The Village Effect Foundation: "Baddies Doing Good"
"It takes a village, but it doesn't start with one."
A non-profit by definition is an "organization that uses its surplus revenue to further achieve its purpose and/or mission." It doesn't seek to drive up an income to suit its directors or other organizers' lifestyle, but rather to provide a service to the public, ultimately making a positive impact on the framework of society.
I recently came across a foundation that I believe embodies that same idea: The Village Effect Foundation. The VEF is a non-profit based out of the ATL that is dedicated to uplifting and building its surrounding communities through various charity and fundraising events.
Serving a Purpose. I got a chance to better understand the mission behind The Village Effect Foundation, when its members agreed to let me get an inside look!
"Our number one goal is to leave the world a better place than we entered. We operate on the belief that when it comes to social impact and change, 'It takes a village, but it doesn't start with one.' We believe community service shouldn't be looked at as a punishment. Instead, giving back should be a basic foundation in everyone's life."
via Instagram (villageeffectoundation)
Founded in 2014, The Village Effect Foundation was created and strengthened by the hands of three women residing in Atlanta: Sabrina Robertson, President and an Atlanta native; Cauteaux Vrakelos, CEO, a California native and Zandia Oliver, Executive Director, a Philadelphia native.
In a society where young minorities are often stereotyped as being shiftless and unmotivated, these young ladies are knocking down stigmas and working towards being trailblazers, paving a way for not only their own lives but for the people who need it most.
They Make Doing Good Look Good. Through the foundation's "Baddies Doing Good" campaign, the women behind the brand show off their brains and beauty through their different charitable events. "We make doing good, look good. We strive to provide a fun, unique, and fresh outlook to giving back." (P.S. mission accomplished ladies).
"We host fundraising events to advocate charitable giving and volunteering. We focus heavily on highly promising projects that directly benefit communities and targeted populations that we feel are often neglected or are not being reached in innovative ways. Some examples of our work include our 'Beauty Beating Cancer' event, 'Ride or Die Bike Drive', and our 'Hygiene Drive' ."
When asked where they saw The Village Effect Foundation in the next five years, the ladies told me,
"We plan on being a household name in the Atlanta community with the successful completion of 5 annual events and monthly activities to better the community. We would like to grow the brands' recognition on a national level. While hopefully working side by side with the City of Atlanta to implement programs for the betterment of our communities; setting a standard for other cites nationwide."
Do Your Part! The foundation is always looking for more members and other great organizations to partner with! Meetings are held monthly in Atlanta where the group discusses upcoming events and ways to get involved. To learn more about the foundation and to stay up-to-date on its upcoming events, subscribe at: villageeffectfoundation.com . You can also stay updated via social media @villageeffectfoundation (click the links below)
