Dahlia Grove 501c3

I was raised in a home where we were taught christian ethics and morals.  My dad, being a Baptist Minister demostrated to us the love of Christ in a very real and honest way.  Therefore, I grew up with a huge heart for missions.   I became  a church musician and piano teacher.  However, having been a single mother for a long time, i learned to use my creative skills to support myself and my children.  I have catered and developed a small design business that I run on the side of my other two jobs.  Through the course of my life, I have developed a passion and desire to help women out of bad situations and empower them to make difficult changes and become self sufficient.  My life dream, and I believe, life calling is to utilize my gifts, talents, skills and passion to create a business where I can employ women from the battered women's shelter and rescued from the human trafficing issue.  My desire and dream to own and operate a wedding, reception and event facility that is also a horse farm to be rented out and give these ladies employment by event planning, set up, housekeeping, gardening, marketing, bookkeeping, husbandry, catering, food service, manufacturing and sales.  I would take my design business to the next level by hiring and teaching them the skills to help make the product and letting them become the sales force.  I have already proven that the product is very lucrative and marketable.  We have already been in contact with Disney, Cruiselines, Resorts, and many gift shops and trade shows.  I am in the process of writing a business plan to find investors who are like minded in helping the crisis that these women face.  I believe it takes a group effort to stop the injustice that is happening around us.  There are several ways you can help.  
1.  Donate through Gofundme.com.  

2. Purchase a Flippin' Bag.  You can view the bags and products at Dahlia Grove (formerly Gee Jay Design) Facebook page and order   The cost of a bag is $44.00.  

3. Volunteer to be a part of the Board of Directors to guide and design this program and facility. 

Some folks think I am crazy for this wild dream!!! Others are cheering me on to use what I have to make the difference in the lives of others.  Will you help?

I have named this project as the Benfield Foundation in honor of my Dad, Dwayne R. Benfield who made a huge impact on the lives of all 5 sibblings and myself.  He had such a tender heart for missions and he gave it to me!!!

We have named the Project Dahlia Grove.  Dahlias were one of my Dad's favorite flowers.  Ironically, the symbolism and meaning of the Dahlia is: "Staying graceful under pressure, while drawing upon inner strength, especially in challenging situations, in order to make a major life change and follow your own unique path.  (www.flowermeaning.com) How appropriate for what I want to do.  These gorgeous flowers were also exchanged at weddings to symbolize the commitment of a lasting bond between two people.  

I hope you will join me as I set out on this journey to bring hope and change to those who have lived in modern day slavery.  It's time for it to end.  Let's do something about it!!!