This has been an extraordinary journey and I’m so grateful that God allowed me to live to tell my story. My hope is that you will find a connection so deep that the little girl or boy in you will speak up.
This book is about Recovering, Repairing, Repaying and Rejoicing.
When you purchase this book, you are DOUBLING your impact. Half of all the proceeds go directly to benefit Time for Change Foundation.
BLACK AND BROWN OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROFIT | A DIVISION OF TIME FOR CHANGE FOUNDATION
The Black and Brown Opportunities for Profit Center eliminates racial and gender systemic inequity by providing a protected environment where women entrepreneurs have access to what’s needed to build, grow, and scale profitable businesses.
The BBOP Center provides access to the tools, strategies, and support required to build a strong foundation capable for taking innovative ideas to market, grow a business, and/or advance a product or service.
Time for Change Foundation offers emergency shelter housing, permanent – supportive housing, and affordable housing for families and individuals. You can view our headquarters, housing programs, emergency housing for women & children, and our Phoenix Square and Mountain view housing locations. Our programs are designed to help women and children have a safe, welcome, and warm environment to get back on their feet.
The mission of Time for Change Foundation is to empower disenfranchised low-income individuals and families by building leadership through evidence-based programs and housing to create self-sufficiency and thriving communities.
TFCF is the national model of excellence for creating self-sufficient families and thriving communities which have quality education and training programs, housing and employment programs, effective family reunification programs, and so much more.
Our shared belief in the mission is the foundation upon which we execute our commitment to the success of Time for Change Foundation. We believe in the following to be true and in line with some of our core values like respect, compassion, integrity, and professionalism.
At Time for Change Foundation, we provide several services to our clients, and local communities. Our services are focused on our mission and commitment of empowering disenfranchised low-income individuals and families
Our main goal is that families transition into permanent housing with the capability to maintain housing where a family can thrive
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We offer programs to our clients to prepare them for obstacles they may face when they reach the ability to live on their own.
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We provide education, counseling, and therapy to help our clients overcome alcohol and/or other drug abuse challenges.
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Offering leadership development and civic engagement empowering women to be the change they want to see in their family.
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We are trailblazers in creating a housing model providing low-income housing and a safe place where local families can thrive.
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Offering training and projects for clients and partners wanting to make a positive change for themselves and their community.
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What happened? That was my constant thought as I sat in prison realizing that I had let my 2 kids down again. I had a vision in my mind of being a caring and nurturing parent because I didn’t have that. As far as I can remember, domestic violence was inherited from my grandmother, passed down to my mother and dwelling within me. I was pretty much raised in the foster care system, and I wanted so much more for myself. Yet here I was endangering myself and my children with toxicity and unhealthy relationships. I lost myself.
During my time in prison, I did a lot of personal growth and healing. Upon my release, I knew how I wanted my life to be and that I had to get my kids out of foster care. I found out about Time for Change Foundation’s (TFCF) Positive Futures II program, while in prison and quickly enrolled in the program upon release. I got a job just 4 days after my release but still needed assistance and guidance to reunify with my children. The hardest part was finding permanent housing for me and my kids. Although the program assisted with my basic needs and employment support, I still needed my Child Protective Services worker to approve my reunification.
Both TFCF staff and I searched feverishly to get me an apartment, but everything was filled up or had a waiting list. I was told to be patient, that God didn’t bring me this far to fail, but every visit with my children would leave me heartbroken because I couldn’t take them with me. Then it happened, an apartment became available on June 1st, and I received a wonderful fully furnished apartment where I could bring my kids home. It’s been 2 weeks already and my worker has approved my reunification to happen before the end of the month! I am truly grateful!
Originally from Chicago, Nadaja moved to California to live with relatives in hopes of building a new life with her son (16) and daughter (13). It wasn’t long before she realized the living situation was not healthy. Living in shelters and in her car became the norm as she struggled with seeing the disappointment in her children’s faces.
After spending three months living in their car, showering in park bathrooms all while working a full-time job, she was at a standstill. Her daughter recalls feeling helpless during this time saying, “as a teenager you can’t really do much financially to help, but I tried not to complain because I understood my mom was going through a hard time.” Nadaja came across a Facebook post for affordable housing. Although Nadaja wasn’t sure if she’d qualify because she had no rental history, she knew it wouldn't hurt to try. That’s when she met the staff at Time for Change Foundation and Ms. Dominique took her by the hand.
“This blessing was so abundant and I thank God we’re inside for summer and that my kids have a place to call home. I was blessed with a beautiful fully furnished apartment and my kids in their own room. We Call it Home, Others Call it Hope. that sticks in my mind because I had some hope and made that call, we now have a home. I’m thankful and grateful for EVERYTHING!”
Barry doesn’t remember much about the Watts LA Riot because he was so young, but what he does remember is the constant sounds of gun shots. Much is to be said about being a young black kid amid environmental suffocation, failing schools and lack of investment in the infrastructure of South Central. Like most families trying to desperately escape the mental anguish that accompanies extreme poverty, Barry joined the church where he sang in the youth choir. Church served as a sanctuary and a place where his family could find spiritual comradery.
