Exploring Life & Business with Deja Hagewood-Jackson of From Your Father

Today we’d like to introduce you to Deja Hagewood-Jackson. 

Hi Deja, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My story tells how God took an 18-year-old fatherless girl and brought her out to serve the community, and how she is now improving the lives of single mothers and fatherless children around Nashville. 

My name is Deja, and I grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, long before hot chicken became popular or I-24 became congested all the way to Murfreesboro. 

My mother was a single mother when I was growing up, and she worked quite hard to provide for me and my three brothers. 

I recall her working at the hospital in the mornings and then going to work at Arby’s at night to make sure she had enough money to pay her bills. But, as we all know, things don’t always go as planned. We kept moving forward and finally saving up from car trouble, to increased housing costs we could barely catch our breathe. But we were fighting really hard and somehow staying afloat. 

Life was really difficult for me, and I often felt as if I was receiving blow after blow. 

Until the ultimate blow was delivered. 

My mother was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer, they informed me. 

I ultimately loss my breath after one doctor’s appointment, one diagnosis, and one word. 

My hero, my chef, my uber driver, my friend, our family’s breadwinner, and the only constant in my life was frail. My great mom couldn’t possibly be weak, right? She was my only chance of escaping poverty. 

Our one source of income was reduced to zero. 

I recall crying uncontrollably in my bedroom and yelling at the ceiling “God! In a situation like this, where is my Father? “.. 

At the very least, if I had two parents at home, I could lean on the other in a situation like this. 

God would soon introduce himself to me as Father, I had no idea. 

During these trying circumstances, all I needed was someone to come to my aid. Someone to hear the sobbing from behind the closed door. Someone to come and assist me and my family in getting through these difficult times. 

I had no idea what I was asking for was already inside of me. 

I began to build my spiritual life as a result of a sequence of circumstances, and I was called by God to form the organization From Your Father. 

The task that was given to me was to tell God’s children how much he loves them, to assure them that he will never leave them or forsake them, to provide them with the necessities, and to tell them that it’s From Your Father. 

That is exactly what we do. 

We are a non-profit organization that delivers to the doorsteps of single mothers and fatherless children on a monthly basis, and we are the only non-profit organization that does so. 

Many women face unspoken barriers that hinder them from taking advantage of community resources. 

This means that even if a child lives 10 minutes away from a clothing closet, he or she will be without socks and a coat. 

Many mothers, including mine, experience transportation issues that stop them from getting to the things they require for their children. 

Disabilities, as well as the fact that some women are working poor, are all challenges that must be addressed. Working poor means they work or attend classes during the hours when resources are distributed, causing them to miss out on the things they require to support their families. 

We solve this issue through our out of the box program. 

Our program ensures that donations go straight from the heart of the donor to the hands of the child. 

Every month, Middle Tennessee families receive more than just a box full of necessities; they also receive an out-of-the-box experience. From organic produce for healthy meals to a handwritten note of encouragement on each box, there’s something for everyone. Families are taught to save money in case of an emergency, spend quality time together in a safe environment, and heal the spirit with zoom calls that benefit the mind, body, and soul. 

What distinguishes this organization from others? Families are not required to come to us; instead, we come to them. The boxes aren’t all the same; each one is custom-filled with the family’s wants and needs in mind, reducing waste and allergic reactions. Even throughout the pandemic our program didn’t skip a beat, deliveries were no contact and volunteers could stay safe in their car. 

No child should be an innocent victim of poverty because their father is not present. Every child deserves a quality future and opportunities in life. 

We are fighting for them one box at a time. 

Alright, 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?
The primary challenge we’ve had is obtaining long-term funding for our projects. 

Before handing you money, donors in the non-profit world prefer to know that you have a substantial amount of funding. However, as a tiny organization, you’ll need someone to invest in you before you can get a large sum of money. It’s a strange circle you have to get out of. 

We’ve been striving to raise awareness and gain support so that we can continue to provide services. 

We’ve been impressed with From Your Father Inc, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We take pride in the fact that we deliver. 

Dry items such as diapers, wipes, toilet tissue, and laundry detergent are packaged in unique boxes. Fresh and organic produce, canned foods, clothing, school supplies, and much more are all available. 

We reduce waste by customizing each box; the traditional one-size-fits-all approach does not work because each family and their needs are unique. We also provide free virtual financial education, spiritual growth, adult literacy, mom and me cook alongs, and a matching savings sessions. 

We don’t just deliver boxes; we also help families get delivered out of poverty by connecting them to resources they didn’t know existed. 

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
We are honored that you took the time to read about what we do in the community. One of the children we serve can be the next doctor, president, engineer or community leader that changes the world for ever. We appreciate your love and support. 

Pricing:

• $25 to sponsor a child

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.fromyourfather.org
• Instagram: From Your Father