Remington College – Memphis Student Makes a Difference by Giving Back to Her Community
Debra Henderson balances school, family, charity
As a former resident of Westwood Community, a public housing neighborhood in Memphis, Tennessee, Deborah Henderson understands how important it is to give back. Not only is she a mother of five pursuing a degree at Remington College-Memphis Campus, Henderson is launching a nonprofit organization dedicated to making a difference in the very community she came from.
Henderson’s organization, called Make It Happen, aims to help those less fortunate in and around the Westwood Community. She has spearheaded campaigns to feed and clothe the homeless and plans on expanding to include after-school tutoring, mentoring and women’s empowerment programs.
'Being from this community, I recognize where the need is great,' said Henderson. 'I want to provide programs to help people become more self-sufficient so we can work on local problems like unemployment and the dropout rate.'
Henderson is organizing a rap concert in July to help change the perception that the neighborhood has a high crime rate. She coordinated the same event in 2009 and hopes to give out school supplies to local children this year.
'My goal is to take this to a citywide or national level,' she said. 'Like anything, it’s a learning process, and I never get tired of it.'
Henderson has just completed her third quarter in Remington College’s Business Office Management program and maintains an 'A' average.
How does she do it all? '“I’m the type of person that believes nothing is too hard,' said Henderson. 'I never get tired of what I do, from being a mother to helping those in need, and I hope to build something that will improve the community and bring people together.'