Wrong place at the wrong time? This is another story of where the justice system fails to deliver for black men in America. Without any prior negativity or behavior issues at school or at home, Barry became a target for a crime he did not commit. Despite his innocence, he was shepherded through without proper legal defense and found himself sentenced to LIFE in prison. For the next 40 years he would remain vigilante about his story although many disbelieved. Thankfully, organizations like the ACLU, and the Innocence Project who continue to get black men released from prison because they were wrongfully convicted have supported people like Barry.
It was finally discovered Barry was falsely accused. Fighting for Barry until 1997, ACLU turned the case to the Federal Public Defender’s office in Los Angeles which resulted in a Federal Judge overturning the conviction in 2016. It took another 7 years for the injustice system to acknowledge his case and on May 10, 2023, Barry was freed after 4 decades. TFCF’s Brighter Futures welcomed Barry home on May 31, 2023, he now looks forward to his Brighter Future!
At the age of 5 his mother left him, and he went to live with his grandmother. He didn’t understand why his mother left, and his pain turned into anger. This trauma at such a young age made him believe that no one cared for him, that he was all he had, and he had to do things all on his own. At the age of 18, Anthony was sentenced to LIFE in prison and spent the following 19 years incarcerated. On July 30, 2020, he was granted parole and was released on January 4, 2021.
Upon his release, a part of him still believed that, yet he put his pride to the side, humbled himself and built up the courage to ask for help. He expressed “life is hard out here, but I am thankful that there are programs like Time for Change Foundation and the LEAP program to help people like me get back on their feet.” With the help of the LEAP program, which helps formerly incarcerated individuals with employment, he was able to get hired with a construction company. However, his heart wanted to do more meaningful work, leading him to work with an organization called California Justice Leaders. He stated “I want to give back and help people like me, help those who experienced the same upbringing as me and have suffered the consequence of making bad decisions. I want to help show them that there is a better way.”
I am excited to share that I have been accepted to Cal State San Bernardino to further my education! I am beyond blessed to start my journey to becoming a case manager and helping others in need. I am so grateful for Time for Change Foundation and for Ms. Lisha who took the time to help me on such short notice. LEAP provided me with clothing, food cards, gas cards, resume building, job leads and mentorship along the way to my success. “My plan is to help people the same way that Lisha helped me. Thank you so much for all your help!”
Due to unforeseen events, Melanie, a mother of three children ages 18, 12, and 9, was separated from her children and husband in 2020. After becoming homeless she began living out of her car in 2021. This caused Melanie to go into a deep depression which lead to an addiction to meth and alcohol. Her life became unmanageable and she grew tired of using and abusing drugs and alcohol.
Melanie decided to seek residential treatment at Gibson House, where she resided for four months and completed the program. She transitioned to a sober living home for another ninety days to continue in her recovery, however those ninety days were not enough time to allow Melanie to become self-sufficient. As an effort to not become homeless yet again, she called 211 and was led to Time for Change Foundation (TFCF). After completing the intake screening over the phone she was scheduled for a face to face interview where she was further informed on the program and determined to be a great fit!
Melanie says it was by the grace of God that she was able to take part in the TFCF shelter program. At TFCF she gained structure, confidence, discipline, and the trust in herself and others that she lost long ago. Wrap around services like financial literacy classes, taught her how to save money and budget. Workforce development taught her how to build a resume, look for jobs, apply for jobs, and prepared her for interviews. The relapse prevention classes have helped Melanie understand the disease of addiction and how to recognize red flags and triggers. Other classes that assisted in her journey include anger management, life skills and Clay Counseling where she's able to discuss and work through past trauma.
Melanie is now on her way to being 100% self-sufficient and recently transitioned into her own apartment! Melanie pays it forward by volunteering in the Time for Change Foundation office, staying productive and improving her office skills, while also being a testimony to current clients. She has remained sober, 1 year, 3 months, and 20 days! She's active in her recovery by attending AA/NA meetings regularly. Melanie has also made great improvements in her relationship with her family. She spends every other weekend with them and her family. Establishing and maintaining healthy boundaries has been a major tool in her journey. A tool that she now uses to continuously improve.
Melanie thanks Time for Change Foundation for the support and love bestowed unto her in her lowest moments. A few goals at the top of her list include staying sober and staying connected to her TFCF family!
President & CEO of the Center for Housing Advancement and Motivational Projects (CHAMP) and the founder and Ambassador of the Time for Change Foundation Kim Carter, building her empire inspiring and empowering people around the world with her story. Kim’s story was included in the Italian film “Tell it Like a Woman,” which was created to draw attention to issues...
Source: The Official Black Magazine Nothing can stand in the way of Kim Carter’s determination, vision, and God-given mission. She is one example of a woman who proves that not all heroes wear caps or that the path to achievement must look a certain way. Kim is on a quest to level the playing field, having overcome a difficult past...
Compassion, not to be confused with pity, always goes that extra mile and usually includes an action clause, something that Time for Change Foundation has become known for in helping domestic violence survivors, formerly incarcerated women and low-income mothers who have gone down the harder roads of life. On Friday, April 14, the community will come out in celebration of...
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