Faith in Action: Samarya Elliott Q&A

Can you tell us a bit about the heart and vision behind Karys Foundation Inc. and what inspired you to start it?

The Karys Foundation Inc. is a 501(C)(3) organization dedicated to addressing homelessness and hunger in Daytona Beach, Florda and surrounding areas throughout Central Florida. We are a faith-based organization that is committed to spreading blessings through outreach, essential goods, and volunteer service ensuring individuals in crisis receive nourishment, dignity, and encouragement. We strive to meet people where they are while always upholding respect and providing access to basic needs regardless of circumstance. Through monthly outreaches we provide meals, water, and care items while fostering a sense of connection and community. My inspiration to start Karys Foundation Inc. came years before creating the organization. For as long as I can remember I’ve always had a heart to give. Many times, when I was riding in the car with one of my parents, I would spot a homeless person and ask “Mom/Dad do you have any cash to give to that person?” Of course, they handed me the cash to give to those in need, and it always lit my heart up. I didn’t realize it then, but I’ve been acting on the purpose God assigned to me since my childhood. It wasn’t until the peak of the Coronavirus pandemic in Spring 2020 where I came home from collage, and the thought ran across my mind, “who is feeding the homeless during this time?” With everything shut down, my Mom and I took a well-needed risk, went to the store and purchased ingredients to make a handful of turkey sandwiches, chips, and beverages to pass out to the homeless community in Daytona Beach. That same spark I would get as a child lit up in me, and I remembered how much I love to serve the community. God spoke through my mom and pitched the idea to take this a step further and turn it into a non-profit organization. A year later in February 2021, the Karys Foundation Inc. became a 501(C)(3) organization.

What does “home” mean to you personally, and how does that definition shape the work you do in the community?

For me, “home” means safety and security. It’s the place someone can go to and feel the most like themselves. Home is where one can recharge and prepare themselves to step out in the world again to accomplish their assignment. When I am serving the community, I always want to make sure those we are serving feel safe and secure under my wings. As I serve, I work to make sure they want to return and utilize what we have to offer to them by making sure they know their lives matter and God loves them.

What are some of the greatest challenges you’ve faced addressing homelessness in Daytona Beach, and how have you overcome them?

When we first started outreaching, things were simpler and more accessible. We would set up on a monthly basis and hand out meals, clothes, toiletries etc. A large population of the homeless community here in Daytona was established in a set area and that’s the area we would utilize which allowed us to start making connections with the community. After changes in the city were made, the homeless population became widespread. Trying to reach everyone at once became a challenge but I remembered Psalm 82:3 which reminded me that justice to the afflicted and needy will be done by God through me. The Lord works with me and plants ideas that allow us to get creative and make sure we continue to serve this community regardless of radius.

Is there a specific story or individual that has deeply impacted you through your work?

Of course! The story that inspires me is when my Mom and Dad faced homelessness. They were a young married couple living in Atlanta, Georgia trying to find their way. At the time, my Mom was pregnant with me actually when they experienced being evicted from their joint place apartment. They came home one day and found all of their things on the side of the street. From there, they bounced around in different efficiencies and took everything day by day. This story inspires me because as long as I can remember my parents have always been hard workers and providers for me. I’ve never gone a day without access to three meals, and they have always fulfilled my desires. The Lord brought them a very long way, and I truly know how blessed we are. It’s a need for me to spread these blessings through my work to my fullest capability.

How does faith (or personal conviction) influence the way you lead and serve?

Allowing God to be at the head of the organization gives me faith to know we will have continued meals, resources, and volunteers to serve our community. 2021 was also the year I said enough with being lukewarm, stepped into my spiritual journey and invited God to show me him throughout every area of my life. I didn’t always consult God before making decisions for my nonprofit which is why it didn’t take much for me to become discouraged. The saying “life be lifeing” is real cause I have been through situations no (hu)man can save me from which is how I know God is right here with me. Going through my own personal hiccups a few years after the start of Karys Foundation Inc. made me turn away from my purpose and lean to my feelings. I would say “maybe this isn’t what I’m supposed to be doing after all,”. “Doesn’t this work conflict with Matthew 6:3?” The Lord never left me confused when it came to my purpose, I was just being stubborn. He would always speak to me through others as people would ask how my nonprofit was going and encouraged me to keep going. In terms of conviction, I will never forget when I asked God to reveal to me my purpose (because I still wasn’t convinced it was serving) and he led me to Psalm 146:7 soon after making my request known. Conviction hit me hard and I was back on track of my purpose. I repented and thanked God for not forsaking me for turning away from what he called me to do. The way I lead and serve is knowing that I am doing what God has assigned me to do. This experience of attempting to run from my purpose instilled in me to always be led by the spirit and never my feelings in everything I do. God chose me to continue the Lord Jesus’ work, and as long as I keep him, he will never let me fail.

What resources or partnerships have been most helpful in carrying out your mission?

The work we do takes a village. I’ve been blessed to have mentorship and partnerships with Terri Yearby the founder of Standing in the Gap Ministries and Tonya Rone the founder of T&R Helping Hands. I look up to both women as they are truly passionate about serving the homeless community here in Daytona Beach. Going into this brand new, they have been patient with me, worked with me, and encouraged me. I love to work alongside students with disabilities to prepare meals and goods for our community. We’ve had the pleasure of working with students at Mainland High School, Silver Sands Middle School and being a community partner with Campbell Middle School. Churches around town such as New Heart Christian Church has allowed me to partner as a vendor to continue to spread the word about our mission throughout the Holiday Season. Serving the homeless community is what has opened my eyes to continue learning new skills. I became fluent in American Sign Language so I can communicate with those in the homeless community who are Deaf. The President of the Deaf Ministry at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church Stephanie Olin has welcomed me month after month to partner with her in doing sign language interpretation during Sunday Mass so I can keep up with the language. She has a heart to serve communities that are underrepresented and has been a great mentor to me as well.

What message would you share with people who want to help but don’t know where to start?

I would say pray and ask God to guide you and let his will be done. If you have the heart to serve you can always join active organizations and/or churches as a volunteer. Use that as an opportunity to network and learn what you can from those organizations. Small gestures count too! I’ve found myself buying lunch for a single person plenty of times. There are plenty of cost-efficient options that can be bought to feed a large group of individuals such as ingredients to make sandwiches, spaghetti etc. If you keep God at the head of your steps, he will place you in the presence of the right people and the right organizations.

Lastly, what’s next for Karys Foundation Inc. — and how can the community support your vision?

We are currently preparing to celebrate the holidays with the community! We are looking to feed between 300-500 people this holiday season. For Thanksgiving we will be passing out pre-packaged meals throughout Daytona Beach, and we are looking forward to partnering with The SALT Outreach for a Thanksgiving Outreach taking place in Orlando. This will be a special event as the Karys Foundation Inc. will be providing meals and the SALT Outreach will be providing showers for the homeless community. We want to keep this momentum going for the month of December as well!