“I found my purpose in the hardest year of my life.”
Last year was not easy. My health was declining, I lost my job, and I was in and out of doctors' offices — endless medications, endless tests, seven trips to the ER in three months. And on top of it all, the holidays were coming.
My only thought was: my kid has already had a hard year, between school and me being sick — there's no way I can let the holidays fall apart too. So I started gathering things to sell, going through my own jewelry, taking odd jobs whenever I felt well enough to work.
Then, out of the blue, one person reached out with the most selfless act I have ever personally experienced — generosity, kindness, grace, and love, given not for recognition, but simply because of who she is and how pure her heart is. C.H., you are truly a gift from Heaven.
From that day forward, I committed to helping at least one person every single day — picking up mail for an elderly neighbor, walking my neighbor's dog because he's blind, carrying groceries inside for my 87-year-old neighbor, picking up medications, sitting in on doctors' appointments, running check-ins, and so much more.
That commitment became The Collective Market — a nonprofit built on generosity, grace, and love for all. I found my purpose, and through it, I've gone on to found additional companies that also give back.
We advocate for the unseen.
We also assist families through hospice advocacy — helping them know the right questions to ask, what to look for, and what options are available. So often our elders, our disabled neighbors, and our veterans are unseen. Many don't know they can get food delivered, free medications, supplies, or extra cash assistance.
Through this work I've met wonderful organizations offering home care and home hospice care — and they've joined The Collective Market to offer nursing services to those in need.