KATHY KIDD

The charity work began with my Grandmother when we lived in LaPlace, Louisiana.

As a young girl, my Grandmother and I would visit our relatives in the local nursing home. We also began to visit other residents at the nursing home who had no family nearby to offer hope and encouragement. To see their smiling face light up when we entered their room was heartwarming.

Fast forward to my adult years, the passion to help others and to offer hope and encouragement increased. I joined a group of women who raised money to purchase hearing aids for those residents in nursing homes who had no family nearby.

Volunteering at Our Daily Bread in Galveston to serve meals to the homeless men and women was when I began to see the need for homeless shelters. Since I experienced being alcohol free to re-enter into society, and overcome domestic violence, the force of my faith led me to believe that I needed to work with each individual as to their specific needs.

After researching for a homeless shelter to work or volunteer in my area, I found a non-profit organization which was based on Christian values. I volunteered  2011-2016 (1 year with pay). I began as an advocate with the women, then moved into fundraiser and marketing director. Although the golf tournaments and other fundraisers along with organizing donating partners for the charity was my main responsibility, I wasn’t spending time with the women and children to offer them hope and encouragement. I felt I needed to move on to open a homeless shelter, since my passion is an encourager, one on one with the women and children.

In 2016 I was presented a trophy and honored as WOE (Woman of Excellence). At the time I had been volunteering with the non-profit organization for 5 years. This is a lifetime achievement award presented by the Federation of Houston Professional Women. The award is voted on by each sub chapter networking group and given to an individual who excels in community service, using Christian values as a basis, along with involvement to help others. It is a moment in life that I will never forget.

The goal now and in the future is to utilize this expertise from my business and life experiences, to build and operate the Penny Foundation, Inc.  I am prepared and up for the task…with faith, along with many people on the team who share in the vision.

The long term goal is for the Penny Foundation to serve the community and surrounding areas, to help women and children who are in need.

Kathy Kidd