Jennifer Lee
Jennifer Lee is the Founder of Pynky Promise Foundation of Atlanta, established following a deeply personal experience of homelessness in 2024 while navigating life with her young son. The organization’s name originates from a promise she made to him during that period, a pinky promise that they would never experience homelessness again. That moment became the foundation of her mission to serve others facing housing insecurity. Her experience reshaped her understanding of homelessness, highlighting its complexity and the many ways it affects individuals, from those temporarily staying in hotels while working to those living in vehicles or on the streets. This perspective continues to guide her commitment to serving with empathy, dignity, and respect. Originally from Manning, South Carolina, Jennifer relocated to Atlanta in 2016, where she built a career in public service across multiple state-related roles, including Peach State Health Plan, the Department of Family and Children Services, and The Department of Child Support Enforcement. Through her work, she gained firsthand insight into systemic barriers that often prevent individuals and families from accessing essential support. She observed how eligibility requirements can leave people without assistance when they need it most, ultimately contributing to cycles of instability and homelessness. In June 2024, while still employed with the Department of Family and Children Services, Jennifer personally experienced homelessness. Balancing her professional responsibilities with her lived reality became increasingly difficult, and she made the decision to resign in December 2024 to fully dedicate herself to nonprofit leadership and advocacy. Jennifer’s commitment to this work spans approximately eight years, though it became formalized through Pynky Promise Foundation after her lived experience brought clarity to her mission. During her time of need, she received unexpected support from a nonprofit organization, Motherless Sons, which provided essential household items and assistance from complete strangers. Their generosity deeply impacted her and reinforced her belief in community-driven support. Guided by the principle she was given “do it from the heart first, and the funds will come later” Jennifer continues to build her organization with authenticity, compassion, and unwavering dedication to serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
• 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Status
• One year of college (education degree)
• Valentine's Day homeless outreach downtown Atlanta
• Planned events including Muffins for Moms
• Easter in the Park event at Lucky Shoals Park (180+ attendees)
• Weekly food distribution to homeless (50 plates of home-cooked meals)
• Ice Cream Sundaes in the Park
• Donuts for Dads
• Mentorships
What do you attribute your success to?
“I attribute the success of Pynky Promise Foundation to purpose, resilience, and real connection.
My foundation was built from lived experiences, not just random ideas. I know what it feels like to need support, to feel unseen, and to still push forward anyway. That perspective keeps everything we do authentic and intentional.
Our success also comes from consistency. Even on the hard days, I still show up for our community, for our mission, and for the people who depend on us.
And most importantly, it’s the people. The families we serve, the women we bring together, the supporters who believe in the vision, this isn’t just an organization, it’s a community.
I Pray Pynky Promise is successful because it’s built on heart, not just help.”
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Honestly, I haven’t really received much career advice—and that’s part of my story. I’ve had to figure things out on my own, learn through experience, and trust my instincts. If anything, life taught me to keep going, stay true to myself, and build something meaningful even without a blueprint.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Do it with a purpose and have a plan. Don't do it because you want to do it, or you think viewing the outside of somebody else's outcome may be your outcome, because there's a lot of different nonprofit organizations, but their missions are different and their visions are different. There may be another organization with a similar name, but you probably have two different outlooks. The foundation comes from the heart. You can't say, oh, I want to do one because you see somebody else do it, and you think it's cute and it's easy, because it's not. Organizations have to pay for vendors, insurance, every single thing in hopes that the community shows up. You have to be vetted into it. It doesn't naturally come.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge I'm facing is people knowing who Pinky Promise is. I don't want people to think, oh, it's cute, or this is something that she's doing because she's bored. This is something that I actually went through. I have a soul story behind it. I don't want people to feel or think that it was given to me, because it's not. I work for it, and I'm still working for it every single day. Even back in my hometown of South Carolina, I got left on read from my commissioner and my mayor. It wasn't until they saw me out here in the community in Atlanta, and how much the people showed up for me at that Easter event, that they were like, oh, now we want to reach out to her. It's crazy that I had to show you my worth before you acknowledge me.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
For me, it’s really about being REAL Authentic, having heart, and staying consistent. I try to move with compassion in everything I do, because I know what it feels like to need grace. I value community too being able to show up for people, and have people show up for me in return. And honestly, I just believe in doing things with purpose, even when it’s not easy or seen right away.
Locations
Pynky Promise Foundation of Atlanta
Stone Mountain, GA 30083