Empowering CommunitieS & Changing Lives
Creating opportunities for youth & young adults to enhance life skills, independent living, community access & employability.
get to know our founder
Ms. Ashley N Easley, CEO
Ms. Ashley Easley is the Founder and President of Brenda’s Helping Hands NFP. Born and raised on the south side of Chicago, she is the youngest of six children. In 2002, following the passing of her father, Ms. Easley moved to St. Cloud, Minnesota with her older sister and brother to pursue her education and personal growth. At the age of 17, Ms. Easley demonstrated her independence by living on her own and working part-time while attending Tech High School, from which she graduated in 2006 with numerous scholarships. In 2013, after the loss of her mother, she returned to Illinois and joined Park Forest-Chicago Heights School District 163 as a Building Secretary. She was subsequently promoted to Executive Assistant to the Superintendent. Ms. Easley continued her academic journey at Prairie State College in Chicago Heights, Illinois, earning an Associate degree in General Studies in 2017. She further advanced her education by obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University in 2022. In 2023, Ms. Easley returned to St. Cloud to embark on her entrepreneurial journey, with the mission of empowering communities and transforming lives. Her favorite quote, "Excellence Without Excuses," encapsulates her dedication to achieving and inspiring excellence in all endeavors.
About Brenda's Helping Hands NFP
Our Vision
Our Core Values
Our Mission
Brenda's Helping Hands NFP envision strong, independent and motivated individuals who build a better future for themselves, their families, and children to create an ongoing safe and stable environment focuses on education.
Our Mission
Our Core Values
Our Mission
Our mission is to address immediate needs and promote long-term well-being of individuals within our community, while fostering a sense of dignity, hope, and resilience. Through collaboration and community engagement, we strive to create a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Our Core Values
Our Core Values
Our Core Values
As individuals associated with Brenda’s Helping Hands NFP, we are directed in our daily decisions and actions by the following beliefs:
- We are welcoming and accepting of diversity.
- We educate and encourage growth.
- We help one another.
- We hold people accountable to their commitment and goals.
- We act and treat others with respect, dignity, and compassion.
Brenda's Helping Hands NFP goals
- Provide Essential Resources:
Distribute food, clothing, hygiene products, and other necessities to individuals and families facing economic hardships. - Promote Self-Sufficiency:
Offer educational programs, job training, and skill-building workshops to empower individuals to achieve financial independence and stability. - Enhance Community Well-Being:
Create a supportive network through partnerships and collaborations with other organizations, fostering a community that cares for and supports its members. - Address Urgent Needs:
Respond promptly to emergencies and crises within the community, ensuring that those in immediate need receive timely assistance. - Foster Hope and Resilience:
Support individuals and families in overcoming obstacles, building confidence, and creating a brighter future for themselves. - Raise Awareness and Advocate:
Increase public awareness of issues facing low-income and underserved populations, and advocate for policies and initiatives that promote social justice and equity. - Promote Inclusivity and Respect:
Ensure that all individuals are treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their background, and create an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and valued. - Measure and Improve Impact:
Continuously assess and evaluate the effectiveness of programs and services, seeking ways to improve and expand outreach to better serve the community.
Join Our Programs
Our Programs
We offer a variety of programs aimed at addressing the needs of our community, including educational resources, and young adult services. Learn more about our programs and how you can benefit from them.
Y.O.U.T.H Esteem
The Youth (Youthful, Outgoing, Understanding, Thriving, Humble) The Youth Esteem Program aims to enhance the self-esteem and overall well-being of young people. This programs often focus on personal development, social skills, emotional resilience, and mental health, recreational activities, health and wellness and much needed after school programming. We have partnered with the D Blake Center and Community Angels to implement this program with workshops and projects like “The Angel Project”.
Young Adults Program
The Young Adult Program is designed to support individuals typically aged 17-24 as they transition from adolescence to adulthood. This period often involves significant changes and challenges, including pursuing higher education, entering the workforce, and developing independence. The program aims to provide resources, skills training, and support to help young adults navigate this critical phase successfully. The Young Adult Program can provide essential support and resources to young individuals as they navigate the transition to adulthood, helping them to build successful, independent, and fulfilling lives.
- Education and Career Development
- Life Skills Training
- Emotional and Psychological Support
- Mentorship and Networking
- Community Engagement and Volunteering
- Health and Wellness Services
- Independent Living Skills Programming
- Parenting Resources
- Housing Assistance
- Mental Health Awareness
- Computer Training & Literacy
Mothers 2 Be
The "Mother 2 Be" program is designed to support and educate pregnant teenagers and young women, helping them navigate the challenges of pregnancy, childbirth, and early motherhood. The program aims to ensure the health and well-being of both the mother and the baby, providing comprehensive support services and resources. The Mother 2 Be program can provide essential support and resources to pregnant teenagers and young women, helping them to navigate the challenges of pregnancy and motherhood and to build healthy, successful futures for themselves and their children.
- Educational Workshops
- Emotional and Psychological Support
- Mentorship and Case Management
- Healthcare Access and Coordination
- Educational Continuation and Career Planning
- Family and Community Involvement
Teenagers Preventing Pregnancy
Teenagers Preventing Pregnancy is a program focused on teenagers preventing pregnancy aims to educate, empower, and provide resources to help adolescents make informed decisions about their sexual health and relationships. Such programs typically combine education on sexual health, access to contraception, and life skills development to reduce the rates of teenage pregnancies. Servicing teenagers ages 13-19 years old. This program can significantly impact the lives of young people, equipping them with the knowledge and resources to make informed decisions about their sexual health and futures.
- Comprehensive Sexual Education
- Access to Contraceptives
- Life Skills Development
- Parental and Community Involvement
- Support Services
- Media and Technology
Our Impact
Thanks to the support of our community partners, we have been able to make a significant impact in the community, schools, organizations and so much more. Help us become the change that we want to see in this world.