Today we’d like to introduce you to Dawn Townsend.
Dawn, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’m born in Houston, TX; 32 years old; currently living in Dallas, TX. In 2016 I became the survivor of a sexual assault. Although horrific, it made me heroic. I manifested and launch Let It Dawn On You Empowerment (LIDOYE) Foundation pronounced (lee-DOY) for short. Initially, the project was geared towards free workshops for girls 5-21. Workshops ranging in topics and activities such as table setting/etiquette, social manners, resume writing, business attire, etc. We also teamed with partner organizations to host a back to school drive, coat drives and sexual assault awareness fundraisers from our launch throughout 2019.
As I continued to try to heal, God and the Universe drastically changed my career in 2017 from corporate transportation to 6th Grade Reading and Language Arts. Currently, LIDOYE has expanded and recently launched a travel program. The first tour is a group of 6th-8th grade economically disadvantaged girls who are working hard to travel London, England to Paris, France in July 2020. LIDOYE is excited to work with current and potential partners to expand this program to Houston by 2021.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Considering that the initial spark was an enormous emotional fire to begin with, WHEW! Shortly after my attack, someone I love lost his life to gun violence, my mother’s home burned down, my favorite car (BB, Blue Barbie, my first dream challenger) was vandalized at work even though I was still in corporate and was parked in a fancy key entry surveillanced garage, all within the first quarter if that year.
The healing process in itself has been the road I’ve had to learn to delicately yet head on face along the way. Giving back, now especially in the way of LIDOYE Travels, has been the seatbelt keeping me strapped in.
Please tell us about Let It Dawn On You Empowerment (LIDOYE) Foundation.
LIDOYE Foundation was founded on the mission of impacting girls and women by education and awareness. The vision of LIDOYE is to create a path of Poise and Power. We specialize in community outreach. We are most proud of our most recent partnerships that allow us to give back to the sexual assault survivor community AND the middle/high school girl travel program.
What sets us apart from others is foundation. Not the entity itself, but the roots that create the depth of need to pour back into the community. Although our core topics are sometimes those we wish didn’t exist, they do. Sexual assault is prevalent, financial illiteracy is prevalent, economic disadvantages are prevalent. None of which should stand in the way of girls and women living life empowered.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Empathy and humility
Pricing:
- Sponsorship accepted for survivor t-shirt fundraisers – LIDOYEfoundation@icloud.com
Contact Info:
- Phone: (682) 999-4412
- Email: lidoyefoundation@icloud.com
- Instagram: lidoye_foundation
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