As part of our “Go 4 It” commitment, we review monthly nominations of change-makers in Southeast Michigan. This time, it involves helping an entire family.
Local 4′s winner this time around is Towana Parker, Director with DAPCO, also known as Destiny and Purpose Village.
For many, the best way to describe their work is “Fill in the blanks when the ends don’t meet.”
“I gain strength from the smiles that’s on the faces of the people that we work with,” said Parker.
For the past 28 years, Parker and her nonprofit, Destiny and Purpose Community Outreach, have been trying to help people of every age.
“We just believe that when you really work with families, you see the areas of need that they have,” Parker said.
The organization aims to assist as many as possible through eight components, from infants to senior citizens.
“I never dreamed of running a nonprofit agency,” Parker said. “I was always busy in the community. I would work with women that aspired to have a business and that’s where we pretty started, and then we started going into residential homes.”
Thanks to grants, Parker says the organization has acquired 2.8 acres of land where parts are used to shelter homeless women, children, and veterans. A big part depends on sponsors and volunteers.
“This is called the sponsor’s palace, this is what this house would be called,” Parker said.
There’s also a youth summer program, but Parker said she is doing it because she loves to inspire.
“Hearing their stories on how our program has impacted their lives, It keeps me going and It gives me something to reach for,” Parker said. “I know we’re going to make a difference in somebody’s life.”
Even though Parker and DAPCO are already doing a great job, we’re hearing she has plans for the future, including an expansion that will really take advantage of the facility.
Parker, Cynthia Maschat, Vice President, and Dawn Saison, a valued staff member of the nonprofit, were in the studio alongside WDIV Vice President and General Manager Bob Ellis.
Ellis did the honors of Tuesday’s (July 9) award presentation, as seen in the video player above.
If you have a story that embodies our Go 4 It spirit, drop us an email at Go4it@WDIV.com