Community Highlights: Meet Ayanna Jones of Breaking Cycles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ayanna Jones. 

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Growing up, I experienced several traumatic events. From physical, mental, emotional, and sexual abuse to teen pregnancy, homeless and biggest challenge of them all, learning to rebuild myself after everything I had endured. 

My name is Ayanna Jones, and I am the founder and CEO of Breaking Cycles Inc., An organization designed to bring awareness to the importance of mental health and overcoming trauma amongst minorities in underserved communities. 

So often, our trauma is overlooked and not properly cared for. I started Breaking Cycles Inc. to bridge that gap by providing character development workshops, community resources, and life coaching to support those who seek the journey of becoming their best and most authentic self. 

I have taken all my negative life experiences and found a way to make them a positive. I have dedicated my life to helping other go from surviving to thriving, from not enough to more than enough. I believe we are all worthy of unconditional love and compassion. 

The mission of Breaking Cycles Inc. is breaking generational curses and creating generational wealth by meeting the needs and breaking down the barriers of multigenerational populations. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road the becoming the founder of a multigenerational nonprofit organization has been challenging to say the least; from funding issues to gaining the support of like-minded individuals who share the same goal and compassion, it has been extremely trying. But every small success makes it all worthwhile. Many people are under the assumption that running a nonprofit organization is “easy” because it is designed to serve “the people,” but if I were to be completely honest, many grassroots organizations have a hard time obtaining funding. Sadly, majority of nonprofit organizations fail within its first 5 years because of lack of funding and support. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Breaking Cycles Inc.?
Breaking Cycles Inc. is a multigenerational organization designed to bring awareness to the importance of mental health, overcoming trauma, and breaking generational patterns. We are known for our selfless acts of community service and showing care and compassion to those who may have otherwise been written off by society. 

What sets us apart from other nonprofit organizations is we aim to meet every individual where they rather than trying to force them to be where we “think” they should be. We recognize trauma can affect everyone differently, and what may work for one person may not work for the next person. 

We offer character development workshops, resources, and referrals for counseling and parenting classes. As well as community outreach opportunities, life skills classes, including personal hygiene, cooking, maintaining cleanliness, balancing a checkbook, critical thinking, decision making, and much more. 

We are most proud of our dedication to helping others overcome life challenges and exposing them to the real power they hold within themselves. Breaking generational curses and creating generational wealth. 

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc.?
Pastor Sarah Jakes Roberts and the Woman Evolve delegation have played a major part in my growth and success. Pastor Sarah and I share similar stories regarding teen pregnancy and overwhelming feelings of anxiety, so listening to her podcast and following her sermons have been like a breath of fresh air. She has taught me the importance of holding on to my authenticity. She has also helped me understand the purpose of my pain. Everything I have endured was not for myself but for the betterment of the generations that will come after me. Sarah’s vulnerability and authentic nature has been both reassuring and inspiring. She has giving me the reassurance that even as a teen mom and a person who has endured much hardship, my life still has purpose and meaning. 

Contact Info:

• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/BreakingCycles365/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/user/atj08241