Ep 418: From Single Dad to Nonprofit Trailblazer | Tamra Andress & Eddie Brown

In this inspiring episode of the F.I.T. in Faith Podcast, host Tamra Andress sits down with the remarkable Eddie Brown, founder of Giving Words, a nonprofit dedicated to serving single parents in need. Eddie takes us on a journey through his life, sharing his powerful testimony of overcoming challenges as a single dad and finding the strength to start a nonprofit that's making a profound impact.

Topics Covered:

1. Early Life Experiences With Poverty Eddie's teenage years exposed him to the harsh realities of poverty and addiction, planting the seeds of his future passion for helping those in need.

2. Becoming a Single Dad After facing divorce, job loss, and battling depression, Eddie experienced firsthand the difficulties of single parenthood. These challenges fueled his compassion and ignited his mission.

3. Starting Giving Words Eddie's journey began with fixing single moms' cars in his driveway. This humble start eventually blossomed into Giving Words, a nonprofit that provides donated vehicles, auto repairs, and unwavering community support.

4. The Power of Partnerships Key to Giving Words' incredible impact are the partnerships Eddie cultivated with auto shops, schools, and compassionate community members. Discover how collaboration can change lives.

5. Stories of Impact Eddie shares touching stories of families whose lives have been transformed through donated vehicles, invaluable parenting mentoring, and vital addiction recovery support.

6. Encouragement for Entrepreneurs Eddie leaves aspiring entrepreneurs with valuable advice: start small, partner effectively, set your pace, and witness God's miraculous work unfold in each season of growth.

About Eddie:

Eddie Brown is the Executive Director of Giving Words, a non-profit organization he founded with his wife to support single mothers. With 23 years of experience in the housing industry and 9 years running his own business, Eddie has developed skills in design, organization, and marketing, essential for managing his non-profit. He has established a network of over 60 partners in Central Virginia to provide services like car repair, home maintenance, and counseling. He also implemented a tailored system using Apricot software to track services, activities, and volunteers, aiming to replicate this model in other regions.

Eddie's personal experiences deeply influence his work. Raised by compassionate parents and inspired by selfless neighbors, he learned the importance of caring for the vulnerable early on. His journey through divorce, temporary loss of custody of his children, becoming a stepfather, primary caregiver for his aunt, and custodial guardian of his granddaughter, along with his wife's 25 years in education, have equipped them to empathize with and address the challenges of single parenting.

The vision for Giving Words originated from Eddie's passion for helping impoverished children and parents in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. This vision expanded as he and his wife became more rooted in Central Virginia, focusing on aiding vulnerable families in the area. His approach combines business acumen with empathy, emphasizing the importance of making each mother feel valued and accepted.

Where to Find Eddie:

Giving Words Song https://vimeo.com/416871430

Website http://www.givingwordsva.org

Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/givingwordsva

Where to Find Tamra:

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