New Jersey’s ‘Black Fairy Godmother’ helps families across the country turn their lives around
News 12 New Jersey first reported on Simone Gordon two years ago when her organization was in its infancy.
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A New Jersey woman who was dubbed the “Black Fairy Godmother” continues to help those in the state who need help the most.
“We started out as mutual aid - a small mutual aid group just helping women across America and now we’re 48,000 strong and we’re known all over the world to help families with emergencies,” says Simone Gordon.
News 12 New Jersey first reported on Gordon two years ago when her organization was in its infancy. The organization is now a national nonprofit that helps those in marginalized communities.
“It all started with me voicing my opinions on not being able to get assistance with other nonprofit organizations and social services,” says Gordon. “I voiced my opinion on social media and got the help from four strangers who are still a part of my foundation to this day.”
Gordon says she has helped families who are in emergency situations avoid evictions and get groceries. She says that she even helped one New Jersey mom beat a drug addiction.
“She posted something on her Instagram…and I was like, ‘Oh wow, maybe she can help me,’” says recipient Chanell Bussey.
The mother of six found herself facing several battles in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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“We became basically unemployed. I had no money. I had no money to pay my bills so, therefore, I wasn’t able to wash clothes. I wasn’t able to feed my children, I wasn’t able to feed myself,” says Bussey.
Gordon’s organization was able to help Bussey turn things around for her family and herself.
“She reached out with so much sympathy…She started off by sending me food packages, gift cards for my children and clothes and resources for drug programs,” Bussey says.
Gordon uses her social media platform to fundraise. Her social media has grown exponentially in the last two years.
“We vet our requests. People will go online and fill out the application and we have a system where we make sure that they are who they are with the proper I.D., proper documentation,” says Gordon. “We put it on social media and right after we send the Instacart, right after we pay the rent, we put the receipt there and the testimonial so people can know that it’s real.”
The organization has received help from big names like Kelly Clarkson and Sharon Osbourne. Gordon says she hopes that her work will inspire others.
“The more people see me doing, the more people are going to jump on board and help out more in their communities,” she says.
More information about the Black Fairy Godmother can be found on the organization’s website.
