Life can change in profound ways when we face our deepest challenges. For LeTeisha Gordon, founder of the Better Day Than Yesterday Initiative Program, the impact of incarceration on her family from age five sparked a mission to create lasting change for others walking similar paths.
Gordon's nonprofit specializes in reentry services, youth development, housing support, and family reunification for those impacted by the justice system. Through strategic partnerships like the one with Found Fund, they connect justice-impacted individuals with 3.5% interest loans covering first month's rent, security deposits, and furniture allowance. Their specialized housing for those with substance abuse issues addresses a crucial gap in traditional reentry services.
What makes Gordon's story particularly compelling is her personal journey through entrepreneurial hardship and workplace constraints before finding her purpose. After losing her restaurant and enduring a stifling job environment—where she literally screamed in the locker room daily to release frustration—a snake encounter became the unlikely catalyst for change. This experience fueled her determination to build something meaningful on her own terms. When she launched her first youth program and discovered nearly all participants were impacted by incarceration or gun violence, she knew she'd found her calling.
Today, Gordon balances organizational growth with personal well-being, having recently transitioned some operations from Virginia to Georgia. She emphasizes the importance of family reunification both in her work and personal life, discovering new hobbies like fishing while narrowing her organization's focus to ensure sustainability. Her message resonates with clarity: "You do not have to be perfect to start." The Better Day Than Yesterday Initiative Program stands as testament to resilience, integrity, and the power of meeting people exactly where they are. Follow their journey on all social platforms or visit www.abetterdaythanyesterday.org to learn how you can support their mission to make each day better than the last.