Today we’d like to introduce you to Cherita Toussaint-Ferguson.
Hi Cherita, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am a Chi town girl who was born in the 80s. My name is Cherita Toussaint – Ferguson. Growing up in Chicago was fun for me because of the beaches and cool summer cool breeze from the lakefront. As a young girl, I witnessed my mother suffer from a cocaine addiction and barely being there for my sister and I.
We were shifted from our grandmother’s house to my Aunts house while our mom was chasing the fast life. Summer of 1988 my mother Sharon began to change her lifestyle, she enrolled in hair school and was determined to be the best stylist on the west side of Chicago. However, it was a bit too late to start new because by Fall of 88, she was murdered. I remember being so angry with her and I blamed her for dying up until I was 25 years old. At age 13, I started an imaginary business called Computer Company Files; a shelter where drug-addicted parents could bring their kids while they chase the high life. My shelter would feed the kids, provide clothing, a warm bed and education. If the parents wanted to come and live there they would have to be sober. I spent my adolescence with my grandmother, aunt and sister.
At age 14 I became pregnant with my first child and by my senior year of high school age 18, I was a mother of three and married my children’s father Alex Ferguson. As a young mother and wife, I faced many challenges that lead me to be strong and face all obstacles head-on. As a young woman with so much responsibility, it taught me to be strong and open my heart to God’s word. In 2012 I decided to pursue higher education as a student and employee, I have Maria Lopez to thank for that. My past does not define me but it gave me the strength I needed to help others who have walked in similar shoes as mine which is the reason for my nonprofit – to guide people down a path that leads them to who God says they are. Today, I am someone who values faith, prosperity, and self-preservation. I want everyone to have access to enrichment services. “Meeting you where you are”. Life will take you on a path that may not always go in the direction you hope for and along the route you may get lost and lose focus but the road will eventually connect you to a street that will provide you a clear path to begin a new journey.
By age 35 I completed my Bachelor’s degree while pregnant with my 4th child, I relocated to Atlanta Georgia as a law school student and advocate for Georgia’s foster children, now employed at Gwinnett Tech college as a disability specialist, and leader of my nonprofit organization – Rita’s Helping Hand where I advocate for young males aging out of foster care, spread awareness about drug addiction, sex trafficking, mental illness and providing community resources. I am a winner and knock down every obstacle that tries to stop me. I am not a product of my environment nor am I a statistic. I am braver than people believe, stronger than they see and smarter than they think. I am Cherita Toussaint – Ferguson, nonprofit leader, college graduate, and teenage mother who pours love and joy into all.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Some of the struggles along the way was dealing with challenges as a young wife and mother. We struggled financially and maintaining a residence. Many times we had to move in with family members in order to get back on our feet. When you are a family of 5 and you have to share living quarters with others it can cause anxiety and stress within the household. Even though, we experienced these challenges our children never fell behind in school, and never caused any trouble and to be honest we were happy because we were together even if it was in one room in someone else’s home. One of the lowest moments in my life was during the year of 2009 when my family and I had to live in a hotel for almost two years. I cried every night when my kids went to sleep but I must say Alex and I made it possible so that we had a warm place to sleep, good hygiene, and a place to eat.
We both worked which allowed us to pay the weekly hotel bill. We are grateful God gave us just enough to maintain what we had. We were happy together, we laughed and prayed together which is what kept us peaceful. The hotel room was small but it was our space and it had everything we needed. Our Children maintained As and Bs, I was promoted within a few months at my job at the grocery store and Alex was attending truck driving school during the day and working at Walmart at night. We did not have a vehicle therefore, we had to walk to and from work, sometimes miles if no bus was coming. We are still standing strong together 28 years later. Stronger and ready to take on whatever else crosses our path because we are just that ambitious.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Rita’s Helping Hand?
