HFTJ501c3

hope for the journey

501(c)3 Non-profit organization

Lakanya Jacobs, Founder

Hope for the Journey was birthed out of my personal pain. I always had a desire to help humanity but it became more prevalent when I went through Hurricane Katrina. For the first time, I didn’t know when the next meal would come it. I had no idea what clothing I would wear because I left my home expecting to return with only three outfits. That was frightening.

Since then, my desire to help those in need has increased. I am committed to helping those stricken by poverty or just experiencing hard times, by providing food, water, and clothing. It is each person’s birthright to receive the basics that sustain life. I appreciate your commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others, encompassing their mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being.

Here at Hope For the Journey, it is our mission to help the whole person regain self-worth and confidence. We focus on nurturing the soul, body, and spirit. When all three are in sync, the person can thrive and live a fulfilling life.

services we offer

FOOD DONATIONS

We provide services to low-income families who have been stricken by poverty and depend on food banks and food donations as their only source. Many people within our community receive government assistance which is not enough to cover all of their basic needs.

CLOTHING DONATIONS

There's a significant need for clothing donations. There is a saying, "When you look good, you feel good." Hope for the Journey focuses on the whole person including their mind, their emotions, and their basic needs.

MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES

Inappropriate behaviors sometimes mask mental health. Some of these behaviors may be domestic violence, addiction, anger, and depression. We are trained to work with individuals who are affected by life challenges that have caused an interruption in mental stability.

statistics on food insecurity

Georgia food insecurity statistics include:

People who are food insecure 10.7% (1 in 9)
People in the Food Bank’s 29-county service area who are food insecure 8.4% (1 in 12)
People who identify as Black 15% (1 in 7)
People who identify as Hispanic 12% (1 in 8)
Children who are food insecure 13.3% (1 in 8)
Seniors (age 60 and older) who are food insecure 8% (1 in 13)
Percent of eligible people who participate in SNAP 84%
People who are food insecure and above 130% of the federal poverty line, limiting their eligibility for food assistance programs 63%

statistics on mental health

Georgia mental health statistics include:

COVID has impacted many individuals mentally and emotionally.
Just over 1.4 million Georgians suffer from at least one mental illness. This represents approximately 18% of the population.
314,000 adults have serious thoughts of suicide.
The number of youth with at least one major depressive episode per year is about 108,000.
Approximately 888,000 adults with any mental illness did not receive treatment for them.
255,000 adults with any mental illness are uninsured.
Approximately 526,000 Georgians have a substance use disorder.

Our Sponsors

issues stemming from the lack of availability of food

Individuals suffer from mental or physical problems due to food insecurity. We can help reduce and eliminate many of the issues related to obesity and consuming unhealthy products.

Poor Diet Diet is a leading factor in childhood obesity. Eating lots of foods that are high in sugar, fat and calories can put a child at risk of putting on pounds. These include vending machine snacks, fast foods, baked goods, soft drinks, candy, and desserts.

Socioeconomics is another factor that contributes to issues with food insecurity. Individuals in low-income households are at greater risk of becoming obese. Parents in such households often lack resources or time to prioritize exercise and healthy eating.

Emotional and social problems are more common among obese children than their healthy-weight peers. These can include being bullied, having low self-esteem, having behavior or learning problems often due to stress and anxiety, and suffering from depression.

Psychosocial issues involve psychological health and the ability to relate to family members and peers. Such issues may have many determinants, some of which are genetic and some, socioeconomic. Obesity is also linked with various psychosocial problems such as depression, especially in adolescents where it may be related to longer-term adverse mental health and health outcomes.