Maureen Kornowa of Buford, GA on Life, Lessons & Legacy

Maureen Kornowa shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Maureen, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do you think is misunderstood about your business? 
Nonprofits are largely misunderstood. They are not perceived as “businesses” since we are not looking to generate a “profit”.
I beg to differ, nonprofit businesses have annual budgets, strategic plans, HR departments, employ members of our communities and our profits are measured in impact to others. The impact of changing the trajectory of the life of a child and her family, the impact of leading homeless to independent living. In some of my research, I have found that saving one child out of homelessness has an economic impact of $800,000 – $1.3million over the life of that person. Yes, we are businesses.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Maureen Kornowa, CEO at Home of Hope at Gwinnett Children’s Shelter. Home of Hope is a transitional living facility addressing the issues around suburban poverty, homelessness and lack of affordable housing. We take homeless children (0-17) along with their young mothers. The goal is to keep the family unit together in a stable environment and get mom back on her feet to independent living. We provide all the necessary wrap around services one needs to regain independence. Our kids have only one job, and that is to be safe, secure, happy children while they are here.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I was a wife, mother, volunteer, party planner. I had zero idea that God had a bigger plan for me. As I matured and opened my eyes to the world around me, I saw need, hurt, greed, sadness and yet I still saw smiles and some happiness in those who needed the most help. I found my purpose in pouring into others and I KNEW God led me to bloom where he planted me. Discovering my purpose of helping others gave me new life. Do you know how many people spend their lives not knowing why they are here? What difference do they make? When I realized my purpose, I knew I had been given a gift and a mission and there was no stopping me.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
When we began Home of Hope in 2014, I was scared, felt overwhelmingly underqualified, felt unwelcome in certain rooms. I was chewed out and told we would never succeed. The first 3 years, funding was scarce, I barely slept and cried alot at night. Those are the things no one sees. I had a big picture plan/vision for this amazing agency and the road was not easy. There is an old saying, success has many fathers while failure is an orphan. I think people were waiting to see what happened with our agency. Guess what? Here we are 12 years later with stories of success! The kind thing I would tell my younger self is “chin up, you’ve got this and stop crying because if God takes you to it, He will see you through it.” …And HE has never left us.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
The public version of me is most definitely the real me. However, I am the classic definition of the extroverted introvert. When I am out, I am on! When I get home, I like the quiet and to be away from all the socializing. I decompress with cooking, football and mindless tv.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people would say I was genuinely kind. I hope people will honor me by practicing random acts of kindness each day, however small. I hope people would say, “She always did the right thing, even when it was hard, and she always was kind to others. She knew we are all only here for a short time and each day was a gift and she enjoyed the present.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.homeofhopegcs.org