Staff Spotlight: Ra'Shonda Love

Meet SAYS Community Peer Support Specialist, Ra'Shonda Love! Ra'Shonda was recently featured in Pahokee Excellence for the incredible impact she makes in her community. In addition to her work at SAYS, Ra'Shonda created the foundation Heavenly Gifts in which she has served hundreds of youth through various drives (Christmas, Shoes, Dorm Supplies, etc.)

"Today’s Pahokee Excellence spotlights a PHS Class of 2007 Graduate, Ra'shonda Love

Ra’Shonda Love, daughter of Connie (Milton ) Collins and Robert ( Diana) Love was Born November 21, 1988. She shared and enjoyed her childhood years with her three brothers ( Therian, Robert and Alkwazi ) . She continued her education at Florida Memorial University until 2010. Ra’Shonda has spent her time working as a Change Agent for the last 11 years, making an impact on people’s future. She spent some time working for the department of juvenile justice in her earlier career. She is also a certified Early Childhood Learner Educator. For the past five years, she has spent her time working at Saint Augustine Youth Services as a House Parent for Foster Kids. Over the last year, she has transitioned over in the same company as a Life Coach/Peer Support Specialist serving families in Saint Johns, Flagler, and the Putnam County area. 

In 2015,  Ra’Shonda experienced a traumatizing event, ( the loss of her baby girl  FAITH N JONES ) in which brought on depression. That same year, Ra’shonda started Heavenly Gifts ( A foundation for the kids whom parents are deceased) to cope and support others; while supporting herself. The first year she served 89 kids within three months of starting the foundation. Since then, she Sponsored the WALK BY FAITH back to school shoe giveaway including sending 13 youths to college with dorm supplies. In addition,   sponsored 5 Christmas drives with a total of 198 kids and counting. Ra’Shonda makes sure she has a personal relationship with all of her kids. She talks to them on a daily basis. Her main objective is to let them know that they are loved and someone cares . With the community help  and saving all year, Ra’Shonda is able to continue to give back.

Ra’Shonda is proud and happy about lots of things, but nothing brings her more joy than her son Zion Tra Jones; whom she enjoys teaching and learning with. Ra’Shonda is determined to continue to serve God‘s people and instill the same values into her son. Ra’Shonda says she lives by what her mom always told her GOD ,OTHERS, THEN SELF and that’s why she is blessed and will continue to be blessed.

Ra’Shonda, thank you for exemplifying PAHOKEE EXCELLENCE. Please take the time to congratulate her on her many accomplishments. 

#PahokeeExcellence #WeArePahokee”