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About

The Back Story

Hello...

I am Faith Saunders, or you may hear Faith McCalla – same person.  the founder of iCMAD.  I learned that "I can make a difference" as a child in Jamaica by watching my parents, in particular my mother.

Children came to our home on their way to school because they knew Ms. Edna, the name my mother was affectionately called, had some kind of baked goods for them to eat. This would be the main meal for some of them. When my mother passed in 2020, my siblings and I heard so many stories of things that she did that, though they may seem small, had a huge impact on the lives of the people she touched.  Here is a personal experience that left a lasting impression on me. I was home in Jamaica visiting my parents.

By this time, my mother was no longer a stay-at-home mom, she had a small restaurant in the city. It was the end of the working day and I noticed that my mother was wrapping the remaining food in individual packages. After that, she did something strange.  She went outside and put the food in the garbage cans that were nearby. When she came back, I asked her what she was doing. I was surprised by her answer, and I will never forget it. She said that the food was for persons who were mentally ill. They usually went into the garbage looking for something to eat after everybody had gone home for the day. I saw my mother through different lens from that day on – a person who was quietly making a difference.

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The lesson learned is that everyone can make a difference and giving back means more than giving money to those in need. A small gesture of kindness can go a long way. For instance, smiling at someone or genuinely asking how they are doing can make a difference. Why? These small gestures say, “I see you.” “I care about you.” “You matter.

Picture: Parents with Faith

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​Even before we became an official 501(c)(3) organization in 2023, iCMAD has been busy at work by partnering with many not-for-profits since 2010. Many initiatives such

​ as winter coat drives, food drives, women empowerment conference to name a few were

 

inspired by my experience as a single parent raising my children - now adults – since they were six and four years old. Having been down this road, I can relate to some of the challenges faced by many single parents:

  • Not having enough money and "robbing Peter to pay Paul"

  • Childcare woes – my child is sick and being overwhelmed and confused as to what to do – go to work or stay home.

  • Feeling alone and isolated due to lack of support.

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Being a parent in today's fast-paced world can be incredibly challenging, and being a single parent adds an additional level of complexity. At iCMAD, our goal is to partner with single parents and other collaborators to influence positive change that will have a rippling effect. We do this by implementing special projects that give single parents and their children a hand up! This approach not only empowers parents and their children, but it is one in which everyone feels valued, and are treated with dignity and respect. 

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Partner with us to make a difference. To learn more about what we have done and are doing go to 

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