For women’s history month, I rose to recognize a women who lives a life centered on faith, family, and community.
After serving as a teacher, high school counselor, and family therapist, Ginger Johnson’s heart for women and children led her to enter the world of community service.
Ginger volunteers with an international refugee organization – World Relief.
For over 75 years, across 100 countries, World Relief, has sought out solutions to complex problems like extreme poverty, hunger, natural disaster, and refugee displacement.
Despite the organizations global reach, Ginger has kept her service local at their DuPage headquarters in Carol Stream – Helping the organization care for orphaned and displaced children from the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Ukraine and Russia.
Most impressively – and how I was introduced to the wonderful woman that she is – Ginger spends most of her time working with a faith-based, DuPage County organization – Hearts of Grace.
Most of her efforts with the charity are spent at the Jubilee Village Furniture Store, DuPage County’s largest quality used furniture store.
The proceeds from the furniture shop’s sales are used for the Jubilee Village – which provides transitional housing for single, formerly homeless young mothers.
Often times these women are victims of severe abuse and the safety they find at Jubilee Village is crucial for their recovery.
The Jubilee Village’s parent organization – Outreach Community Ministries – serves areas in and around my 47th district with other efforts like the: OCM Community Center in Carol Stream; Wheaton Youth Outreach; & Warrenville Youth and Family Services.
Ginger Johnson is a perfect example that life is about how much you can give – and not about how much you can get.
Happy Women’s History Month Ginger and thank you for being a dear friend that always goes above and beyond for those who need it most!
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