Meet Jojo Dries of On The Wings Of Angels

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jojo Dries

Hi JoJo, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was sexually, physically, verbally and emotionally abused by my dad and brother from childhood to age 29. I finally escaped. All throughout the years I was being abused, I promised myself that I would one day get out and then help other Abuse Survivors get out. To the outside world, my family growing up looked like the ideal and perfect family. We were part of a religious organization. We grew from penniless to wealthy and people loved our (fake) rags to riches story. We were multi-lingual. We traveled a lot at the end of my time with them. We looked to be living a glamorous life.

Behind closed doors, things were VERY ugly. I am one of 6 siblings. My mom is a textbook Domestic Violence Victim. She didn’t protect us.

I was also in love with my childhood sweetheart and, in my mid-20s, my dad made me stop talking to him. He was so controlling, that I had to say goodbye to the love of my life.

When I finally escaped, match.com reconnected me with the love of my life, my childhood sweetheart, and we ended up eloping on Valentine’s Day, 2012. We are now married for 12 years, and have two beautiful children and the most precious dog.

I tell you this, because it lays the foundation of why I founded our nonprofit, On The Wings of Angels, a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit. When I was growing up being abused, I promised myself that I would one day escape, and then I would help other Abuse Survivors escape. We founded the nonprofit, on the wings of those who have died due to domestic violence.

We provide immediate and tangible community, resources and support for survivors who are removing themselves from abusive situations. We are also a conduit to others who serve survivors.

I am most proud that we are a no-red-tape nonprofit, providing immediate help for survivors, without a whole bunch of paperwork or hoops for them to jump through.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My life has been an adventure across mountains- many valleys and peaks but definitely not a smooth road! As I’ve detailed in my other answers, I wasn’t able to flee my abusers until I was 29. I’m a Lebanese woman who fought hard to build a career in the male dominated mortgage industry. I’ve also had to fight to create the family I have, overcome health obstacles and learn to forgive those who do not deserve it.

As you know, we’re big fans of On The Wings Of Angels. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
When I was growing up being abused, I promised myself that I would one day escape, and then I would help other Abuse Survivors escape. This promise became the foundation of On The Wings of Angels, a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit. The name and mission of our nonprofit is to honor those who have died due to domestic violence. They are our angels now, carrying us forward as we work to guide others to safety.

We provide immediate and tangible community, resources and support for survivors who are removing themselves from abusive situations. We are also a conduit to others who want to serve survivors.

I am most proud that we are a no-red-tape nonprofit, providing immediate help for survivors, without a whole bunch of paperwork or hoops for them to jump through.

We recently had a car donated to us from a donor, and we immediately donated that to our very first survivor we ever helped!

We also bring awareness to this conversation about domestic violence in our communities. We don’t shy away from bringing this up consistently in conversations in community business and other groups. We are talking about it in the media, and asking others to continue bringing awareness that so many of us have experienced domestic violence, and what we can all do to stop the silence and end the stigma around this conversation. We want to change the conversation around Domestic Violence. We want to shift the conversation and act as a community unified to be Agents of Change.

It’s important to know that domestic violence effects us all – no matter our socioeconomic status. 1 in every 4 women and 1 in every 7 men have reported to have experienced some type of domestic violence in their lifetime. Sadly, 44% of all domestic violence goes unreported. We need to be the generation to shift the paradigm on this conversation!

We hope others find ways to support survivors in their own communities!

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I never set out to be a risk taker, but that’s become an underlying part of my story and my mission in life. When I was young, I always wanted to take risks and try new things but was hindered by my family and the stories they forced me to tell myself. When I finally escaped my abusers, that was the first real risk I took that has led a string of ‘risky’ decisions that blend to a wonderful life that’s more than I could have ever imagined!

Taking a leap of faith and reconnecting with my childhood love 12 years ago has created the family that I love and supports me in all I do. A couple of years ago, I was advised by a mentor, and encouraged by my husband, to start a non-profit to get the community together to serve survivors. I had started businesses before, but quickly found out that the nonprofit world is an entirely different beast! Luckily, I’ve been blessed with strong mentors and advisors who are committed to serving survivors through On The Wings of Angels.

My perspective on taking risks is to very clearly define your passion and reason why. There will always be people who want to discourage your journey, and that’s okay – it’s not their dream, it’s yours. They can’t understand because it’s not their path. There’s nothing wrong with that. Smile and move on; they are not haters, they just don’t belong on your path. Remember to surround yourself with folks that believe in you and will also challenge you. It’s important that you have different perspectives on your team, not just yes people. Invest in yourself and your idea. It’s scary to pour so much of yourself and your resources into your company; it’s also so worth it on every level!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.otwoa.org/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/onthewingsofangelsnonprofit
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OnTheWingsofAngelsMI
• Other: [email protected]