Tweet Juanita Kelly @goddessbyjkelly

Juanita Kelly inspires woman to be strong, independent and focused woman through her foundation The Juanita Kelly Foundation.

Juanita Kelly is a fashion designer from Plainfield New Jersey. She is a Master Seamstress and holds multiple degrees from Rutgers University. Kelly started out modeling at the age of 10 and after 14 years decided to open her own modeling and talent agency. At the same time, Kelly launched her first clothing line called ETC Fashions. In 2000, Kelly was diagnosed with cancer and had to take a break from all her business endeavors. After years of fighting, she won the battle and was able to continue working in the fields that she loved. In 2008 Kelly started Goddess by Juanita Kelly, a plus-size clothing line. Not to mention Kelly has her own online radio show called Goddess Talk as well as her own magazine called Goddess Magazine. Think there’s anything Kelly hasn’t done? Think again! In 2010, Kelly launched The Juanita Kelly Publications and Juanita Kelly Productions as well as starting New Jersey Fashion and Beauty Associations.

Juanita Kelly Foundation was first started with support groups in Juanita Kelly’s home which she opened up to women that were suffering in 2010. Since those home meetings the foundation has expanded to any and all woman who need help in different aspects of their lives. They focus on helping every woman live a life of strength and direction. The Foundation helps those who suffer from cancer, addiction and domestic violence as well as helping those in need of a transformation, some emotional stability, business mentoring and training and offering woman scholarships grants and empowerment.

Interview Conducted Via Email By: Giacinta Pace

Introduction By: Meg Zrini

Q: What is your charity?

Juanita: Juanita Kelly Foundation: Changing Women’s Lives One Women at a Time.

Q: What is your role with the organization?

Juanita: The Juanita Kelly Foundation started in 2010 by Juanita Kelly who is a survivor of domestic violence as well as brain cancer. Juanita first started by opening her home for support groups to women that suffered through abuse, cancer and addiction problems. As a life coach, Juanita was able to help women regain their inner beauty and love for themselves. The foundation itself is focused to all women including women who have or have had cancer, experienced domestic violence, in need of transformation counseling, emotional stability, self-help, education on health and wellness, business mentoring, job training for low income women, scholarships, grants and women empowerment. We want all women to be able to live a life of independence, strength and direction and so, as an organization we wish to make that possible.

Q: Why does this charity stand out above the rest?

Juanita: The Juanita Kelly Foundation, a non-profit organization exists to provide transitional counseling to women of all ages through the use of support groups and life coaching. Our mission at The Juanita Kelly Foundation is to join women from all walks of life through friendship, trust, and unconditional love and acceptance, while providing the tools necessary for them to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. We at The Juanita Kelly Foundation do not question the women’s values nor do we make decisions for them. Rather we offer a safe haven; a supportive atmosphere free of judgment in which to facilitate positive changes within their life following battles with addiction, domestic violence, and illness. The Juanita Kelly Foundation provides support group help, counseling and support to all the women in New Jersey who are trying to improve their many aspects of their lives. Our groups are motivational and meet once a week and discuss how we feel about ourselves. We cry, laugh and share together. We learn to love ourselves and heal ourselves.

*Grief Support

*Battered Womens Support

*Learn to Love Yourself Support

*Women Encouraging Women

*Teen Girls Support

*Womens Weightloss Support

We also help motivate women reach their fullest potential with life coaching. Life coaching is a less diagnostic, analytical, branch of psychology, which focuses directly on the clients’ goals and readiness to make changes in their lives. The purpose of life coaching is to work either one on one or within a group, where a “coach” contributes by offering helpful advice and support. The Juanita Kelly Foundation offers a combined 35 years of experience in bringing support to women of all ages in reaching their goals, while providing a safe haven where judgment is left at the door. Although all women are welcome to try our life coaching services, The Juanita Kelly Foundation specializes in-group or individual sessions pertaining to: Relationship Coaching, Personal/Leadership Coaching, Business Coaching, Time Management Coaching, Parent/Adolescent Coaching, Grief/Mourning Coaching, Addiction/Recovery Coaching, Retirement Coaching, Weight Loss Management Coaching, and Creativity Coaching.

Q: Anything else you would like to add?

Juanita: We at The Juanita Kelly Foundation are happy to inform you of our present and past event which are geared to motivate, empower and help those less fortunate.

Present events:

Prom Dress Drive February2013- May 2013 - Proms all around the world are coming up soon and many young women would love to have the luxury of an event such as prom, but are not able to due to monetary situations especially with the hard times of our economy. Juanita Kelly Foundation hosts an annual prom drive where we ask for donations of new or gently used prom dress, good conditioned shoes, and or accessories.

Past events of 2010-2012

Christmas Coat/Toy Drive December 2012 - During the Christmas season the Juanita Kelly Foundation would like to spread Joy and Happiness. We host our annual coat/toy drive to give back to less fortunate children by keeping children warm and in the Christmas spirit during winter by collecting new or gently used coats and unopened toys.

Thanksgiving Food Drive - For Thanksgiving Holiday we at the foundation provide turkey dinners with trimmings to needy families. The donations are given to families to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday.

Cash for Curtains - The Juanita Kelly Foundation joined with Metropolitan Window Fashions and its “Cash for Curtains” trade-in promotion to provide low-income families with gently used window treatments. Customers of Metropolitan Window Fashions who choose to take advantage of this trade in opportunity received a credit of up to $100 in value per window towards the purchase of new, energy efficient window coverings. Those donate window treatment were than given to The Juanita Kelly Foundation and we than had them cleaned and donated them to needy women who could use these window treatments .

Easter Basket Drive - Juanita Kelly Foundation runs an annual Easter Basket Drive. We ask for Easter Baskets for boys/girls to help ensure that a child enjoys the Easter holiday season.

Back to School Drive - Juanita Kelly Foundation believes that every child deserves to start his or her first day of class fully equipped to learn. With the support of caring community members, our annual Back to School Drive provides essential supplies for children in need. We are dedicated to preparing kids for their academic futures. With donations we are able to provide backpacks and supplies directly to needy students. We collect new backpacks and school supplies for children ages Kindergarten through 6th grade for the 2012-13 academic year. In order to help these children put their best foot forward on the first day of school, we are also collect $10 gift cards to Payless Shoe Source, as well as $10 gift for Supercuts.

I am Beauty, I am Love, I am Me - Young girls between the ages of 13-19 join us for a day of fun, games and togetherness. . The Juanita Kelly Foundation is hosts its annual I am Beauty, I am Love, I am Me teen girls self-esteem event. This event not only brings awareness to teen girls on how important self-esteem is to their friends and to themselves but how teens should embrace and support one another by coming together and having fun for a day. 

For inquiries please contact Nicole Bandklayder, NB Talent Services at nicole@nbtalentservices.com