TAMPA, Fla. — In 2017 Kristen Brown found herself contemplating what she had planned for the rest of her life. After battling a long illness and tackling the struggles of being a single mom she says she decided it was time to make a change and a larger impact on her community.
"I, at the time, was working as a marketing executive," she said. "I considered myself very fortunate, but it was still really, super hard. There are just so many barriers, and I just felt like it shouldn't be that hard to get your kids into some kind of great program or to get the other resources that you needed like clothing or shoes."
So, she quit her job and put all of her time and energy into her first love — helping others. Brown founded TRIBE Seminole Heights, taking no salary, to volunteer her talents of lifting others up, and providing necessary resources from household items and clothing, to after-school activities.
The non-profit is quite the polar opposite of life in the fashion marketing world.
"A bad day here is like sitting in the closet with someone who is about to take custody of two children. A 2-year-old and a 9-year-old, because their mother took her own life, and they found her and she's a distant aunt who doesn't really know them. So we're preparing clothes and books and trying to give her stuff to make a quick life for these children," explains Brown.
Her Tampa nonprofit serves families in need with those essential items and a unique learning environment.
Right now, on Monday nights TRIBE hosts a family exchange market. Parents and kids can grab all kinds of donated goods from toys and books to sports equipment and electronics. Brown says, "times are harder for everyone."
She says it's important to make it as easy as possible for families while making sure they keep every ounce of dignity in the process. "We don't ask for ID, there's no paperwork. Folks come in, there's no counting of the items."
For $10 at the door, kids can also participate in a music lesson with a teacher. Right now, the group offers an introduction to ukulele class, along with options for more intermediate musicians. Brown says it's important for them to provide these extracurriculars to kids.
"The first things that go in a budget, they're the extras. So they're the art lessons, art supplies, more books," she says.
Over the years, TRIBE has expanded and pulled back on its offerings, given the resources it has from donations. Brown says she would love to do more, but right now the non-profit is facing its own financial stresses and needs additional grant funding and community support to stay afloat and continue its mission of being a lifeline for families in need.
Brown knows, "There are things that only money can buy: employees, insurance, rent right? And those are the things we lack, unfortunately."
Despite the struggle right now to keep the programs and offerings in play, Brown remains committed to the cause and confident in her pursuit to keep this a community staple. "It is my opportunity to exceed; we've had great success, we've served over 4,000 families and I know that we can continue to do that."
You can donate to TRIBE now and share the challenge with friends. Right now, it's gearing up for its Spooky Stroll event this month and is still looking for sponsorships; click or tap here for more info.