Vicky Joseph - Families Helping Families

Vicky Joseph is the Founder of Families Helping Families, a nonprofit organization based in Naperville that provides housing and volunteer mentors to homeless families in DuPage County as they work towards self-sufficiency through education. Over the past 30 years, she has grown the organization to support 12 families, showcasing a strong community-driven impact. Vicky’s inspiration stems from her family’s history, particularly her Holocaust survivor mother, which instilled in her a sense of responsibility to give back. She previously served as a Community Outreach leader at Bridge Communities, a dynamic, grassroots, nonprofit organization committed to transforming the lives of homeless families.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

[1:34] Vicky Joseph shares the origins of her lifelong dedication to social work
[2:41] How Families Helping Families came to be
[4:59] The inner workings and partnership dynamics of Families Helping Families with Bridge Communities
[6:32] What services do Families Helping Families provide?
[7:56] Vicky discusses the challenges faced when running Families Helping Families
[9:34] Families Helping Families’ success stories
[13:18] How a formal governance structure ensures the sustainability and future of the organization
[17:26] The evolving demographics of mentor volunteers and the importance of life experience in mentorship

In this episode…

Bringing a newborn home to a warm and loving environment is filled with joy and gratitude. However, there are other people in a situation where there is no home awaiting the child’s arrival. How does one find the strength and resources to transition from instability to a future filled with hope?

Vicky Joseph, a passionate leader and organizer in the nonprofit realm, delves into what it takes to turn vulnerability into victory. She shares her journey from a personal epiphany to launching a nonprofit that offers apartments and volunteer mentorship to homeless families. Throughout the discussion, Vicky emphasizes the power of personal connection, financial literacy, and the defining impact of mentor relationships that often extend beyond the program’s duration. She also touches on the recent strategic decisions aimed at ensuring the longevity and effectiveness of her organization.

In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, Paul Feith interviews Vicky Joseph, Founder of Families Helping Families, about tackling homelessness through community support and mentorship. Vicky shares the origins of her lifelong dedication to social work, the start of Families Helping Families, the services the organization offers, and the program’s challenges and successes.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Quotable moments:

“The least I could do was to help people who needed help; it’s my small way of saying thank you.”
“Our mentors have to give the client some space and understand what support looks like to that client.”
“The mentors have to be so patient and there has to be a lot of grace on both sides.”
“The strength of the relationship with the mentors is what leads to success for a client.”
“You need to have the heart for it and the time because it is time-consuming.”

Action Steps:

Volunteer as a mentor: Volunteering with nonprofit organizations provides an opportunity to make a direct impact on someone’s life, offering them support and guidance during challenging times.
Pursue financial literacy education: Financial literacy is crucial for individuals building a stable future, helping them to establish a budget, improve credit scores, and manage debt effectively.
Engage in community partnerships: These collaborations leverage resources and expertise, offering comprehensive support to individuals in need.
Develop patience and grace in mentorship: Cultivating patience and offering grace are essential qualities for mentors working with individuals who have experienced trauma, as trust and relationship-building are pivotal for the success of these programs.
Support nonprofit growth and governance: Understanding the importance of governance and organizational structure can help nonprofits scale effectively and plan for the future.

Sponsor for this episode…

Today’s episode is sponsored by Paul Gregory Media, an 18-year-old digital marketing agency in downtown Naperville, Illinois.

They are one of the few thousand Certified B Corporations worldwide, demonstrating PGM as a leader of a global movement to use business as a force for good, meeting high standards of accountability, transparency, and community involvement. They have been trusted by hundreds of organizations since 2006.

PGM is recognized as one of the top marketing agencies in the region, earning more awards than many of its competitors combined. They have the passion, commitment, and expertise to get it done.

To learn more about the services PGM offers or how they can support you with your marketing needs, visit www.paulgregorymedia.com or email them at [email protected].

Vicky Joseph – Families Helping Families