Meet Chastity Townsend | Executive Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chastity Townsend and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chastity, how do you think about risk?
When I think about risk taking, I look at it from a different perspective than most. Getting out of my comfort zone is taking a risk, like switching careers from surveying to tax preparer to non profit work. Was I an expert in any of those things when I started them? Absolutely not, but taking the time to learn a new skill or even being open minded about change are risks taken that most people do not even consider risks. One can not grow, or adapt to change without taking a risk.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have been in my role for nine years now and I am very proud of our accomplishments. We have gone from giving away 30k to giving away 130k as well as growing our scholarship program from three scholarships to 18 with 20k being awarded. Learning, growing and attending events keeps me quite busy professionally.

Getting to where I am today was never an easy road, nor did I ever think I would be doing this kind of work. I struggled in many aspects of my life but took the good of so many around me and instilled those values and morals in myself to become a better person. One of the biggest lessons I learned was to trust my gut even though the things that I do, do come from my heart.

The nonprofit work I do supports teachers and students in a specific school district. We raise money and give it away. I love what I do but sometimes I wish I wasn’t limited to who we reach or what we can give for. I hope to end my career that way.

So, what is so unique about my story? I lived in an abusive drug addicted family, been on my own since I was 14, battled my own addictions, struggled to find my way and so much worse. I want the world to know that you can survive and thrive, but you have to want it bad enough and that I did!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was coming to town, she surely would not have any down time! We would have to do Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Museum. We would be eating out three times a day as we have so many great restaurants like Malek Al Kabob, Modern Greek, Sheeba, Mint 29. Oh and let’s not forget the coffee shops and bakeries, from Qahwah House to Haraz Coffee, and Shatila Bakery. For cocktails we would go to Rusted Crow.  We would also have to go downtown Detroit to see a show, maybe take in a game and of course eat there as well. So many cool places to try that are on my bucket list.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
When working in the nonprofit world, one thinks because you attend many events and are around people daily, that this is your norm persay. For me, outside of work, my circle is very small. I have two groups of friends that I hang out with and then of course my family. My friends always cheer me on and offer advice. But the support, love and encouragement come mostly from my husband. He has always stood by whatever I have wanted to do in our twenty-eight years together and works behind the scenes with me on events and other things. He even went to the extent of hiring us a maid when I was working, going to school and raising our children. To take something off my plate, to make it easier for me, showed me just how much he appreciated what I was doing for our family and most of all myself.

Website: https://dearbornedfoundation.org/

Instagram: @dbnedfoundation

Twitter: @DPSEFoundation

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dearborneducationfoundation

Youtube: @dbnedfoundation5256

Image Credits
Visual Ronin Media