Computer Company Files which is now known as Rita’s Helping Hand was a vision of mine beginning at the age of thirteen. The vision was to help drug-addicted parents with resources to guide them toward getting clean and focusing on being parents. I have the wisdom and confidence to help others, I fully provide people with enrichment services to gain stability. Rita’s Helping Hand mission is to provide essential resources to the community that involves encouragement in the field of enrichment for Employment, Education and Shelters for the unfortunate. I am compassionate, caring and a huge believer in Faith. I am grateful to be able to pour love and encouragement into others through my organization. Rita’s Helping Hand is in the business of changing and shaping lives. I work on many exciting projects to help improve the lives of others.
What sets me apart from others is that I locate the unknown based on the client’s circumstance for instance, anyone being released from prison needing an address I locate halfway housing in any state they are relocating to, set it up with their case manager and later provide them resources in the field of education, employment, and stable housing. I am most proud of helping those in need no matter the circumstance. God gives me the tools I need to support people who need help but have been turned away due to their past. My heart is filled with joy when I am able to motivate others to feel good about themselves.
Most of my life I suffer from having low self-esteem. I am now 42 years old and I love myself, I love looking at myself and feeling confident because of God’s love down on the inside of me. Being able to save people from suicide by providing resourceful information within the community shines a bright light over my nonprofit organization. I assist people in low-income communities with information they were unaware they have access to. Rita’s Helping Hand has 4 special programs where I work closely with clients to provide enrichment services and resources for education, employment, housing and shelter. etc
1. Justin’s Corner – a program that was created to allow the legacy of the late great Justin Cole to live on by providing assistance, love and support to young males who are seeking enrichment resources they can utilize towards gaining higher education, stable housing, and employment.
2. Ri Ri’s Place – a program rooted in supporting girls/Women with self-love, proficient education and direction towards their journey through womanhood; encouraging a positive journey.
3. Rita’s College Plug – A program that I initiated when I became a mother 26 years ago. Over the course of my professional career and motherhood, I have acquired the appropriate skills to assist many with sufficient information regarding higher education. I will communicate the terminology in the laymen’s terms for students and parents to fully comprehend the proper steps moving forward in creating a brighter future.
4. Moneisha’s Connection – this program was created to allow the legacy of Moneisha Marna Fayne to live on by supporting young girls who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and addiction. Resources I offer are
Understanding and Completing College Applications
Financial Aid Applications
Understanding Student Loans
Locating Loan Servicer
Loan Deferment
Loan Forgiveness
Summer Internships
Private school scholarships
SAP Appeal Support Letters
Scholarships
Emergency Student Funding
Continuing Education
GED Prep Classes
GED Testing
Disability Accommodations
Middle/High School College Prep Programs
Therapy for Black Men
Criminal Background Employment
Legal Aid
Father’s rights | Modify support
Aging out of foster care
Local Charity Agencies.
Utility Assistance Agencies
Non – Profit Organizations
Child Care Grants
Public Assistance
Homeless Teens
Teenage Runaways
Teen Parents
LGBTQ+
Elderly Housing Assistance
Single Parents
Day Shelters
Prayer/Bible Study
Crisis Hotline
Vocational Rehab
Disability Documentation
Veteran Services
Sex Trafficking Hotline
Sexual/Domestic Abuse
Food Pantry
Addiction
Cover Letter/Resume
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
I’ve learned not everyone practices preventive measures while being sick and how they can affect others. Covid-19 consists of viruses that affected people all over the world that attacked our respiratory system and one important lesson I learned is that vaccines are very powerful and could potentially save people’s lives. Taking mental health seriously was a very important lesson due to Covid-19 mainly because of the stress people endured from family members passing on and people unable to provide physical support for each other. The fact that Telework can become the new norm was interesting, many jobs have fully converted to this status to either keep Covid numbers down or because it is cheaper.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ritas-helping-hand.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RitasHelpingHand2020/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/helpingrita
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheritatoussaint2607
Image Credits
Faith Harris
