Meet Skye Jones of Skye Precious Kids in North Fulton

Today we’d like to introduce you to Skye Jones.

Some seven years ago, Skye Jones saw a co-worker in need but didn’t quite know how to help.

“I was carpooling with a co-worker and she asked me one day if we could pick up her son,” said Jones. “He was ten years old and had to be carried to the car, even though he was bigger than she was. She explained to me about his illnesses and told me of her troubles, how she wasn’t able to provide either of her children with what they needed. I finally understood why she seemed so stressed out all the time.”

Jones, who says she’s always wanted to help people, decided to establish a nonprofit that would help folks like her co-worker. And thus in 2013, Jones founded Skye Precious Kids, which provides resources to families in financial need who have children facing life-threatening illnesses and disabilities. With a background in the health care field, Jones is well acquainted with the suffering families with children that have chronic illnesses endure, with issues ranging from procuring medical equipment and supplies to paying an electricity bill. She said her “breakthrough” came two years ago when her own situation forced her to move back in with her parents.

“In 2016, God stripped me from everything I had,” said Jones, who is also a mother. “I had to move in with my parents and I moved out when I was 17. I prayed and prayed and God told me to focus on Skye Precious Kids. I didn’t know how that was going to help my situation and I didn’t know where to start. But things took off and things just started happening for me.

“It was then that I realized this is my destiny, this is my calling, this is what I’m supposed to do. So Skye Precious Kids is all I do.”

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No, Jones bartend at a local Atlanta sports bar to fund Skye Precious Kids until the organization gain supporters that supplement the necessities. When things began to get tough, Jones begins to pray and remind herself that God wouldn’t put more on her than she can handle. Trails are just lessons.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Skye Precious Kids – what should we know?
Skye Jones is the Founder/Executive Director of Skye Precious Kids.

Skye Precious Kids is based in downtown Atlanta. A 100% volunteer led 501©(3) charity that relies on an active board of directors, volunteers and generous donors to provide emergency and immediate assistance to families of sick and disabled children in crisis. We are not limited by an illness or disability and serves the entire metro area.

Our mission is to provide resources to families in financial crisis who are caring for children facing life-threatening illnesses and disabilities to support a healthy and safe home environment, full access to medical care and equipment and access to accommodating educational tools.

Our programs help bridge the gap for families in the three key areas of importance in caring for their sick children: their healthcare and medical needs, a safe and consistent roof over their heads and all the support they need to successfully continue their education regardless of their diagnosis. There is no other organization in Georgia offering not a handout, rather a hand up for families in short term financial straits due in no fault of their own. Any parent could find themselves in this situation when their child is faced with a life-threatening illness, an accident or a chronic disability that demands more financially than most families can fathom.

How we help:
Through an application screening, families apply for support to their unique needs. If approved for aid through one of our three key programs, SPK works directly medical providers, utility companies, vendors and other payees directly. Financial aid is never given directly to individuals.

Precious Families
Short term financial support for rent, utilities, food, gas and other necessities during times of unemployment due to caring for children or due to transition between jobs; renovations to homes for handicapped accessibility with items such as stairlifts, wheelchair lifts, ramping, bathroom accessibility renovations.

Precious Health
Medical costs including co-pays, deductibles, medications, durable medical equipment and supplies, diapers, treatment and therapies as well as skilled nursing and respite care. Aid with bridging the gap between what Medicaid and private insurance provides and what sick and disabled children truly need but their parents cannot afford.

Precious Minds
Support to continue meaningful education while homebound including tutors, homework assistance, computers and assistive technology, scholarships for special and online courses.

We actively raise funds through special events, grant writing, corporate sponsorships, merchandise sales and individual donations.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
We thank our donors, volunteers, supporters, staff, board of directors, community partners, and most importantly the families we serve. We couldn’t do it without them.

Our Medical Review Committee is the key evaluator of our effectiveness in serving sick and disabled children; the program coordinator, who processes all applications from families and interacts primarily with our families also gives input to the evaluation process. We have an Advisory Board that supports the evaluation process and our Board of Directors is charged with policy changes that impact our entire organization.

Contact Info:

• Address: 165 Courtland St., Ste. A-217 Atlanta, GA 30303
• Website: www.skyepreciouskids.org
• Phone: 404-478-9794
• Email: support@skyepreciouskids.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skyepreciouskids/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skyepreciouskids/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/skyepreciouskid

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