My name is Ms. Latrice Johnson, and I am the Founder of My Father’s House, a non-profit organization to restoring youth in care with a permanency plan that allows them to grow in their faith, education, and social-emotional well-being.

Allow me to provide some background; I will try to keep it brief. When I was 7 years old, I drew pictures of skyscrapers and my mom asked me what those big buildings were. I replied that they were shelters for the homeless. I wanted people to walk into a building and feel better, knowing it was made just for them. My mom smiled at me with pride, but neither of us knew that this would return to me nearly 30 years later with purpose.

 

I became a teacher, an instructional coach, then an assistant principal, and finally a principal. However, I could not quite fill the void I felt while I was there. I loved my job and the kids, but I wanted to do more. The students I served every day had homes to go to and beds to sleep in, but many were latchkey kids. Their parents worked so much that they had to do everything for themselves—both good and bad, including letting themselves into their homes. I saw they were still missing out on the fullness of having someone tell them they are valued and loved every day. So, I started a new trend at my school. Every day, during the announcements at the end of my morning message, I would say, “Remember, if no one has told you today, you are loved.” It became a theme at our school. It caught on quickly, and everyone was saying it—the students, the staff, and even the parents. I was excited and hoped they truly felt loved.

One day, while working on my vision board, I heard the Lord say, “My Father’s House.” I instantly knew that would be the name of my non-profit. My Father’s House would be a place for youth in foster care to have a fresh start while waiting for a permanency plan. Instead of bouncing from house to house, My Father’s House would be all-encompassing. We would have a youth ministry, tutoring services, a place to sleep while waiting on placement, and a safe haven for youth to know and feel loved.