Today we’d like to introduce you to Aia Miller.
Hi Aia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Aia Miller, and I am the founder and Executive Director of D. Hope Miller Foundation, A Mental Health Organization in Houston, TX.
I was born and raised on the East side of Houston in a single parent household with my mother and 4 of my siblings of which I am the oldest. As a child I faced many adversities. I was in Foster Care and the Juvenile Justice System.
I am a mother of 4 children ages 5, 11, 19 and 21. The oldest three children are girls and the youngest child is a boy. I will be celebrating my 40th Birthday December 5th. I am a newlywed. I recently married my best friend of 17 years.
I am a University of Houston graduate. While attending the University of Houston, I received an eemailfrom my professor giving me the opportunity to work on a project creating a program for the City of Houston in partnership with The University of Houston. This was a contest. If your project was picked you would receive $2000 to fund your idea. One of the stipulations of this project was that you had to have a partner. My partner unfortunately backed out at the last minute, and I was unable to present my project. U of H at the last minute, due to the time and hard work I put in on the project reach out and tell me I could still present. I was unable to attend. I didn’t let that stop me.
I decided to proceed with my project on my own. I took the last $25.00 of the money I had at the time and decided to file an application with the Secretary of State to start a Non-Profit in honor of my sister, Diachonae Hope Miller. The first time, my application was rejected for a minor error. I resubmitted my application. On July 13, 2022, I received an email from The Secretary of State notifying me that my application was approved and that D. Hope Miller Foundation was formed.
Diachonae Hope Miller was my sister who was involved in a hit-and-run incident. She was hit by a car, dragged 40 ft, and left for dead. She survived but was left paralyzed and later became a double amputee. We grew up in a household with a mentally ill, abusive mother. My sister unfortunately never truly got the help that she needed to heal from all the trauma she endured. She passed away November 12, 2019. After her death, I knew I had to do something. I wanted to share her story. I didn’t want others to suffer as she did. What better way than to start a Non-Profit named after her in her honor? I have not received any funding. I’ve have funded my organization with my hard earned money.
On July 13, 2023 while heading home after getting dinner with my children. I decided to travel a different route due to time constraints. I saw a man in a wheelchair surrounded by people. I just watched from a distance. I overheard someone calling 911. I decided to walk over to see If I could assist. The man was having a heart attack. The 911 operator instructed the caller to remove the man from the wheelchair. The bystanders refused. I intervened and explained to them that my sister died in the same manner and that removing him as instructed was the best option. Once I got closer I realized he was already deceased. Help arrived and unfortunately it was too late. I was distraught. I didn’t understand why God allowed me to see someone die on that day in the same manner as my sister did. My other sister told me it was a sign from God that I’m doing the right thing and to keep going to make sure that this never happens to anyone else.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No the journey has not been smooth. I have faced many challenges and obstacles along the way. Often times I am told no. I just keep going, and I keep trying. I will not stop. I am still grieving the loss of my sister. Hearing and seeing her name every day is hard, but I pereservere.
When I first formed my organization, my daughter was in Basic Training in the United States Army. It was the hardest time of my life, not hearing from her or knowing when I would see her again. Her absence motivated me to want to do better in life and to become successful.
I recently lost my best friend, and it has turned my life upside down. My mental state has truly been affected. I almost shut down my organization. Working 2 jobs and running a Mental Health Organization while dealing with a loss can really take a toll on one’s mental state. I sought help and I’m currently in therapy to help me cope with my grief.
There are many things that I want to do but can’t because my organization has not yet received any funding, but I keep going. I work hard and fund my organization myself.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about D. Hope Miller Foundation?
At D. Hope Miller Foundation I provide resources, advocacy, case management, referrals, care coordination and outreach & engagement services to our clients. I serve the underserved populations which include low-income, homeless and vulnerable populations. I provide culturally competent services to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and its impact on individuals, families and their communities. We believe that everyone deserves adequate access to the care, support and services that they need.
D. Hope Miller Foundation has a partnership with the Health and Human Service Commission, The Coalition for the Homeless and Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services and DM Clinical.
I also provide HIV Services and Prevention which includes free condoms, counseling and access to free HIV testing kits. I am also a certified HIV Instructor.
In the future I will be offering substance abuse services and resources. I will have NARCAN on hand due to increased overdoses and the opiod crisis.
I also, have a Mental Health Book Club and I am currently creating and building a Mentorship Program for girls ages 8-18.
In less than a year. I have received the Bronze Bell Seal Certification from Mental Health America. I have also received a Proclamation from Mayor Sylvester Turner on May 11, 2023, declaring that day as D. Hope Miller Foundation Day, which just happens to be my sisters Diachonae Hope MIller’s Birthday. I have also received NOD Leading Disability Employer Seal. I have done all of this by myself.
I designed all 3 of my websites; I created my logo, business cards, flyers, brochures, training videos and curriculum. I build and create my own programs. I am an approved Apple Developer, & Meta Developer with my own app in The GOOGLE Play Store as well as the APPLE App Store. I have been approved to run an ad on Hulu, which will premiere next year.
How do I do it all? Allah/ God, my creator. In the future, I hope to obtain funding for my organization and to focus more on the homeless population.
I realize that I have something in me that can’t be taught. My life experiences are now shared experiences amongst my clients and members of the communities. That’s what make me great. I’m able to relate to people in all aspects of life. I understand people.
What sets me apart is that I don’t give up on my clients, and I don’t abandon them. I walk with them every step of the way through their journey to mental wellness, for as long as it takes until they become self-sufficient and no longer need me or my services. I teach them how to believe in themselves by showing them love, being patient and kind. I don’t turn anyone away. Sometimes, you could be someone’s last hope. I teach my clients how to advocate for themselves.
If someone is in need of a service that I don’t provide then I let them know that I don’t provide that service, but I make sure to connect them with the proper resources and referrals to assist them with their needs.
Everyday I empower, impact, save, restore, rebuild, inspire, and change the lives of others.
I realize my sister’s death was not in vain. She died so that my organization could be born. SHE lost her life, so that many others could be saved.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the COVID-19 crisis?
I’ve learned that Covid has truly impacted the mental health of individuals, families and their communities.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dhmfoundation.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/d_hopemillerfoundation/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dhopemillerfoundation
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@D.HopeMillerFoundation
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/d-hope-miller-foundation-houston
Image Credits
Aia Miller
