For teens in foster care, the journey to independence often feels uncertain, filled with challenges that can shape the course of their lives. Make It Matter: The Collective steps into that space with a mission to provide stability, mentorship, and hope for youth as they transition into adulthood. Through life skills training, healing support, and purposeful guidance, the organization empowers young people to break cycles of hardship and step into a brighter future where they can be confident about who they are and whose they are. Founder Erica Hardesty gives us a look into how Noellas Flowers and the other extensions of her brand tie into the overall mission of 'Making It Matter.'
Tell us about make it matter and what inspired you to create a nonprofit?
I graduated from Auburn University (War Eagle!) in 2018 with my degree in Social Work! I started my full time social work in the child welfare system the day after I graduated. I always have had a heart for foster care and all the youth impacted by it, and I knew I wanted to use my gifts to make a positive impact. I worked for a local therapeutic foster care agency for 3 years as a foster parent recruiter and certified TIPS trainer.
During that time, I got a first hand look at the failures within the child welfare system. While I will always scream from the rooftops how amazing social workers are, it is difficult to give it your all and still see the failures within the system. Specifically, the lack of support for youth who are emancipating out of the system.
My heart grew larger and larger for these youth, and as statistics continued to grow, my desire to make a change grew as well. That is where Make It Matter: The Collective was born. It started as a desire to create supportive resources for foster and adoptive teenagers, and quickly turned into so much more as we continued to uncover the massive need for support for these teenagers. My husband, David, and I talked and quickly recognized we had so much faith in the vision the Lord gave us. I stepped away from my full time job as a social worker, opened up Noëlla's Flowers to use those funds to pour back into the nonprofit, and started Make It Matter: The Collective full time. There are so many puzzle pieces that have beautifully come together to create all that it is now, and the beginning will always be a beautiful reminder of God's love for his children. He completely wrecked every ounce of my plans, took us in another direction (my knees trembling at every twist and turn), and hasn't left our side in the midst of it all. We have been a nonprofit since 2020, and plan to be around until we see the change we so deeply desire come to fruition.
What is the main mission behind Make It Matter?
We exist to equip foster youth with hope and stability through one on one support and mentorship for foster youth (ages 13-23) who are in foster care or transitioning out of foster care into independent living. Mentees will learn valuable life skills that will set them up for success in their future, while also continuing the healing from past trauma and uncovering their purpose. Through our efforts, we desire to stop the generational cycle of child welfare involvement, human trafficking, homelessness, and other daunting statistics that teenagers in foster care are faced with.
How does Noëlla's Flowers tie into the mission?
A percentage of all proceeds from Noëlla's Flowers and With Love by Noëlla pours right back into Make It Matter. With Love by Noëlla launched last year as a way for us to send fresh flowers nation wide. Both extensions of the business provide job opportunities for our youth in our community and young adults aging out of foster care in Alabama if they so choose by offering hope, employment and purpose. We desire to use our businesses to create exposure to the greater calling and mission behind it all.
How do you select participants for Make It Matter?
We are utilizing our mentorship program called “The Collective” to present The 614 Initiative to those who desire be a part of it! The strong foundation of The Collective in Huntsville City Schools will serve as a funnel where we offer them a place to call home, in hopes of helping them heal from their past trauma and uncover their God-given purpose.
What is the 614 Initiative?
The 614 Initiative is an all immersive experience, which will include: one-on-one support and mentorship for foster youth (ages 19-23) transitioning out of foster care into independent living, and on campus apartment living.
What do you see for the future of Make It Matter?
We are unbelievably excited to share the news that we officially have land for the 614 Initiative. Plans for our transitional housing development are in the works!
How can people get involved to support the cause?
They can support us in many ways! We are launching a mentorship program called The Collective in Huntsville City Schools starting in January 2026 and we are actively seeking mentors who desire to give back to their community. We are in the middle of a capital fundraising campaign for our 614 Initiative where we are raising $7.5 million dollars, so every penny we are gifted we are stewarding intentionally. Of course, any support of Noëlla's Flowers and With Love by Noëlla goes toward the mission, as well as proceeds from our annual Fete en Blanc celebration held at Stovehouse. Lastly, we appreciate any opportunity for Make It Matter to be shared with our community and beyond!