At Just Initiative we are seeing God move, lives restored, suffering alleviated and people reconciled to God.  We have had many joyful celebrations and also spent many times desparately seeking God as we are constantly reminded of our need for him when the needs around us seem to be insurmountable.  We have the joy to experience his grace upon grace everyday regardless of anything we are seeing around us!

Below are some of the things we have been up to over the last 12 months

Just Initiative receives a 501(c)(3) Determination 

We are very happy to report we have received our 501(c)(3) designation! 

This will also open up other opportunities to us to work with some organizations in Tampa in hopes of further resources to aid in this fight.

Thank you to the Underground Network.  Thank you for the years Just Initiative spent under the Underground fiscal sponsorship with their 501(c)(3).  Without the Underground, Just Initiative would not exist.  For the many lives that have found refuge and growth in Just Initiative, we say Thank you!

Over the last 12 months, 26 single moms & children have found refuge at the Petra House. 

Each family has their own story that brough tthem to this place and their own road to walk to get to their new chapter in life.  Like many others, there was a mom and her son who contacted us with no where to go.  After experiencing domestic violence; her time was up at The Spring of Tampa Bay.  They moved in to Petra House and while staying with us, she was able to complete trade school and begin her career. She worked on her credit score, clearing off old debt. She restored her Driver's License which had been suspended for many years and then purchased a used vehicle with cash. And finally, she secured stable housing for her family.

Praise God for how this short time at Petra House will change the their lives and generations to come!

One of our students in The Zone was 12 years old and in 4th grade last year.

She was held back in 1st grade and 3rd grade, putting her two years behind. When she started 1st grade her family began struggling with stable housing and this was a major challenge to her succeeding in school, and she continued to fall further behind each year. When you add that all the elementary schools she had attended were D and F rated schools, the hope for her to ever succeed in school was growing dim.

Then, she joined us at The Zone in Spring of 2018.  And things began to change!

Through her hard work, our work with her, and us advocating for her with her 4th grade teacher and school, she was able to skip the 5th grade and start to get her education back on track!

She was accepted into an "A" rated middle school.  Her confidence is up.  She is doing well this year in 6th grade and her future is bright.

Praise God!!

COMMUNITY

THE JUST TEAM

Our team has been growing in the number, in knowledge, and in the Lord. Over the last 12 months, we had the opportunity to become certified in First Aid for Mental Health and to be trained in WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan).  It is awesome to watch God equipping us with the resources we need.  

We are now specifically looking for volunteers for opportunities to work with children. If you want to know more - contact us and we will help you connect to ways God can use you to make a difference in Tampa & you may be surprised how you will be changed and blessed along the way!

Hear Sonja's story and from the Just Initiative Director:.

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Just Initiative

909 E 22nd Ave

Tampa, FL 33605