A Message from the President & CEO

Dear Friends,

We at Mothers for Justice and Equality (MJE) aim to be a source of strength, resolution, and support. We know that by lifting our community’s mothers, we are lifting the communities as a whole. I am eager to share the work we’ve done to help mothers, youth, and families heal through Economic Empowerment.

Many single mothers in our communities living in poverty will endure poor mental health through social stresses such as health scares, job losses, homelessness, domestic violence, street and gun violence, and related issues. Sadly, so much of their world is out of their control, and these stresses affect the mother’s ability to provide her children with a safe and nurturing environment.

Research teaches us that single mothers living in poverty are more likely to experience feelings of worry, nervousness, or anxiety. The mortality rate of the mother decreases, and this trauma is passed on to her children, which inadvertently leads to generational poverty and trauma.

At MJE, we help individuals of all ages to become empowered and ready for community involvement. Our operating model hinges on two fundamental mechanisms: Education and Engagement. This is our approach to delivering trauma-informed services, providing each individual with an Individual Service Plan (ISP), training, and case management. Our Health Equity and Community Engagement trauma-informed workshops are in a healing environment, and we provide a safe space for youth to challenge inequality and violence by fostering a sense of leadership and belonging.

Our approach to this problem is working. We are seeing clients obtain employment, return to school, and obtain affordable childcare and housing. Many clients are signing up for emotional health services to help alleviate some of their day-to-day social stresses.

I hope you will take some time to read through this 2023 Impact Report and share your thoughts with us. There is much work to do, but I believe together, we can see our families’ quality of life improve through our Healing through Economic Empowerment model. In Peace, Monalisa Smith Founder, President and CEO Mothers for Justice and Equality

Mother to Mother, neighbor to neighbor, together we can change the story of our streets and heal in the process.

In Peace,
Monalisa Smith
Founder, President, & CEO