Social Impact Heroes: Why & How Ashley Gooden-Stewart of The Baby Stewart Foundation Is Helping To Change Our World
A leader is someone who empowers their team and encourages them every step of the way. A leader has integrity and models good practices. A leader is nonjudgmental and has empathy. A leader respects their team and is able to learn from their team members too.
As part of my series about “individuals and organizations making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Ashley Gooden-Stewart
Ashley Gooden-Stewart is the CEO and Founder of The Baby Stewart Foundation (BSF). She is a devoted wife, mother of three, a native of La Marque, TX, and Lamar University graduate. Ashley is also a Certified Grief Coach and Educator, Infant Loss advocate, Community Health Worker, and Mental Health First Aider.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
I always had a big capacity to care. At an early age, I went to local charities, shelters, and food banks to distribute boxes of goods with my mother. One of my dreams was to start a nonprofit organization and help others. In my adult years, I experienced poverty, job loss, underemployment, and homelessness. Being high risk pregnant with my firstborn son was challenging and I received assistance from organizations in Austin, TX. After the loss of my infant son CJ Stewart in 2015, I moved back to my hometown and founded a nonprofit organization called “The Baby Stewart Foundation.” In honor of my son CJ, I provided Galveston County and surrounding counties with baby necessities, hygiene items, clothing, shoes, undergarments, school supplies, car seat safety, and bereavement support. I turned tragedy into triumph by strengthening my community and normalizing the conversation of pregnancy and infant loss.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?
Since the beginning, our organization had many doubters. The effectiveness of the projects and programs made people skeptical. I had many doors closed on me while educating my community and the social media world on my vision. Throughout the years, BSF has partnered with Walmart, Bombas, Madi Apparel, Simply the Basics, and Jansport. BSF has been able to help three countries and seven states. BSF has made a major impact on families and restoring the hope and dignity of those faced with hard times. Some BSF clients were just needing a helping hand to live their life. The immediate need for necessities was met regardless of a client’s socioeconomic status.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
The funniest mistake I made was asking a potential donor for a snack during a meeting. I was expecting my second child at the time and I never disclosed to the donor about my pregnancy. It was an awkward moment, but a partnership was established. Going forward, I have learned to be transparent with donors and pack my own snacks.
Can you describe how you or your organization is making a significant social impact?
The pandemic has caused us to change our mission and expand the populations we serve. March 2020, The Baby Stewart Foundation provided PPE, cleaning supplies, baby necessities, and hygiene items to the sick and shut in, elderly population, low-income families, and homeless populations. Our hurricane relief efforts helped families during Hurricane Laura and Hurricane Zeta. BSF has always been a completely mobile organization which makes services convenient for those faced with transportation barriers, especially in rural areas and small towns. We travel near and far to ensure families have supplies and we use our own resources and vehicles.
Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
A single father of three children inquired about receiving baby diaper assistance from The Baby Stewart Foundation in 2019. After I met with the single father and listened to his story, I became overwhelmed with tears. The father was a college graduate who struggled with finding employment and providing necessities for his family. The third time I met with the father, I provided him with 5 months’ worth of baby diapers for his son. The father was starting to give up hope until he realized someone cares and witnesses his struggles.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
In order to address diaper disparities, more grants and funding should be made more available to organizations that serve families in need.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
A leader is someone who empowers their team and encourages them every step of the way. A leader has integrity and models good practices. A leader is nonjudgmental and has empathy. A leader respects their team and is able to learn from their team members too.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
The importance of fundraising. For example, create events to get more people engaged about the cause and to raise funds to keep projects afloat.
Importance of local partnerships. For example, connecting and collaborating with local organizations can help towards meeting goals and serving the community.
Prioritizing your time. For example, set a standard schedule for donation pickups, days and times to meet with clients, and restocking inventory.
Get volunteers. For examples, sign up with Volunteer Match to connect with people eager to perform volunteer work.
Don’t get discouraged. For example, if you have minor setback, don’t get discouraged. There are many ways to overcome obstacles and to make better plans for your organization.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I would like to start a “Mother’s Care” movement. This movement will consist of helping expectant mothers, helping mothers postpartum, and assisting fathers too. Individuals or small groups will come help mothers with housework, meal preparation, giving mothers time to shower or rest, and social interaction. Mothers of infants will be supplied with one year of baby diapers and clothing. A nurse will visit the home to check on the well being of the mother, share information about Postpartum Depression and safe sleeping for babies, and help with breastfeeding.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
Ashley’s life lesson quote is “I’ve been there. I am here for you. Let’s go through the process together.” This quote has helped me give clients empathy and to help them with their social problems. I have been through many hardships in my life and I don’t want anyone to be alone on their journeys and feel unsupported.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
I have always looked up to Oprah Winfrey. Oprah’s movies, quotes, books, and philanthropy has truly inspired me. Oprah had a difficult past and she was able to persevere — just like me. I would be honored to someday have a private lunch with Oprah.
How can our readers follow you on social media?
www.facebook.com/TheBabyStewart
@the_baby_stewart
@agoodstew87
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
Social Impact Heroes: Why & How Ashley Gooden-Stewart of The Baby Stewart Foundation Is Helping To… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.