Thank you for visiting Men & Women of Character Organization!

I'm Donyale, and I want to tell you the real story of who we are and how we serve.

When I started this organization back in 2014, I could do so much more than I can do today. I could set up events, serve meals alongside the team, run from place to place coordinating activities, and pour myself into 7 or 8 major events throughout the year. My body cooperated with my vision back then.

But chronic illness and autoimmune diseases changed all of that.

Today, I participate in our work—but with significant limitations. I often sit and direct rather than do the physical labor. I create tasks for the team rather than execute them myself. I have beautiful conversations with our elders (who love a good talk!), but I can't serve meals or set up tables. I contribute what I can, when I can, in the ways my body allows on any given day.

And here's the beautiful part: I'm not alone in my limitations.

Many of my team members, friends, family, and partners also have their own limitations—health challenges, disabilities, life circumstances that restrict what they can do. We lovingly call ourselves "The Broke Down Crew." And you know what? We might be broke down, but we're not broken. We might be limited, but we're not finished.

We've had to scale back from 7 or 8 events a year to about 3 or 4 now—because that's what's realistic for a team where many of us face limitations. But those events? We put our hearts in everything we do. That's become our motto, and it's the truth.

God helps us help others. Even when our bodies say no, even when our energy runs out, even when we can't do what we used to do—God provides the strength, the resources, the partners, and the grace to keep serving. Through His strength, not ours, we're still able to impact 2,000+ lives annually.

My friends, family, and partners ensure that this dream stays alive even when I physically cannot do what I once did. They do the heavy lifting—literally and figuratively. They set up, they serve, they run the programs, they make it all happen. I support from where I can—sitting, directing, planning, talking, encouraging—but they are the ones doing the work.

To everyone who keeps this mission going—THANK YOU. Thank you for being my hands and feet. Thank you for understanding when I have to sit down. Thank you for stepping up when my body says no. Thank you for being part of the Broke Down Crew that puts their hearts in everything we do.

And to you—yes, YOU reading this: We would love to have you join us! Whether you can volunteer full strength or you're part of the broke down crew yourself, there's a place for you here. We believe that God can use anyone—limitations and all—to make a difference.

Come be part of something real, something messy, something beautiful. Come put your heart into serving with us.

Peace, Love, & Many Blessings,

Donyale Founder Men & Women of Character Organization

"We put our hearts in everything we do."