Today we’d like to introduce you to Dana Burns.
Hi Dana, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My story began in October 2005, I met a guy, whose wife had recently died, and his 6 month old daughter had just been released from the hospital. He and I were in a relationship that soon turned into a situationship; it was one of the most toxic and unhealthy environments I’ve ever encountered. He was in and out of jail or prison; seldomly at home with the child and I; mind you she fed through a g-tube; was on a heart monitor, and oxygen 24/7. November 2011, I finally let go; however, the child remained with me because he was being sentenced to prison for 5 years.
Fast Forward to December 2016, about a year after he was released from prison, at the age of 11, the State of Arizona removed her from my custody, because I wasn’t biologically related; put her in his care; three months later he was involved in a felony flight from the Phoenix PD, with the child in the car, loaded pistol in the car, drunk driving, weed and meth in the car, suspended license, and they kept her in his care, until I began going to the courts to regain custody.
Another fast forward to December 2018, I was awarded PERMANENT guardianship. A Permanent Voice has everything to do with a challenging situation that was turned into a positive platform for others who have or who are experiencing traumatizing situations. PERMANENT comes from the Permanent Guardianship and VOICE comes from the lack of having a voice; while trying to keep her in my custody; she didn’t have a voice either.
June 2019, I was able to work with another community organization for A Summer Feeding Program providing breakfast and lunch for seniors raising their grandchildren and after the program was over; I knew there was more of a NEED in this particular community and continued connecting the families to resources such as food, assistance with rental and utilities assistance, parenting programs, and more.
To date, my daughter and I, as well as volunteers continue to serve the seniors and their grandchildren; as well as others needing assistance with resources.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road hasn’t been smooth, like many roads, cracks and bumps begin to form in the foundation; however, my positive mindset and attitude to keep moving forward ALL PRAISE & GLORY to God! Many people who were supposed to help me have come and gone, one of my main supporters and volunteers was one of my seniors ‘Ms. Pat’, who contracted and died of COVID May 2021; that was a major blow to A PERMANENT VOICE. Ms. Pat made sure the seniors had their weekly food box, whenever we had an event she made sure everyone was informed, she was a vital and instrumental voice in our organization.
Getting the needed exposure has been a challenge as well; however; by the grace of God; media and marketing experts have been reaching out and getting my story out and the work A PERMANENT VOICE is doing in the community; leads to more supporters and donors and that’s exactly what we need!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
A Permanent Voice is a referral service connecting underrepresented communities to resources meeting their right now needs such as food, clothing, school supplies for children, rent and utility assistance, and more.
We specialize in working with Seniors raising their grandchildren who’ve been in traumatizing situations by connecting them to resources or working with them one on one meeting their individual basic needs request.
#SOS SAVE OUR SENIORS is a recent movement we started to help the seniors at GrandFamilies Place have a VOICE due to the inhumane and unfair living conditions they had been experiencing.
A few of the seniors complained about the lack of security on the premises; therefore; criminal activities began taking place in the community created specifically for them to relax, enjoy life, and raise their grandchildren.
Some hadn’t signed a lease, yet were still paying rent, with a higher amount. Some have been asked to sign
One of the seniors specifically complained about living in an environment of mold and mildew ever since January 2021, to date the senior now has to wear a heart monitor daily due to her unhealthy living conditions.
Recently, I’ve been able to partner with The City of Phoenix Human Services Department, Arizona Center for African American Resources, Black Family and Child Services, and Zion Institute to get the well needed support and services to the family. A hugeTHANK YOU to the Phoenix Area Agency On Aging for the support of helping my voice to be heard on behalf of the seniors.
Wow; that’s a lot, sorry to hear about the seniors; we hope your influence helps them out. Of all of your accomplishments; what are you most proud of?
I’m proud of everything God has allowed me to endure; no accomplishment is greater than the other; my work is equal and fair for all that I serve!
If I had to choose I’d say this, I am most proud of my daughter becoming a strong courageous young lady, sharing her story about turning her experience of trauma into a journey of triumph!
I’m extremely proud of creating the SHOOT YOUR SHOT LITERACY PROGRAM for individuals who are currently incarcerated providing them Empowerment, Encouragement, and Inspiration through a unique method called BASKETBALL; while educating them on comprehension, vocabulary, reading, and writing. Credit to the author of the Shoot Your Shot book; Vernon Brundage Jr.; I created a curriculum using this book. The program will be piloted through the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office/Inmate Program Division; of course, once COVID has subsided.
Speaking of Basketball, I’m so proud to partner with a dynamic Club Ball Team, learning about the in-depth hard work it takes to get at-risk youth connected to the right resources for higher education opportunities that include full ride scholarships to college. Coach Erik Hood, Executive Director of the Team RHJ Program, and current Varsity Coach at Arizona Compass Prep, pours his heart and soul into the lives of the youth he serves; connecting them to college coaches, training and advising on their sports skills, going beyond basketball and teaching them life skills and how to be productive citizens; now that’s something to be proud of!
Dana there are so many organizations helping others in community; what sets A PERMANENT VOICE apart from others?
What sets me apart from others is that my FAITH in GOD and FAVOR of GOD has guided me where I am today. I’ve learned to become a resilient person rather than reactive. Turning negatives into positives, being blessed and better; rather than bitter and bitchy!
Another component of the work I do that sets A PERMANENT VOICE apart; many people serve YOUTH and WOMEN/DOMESTIC VIOLENCE situations, but very rarely do you hear of individuals with organizations taking care of seniors; seniors are literally a forgotten population. In an age when mounting economic and social pressures make it increasingly easier to split a family than to sustain one, it is mindful to remember the forgotten family strength; the GRANDPARENTS, and how their power enriches the lives of others. Grandparents play an important role in the lives of their grandchildren, may it be directly or indirectly.
In the South Phoenix community, most of the seniors have an income less than 200 percent of the federal poverty line. The grandparents in this community and housing development are less likely to be employed, less likely to receive help with childcare, and more likely to suffer from physical disabilities and chronic health problems. These grandparents experience higher levels of stress compared with other grandparents and are more likely to face mental health and financial problems. I count it all joy to serve a WONDERFUL and DESERVING population.
How do you think about happiness?
The word happy to me is an emotion that has human beings up and down, it’s like an emotional roller coaster. Now the word JOY, it excites me! God gives us JOY, and it’s an unexplainable POSITIVE GOOD FEELING! What God gives (especially JOY) no person, place, or thing can take it away! So thinking about JOY, it’s the best MOOD, best FEELING, best EMOTION in the WORLD!
Being able to work in the community I was born and raised in means everything to me; especially being able to work side by side with my daughter; a person who I went through so many hoops and bounds to regain custody of. Being around like-minded individuals with vibrant and joyful energy brings me peace.
People are my passion; I love humanity and just being able to see the joy and love in the faces of others that I’ve served brings so much GOOD and JOY to my world!
Contact Info:
- Email: apermanentvoice@gmail.com
- Website: www.permanentvoice.org
- Instagram: @permanentvoice
- Facebook: A Permanent Voice
- Twitter: @permanentvoice
Image Credits
Tierra TT Neal
Elder Jermaine Purvis
