Growing up in poverty on a farm in the Philippines, Jennifer Jones (our founder) used to reside in a tiny house (built by her grandparents) made of wood and bamboo with no electricity and running water. Her parents worked very hard on the farm to provide for their children. Her parents believed that education was a ticket out of poverty, so they sent her to study and stay in the city with a relative who was able to provide that opportunity, but that opportunity turned into a nightmare as she experienced being sexually abused at the age of seven by her adopted cousin. Her father was heartbroken to witness the incident, so he did what a father could so the incident won't ever happen again.

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When she was in 5th grade, she and her sister got sick, and since they did not have access to transportation and hospitals, her father climbed a tree to pick "Santol" fruit (a tropical fruit that is packed with Vitamin C) as a remedy to cure them which caused her father to fall to his death.  As the oldest of 5, she became an adult at the age of eleven, and she helped her mother to take care of her younger siblings, and along the way, she lost her mother to cancer due to a lack of resources. Losing her mother was heartbreaking as she lost the support and love of a mother who had sacrificed so much to provide for her and her siblings.  

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Her experience of losing her father and mother at a young age underscores the challenges many families living in poverty face, including limited access to healthcare and resources.

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About a year ago, she started modeling in her free time as she found it exciting to walk on the runway, wear designer clothes and be on the cover of magazines. Her passion for modeling and fashion is another example of how she has found ways to express herself and overcome her fears. As a shy person dealing with stage fright and social anxiety, she found that by putting herself in front of audiences and walking the runway, she has been able to build confidence and pursue her dreams. She experienced walking the runway during New York Fashion Week (NYFW) in September 2022. She attended a four-day Coco Rocha Model Camp (CRMC) on February 2023 in New York. She walked several local fashion shows in Kansas City (Kansas/ Missouri), Omaha, Nebraska, and St. Louis, Missouri.

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Through all the trials and experiences she had, she is blessed to have the support of her siblings, friends, and husband in navigating through her healing journey. Aside from seeking professional help, she is managing stressful situations through journaling. She is elated to share the journal she has been using, so she created and published the “100 Days of Healing: Ease Your Pain, Use A Pen,” aiming to assist other survivors in their healing journey which is now available on Amazon.

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In addition to the journal she published, she founded the nonprofit organization called "Together We Heal, Inc." based in Kansas. The organization aims to help women and children heal from traumas by providing financial resources to the uninsured who can not afford to seek professional help. Seeking professional help is not shameful, and let us all work together to change the social stigma and discrimination against mental illness. Social stigma and discrimination can worsen mental health problems, and it will stop a person from getting the help they need.

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Her struggles with low self-esteem and social anxiety also highlight the importance of mental health and seeking professional help when needed. Through her journal and nonprofit organization, she is working to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and provide support to those who may not have access to it otherwise.

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Her story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Despite facing numerous challenges and traumas in her life, she has not only found a way to heal, but she also aims to help others who are going through similar experiences. She has transformed her struggles into a mission to assist others. Her journey from poverty and abuse to becoming a mail carrier, model, advocate, and founder of a nonprofit organization is an inspiring example of what can be achieved through hard work, determination, and faith.

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Her experiences are a powerful reminder of the importance of resilience, perseverance, and hope in the face of adversity. Through her work and advocacy, she is helping to create a world where everyone has the opportunity to heal, grow, and thrive. Healing is a process, and it takes time. Let's work together and help one another so "real healing" will take place. Sharing our burdens with people who care is a crucial part of the healing process, hence the title "Together We Heal."