Today we’d like to introduce you to Latonya Wilson.
Latonya, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Four years ago, I decided to relocate my little ones and me to Orlando, FL to provide better opportunities and diverse experiences. After a few months of moving to Orlando, things became financially hard, due to the big shift in income and the scarcity of affordable housing in Orlando and in some of the surrounding cities.
My little ones and I ended up having to live out of our car, while I was trying to establish life here for them. From 2/28/2019 until 5/10/2019, we were homeless, and a lot of the resources we needed, required documents from my home state, which created a delay in serval things like housing, registration for my car and so many other things. When things became extremely hard, I had to look outside for resources to support my little ones.
When I would go to these organizations, I realized that some didn’t have the means to even provide assistance to the community or the people running the organizations didn’t have the energy to want to help. By this time, I was 7 months pregnant, with a 1 & 2-year-old and the only thing that mattered to me was that they ate. After finding the Orlando rescue mission the downtown facility to eat meals at, I was able to be around people and see them for who they were and not their circumstances. I was able to hear what they truly need, instead of allowing my judgment to define it for them.
After a few meals and a few car nights later, I was able to become stable and we moved into our first home in Orlando. With the experience I had, I knew there was a deeper purpose for me going through that. I told myself that once I was stable enough, I wanted to nurture the community, how I felt it nurtured me. I wanted to make changes to create an elevating space for people to come and get the aid they need. I also understood that people wanted to be seen.
They wanted to feel like they had family, and that the situation was temporary. Like me. Many individuals and families have relocated to Orlando for their own visions and purpose and have fallen on hard times. Knowing you have a community behind you on the way, however, is the most essential piece to the journey. In 2022, I decided to finally make my vision a reality.
I created a community service group “Intentionally Connected Community”, where the mission is to provide love, support, elevation, and resources to aid with homelessness while transitioning through the crazy weather months that Florida brings us. During these seasonal events, we gather resources like water, jackets, clothes, snacks, etc. As well as provide a home-cooked meal to the residents at local homeless shelters.
Recently, we started to provide aid with getting documentation like replacement ids, birth certificates, etc. To help with employment or leasing endeavors. During this event, we partner with local business owners like Hunnybees Lifted Lifestyle LLC. And Hodge Holdings LLC sponsors and volunteers at the event with sweet treats and care packages for those in need.
The overall mission is to become a non-profit organization in the future and be able to provide more shelters in the Orlando community, provide educational resources, as well as programs to offer rental assistance and provide affordable rental properties for single-parent college students. If we all take our gifts and elevate one mission, we can create a positive impact for so many.
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?
Some struggles I have had has been mostly me trying to grow the community with volunteers. I feel like most people are truly unaware of the rising homeless population, or the lack of resources that are currently out there for people.
The population in Florida has skyrocketed but the amount of aid and level of assistance in the state hasn’t quite caught up to the demand.
We’ve been impressed with Queen Vibez Boutique, Canna Queens Connect, and Infused Queen Tea Podcast, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Queen Vibez Boutique Owner est. 2020
– Innovative self-care brand
Infused Queen Tea Podcast. Host/Owner est, 2021.
– Dive into topics about personal development, the realities of entrepreneurship, and all things cannabis! (cannabis education).
Canna Queens Connect. Facilitator/Owner est. 2022.
– A community of women entrepreneurs navigating the cannabis industry, holistic health, and many other industries.
We gather monthly to network and do business planning and cannabis education.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
My entire mission with everything that I am doing is to create a positive impact on the universe to create space for people who don’t feel seen and allow them the place to shine.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/355609677117
- Instagram: instagram.com/intentionallyconnected/
