Today we’d like to introduce you to Chantala Davis.
Hi Chantala, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
After the death of baby Jordan Belliveau here in Clearwater, Fl., his tragedy is where God said that “I needed to help the mothers and save the children”. This was also a stressful time that my eldest daughter was struggling in life to care for my two grandchildren alone. When one of my granddaughter’s was still an infant I was babysitting for my daughter who was struggling as a single mom and under a lot of stress dealing with the unhealthy relationship with the father. She brought her to me upset and just sat her down in her carrier and dropped the baby bag on the floor and walked out without a word. I looked down at my granddaughter and told her that as long as grandma has breath in her body I would be here for her. When I said those words I heard God say “I need you to help the mothers and save the children”. Right after I received that message, baby Jordan Belliveau was killed by his young mother, and several more incidents started coming across my view and I knew it was God telling me to do what he had asked. So I began to create A Mothers Arms out of the need of support that mothers need in order to thrive in this world and to prevent child abuse, neglect, and death of children. I myself had recently attended and graduated from college, in which that made me understand my own train of thought and learned behaviors that were detrimental to my life and future generations. Between his tragedy, watching my daughter fight to be a single parent, and learning about self awareness and performing a true assessment of my own upbringing, it made me understand how what I call generational curses or generational brokenness occurs. I started reflecting on how I was raised and how life was interpreted through my eyes but understanding how it could be seen in the eyes of someone else whose mindset, environment, and teachings weren’t of the same capacity. I went out into the surrounding communities and spoke with several women of different cultures and backgrounds and I even spoke with baby Jordan’s mother Charisse. Perspectives are strong but when I looked at myself, when I looked at my daughter, when I looked back at some of the women in the community, any one of us could have been Charisse Stinson. When we often make the statement “that’s common sense” is it? I beg to differ, it’s only common sense if it was taught to you (learned behavior). So therefore, A Mothers Arms was initiated in 2018 to confront and eliminate behaviors that could lead to child abuse, neglect, or death of children. An environment that was created to empower women so that we can empower our homes, empower our communities, and save our children and families. AMA has three programs for women of all ages. I teach life skills and empowerment classes called Embrace Change which is an eight week curriculum course reflecting on a different topic each week to change the perspective of thought. I have my senior population, Golden Senior Tuesdays, which consists of our 55 and older seniors who have lunch and learn sessions followed by bingo. And then I have the teenage girls program who are our upcoming queens so I coined them with the name “Queenagers” who I mentor and assist them with navigating the challenges in their lives as well. We also provide resources to other agencies and organizations, a safe space for parents to have playdates with other parents and children, a resource closet with clothing, shoes, household products, diapers, wipes, etc as well as can goods formula and baby food. We will also assist residents who don’t have internet access or a computer to be able to use our facility to get any business needs completed. And women who have to do community service hours are also able to complete court ordered hours through AMA.
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?
It has been a hard journey considering that I did not even have any idea about how to do what I’m doing right now. As well as feeling inadequate, unsure, confused, unexperienced, and so many other negative words that should have talked me out of it even trying. But I have a phrase that we say that gives me strength and keeps my faith and hope alive and that’s “But God”. The lack of knowledge, self-doubt, limited support, the Covid 19 impact, “But God”, funding, the challenging mindset of targeted area of women and families, and sometimes the extreme mind and body fatigue, “But God”.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am the founder and CEO of A Mothers Arms Inc, a Clearwater-based non-profit rooted in faith service and community care. I have several certifications and trainings as a Parent Instructor, Child Care Operations, Mental Health First Aid, as well as numerous others that equip me with the necessary skills to serve and empower women to elevate and redefine their powers of comprehension. I have volunteered and have served or I am currently serving on many diverse boards and committees throughout the surrounding cities in my area. I am also a member of the National Black Child Development Institute and an alumna of Leadership Pinellas. as well as being an Eckerd College graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services. When I returned to school at like 39 years old it led me to understand my grandmother’s thought process on why she did some of the things she did to us. As well as helping me understand myself and where my behaviors came from. It was a true eye opener and it had me to start with addressing myself first. I love to empower women to grow, embrace change, and walk boldly in purpose. So I am proud of a recent book release for my Embrace Change workbook that I wrote myself. This is the curriculum that I facilitate to the women in my life skills classes. I have never published anything in life and never even thought about writing anything until now. I’m very proud of my accomplishments on this journey that God has me on. In my life I have held various lead roles under my work history, such as Family Support Specialist, Outreach Specialist, Program Facilitator, but my current position in life as the Founder and CEO of A Mothers Arms, Inc. is the best!
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
That I was married and pregnant at 15 years old
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.amothersarms.org
- Facebook: amothersarms
