Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Hilaire.
Hi Jennifer, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born in Haiti, a country rich in culture, resilience, and strength. In 2008, my family and I moved to the United States, stepping into a new world full of opportunities but also challenges. As the youngest of four siblings, I wasn’t expected to lead—but life had other plans for me. From a young age, I saw my parents work tirelessly to provide for us, and I learned early on that success isn’t just about personal achievement—it’s about lifting others up along the way.
I’ve always had a heart for people. That’s what drives everything I do. At just 18, I started my first business, Fusion & Company LLC, to create a platform where local artists could shine. Music and art have always been powerful forces of connection, and I wanted to be the bridge between talented creatives and the opportunities they deserved. Through Fusion, I built something bigger than myself—a space where over 1,000 artists have performed, found their voice, and been celebrated through events like the Fusion Music Awards.
But life has a way of calling you to even greater purpose. In 2020, when the world stood still due to the pandemic and people took to the streets to demand justice, I couldn’t just watch—I had to act. I saw my community suffering, families struggling to put food on the table, and people losing hope. I didn’t have a grand plan, but I knew I had to do something. That’s when I founded The Desire Foundation (TDF)—a nonprofit dedicated to fighting food insecurity, restoring dignity, and building a stronger community for those often overlooked.
What started as a simple effort to help people access food has turned into a movement. Project 814, the heart of our foundation, now serves over 1,375 families every month, providing groceries, hot meals, hygiene kits, and even resources to help people secure jobs, IDs, and other essential needs. In just four years, we’ve provided over 52,000 meals, expanded our volunteer base from 200 to 745 people, and grown from a small grassroots effort to an organization raising over $175,000 annually to continue our mission.
The work isn’t easy. There have been long nights, moments of doubt, and times when I wondered if I was doing enough. But every time I see a mother leave our pantry with relief on her face, every time I hear a volunteer say that serving with us changed their perspective, and every time I meet someone who found hope because of the work we do—I am reminded why I started.
This journey has been filled with incredible milestones. I’ve had the honor of being named Community Leader of the Year, receiving a 40 Under 40 Award, and being recognized by the City of Orlando. But at the end of the day, awards don’t feed people—action does. Love does. Commitment does.
As I stand here today, preparing for one of the most personal milestones of my life—my wedding this March—I am reminded that life is about seasons. Seasons of hardship, seasons of growth, and seasons of joy. Through it all, my purpose has remained the same: to serve, to uplift, and to leave the world better than I found it.
I don’t have all the answers. I’m not perfect. But what I do have is a heart that refuses to stop caring, a spirit that won’t give up, and a community that reminds me daily why this work matters.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My journey has been anything but easy. Every step I’ve taken has been shaped by struggle, sacrifice, and an unshakable will to keep going—even when the road seemed impossible.
I was born in Haiti, a country full of beauty, resilience, and strength, but also challenges. Moving to the U.S. in 2008 was a culture shock in every way. I didn’t speak English, and as a young Haitian girl, I was often picked on for my accent, my background, my identity. It was a lonely, isolating experience, but it taught me one of my first lessons in survival: to stand firm in who I am, no matter who misunderstands me.
As I got older, life didn’t get easier. While in college, my parents went through a difficult divorce, and suddenly, the foundation I had relied on crumbled. I became homeless. At first, I slept in my car, balancing school, work, and survival. Then I lost my car, forcing me to take the bus to class while trying to hold everything together. Eventually, I had to make the hardest decision: dropping out of college to work. I spent nights sleeping on friends’ couches, on blow-up mattresses, bouncing from place to place, trying to find stability where there was none.
Then, in 2020, everything changed again. That year was already a breaking point for so many, but for me, it became even more personal. I survived sexual assault. It shattered me in ways I wasn’t prepared for. I lost myself in the process, questioning everything—who I was, my worth, my purpose. It was one of the darkest times of my life.
But even in the darkness, something inside of me refused to give up. Instead of letting my pain define me, I decided to turn it into purpose.
That same year, I launched The Desire Foundation, not just as a nonprofit, but as a mission—to show up for others the way I once needed someone to show up for me. I poured my pain into action, into service, into something bigger than myself. From feeding a handful of people to now serving over 1,375 families monthly, from starting with nothing to now leading a thriving nonprofit that has provided over 52,000 meals in a single year—this journey has been built on resilience.
I know what it feels like to be hungry. To feel unseen. To wonder if you’ll ever make it out of survival mode. That’s why I fight so hard for my community—because I’ve lived it.
The road has been painful. There have been moments of doubt, heartbreak, and loss. But through every struggle, I’ve learned that your past does not define you—your strength does. And if my story can be proof of anything, it’s that you can rise.
No matter how many times life tries to break you, you are capable of building something beautiful from the pieces.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Desire Foundation (TDF) is a nonprofit dedicated to combating food insecurity by ensuring individuals and families have access to nutritious food, promoting healthy eating habits, and supporting those facing health challenges to enhance their diets and overall well-being.
What We Do & Specialize In
At The Desire Foundation, we focus on more than just food distribution—we provide education, resources, and community support to create lasting change. Our key areas of focus include:
Food Security – We provide fresh groceries and meals to individuals and families in need, ensuring they have access to nutritious, high-quality food.
Health & Wellness – We help individuals, particularly those with health challenges, improve their diets and develop healthy eating habits.
Community Empowerment – We partner with organizations to connect underserved individuals with essential resources, helping to reduce poverty and improve quality of life.
What Sets Us Apart
We Tackle the Root Causes – Hunger isn’t just about lack of food; it’s about systemic barriers, lack of resources, and education. We go beyond providing meals by empowering individuals to take control of their health and nutrition.
We Create Sustainable Change – We’re not just a food pantry; we’re a community-driven initiative designed to educate, uplift, and empower people to break the cycle of food insecurity.
We Lead with Compassion and Dignity – Every person we serve is treated with respect, kindness, and understanding. We believe food is a human right, not a privilege.
Our Proudest Accomplishments
The Desire Foundation has grown from a grassroots movement into a recognized leader in fighting food insecurity. Some of our key milestones include:
Serving over 1,375 families per month with fresh, nutritious food.
Providing over 52,000 meals in 2024 alone to individuals in need.
Expanding our volunteer base from 200 to 745 people in just one year.
Partnering with health professionals and nutritionists to provide education and support for individuals struggling with diet-related health issues.
What We Want Readers to Know
Food insecurity is more than just missing a meal—it is a barrier to opportunity, education, and overall well-being. At The Desire Foundation, we are committed to ensuring no one in our community has to go hungry or face poor health due to a lack of resources.
We invite you to be part of this movement—whether through volunteering, donating, or advocating for food security in your own community. Together, we can nourish lives, restore dignity, and create a healthier, more empowered future for all.
For more information, visit: The Desire Foundation
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Food insecurity is more than hunger—it’s a barrier to opportunity and well-being. My journey, from overcoming personal struggles to founding The Desire Foundation, has shown me that real change happens when communities come together.
We are not just providing food; we are restoring hope and dignity. Every meal served and every family supported is proof that small actions create lasting impact.
I encourage everyone to get involved—volunteer, donate, or simply spread awareness. Together, we can build a future where no one goes hungry.
Contact Info:
- Website: thedesirefoundationinc.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedesirefoundationinc/
Image Credits
The Desire Foundation Inc- Ramzy
