Community Highlights: Meet Stephanie Harvey of MAD PARK

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Harvey. 

Hi Stephanie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
That’s a good question. I think being of service to the community is something that has always been a part of who I am. My parents and my brother were the living embodiment of community. I always looked to them as my example. Growing up, my parents had a homemade gym, that wasn’t too fancy, but it did the job. I remember my dad allowing the boys in the community a safe space in our home to just workout. This in turn kept them out of trouble. I think that was my first example of what it should look like to make an impact on the youth in our community. My mom would feed those within the community, along with being an activist for community needs and support. My brother took the elders in our community grocery shopping, along with impacting in many avenues that would be unheard of today. 

My father was really big on health and that made me desire to follow in that direction. I used to work at Adidas, and I would find myself keeping holistic teas and supplements with me at all times. Every time one of my associates had a headache or any other issue, they would always come to me. I think that sparked my interest to health and later established me to receive my certification in holistic nutrition. This interest led me to starting this organization right in the mist of the pandemic. I had always been passionate about community, and I was on the hunt to figure out how I could make an impact that was true to me. At the end of 2020, I decided I wanted to create monthly community workouts, and the 3 months of planning led to creating MAD PARK. I wanted to make sure we were intentional about community from a health and wellness standpoint, now this organization is making strides in the school sector. 

Yeah, I would say this is what lead this organization to where it stands today. I am a very analytical person and I tend to overthink more often than I should. God has truly carried this organization in a magnitude that I could ever imagine or think and to be honest we are just getting started. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Omg. The road has not been easy, especially since our organization is only a year in. No one prepared me for what it would entail to start a nonprofit. In it all I am thankful that God has led me to start such a super cool organization. There have been times where it is just me teaching students about nutrition, curating the curriculums, going through trial and error, and also trying to be more intentional about social media engagement and funding. To anyone starting out the work that is required from you is not for those who give up easily. Let me tell you, you are going to give it everything you got. I am truly grateful for these struggles and hard moments; they truly bring the strength within. 

The biggest road this organization has faced is getting people on our team that get our mission and our vision and are truly dedicated to putting in the work that leads to impacting our community. Oftentimes in the nonprofit sector, we rely on free assistance, and many times those that help us may not always receive proper compensation. That’s something I truly care about. I want to make sure I am showcasing true gratitude to those that put a lot of their time and dedication to support this organization. I am grateful towards every intern that I have had, their impact alone has truly shifted the dynamics of our foundation. 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about MAD PARK?
MAD PARK is centered on shifting the generational barriers of health that directly affect marginalized communities; helping to bring fitness, nutrition and wellbeing awareness. Many underprivileged communities lack nutritional access and education. This is why we curate events and programs that connect our community to steps of bettering their health. 

Our initiative brings highlights, access, and awareness to local fitness instructors, nutritionists, and those within alternative medicine to the community through wellbeing events, health induced programs, community, and social media engagement 

Truly, we are coming from a different approach to how to educate our community on the foundations of health. Our program is generationally built and that makes a difference. 

I am proud that this organization is able to make an impact on the families as a whole. We don’t just impact students at school, we also impact the teachers and the parents. While also providing free community workouts that encourage our community to keep moving no matter who you are. Providing a multiethnic and multicultural experience is vital to our community and the impact of their health. 

I want readers to know that this organization cares about educating our community on the scope of health. We focus on being the solution to the health problem that typically arises within our community. The average American lacks proper understanding when it comes to health and that has to change. This organization has been strategic on creating affordable programs to help those within the community make steps to bettering their health. That entails nutritional, physical, emotional, and financial health. 

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
There are so many people that have impacted the journey to MAD PARK being created. To my third and fourth grade teacher Ms. E who exposed me to many parts of the world, who also changed my view of what it looks like to truly impact others. To my 8th-grade history teacher who showed me how to reach students through unconventional approaches. To my mentor who has truly shaped my way of thinking, who has also showed me what it looks like to show up as your authentic self. To Wings for Kids, one of the first after-school programs that showed me what it looks like to impact students within a school setting. I could go on and on about those who have planted seeds in my life that has led to the impacted foundation of MAD PARK. 

The biggest seeds that were planted were from my parents and my big brother. Without my foundation of real-life examples, MAD PARK would not exist today. 

Contact Info:

• Email: madparkcommunity@gmail.com
• Instagram: @madparkcommunity
• Facebook: @madparkcommunity

Image Credits
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