For these last few years, Deborah Grant has been aligned to a deep calling…
In 2021, she founded SHEKonnect, a nonprofit that provides life skills to teenage girls who have lost their mothers.
Every three months, Deborah and her organization work with 10 girls at a time.
“We show them how to take care of themselves,” said Grant in an interview with The Beat.
SHEKonnect puts on a two-day seminar that focuses on helping young women to prioritize health and wellness, learn financial literacy, and engage in career exploration.
Grant has seen firsthand what happens to girls who’ve lost their moms. They go into silence-mode, don’t want to speak to anyone. This is why Grant feels that it’s essential to give these girls the tools they need to thrive, despite their losses.
After Grant lost her own mother in 1995, she grieved for 10 years in silence. Then she thought to herself: If I’m feeling this way as an adult woman, imagine what young girls who lose their moms must be feeling.
This is when the idea for SHEKonnect was born.
Grant, who has lived in Milpitas for nearly three decades, says that since her niche is very unique, it can be challenging to find participants to enter the program. Usually the nonprofit gets referred to girls through their own family members, or a school counselor or social services worker.
“The population is hard to reach,” said Grant.
The day before this past Mother’s Day, SHEKonnect held an event called “Blooms & Sweets” to bring awareness to the organization and their mission.
KeyPoint Credit Union’s Milpitas branch hosted the event, and many came out to show their support.
Mayor Carmen Montano and Councilmember Hon Lien were present; they gave Grant and SHEKonnect a commendation. The Milpitas Chamber of Commerce’s Vice President Kelly Yip-Chuan spoke, welcoming everyone and introducing Grant at the event.
“I have never felt the sense of community and connection as I’m feeling now,” said Grant at the event.
If you know of anyone who can benefit from SHEKonnect and the services they provide, direct them to the website to learn more.
