Influential Woman · Nonprofit organization

Kirsten Jay

Founder, Second Chance Families Project

Lynchburg, VA 22306

Connect with Kirsten

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Business with focus on Nonprofit Management (currently enrolled Degree Starting June)

Her Story

About Kirsten

I'm working to build Second Chance Families, a nonprofit dedicated to helping families affected by addiction stay together. My own story drives this work - I struggled with addiction for several years and lost my children as a result. Even though I went to rehab and did everything that was asked of me, I still faced barriers like transportation and housing that prevented me from getting my kids back when they were younger. My boys are grown now, and they know what I went through and how much I struggled. I don't want other families to experience that same pain and separation. Right now we're in the startup stages under a fiscal sponsorship with Giving.org, which is handling our financial operations. I'm campaigning for donations and working on building our online presence. Looking ahead to the next five years, I want to open a transitional house and establish a transportation service to help families get to court dates, visitation, and other appointments they need to regain stability. Beyond my nonprofit work, I'm also a student studying business with a focus on nonprofit management - I was going to Grand Canyon University but switched to another school in June because I wanted something more nonprofit-focused. I also work as a waitress, and in my free time I love singing and creating art, including mural work.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Kirsten

01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

It just takes a lot of time and effort and online presence. I've been working on my online presence for the last two years, though I haven't really been consistent to be honest, because I have work and other things going on in my life. But I definitely think that you've got to be passionate about what you're doing. I really want to help others and change things for families so they don't have to experience what I've had to deal with. And don't let other people say you can't do it - a lot of my family have told me, oh, this is dumb, you shouldn't be doing this, you know, you're not making any money off of this. But you know what? It's about helping people, not about the money.

02What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

Family is the most important thing in my life. It just sucked that I let my addiction and my choices in the past lead me to where I am today, but at the same time, I needed to learn from that. Once they're gone, you don't realize how much you really need your family until they're gone. The most important thing to me right now is just being with my children and making up for the time and loss that I've lost with them because of addiction. My boys are grown now and they know what I went through and how much I struggled. I didn't get my kids back when they were younger because of my barriers, but now I'm focused on making up for that lost time.

Keep Exploring