Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Spears.
Hi Karen, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
A single mother raised me, and later I became one to two beautiful children. I saw the struggles of single parenthood and experienced them firsthand. So it has always been my desire to help struggling women persist and succeed through motivation and the offering of a helping hand up. But it wasn’t until a potentially life-threatening diagnosis (colon cancer) ignited a sense of urgency in me. You see, when you experience a compelling illness, your life flashes before your eyes, and you realize just how fleeting and precious life is. The condition could have changed my life for the worse, by me falling into a deep depression with feelings of fear and grief, or I could allow it to change me for the better by living the best life I can and using my time here on earth in a way that is most important to me. I chose the latter and formed my 501c3 nonprofit organization, Freely Give, Inc.(TM), to passionately give hope to a hurting world. The platform I use to do this is through empowerment events, mentoring and alliance programs for women & girls, and collaborating with other charitable organizations benefiting women and their families. Freely Give has done so much for the community already, from feeding the homeless, providing turkeys to needy families for the holidays, donating toys to children at Christmas, providing masks to the elderly and people without homes at the onset of the pandemic. She has also contributed clothing, belts, and gift cards to purchase shoes for an inner-city elementary school, donated to charitable organizations to help meet various monetary and personal needs of women and children in our community, and so much more. Where there is a community need, Freely Give hopes to be there to help.
I authored my first book, “Gracefully Broken” a collaboration of survival stories set in an anthology. The stories are real accounts of how four women survived events meant to destroy them…but God! My desire is that each chapter brings the reader restoration, freedom, and hope.
I have also established a local chapter of “GirlTrek,” a national health movement to activate black women and girls to develop a daily habit of walking to inspire healthy living, healthy families, and healthy communities.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road, more like peaks and valleys throughout this journey. All life’s lessons. Some of the struggles I’ve encountered stemmed from me needing to learn how to balance the needs of others with my own. Understanding that self-care does not equate to selfishness. I’ve learned that this type of struggle has helped shape my purpose. A significant battle is not being able to meet the needs of everyone who requires help. I am but a small organization, so it can be disheartening when we only have donations or funding for a few families, and many have the exact same need. But by God’s Grace we are receiving more donations and will one day be as large and as impactful as United Way and Red Cross. That is my hope.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I worked as an automobile claims adjuster for 23 years and was laid off right before the pandemic. Although I thought it was the most devastating event of my life, it turned out to be a blessing. All God told me in the midst of it was to Go Be Great! So, I am now a licensed minister, an impactful speaker, an author, and have returned to school pursuing a doctorate in business administration. I am also building my nonprofit to have a global impact. Freely Give, Inc will not only be my legacy but God’s gift to me and, in turn, my presentation to this world. My uniqueness in caring for others, my drive, vision, and faith are what sets me apart.
What makes you happy?
Family, friends, traveling, good food, and giving each bring me great joy.
I think the first four are obvious and need no explanation as to their “why,” so I’ll explain the “why” to give. Giving makes me happy because it brings others joy, and I love seeing the smiles on faces and/or satisfying someone’s needs. When you give to others, it adds purpose to your life, and when you have a purpose-driven life, it makes you happier.
Pricing:
- $14.99 for book “Gracefully Broken” ordered through Amazon
Contact Info:
- Email: free2give2u@gmail.com
- Website: freelygiveinc.com
- Other: http://www.amazon.com/dp/b08msnht4q
Image Credits
Michelle Hylton – Terry
