We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica Bartnick and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Jessica, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Young people from poor families have different struggles than young people from more affluent families. And the constant stress that these children are faced with day in and day out can prevent them from looking into their future and seeing what is possible. Some days these kids wonder if they will eat dinner. If they will have shoes that fit them. If they will have running water. When you live in a constant state of stress it is hard to think about tomorrow. That is where Foundation For CHOICE (Consider How One Individual Changes Everything) comes in.
Education is the great equalizer. Many low income students are not equipped to complete the college application process; and of those underserved students who are able to enroll in college, 86% drop out. That is beyond sad and that is what we are determined to change! These young people are our future. And we work hard to support them so they break the cycle of poverty and change the trajectory of their lives.
Foundation for C.H.O.I.C.E. offers a structured, one-on-one mentoring program to emphasize academics and career skills with the ultimate goal of college completion and life changing opportunities, for generations to come!
We make the world a better place!
What should our readers know about your business?
I came to the nonprofit industry with a very different background than many founders. I spent years working in corporate America. Primarily for Pharmaceutical and Medical Device companies. I believe the great injustices in those organizations lead me to the position I am in today. I believe that you can accomplish anything you desire, as long as you work hard and try harder. America is an amazing place full of opportunity. Unfortunately I have found that the injustice of the inner city holds low income kids back from reaching their full potential. And we need to surround these young kids with people who do not look like them so they can see how great the world is around them and that people of every race, color, and creed are good and want to help them advance in society.
Foundation For CHOICE was built on the knowledge that no one needs a hand out. They need a hand up. People need to be taught how to fish, not given a fish. We set young people up for success so they can live a fruitful life and be a positive contributor to society.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I grew up in Oklahoma so I have friends that come and visit frequently! The locations we frequent have changed over the years! Now that I have kids my favorite time is giving them a full life with an abundance of experiences. There are so many great things to do in North Texas! I live in Plano, so most of our time is spent around home. My daughter has a new found love for roller coasters, so I would probably take my friends with kids to Six Flags. Or to the State Fair if it was October. I went to OU, so if it was October we would definitely go to the OU/TX game, which I believe is one of the best weekends in North Texas! The company you keep is more important than the places that you go.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
God. I wake up some mornings with ideas that I know are not my own. After spending years working in corporate America for many pharmaceutical and medical companies, one morning I woke up with an idea. It was to start Foundation For CHOICE. And I am not kidding when I say that I woke up with this idea and I wrote the name of the organization down on paper and I knew I only had Him to thank. I knew it was a sign from God, and I knew that it was my job to listen. God led me to this life changing nonprofit. I pray every day that He will continue to lead me down the path of good and righteousness.
Website: https://www.foundationforchoice.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundation_for_c.h.o.i.c.e/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-bartnick-85b58217/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundationForCHOICE/