Inspiring Conversations with Tay Ford of A Village of Wings Nonprofit Organization

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tay Ford. 

Hi Tay, 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.
October of 2015, A Village of Wings became an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. It was founded by myself and two other women (Lauren Griffin and Keontay Carter.), born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. 

As young women, we collectively exchanged stories about the oppositions we were facing being a parent, challenging childhoods, and the concern for all individuals who encountered hardships due to a lack of knowledge of engaged community support and resources. 

With passion in our hearts, we vowed to partner with programs and resources to connect parents, youth, and the community to opportunities that will lead in sustainable and fulfilled living. 

It is through this informative yet supporting atmosphere we have established not just A Village of Wings organization but a family where all people feel welcomed. A Village of Wings extends a hand but also a heart to those in need with community outreach, educational development programs, and addressing social opportunities. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
With a grassroot organization, funding can become difficult. In addition, the three co-founders experienced death of parents, prenatal challenges, and health issues. Despite the hardships that have come it has reminded us that it not only takes a village to raise a child but a village to be a village to one another. We continue to bring unity, support, and hope to the community.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
A VOW to strengthen parents, youth, and the community in leading well-informed and fulfilled lives with unity, pride, and respect. A Village of Wings strives to provide educational programs, community-building events, uplifting social outreach, and resources to establish a village of support within Metro Detroit. 

Our vision is to make resources within the village more accessible for parents, youth, and the community. 

We are currently preparing for our 5th annual Christmas with Wisdom, where we honor and provide hope through baskets of loves, handwritten cards, and food to the elderly in hospice, nursing homes, or without families. 

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
A Village of Wings is a grassroot organization in Metro Detroit. Despite being a small organization, we believe that is does not matter the size of our organization but of our heart. We may not be able to change the world, but our hopes is to at least contribute where we are. 

Contact Info:

• Website: avillageofwings.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avillageofwings/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avillageofwings
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkYKBm3Zt0-oVicUCJdi1Rw

Image Credits
Heart of the City Photography