Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariah Sammons.
Hi Mariah, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
A Starrs Initiative started off as an undergraduate assignment for my bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Marygrove College. The assignment was for us to think about a problem that we could solve and write a grant proposal on the issue. We were told to use something that we really feel attached to, or hits close to home. So immediately Domestic Violence came to my mind. Reason being is because I was currently in my second consecutive domestic violence relationship, but I felt stuck. I felt that there was no place for me to run to. So, I researched things I didn’t know and looked further into things I did know in order to find issues involving Domestic Violence. The main issue I came up with is that out of all the shelters in the Metro Detroit area there are NO Domestic Violence caterer shelter in a 30-minute radius. The nearest one is in Pontiac Michigan. So, I thought of myself, and the average victim of Domestic Violence can’t travel that far safely usually and especially without a car. So, at that point, I came up with a budget & a way to build a Domestic Violence shelter near home provided things that women need when leaving a situation. When I wrote the grant proposal for that class it started off as just an assignment, but it turned into something I’m dedicated in completing. That assignment grant proposal was for 2018. Since then, A Starrs Initiative has become so much more than that. Even though I haven’t raised enough money to create my vision of a home catered to DV survivors, Me and my team help all the time with shelter placements & general information. As far as A Starrs Initiative I’ve created curriculums for programs that I will have in place for women to participate in such as Financial Literacy, Recognizing red flags amongst other things. We are so small but me and my team are working hard to get recognized by our community, raise money & not only help those in need but prevent Domestic Violence as much as we can.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road hasn’t been so smooth as everything A Starrs Initiative has done so far has been from my pocket. I haven’t yet been able to secure any funding, & without funding, I can’t secure a building to help those that need me, need A Starrs Initiative. Once we get funding we can secure a space, then we can start saving lives. But until then all we can do is give referrals to places which sadly those places are usually full. Domestic Violence survivors’ needs are completely different from substance abuse and regular homeless shelters. Even though these shelters are helping them temporarily with a place to sleep what I’m trying to provide will be a guaranteed safe haven & more availability for a place to stay as it would just be Domestic Violence catered.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about A Starrs Initiative?
“A Starr’s Initiative”, is a Non-Profit Organization, Domestic Violence Program for women and those who identify as women. As this cause is deeply close to my heart, as I am too a Domestic violence Survivor. A Starrs Initiative purpose is to revamp the traditional Domestic Violence Woman shelters. We want to become more homelike, situated in a comfortable and more personable setting while providing compassionate services; rather than just shelter for woman.
A Starr’s initiative
• Providing a safe haven for all woman including those who identify as women. We project the help needed to accomplish this goal with our community will be approximately 12 to 24 months turnaround based on each individual needs.
• Women with children will have a separate area to live from single women with no children. Revamping abandoned homes and Apartment buildings around the metro Detroit area. We will create a gated community a safe haven for woman trying to escape domestic violence.
We plan to provide in-depth classes educating our woman on Domestic Violence, Financial Literacy amongst other things. I most proud to help others and show them there is a way out, by leading by example I feel I can help them do anything.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
A Starrs Initiative just held its first fundraising event on October 23. The event was a Masquerade-themed women empowerment Fashion show. The event was catered to empowerment of women rather than fashion. This event helped us to raise over $600 dollars towards our future building purchase. Another way that we raise money for our building is through merchandise sales such as A Starrs Initiative T-shirts, water bottles, keychains, letterman jackets amongst other things on our merchandise websites. All donations are welcome as well electronically, money orders, anything helps & is appreciated.
Cash App: $AstarrsInitiative
PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/astarrsinitiative
Purchases and or donations: https://a-starrs-initiative.square.site/
Zelle: [email protected]
Pricing:
- Tshirts starting at $25
- Letterman jackets $250
- Safety Keychains $12
- Waterbottles $15
- Hoodies $ 42
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sites.google.com/astarrsinitiative.org/astarrsinititative/home?authuser=0
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/astarrsinitiative?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AStarrsInitiative2020/
- Other: https://a-starrs-initiative.square.site/s/shop
Image Credits
Matthew Fortunato
