Connie Harris-Williams, Founder and Chair
In January 2012, God gave Connie a vision to help teenage mothers. She reflects back on the days when she once stood in their shoes and she wants to be someone who offers and helps others make a positive choice for them and their babies. Connie is building and developing this foundation under the philosophy that this is a faith-based foundation where we bring restoration to the lives of young mothers to uplift, inspire and encourage. She carries out this mission by providing them with all the necessary tools to develop into productive adults.
Connie’s long-term goal for the foundation is to provide a safe haven for teenage mothers that face homelessness if they chose to keep their child. Jeremiah 29:11 states, “For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord: They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Her life is living proof of God’s faithfulness. God has never given up on her and she knows he will never give up on others. This is what inspired her to establish A Caring Hand Foundation for Pregnant Teens, Inc.
Connie wants to be able to provide and share life skills and biblical principles with each teenage mother she comes into contact with. She doesn’t take this opportunity lightly or for granted. She thanks God for His perfect plan for her life and for His perfect plan for young mothers. She will continue to strive to make a difference in the lives of teenage mothers and their children, “One life at a time.”
She is a Wife, Mother, Sister, and lover of God and His people. For over 10 years, Connie has been happily married to her soulmate and hubby Clarence Williams. She is the mother of four children (Deyone, Ikeya, Shacongo, and Gladys) and grandmother of three amazing grandchildren (Ilicia, Robert, and Nasir).
Connie serves faithfully at Trees of Righteousness International Ministries located in East Hazel Crest, Illinois under the leadership of Apostle Eric Blakely. She serves at her local church home and internationally. She has traveled with Missions teams led by her Pastor to serve God’s people in South Africa and Honduras.
For over 20 years, Connie has worked in the health care field. She prides herself on providing exceptional patient center care to all she serves. She also serves on several committees such as the Safe Patient Handling Committee and the Communal Dining Committee and Staffing Methodology Expert Panel.
Deyone Harris, President
Helping individuals with special needs is the main reason Deyone chose the social services field. He enjoys assisting in the development and personal growth of those with special needs and watching them succeed in life. In just 4 years, Deyone has made a significant impact at Charleston Transitional Facility. He was named Employee of the Month in November 2011 and was featured in the spring 2012 issue of their company magazine as an outstanding facility Supervisor. In his work at CTF, Deyone continually supports the self-advocacy and self-determination of the residents by providing quality services designed to enhance each individual’s skill development. Deyone graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree from St. Xavier’s University in Chicago, Illinois.
Sheila Sterling, Chief Advisor
A woman on a mission for change for the youth of today, Sheila is a mentor for youth with a special concentration on girls. While sitting talking to a few of her First Lady friends about the young ladies today, Sheila decided to step out and reach as many as she can by starting a mentoring program taking girls back to the basis that would enrich and empower the girls for tomorrow and the future. Sheila is a product of Chicago Public School graduating from Virgil I Grissom Elementary and George Henry Corliss High School. Finished with an Associate of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and completed a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with the University of Phoenix. While returning to give back to Chicago Public Schools and holding various positions during her sixteen years career, Sheila says her most rewarding position with CPS is Dean of Students. In this position, she has the opportunity to do Restorative Conversations with teenagers before issuing the consequences for their actions.
Sheila started doing outreach by using music which landed her the opportunity to Minister in Cook County Jail, and Nursing Homes, and travel from State to State as well as casting parts for stage plays and two movie productions. This would lead to a Radio Interview that ended with her becoming an On-Air Radio Personality with WGVE 88.7 FM in Gary, Indiana with Kenny G and Jimmy B. and then hosting an 8-Hour Telethon for Children With Cancer in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She is also a former member of the famous children’s choir Soul Children of Chicago under the direction of Dr. Walt Whitman.
Sheila currently has two non-profit organizations that focus on providing free mentoring services for youth in the area of Performing Arts and Educational Enhancements as well as mentorship to girls in the area of Girl Empowerment. A third organization is being formed to enhance and equip Women of Domestic Violence with survivor skills.
Sheila is a mother of three and a member of the Chicago Central Section of the National Council of Negro Women, Order of Eastern Star, Soul Children of Chicago Alumni, President of her Block Club Association, On-Air Radio Personality, and a Gospel Recording Artist.
Deidra Tarver, Treasurer
Deidra grew up on the south side of Chicago and has 5 siblings of which she is the second oldest of the clan. Deidra attended Mayo Elementary and Kenwood Academy for high school. She received her bachelor’s in accounting from Chicago State University.
As a young child, her aunt would take her to church, and this is where she fell in love with God and his people. She enjoyed the music ministry and hearing the word preached! After graduating from college, she worked for a nonprofit Nursing Home insurance company where she learned and grew in her profession.
She currently is a member of the accounting team at her job. She is also the treasurer at her church, Greater Love Assembly under the leadership of Apostle Larry D. Fisher & Pastor Patricia D. Fisher. She is a daughter, sister, aunt, and the mother of 1 daughter Destini. Deidra loves to read, and travel and is a lover of corny jokes. Deidra believes it is important to know your worth, your identity, and your purpose, and to walk with love in all things.
1 Peter 4:8 tells us: Above all, have fervent and unfailing love for one another because love covers a multitude of sins [it overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others].
Deidra looks forward to working with the men and women of ACH and helping to grow this awesome foundation to all God has ordained it to be.
Lakecha Whitted, Fundraiser and Events Coordinator
Born into open-armed family ties, Ms. Whitted was raised with strong beliefs, faith, prayer, and favor. As a testimony of how God can guide you when all else fails, she utilizes her life experiences to nurture youth to give them balance and strength. She acknowledges her children Micheal and Jazmyn for her strength. Ms. Whitted is Vice President of KomfieKare, Inc. and KomfieBaby, Inc. She has an Associate’s Degree in Accounting and is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Computerized Business Systems. With over 20 years of experience in customer service with great rapport and working as a book editor, ghostwriter, event planner, and marketing, Ms. Whitted will surely be an asset to A Caring Hand Foundation.
Dawn Robinson, Administrative Assistant
Upon receiving enough votes to affirm my position, Dawn Robinson accepted the position of Administrative Assistant with our foundation. She lives her life by knowing – she can do all things through Christ which strengthened her. Philippians 4:13
Reared on the south side of Chicago, Dawn brings a plethora of administrative support and programming leadership to our organization. She attended parochial schools on the south side of Chicago and then went on to graduate from Drake University with a degree in Biology. She has labor experience having worked with both the Department of Labor and the Illinois Labor Relations Board. Her nonprofit programming support covers health care coordination and community action agencies. She is currently a Federal Fund Coordinator for an educational nonprofit group in the western suburbs of Chicago and as an affiliate to Chicago Public Schools for non-public students.
Service-minded and implementing resource-based solutions are the best ways to describe Dawn. She has been an avid church-going member and ministry participant for all her days and is currently a member of the Greater Love Assembly church under the pastorate of Apostle Larry Fisher. She loves to laugh, travel, and shop to get great deals. She says good deals are good stewardship!!!
When you lead your life with love and intention, under the guise of the Holy Spirit, you will be led into the truth. Dawn is purposeful and tries to be a support in whatever capacity is needed. A wife and mother of three, she stays active with their afterschool activities. Dawn is looking to support in the Administrative Assistant capacity and to assist in developing more innovative collaborations as we pledge to be mission-minded for the communities we serve.