Meet Lindsey Turner of ELI Project

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsey Turner.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Hugh Hefner’s birthday party—that’s where my life changed. “I remember I saw a celebrity who looked absolutely miserable and it made me question whether or not fame and money were really all that they were cracked up to be. I began thinking about how I could have a greater impact on people and the world during my life.”

That was the beginning of my work with the special-needs community. I was in the software and music industry and knew it was time to make a change. Being a graduate of Kennesaw State University, I got my feet wet in the world of nonprofits by majoring in Health and Human Services. I wish I could say that in my early twenties I was this caring person and chose this major, but the truth of the matter is I received a “D” in calculus, lost a scholarship, and was told I could not be a business major. The Health and Human Services department was one of the few that would let me into their program. At the time, I thought I was a huge failure and had royally screwed up, but years later would realize that “D” in calculus was one of the best things to happen to me.

On October 15th, 2007 one of my close friends was returning to war in Iraq, after a conversation with him I decided to create an organization called The Golden Soldiers that would change society and remind people of the golden rule, “treat others how you would like to be treated.” This quickly turned into an organization that hosted events for children and families with special needs, I was amazed at how needed an organization like this was and we grew at a very fast rate. I honestly did not know a lot about special needs, but my rule back then and still today is, “as long as we always act out of love, we cannot go wrong.” We were hosting many events and reaching thousands of families across the state.

After about seven years, I hit a wall in 2014. It is an interesting path you go through when you set out to try and change society and the way people treat each other. I started feeling as if what I was doing was no longer needed and I was ready to give up. I even emailed a letter to all the families we served, letting them know it was about to be over…I really regret pressing that send button. In December 2014, I had a television interview on a very small local network to talk about the organization. Knowing where I was mentally, I thought about canceling, but thankfully my wife Melanie would not let me, and she encouraged me to do the interview.

In January 2015, I received a phone call from Todd and Stephanie Presley telling me they watched the interview. They told me how they ran a similar organization to what I was doing in Wales in the United Kingdom. They just so happened to be in Georgia raising money for their organization and would soon be returning to Wales. We ended up meeting and became great friends. They asked if I would be willing to come to Wales and teach them how they could take their organization to the “next level”. The Presleys and I spent a lot of time together and hosted events with one another and our friendship continued to grow. One morning while sitting around a coffee table in London, I asked them, “Why now? Why are we meeting each other now and becoming such great friends when there is going to be an ocean and 4,800 miles between us?” At that moment, we all just stared at one another and then I asked, “How about we come together and form one organization?” Todd and Stephanie had an idea of an organization called ELI Project…because Every Life’s Important(ELI). I absolutely loved this and at that moment we made the decision to re-brand The Golden Soldiers as ELI Project. We joined forces and have not looked back sense.

Fast forward two years to 2017 and ELI Project now has locations in Georgia, USA, Wales, UK, and Kenya, Africa. We have reached more people than I ever thought possible. ELI Project now serves over 2,000 families, annually hosts over 40 events, and sponsors monthly connect groups and social outings. The kid who got a “D” in calculus and thought his life was over and the man who wanted to quit on his own organization, is now providing love, comfort, and acceptance to individuals with special needs on three different continents.

So what’s up next for us? We plan to continue to provide love and comfort to families with special needs by hosting events in safe environments where they can come together and connect with others. Our goal is to spread the message the world that everyone, regardless of their abilities, deserves to be treated with love and acceptance, because Every Life’s Important.

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?
I am not sure if there is even such a thing as a smooth road. Every journey has struggles along the way…at least the ones worth going on. The biggest struggle has always been fundraising and keeping ourselves encouraged. ELI Project is a true charity that does so much for others while requiring so little financially for us. I probably have ten different jobs within the organization as it keeps our operating cost very low. Something we have always been true to is that the donations and sponsorship that come in are going to be used for the families and people we serve.

Knowing how easily it is to become discouraged, I now have a routine where I reflect on all we have done for the year and I encourage not only myself but our team in other countries. I do my best to remember to look myself in the mirror and say “Hey man, you’re doing a great thing, don’t quit, don’t grow weary, and keep going!”…I might even give myself a high five every now and then.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the ELI Project story. Tell us more about the business.
ELI Project is a 501c3 non-profit that provides love and comfort to families with special needs by hosting events in safe environments where they can come together and connect with others…because Every Life’s Important.

ELI Project serves over 2,000 families, annually hosts over 40 events, and sponsors monthly connect groups and social outings.

ELI Project has a location in Georgia, USA and in Wales, UK. and will be launching a location in Kenya, Africa in the Fall of 2017. ELI Project plans to visit other states and countries to train and equip them to create ELI Projects in their area.

Why we do it?

One billion people, or 15% of the world’s population, experience some form of disability.
80% of marriages that include a child with special needs end in divorce – 90% when there is autism!

Children with special needs are abused ten times more frequently than children without.
An estimated 60%-90% of babies with down syndrome are aborted worldwide.

How We Do It

Many times families who have a loved one with special needs often feel isolated and do not get the opportunity to meet other families who are experiencing similar challenges. ELI Project believes through hosting events and sharing our hope, we can provide love and comfort to everyone we serve.

ELI Project is made possible through our many supporters. From individuals, churches, and corporate sponsors, our organization is 100% dependent on your giving.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I would say the best luck was Melanie encouraging me to do the final interview and that two people actually watched it. I would also say having Dr. Hou as a calculus teacher was pretty lucky…

Contact Info:

• Website: www.eliproject.org
• Phone: 404-735-8980
• Email: info@eliproject.org
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/ELIProject
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/ELIProject
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/ELIProject

Image Credit:
Chris Henderson Photography

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