Deondra Hamilton
Age: 40
City of residence: Woodbine, GA
Current title: Founder/CEO of Church Girls
Place of business: Camden and Charlton Counties
Professional responsibilities: I am the Founder of Church Girls INC. Our organization helps families transition from homelessness to housing. We assist with job placement and help families understand that not all is lost during difficult times.
Accomplishments/Honors: Knowing that Church Girls INC ranks among the top three non-profit organizations in Camden/Charlton County makes me feel like I have achieved something meaningful.
Community Involvement: In 2022, Church Girls INC assisted over 100 families with funds to prevent eviction. We also teamed up with local businesses to provide job placement opportunities.
Why did you go into your particular field: I entered this field because I have a heart for helping people rebuild their lives, which gives me great joy. One of the stories I will never forget is helping a mother living in a hotel for four years. One day, she reached out to me because she felt she could trust me with her problems. I invited her to lunch, and she shared everything she was going through at the time. I assured her that we would build a plan to help her get out of the hotel. I placed her on a budget, and we began looking for private owners. Within a month, Church Girls INC was able to place her family in a three-bedroom mobile home. The family is still living in the home today.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? As a child, when asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, my answer was that I wanted to go into the military.
What was your first job? McDonald’s
What is the best advice you’ve ever received? Giving up isn’t an option
What’s your favorite thing about your job? Seeing smiles on the faces of family members.
What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started your career? I wish I had known the cost of starting a nonprofit and had more knowledge about funding sources.
Who do you consider to be your greatest mentor and why? My greatest mentor is Mayor Kizzy Knight. Her drive and determination set the tone for every woman in our county. She has achieved many firsts in her career and for her family. It is my goal to follow her example.
When you’re not at work, what do you do to relax? I am with my family they are everything to me.
What is something about you that most people don’t know? Most people do not know that I get nervous when I have to speak to a crowd of people.
How do you hope to grow in your career? It is my goal to have a Church Girls INC in all 50 states
If you couldn’t do what you’re doing now, what would you be doing? I would be the head chaplain of a Hospital.