Lucille's Story: The Foxglove Foundation, Inc.

Today's story comes to us from Lucille Ferry in Jacksonville, Florida. She is CEO of The Foxglove Foundation, a non-profit that will construct transitional housing for displaced families in the US. Her passion for this project and personal interest in the issue of home displacement made me take a moment to appreciate not only what I have in life, but also the people who constantly strive to make things better for others. Thank you, Lucille!

"The Foxglove Foundation is a non-profit established to help displaced families. Each day in our area and across the country, more and more families become displaced. The reasons for displacement are as diverse as divorce, job loss, foreclosure, landlord fraud, mortgage fraud, code violations, long-term illness, death, fire, flood, and weather. Knowing what to do, where to go, and if your family qualifies for any existing programs is a challenge. With the transitional housing we are in the process of building, that won't be a problem. Foxglove will take in a family and assist them through that difficult process, then help to get their home repaired, rebuilt, or replaced.

The most inspiring experience I've had so far as CEO of The Foxglove Foundation was the very first time I had to give a speech about the company. I spoke to twelve well-respected men and women whom I wanted to become members of my Board of Directors. I was (and still am) looking for people who empathize and sympathize with a displaced family. They had lots of questions, and I had few answers at that time. They inspired me to work harder, look further, and seek out the help of professionals and networking groups that could help me to spread the word.

The most challenging thing about Foxglove is that there are people who try to steal ideas from me; they perceive me as vulnerable because I am disabled and not financially wealthy (yet). When people first meet me, they think that I couldn't possibly be the CEO of a foundation trying to put together a multi-million dollar complex of homes for displaced families.

On a more personal note, I am the daughter of a vet. I have lived in eight states and one foreign country. I went to seventeen different schools from first grade to graduation. I have experienced being displaced many times, and so has every member of my current board."

To learn more about The Foxglove Foundation, be sure to visit their website at foxglovefoundation.org.

Health and happiness,

Abbey