My name is Chiquitta Lesene, and I am the Founding CEO of Shackle Free Community Outreach Agency, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to helping individuals and families rise from crisis to thriving.

Shackle Free was created to address real-life barriers that keep people stuck—food insecurity, lack of digital access, unemployment, health inequities, housing instability, and social isolation. We don’t just provide services; we build Action Villages where people are supported, equipped, and empowered to transform their lives with dignity.

Our mission is simple but powerful:

Turn shackles into armor.

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Why This Work Matters

You cannot teach digital literacy to someone who is hungry.

You cannot talk about workforce development without reliable transportation, childcare, or internet access.

You cannot expect people to thrive when they are in constant crisis.

That’s why Shackle Free uses Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and a Results-Oriented Management & Accountability (ROMA) framework—meeting urgent needs first, then layering education, workforce pathways, health support, and civic engagement.

Our work has been recognized locally, statewide, and announced at the White House during COVID-19—but recognition alone does not sustain services. The needs in our communities continue to grow.

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Why Unrestricted Support Is Essential

While grants are critical, most grant funding is restricted. Grants are often limited to specific programs and do not cover the everyday operational costs required to keep a nonprofit running.

Unrestricted support helps keep the lights on—literally. It covers essentials such as utilities, internet access, insurance, technology maintenance, transportation, outreach, staff support, and emergency response. These costs are the backbone of our work, yet they are rarely fully funded.

Unrestricted donations give Shackle Free the flexibility to respond in real time, ensuring that programs don’t pause, staff aren’t stretched beyond capacity, and families aren’t turned away because a crisis didn’t fit neatly into a grant category.

In short: unrestricted support keeps the mission moving.

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Emergency Assistance: Stabilizing Lives in Crisis

Emergency assistance is one of the most critical—and most misunderstood—parts of our work.

At Shackle Free, emergency assistance means stepping in at the exact moment a small setback could become a life-altering crisis. These are situations that cannot wait for approvals or funding cycles.

Unrestricted funds allow us to respond quickly when individuals or families are facing:

• Food insecurity due to sudden job loss or reduced hours

• Utility shutoff notices for electricity, water, gas, or internet

• Emergency transportation needs for work, medical care, court, or job interviews

• Temporary housing instability or displacement

• Barriers to medication, healthcare access, or essential documents

• Digital emergencies—lost or broken phones, computers, or lack of internet needed for work, school, telehealth, or benefits enrollment

Because crises are unpredictable, emergency assistance cannot be delayed or pre-planned. These funds allow Shackle Free to act immediately—preventing job loss, housing instability, or deeper hardship.

Emergency assistance is not a handout. It is a hand-up—paired with long-term solutions such as digital literacy, workforce training, benefits navigation, and community health support. Stabilization creates the foundation for sustainable change.

Often, emergency assistance is the difference between:

• Keeping or losing employment

• Staying housed or becoming displaced

• Moving forward or remaining stuck in survival mode

Your support ensures that when someone needs help right now, Shackle Free can say yes.

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What We Do

With your support, Shackle Free delivers:

• Digital Equity & Literacy

• Digital BUZZ labs in barbershops, salons, churches, community centers, and residential facilities

• Free technology access, digital navigation, and skill-building

• Food & Basic Needs Support

• Momma Kine’s Pantry and community food distributions

• Anti-poverty festivals and resource fairs

• Workforce & Economic Mobility

• Free University training programs

• Remote-work pathways including digital literacy, truck dispatching, tax preparation, and community health ambassador training

• Community Health & Wellness

• Health education, screenings, benefits enrollment (including MyFriendBen)

• Community Health Ambassador training

• Youth, Family & Civic Engagement

• Camp Unity, Digital Champions, fatherhood and maternal support initiatives

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How Your Donation Helps

Your contribution supports:

• Technology devices, software, and internet access

• Food pantry supplies and emergency food assistance

• Workforce training materials and instructors

• Transportation, outreach, and community events

• Emergency assistance and unrestricted operational support to sustain free services

Every dollar helps us meet people where they are, with dignity, respect, and solutions that work.

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How You Can Help

• Donate — any amount makes a difference

• Share — help us reach others who believe in community transformation

• Partner — businesses, faith-based organizations, and community leaders are welcome

Together, we can ensure opportunity is delivered with care—and that no one’s future is limited by a moment of crisis.

Thank you for standing with us.

Thank you for believing in transformation.

Thank you for helping us turn shackles into armor.

With gratitude,

Chiquitta Lesene

Founding CEO

Shackle Free Community Outreach Agency, Inc.

Team Free ⛓️‍