every young person that I encountered. During this time, I noticed the lack of mental health services in our community. I bonded with the youth that came into my care. I was able to provide an outlet that was truly needed. This sparked my flame to get back into school and become a Mental Health counselor. After graduation, my career led me into providing counseling services for many different populations. I remained in contact with many of the young ladies from the children’s shelter. I became a mentor for them, their safe haven. This lead me into starting my very own nonprofit organization called Saving Our Ladies. I created this organization based off of the needs in the community and what I needed growing up in a single parent home and during my time in foster care.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Personal struggles: The road has not been a smooth road at all. From losing my father at a very young age and trying to live life with the void. Being in an abusive relationship and becoming a single parent while in the military. Also being homeless at a young age after leaving foster care.
Business struggles: Getting people to see your vision, being a new organization in the nonprofit sector, and funding the organization out of pocket.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am mental health counseling that is the founder of a nonprofit called Saving Our Ladies. At Saving Our Ladies, we mentorship young ladies from the age 5-18 years old. Our mission at Saving Our Ladies: We help young ladies age 5-18 through the stages of development by creating programs aimed at increasing community and school connectedness. We meet our families where they are. We not only focus on our young ladies we assist the family as a whole. At Saving Our Ladies we become a part of the families village. Each family that registers for our program is interviewed and a treatment plan is completed for the family. I am proud that I am able to offer this program to the community. It amazes me to see our families engage with our Biweekly activities and community service efforts. I would like readers to know that Saving Our Ladies is here and we are working to make a big impact in the community and the lives of every person we come in contact with. Also, we are always looking for volunteers for community services, mentors, sponsors and donors.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
The city is growing community. I have been here since 2014 and I always learn something new about Columbia. What I like least about the city is the crime. Crime has risen tremendously since I first moved here.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.savingourladies.net
- Instagram: savingourladies1
- Facebook: Saving Our Ladies
