Meet Ronnie Marshall Jr of A Heart To Serve Outreach Foundation in Southside of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ronnie Marshall Jr.

Ronnie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
In our community of Dogwood Lane Atlanta, GA. My wife and I are truly blessed by God to have the opportunity to minister, mentor, and spread love to the youth in our community. Just to share a little about us, we are a young couple, married for eight years with four beautiful children. Youth pastors of Full Potential Global Ministries under our leaders, Pastor Jarvis and Freda Gates, located in Stockbridge, GA. My wife was born and raised on this very street and has lived here for the past 29 years. Now our children were also born here and presently are being raised on the very same street. I am from Atlanta, GA and I’ve been living in this community since I was 18 years old, I am now 31. You can see how it has a special place in our hearts.

It all started about two summers ago. We have a basketball goal in the neighborhood, and we started to see different young kids come over from the apartments alongside of the kids in our neighborhood, to play basketball and spend time. They currently are playing on a very old, rusty basketball goal that is being held up by ropes. Not to mention they play on the street. Dangerous right…directly across the street is a great daycare in the community, Totally 4 Kids Nursery & Preschool, with a big parking lot. We are all working together as a team to impact the youth and have been given permission by the owners to utilize the lot to play basketball safer. The parking lot right now is too broken apart and bumpy with crumbles of asphalt. Imagine dribbling a ball and or falling, ouch!

There are so many children who come from all over Riverdale Rd. After school, they’ll come by and ask for Mr. Ron, shoot some hoop and get a few words of encouragement. We know how tough school can be. Not only that, but they’ve expressed how playing basketball has helped them stay out of trouble. Especially with times like these, we always want them to feel safe and know that coming over to Dogwood Lane is that place of refuge and fun! Now that summer is upon us, they’re here more often, which is a true blessing.

We decided to come up with a plan to raise funds to get these goals accomplished. Our goal is to get the daycare parking lot repaved. Along with two brand new basketball goals, and the accessories needed as well. We cannot do this alone and we need your help! Help us with the development of the community of Dogwood Lane for the youth!

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been very challenging because some people in my community don’t like the fact, that so many kids from all over come to this community to play basketball, so they have made attempts to keep many of the youth out. They threaten them about calling police and etc. It also has been challenging to get the monetary we need to complete this Project. Our hearts are to reach the youth where they are. Many have expressed, that playing basketball and coming over here, has kept them out of trouble. The area I live is crime-ridden, and many youth are losing their lives where we are from or getting locked up. To hear them say, it’s keeping them out of trouble, encourages my wife and I to go even harder.

Please tell us about A Heart To Serve Outreach Foundation Inc.
A Heart To Serve Outreach Foundation Inc. as an incorporation was birthed January 2019 in the memory of my father. Late Elder Ronnie E Marshall Sr. He passed away November 15, 2018. He was a true servant of God and of man. His heart was for Outreach, Veterans and for Elders in Nursing home. Our organization is all about serving others and impacting our communities. A servants heart was instilled in me through my parents and I’m grateful to continue to press forward. Even before his passing, I was carrying the legacy of service in my community and ministry. When he passed away, I made it my business to ensure the legacy of service never dies. I’m most proud of what we have accomplished thus far in a short time. We have been blessed to serve Veterans, elders, youth and engage in community development. We are set apart because of our versatility, and the availability to be hands-on, understanding we are grateful to God for the opportunity to be able to serve.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
The most important is Love. The word of God declares, we can be highly gifted, and do a lot of stuff but if it’s all not done in love than it’s done in vain. Selflessness, compassion, integrity and excellence are other major components that are of great value to us. We believe to be truly successful these must be top priority.

Contact Info:

• Phone: 4045397841
• Email: [email protected]
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aheart2sao/

Image Credit:
Photography: Khanica Marshall

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