JARRETT GOOODMAN
Staff Writer
The Palms Up Foundation, based in Marion County and headquartered at Parkridge West Hospital, is a non-profit program founded with one purpose in mind: to help single mothers and their children in need.
The foundation was spearheaded by Kathy Johnson, a longtime resident of Marion County who for many years always wanted to establish an organization that would provide help to single mothers struggling through some of life’s hardships, especially as Johnson herself was once a single mother. After participating on a mission trip to Guatemala and through religious guidance, Johnson quickly took action into establishing the program within Marion County.
Among the first tasks that both she and Children’s Director Pam Hurst did to get the program recognized was by hosting a yard sale, which served as a fundraiser for the foundation. And after participating in additional community events, plus the help of local advertisers, the Palms Up Foundation quickly gained recognition throughout the county, with several single mothers and their children becoming ongoing participants of the program.
“Our Bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11, which to paraphrase it means ‘for I know the plans that I have for you. Not to harm you, but to prosper.’ And I thought that’s what we need to teach these women is that we are put on this planet for a purpose. And we all have a desire that God has put in our hearts for where he wants us to go,” said Johnson.
Mothers who become annual participants are offered a variety of services and classes dedicated to preparing them for everyday responsibilities and tasks. Among one of the classes provided is cooking lessons, where mothers can gather to learn different recipes, ensuring that each mother is capable of cooking various homemade dishes and how the ingredients can be acquired. Both a children’s room as well as nursey are also on-site, where children can partake in Bible studies and other activities to help prepare for the world ahead as they grow.
Meetings are held every Monday and Tuesday, with mothers and volunteers alike gathering each time to learn and teach various life lessons. Kathy noted how every Tuesday a Zoom call meeting is held by health and life coach Genette Raborn. Raborn helps educate mothers through a range of topics, such as how to make a resume for a new job and how to respectfully communicate and interact with others both in person and online.
“Employers look for what type of person you are. Because you can meet face-to-face and you’re just the sweetest thing. They don’t get a lot of time with you, and sometimes you don’t get face-to-face. It’s just the resume or something that you read. And they don’t realize that the things they say and do on social media will come back and hurt them as far as the job market goes,” explained Kathy.
Various local businesses and companies have shared their support to the Palms Up Foundation through donations of various goods and supplies, which single mothers can utilize if needed. Kathy hopes that through donations and further community support can the program expand, where more activities and field trips are established so that mothers in need are opened to life’s many opportunities large and small through the Palms Up Foundation.
The Palms Up Foundation is located at Parkridge West Hospital in Jasper 1000 TN 28 at Suite 301. To contact the program, call Kathy Johnson at 423-413-9672.