Then the righteous will answer Him, “Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and invite You in, or needing clothes and clothe You? When did we see You sick or in prison and go to visit You?” The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine, you did for Me.” (Matthew 25:37-40 NIV)

SPREADING AGAPE LOVE  

DALLAS — If there was such a thing as placing someone’s photo next to Biblical verses, it’s safe to assume an image of MJ Harper-Holly could be erected alongside the above passages.

Amongst the obvious reasons is that Harper-Holly’s faith-based personality is such that she has become accustomed to, say, paying it forward, if you will.

Both in the natural and spirit, to put it more precisely.

“I haven’t been homeless, but I know what it’s like to struggle as a single parent and having to navigate through various programs to get the assistance that I needed to care for my child,” Harper-Holly told Making Headline News this week. “I know what it’s like to have a need and to go to various community programs and be treated like less than a second-class citizen.

GOD IS LOVE

MORE ON PIFP: http://payit4wardprojects.org/

“I know what it’s like to want better and work hard, but never see my money working for me because of financial mismanagement. I know the feeling of just wishing I could catch a break. I’ve finally caught a break. Now it’s time to pay it forward.”

For Harper-Holly, she’s steadfastly doing just that, most notably as the Founder, Director and CEO of Pay It 4-Ward Projects, her Dallas/Fort Worth-based grassroots nonprofit organization that has become a fixture for servicing the unsheltered and low-income communities of Dallas and Tarrant Counties.

WE’RE BETTER TOGETHER 

Generally, the strategic mission for Pay It 4-Ward Projects is centered in large part on customarily providing assistance and resources to those in destitute situations through its core programs, which includes:

TIFFANY’S HEART: this rising outreach program is designed to specifically benefit the unsheltered community by providing food, hygiene care packages, hydration kits, clothing, shoes, coats, and blankets.

“Tiffany’s Heart is named after a young girl I grew up with in the church,” Harper-Holly explained. “She was smart, gifted, and talented, but she suffered from mental illness, which ultimately led her to a life of homelessness. Tiffany is a reminder to me that we are all one life crisis, situation, paycheck, or illness away from being the people that we serve.”

SHARON’S ROSE: widely regarded as Pay It 4-Ward’s family resource program, this agenda is designed to provide low-income families with basic necessities to help lighten the load, Harper-Holly said. “We provide clothing, shoes, coats, household goods and necessities, and home furnishings. We also work as a referral program, connecting our clients with other organizations that may provide additional assistance that we do not offer at this time.”

According to Harper-Holly, “Sharon’s Rose is named after my sister who was a single mom struggling to make ends meet. She was not the most patient or tech-savvy person, so she often relied on me to help her tap into community resources that offered assistance with rent, electricity, clothing, etc.”

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MJ’S CLOSET: this order of business is labeled an “in-kind donations” program, which allows PIFP to customarily redistribute and recycle items donated back into the community through Tiffany’s Heart, Sharon’s Rose, and through its community partners.

And then there’s PIFP’s newest program, INSPYRE (pronounced Inspire), in which the “y” stands for “you,” or “Inspire You,” Harper-Holly told MHN.

Scheduled to launch sometime in Spring 2023, PIFP’s Inspyre is an empowerment-based program designed to uplift, encourage, motivate, educate, empower and support “all members of our community” Harper-Holly emphasized, through its community resource classes, which are comprised of CPR certification, sex education, child birthing, financial literacy, self-defense, and active shooter training.

A native of St. Louis, Harper-Holly’s notable outreach contributions span some seven years.

She was, in fact, inspired mostly by her parents, Bishop William L. and Mother Mary Louise Harper, both of whom helped empower their daughter to devise ways to advance the kingdom by forming a community-based outreach ministry, one that has become a monumental game-changer throughout the DFW Metroplex.

“They had a love for people, and they had the skills, ability, knowledge and business savvy to touch so many and make a difference in so many lives,” Harper-Holly said of parents’ influential impact. “Recently, my mother passed away. What touched me the most was hearing from so many how she left and invaluable imprint on their lives. During one of the most difficult times in my life I was uplifted, encouraged, and inspired through the life my mother lived and the legacy that she left. These days, when people ask me what my motivation is, my response is simply, ‘I just want to be like my mama.’”

A Texas resident since May 2012, Harper-Holly announced that Pay It 4-ward Projects recently solidified its partnership with the City of Ft Worth’s Southwest Recreation Center to host the PIFP Community Outreach programs, which include Financial Literacy, Couponing, Child Birthing, CPR Training, Baby Sitting Certification, Self-Defense, and Active Shooter Training.

Classes are scheduled to begin the coming weeks, she said.

ADVANCE THE KINGDOM

Also, Harper-Holly announced PIFP’s The Young Survivors Retreat, an empowerment event that is scheduled to take place in Summer 2023.

“It’s important for me to live a life and leave a legacy that my daughter, Fairah, can be proud of and aspire to,” Harper-Holly said. “I want her to know that with God, all things are possible. I want her to know there is a blessing in giving and serving others. I don’t believe that we were just put on this earth to soak up the air and sunshine. We were put here to make a difference.”

MORE ON PIFP: http://payit4wardprojects.org/

For Harper-Holly, she’s steadfastly doing just that, making a world of difference.

Not to mention diligently paying it forward.

Both in the natural and spirit, thanks in large part to the immeasurable, life-altering impacts of mom and dad.

NEVER, EVER FORGET…

For more information about Dallas/Fort Worth Businesswoman MJ Harper-Holly of Pay It 4-Ward Projects, to inquire about services through her organization or a public appearance, connect with her via social media at Facebook or Instagram. For a speaking engagement, send email to: [email protected]. Also, send general email to: [email protected].

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WHAT’S YOUR STORY? If you are an entrepreneur, business owner, producer, author, athlete, musician, barber, life coach, motivational speaker, cosmetologist, tax preparer, model, or pastor/minister who is seeking exposure and would like to share your story with an in-depth news feature, call Reporter Andre Johnson at 901-690-6587 or Facebook message him under “Andre T. Johnson” for details.

Andre Johnson is the award-winning Founder and Publisher for Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former staff reporter of sports for the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division from Dallas, Texas. To reach Johnson, send email to [email protected] or to [email protected]. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist or Instagram at @makingheadlinenews.

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