Today we’d like to introduce you to Allisha Jones-Pickens.
Hi Allisha, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Although my vision began as I sat in a prison cell doing a 10-year sentence, the journey that had brought me there began when I was just nine years old. A sexual abuse survivor, I dealt with low self-esteem, low self-worth, and fear at a very young age. I learned that love hurt, I learned that I wasn’t worth anything, I learned that I was unlovable and I learned that I would never amount to much. Trying to find my way in a big world with little hope, left me quite vulnerable to the evils of the world. By sixteen I was living in vacant building, being prostituted out by a vicious pimp and abused by many. The light ahead was very dim and I turned everything I experienced inward…. it had to be me, something had to be wrong with me. If not, was everything bad happening to me. I cared nothing about myself, how could I? No one else bothered to. I began to spiral; emotionally, mentally, and physically. I allowed myself to be used and abuse because somewhere deep inside I felt I deserved it.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It wasn’t until I sat and listened to the women of a survivor’s group therapy session, speak my deepest hurts and pain aloud through their own stories, their own monsters. Up until that moment, I alone in my trauma. I thought no one else had experienced what I’d experienced. Until they spoke, one after another, speaking my thoughts aloud. I sat and listened for months before I got the courage to finally talk. Finally, say the words out loud… Someone hurt me, over and over again! Slowly, with the help of a group of God-sent ladies, I began to breathe a breath of healing. A journey that would lead me to my purpose… young girls. God had begun to show me, my purpose was tied to my greatest pain. And that through walking in that purpose I would experience restoration. Life has come full circle for me in that area. I help young girls and women who have share a similar path as mine; to provide those things no one provided for me… a listening ear and the resources to overcome.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am the owner of my own nonprofit, Community of Hope. I created this nonprofit in 2021, to build my dream of opening an all-girls community center. A place where they can safely come to be themselves, not be judge, and be able to obtain the resources to help them heal. I am the Program Director at a nonprofit in Walnut Park as well, where I design and implement programming for at-risk youth.
I am also the administrator for the Cure Violence Walnut Park team, where I also help the team create and implement programming for at-risk youth in our community.
I am the owner of Gifted Hands Bou2ique, where I use my talents to crochet a variety of special handmade gifts such as dolls. I have been blessed to meet several stars that I created to deliver the dolls to them such as David Mann, Jason Tatum, Ezekiel Elliot, and more!
I am the author of 11 published novels and 3 stage plays!
I am most proud of my writing because I have gone to other cities and people have actually recognized me from my books and have told me how much my writing has helped them; changed their lives. How my transparency has given them the courage to push forth and even tell their stories.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
When you feel that you aren’t good enough, that no one cares… it’s easy to fall into a place so deep, you can’t see your way out. I tried to commit suicide three times because I thought no one cares if I lived or died, so why should I. At those moments, reach down inside yourself and find that tiny shred of strength; grab it and hold on to it. You will find that you can make it, minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day! I’m not telling you something I read but by the grace of God… I’m living! You are worth more than you will ever know and if you are holding onto something that threatens to destroy you… reach out to someone… don’t hold it alone, there are people out there who cares!
Contact Info:
- Email: allishajones925@gmail.com
- Website: www.comunityofhopestl.org
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/giftedhandsbou2ique
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/allyshahamber
