Alisha Jones
Alisha Jones is the Founder and President of Mommy Haven, a nonprofit organization based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, dedicated to supporting mothers as they heal, rebuild, and reconnect with their children. Her work is deeply rooted in lived experience, which has shaped her passion for creating safe, supportive spaces for women facing challenges such as homelessness, incarceration, domestic violence, and recovery. Through Mommy Haven, she is building programs like Sister Circle and developing pathways toward transitional housing and community-based support systems for mothers and families in need.
In addition to her leadership role at Mommy Haven, Alisha works in homeless outreach, helping individuals access shelter and essential resources. She is also a Certified Recovery Specialist and actively engaged in continued education, pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Administration and Management at Colorado Technical University. Her daily work reflects a strong commitment to service, combining hands-on community engagement with organizational development, grant seeking, and nonprofit growth.
Alisha has successfully navigated the early stages of nonprofit leadership through self-education, networking, and persistence. She has attended professional development conferences such as the Association of Fundraising Professionals and secured funding support, including a $10,000 Google grant for her organization. Driven by resilience, family, and a commitment to giving back, she continues to expand Mommy Haven with the goal of empowering mothers to “reunite, restore, and rise” while building stronger communities.
• Certified Recovery Specialist
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my resilience and ability to pick myself up, learn from challenges, and try again. I am also deeply grateful for the support of my family, who have been a steady source of encouragement throughout my journey. Most importantly, my daughter serves as my greatest motivation, inspiring me to keep moving forward and strive for continuous growth and achievement.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is that while support and mentorship can be valuable, it’s equally important to trust my own pace and vision. I’ve had guidance along the way, including from a volunteer who helped me structure parts of my organization, but I’ve also learned that not every mentor relationship will be the right fit. That realization taught me to take what is useful, release what isn’t, and continue moving forward with confidence in my own direction.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
If there’s one piece of advice I would give to young women entering my industry, especially those looking to start a nonprofit, it is to build a strong foundation of passion, resilience, and support. For me, my family has been a vital part of that support system. This work is not easy, but it is deeply meaningful and worth the effort, and having both inner drive and external encouragement makes all the difference.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges in my field are also opportunities for growth. I continue to learn key nonprofit processes, including grant writing and organizational administration, while working within limited budgets and resources that require creativity and careful planning. I also find it challenging at times to connect with mentors and partners who align with my pace and vision, but these experiences ultimately push me to grow, strengthen my skills, and build more effective collaborations.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are resilience, family, and giving back. I am also deeply committed to supporting mothers and women with lived experience, which is at the heart of my passion and purpose. These values guide my decisions, keep me grounded, and inspire the work I do every day.
Locations
Mommy Haven
1315 north 15th street, Philadelphia, PA 19121