For two and a half years, Teresa Johnson and her three small children were homeless.
Once she got back on her feet, she went back to school and received two degrees in nursing and childhood development.
In 2001, Johnson founded To Serve with Love Ministries. “[Johnson] said that as soon as she was able to get back on her feet, she wanted to give back to those who had been in her shoes,” Tenessa Moore, president of the organization, said.
To Serve with Love is sponsoring their 5th annual “Wake Up! It’s Time to Hear!” Community Breakfast Sat, June 13, at the Coffee Cup Restaurant uptown. Anthony Foxx, City of Charlotte mayoral candidate, will be the keynote speaker.
“The community breakfast is just one of the ways that we’re trying to get out and let people know who we are and what we’re trying to do,” Moore said.
So what exactly is this organization trying to do? Proceeds generated from the community breakfast will go towards the organization’s main objective, the House of Rehab.
The House of Rehab was originally the daycare center that Johnson opened in 1993. To Serve with Love is in the process of renovating the center to make it a transition house for homeless women in the community.
“We’d really like to see it up and running by the end of the summer,” Moore stated. Renovations and furnishings are estimated to cost $15,000. So far, the organization has received $3,000, but Moore said that they are looking forward to making major headway through their summer’s events.
To Serve with Love Ministries is fairly new to the community. It started out as a one room home daycare in Charlotte, and at that time was called To Serve With Love House of Learning. In 2001, Johnson officially founded the organization To Serve with Love, Inc. to touch people from all walks of life.
“We’re able to offer more programs and services and we’re still growing,” Moore said. Moore’s assistance with the organization started out as a design project, but she soon became Johnson’s advocate in fighting homelessness.
The breakfast starts at 10 a.m. and is open to the public. Tickets are $15. The proceeds for other sponsored events this summer will go towards the modeling of the House of Rehab. To donate visit www.toservewithlove.org.
