Check Out Monique Wells’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Monique Wells

Hi Monique, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am originally from Indianapolis, IN. I had a 5-year-old daughter and had just given birth to a set of twins, boy/girl. I no longer wanted to live where I was living. I came to visit my dad and sister and purposely bought our birth certificates and social security cards. I had been talking about moving to Nashville since middle school. My sister talked me into it, she said I could sign my oldest up in school, go home and get my belongings, and I could stay with her as long as I needed. That’s exactly what I did. I moved with my three kids in tow, our possessions, my minivan, and 200 dollars in my pocket. I was able to move into Edgehill projects. I promised myself it was only temporary. I stayed there for two years. During that time I became pregnant with my youngest son who was born with a rare genetic disorder known as Cornelia de Lange Syndrome. I am now a single mother of 4 with no real support. Life was challenging, to say the least. I promised myself each move would be better than the move before. Once I moved from Edgehill I heard God tell me to go back to school. I said Lord if you let me move into this house I will sign up for school. I moved to Bordeaux in 2013, signed up, and attended American Baptist College. I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Studies. This equipped me to move into a career in case management instead of working fast food jobs. I knew I was destined for greatness from a young age and because of the different classes of people I was exposed to as a child I knew I didn’t want to be in the lower class. I went on to earn my Master’s degree from Trevecca in Organizational Leadership. God gave me a vision for MOMs when I graduated from ABC, I wrote it in a journal and went on with life. Fast forward to 2020 when the world was shut down due to Covid, I said okay God let me birth this vision. I didn’t know where to start exactly. I had my first cookout which was my way of giving back to the community. I started hosting free community classes each month and bringing in speakers to educate and empower single mothers on topics I felt they needed to be educated on. I have been working in the Nashville community ever since. I was fortunate to purchase my first home this past year in Clarksville so I will be looking to expand services to the area as I learn more about the community and needs here. I have two beautiful grand babies and I am believing God this will be my best season of life yet.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been a smooth road but nothing worth having comes easy. The challenges of not only being a single mom, but a special needs mom has definitely complicated life. My faith and relationship with the Lord has seen me through. I work hard and try to improve myself and heal as I grow. I want to break generational curses and leave behind an inheritance for my kids and grandkids so they don’t have to get it out the mud. God is so good but he will stretch you and grow you and it isn’t always comfortable but necessary for where he is calling you to.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a workforce development coach for the Connecting Forward program at Goodwill. We help families with children under the age of 18 and receiving some sort of government assistance. What stands me apart is I have walked in these ladies shoes. I have been on government assistance for years and have overcome these systems that try to keep their foot on our necks. MOMs stands for Mothers overcoming Margjnal Systems and I am all about overcoming these systems put in place to keep us in poverty. I knew I wanted a career and to be a homeowner but it was not easy getting there. It is possible if you work hard and have support. I wanted to provide the support I often times needed along the way. I am very compassionate and I speak the truth. People don’t always want to hear the truth but it’s necessary. Holding others accountable for their actions is the only way they can grow. That is my job and people sometimes complain but be the same ones to come back and thank me.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
God showed me that MOMs would be in all 50 states. I took a brief break but I know it is needed and I plan on coming back full throttle. I just didn’t want to get overwhelmed in the transition of moving and expecting my second grandchild and my obligations to the ministry I am apart of. I want to help as many MOMs overcome marginal systems as I can.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.momsorganizationnashville.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18W8Vhjd9Z/