10/16/2026
A New Chapter of Leadership: Celebrating the Legacy and Future of HAPPI Parents Foundation
Strengthening Families. Empowering Parents. Transforming Generations.
In 2019, I founded the HAPPI Parents Foundation (Healthy Action Positive Parenting Initiative) with a vision grounded in one fundamental belief: Every child deserves to grow up in a healthy, happy, nurturing, and supportive environment where they can thrive.
I recognized that many parents, particularly those raising children in underserved and marginalized communities, face significant challenges. Some lack access to the resources, support systems, parenting education, and opportunities needed to create stable, nurturing homes.
I also understood that when we empower parents, we strengthen families—and when we strengthen families, we transform entire communities.
With that conviction, HAPPI Parents Foundation was established to educate, equip, encourage, and empower parents through positive parenting strategies while supporting at-risk youth and families.
Our mission has always been rooted in responsibility, community engagement, and creating positive outcomes that build stronger individuals, healthier families, and safer communities.
Through our parenting education and family enrichment initiatives, we have worked to reduce childhood behavioral challenges, strengthen parent-child relationships, encourage positive family interactions, and connect families with essential community resources.
Celebrating Our Impact: 2020–2026
For the past six years, I have had the extraordinary privilege of serving as Executive Director and leading this mission with passion, perseverance, and purpose.
Together, we have achieved meaningful milestones that reflect our commitment to strengthening families.
Our impact includes:
- Graduating 35 participants from our parenting programs, each receiving a Certificate of Completion.
- Providing positive parenting education, practical family development strategies, and supportive learning opportunities.
- Organizing family enrichment excursions, including NBA basketball experiences, to foster meaningful connections and create lasting memories.
- Hosting family luncheons, vision board workshops, and empowerment activities that promote personal growth, goal-setting, and family unity.
- Coordinating food distributions to support families experiencing food insecurity.
- Helping families access affordable housing opportunities and resources that promote greater residential stability.
- Creating opportunities for parents and children to participate in positive, educational, and relationship-building experiences.
These accomplishments represent far more than numbers or completed programs. They represent parents gaining confidence, families discovering new possibilities, children experiencing meaningful opportunities, and households moving toward greater stability.
Our greatest accomplishment has not simply been graduating participants. It has been planting seeds of hope, empowerment, accountability, and generational transformation.
I firmly believe that strong families are the foundation of strong communities, and the work of HAPPI Parents Foundation continues to demonstrate that investing in parents is an investment in the future of our children.
A Leadership Transition: Passing the Torch with Purpose
As we celebrate the accomplishments of the past six years, I am also embracing an exciting new chapter in the journey of HAPPI Parents Foundation.
I am pleased to officially announce that I will be stepping down as Executive Director and welcoming Patera Scott as the new Executive Director of HAPPI Parents Foundation.
Leadership is not only about establishing a vision; it is also about cultivating the next generation of leaders who will carry that vision forward, expand its reach, and build upon the foundation already established.
I am deeply grateful that Patera Scott has accepted the responsibility of leading this organization into its next season.
Patera brings a passion for children, families, and community empowerment that aligns beautifully with the heart and mission of HAPPI Parents Foundation. I am confident that her commitment, perspective, and dedication will contribute to the continued growth and development of our programs and services.
As the founder, it is especially meaningful to see what began as a vision in 2019 evolve into an organization positioned for continued leadership, innovation, and community impact.
While my tenure as Executive Director is coming to a close, my belief in the mission and my commitment to seeing families thrive remain unwavering.
To every participant, parent, family, volunteer, community partner, and supporter who has been part of this journey: thank you for believing in the vision and helping us make a meaningful difference.
And to Patera Scott, congratulations! I am honored to pass the torch to you and look forward to witnessing the new opportunities, partnerships, and accomplishments that will emerge under your leadership.
The mission continues. The vision expands. The legacy lives on.
At HAPPI Parents Foundation, we believe that when parents are empowered, children flourish, families grow stronger, and communities are transformed.
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” — Ecclesiastes 3:1 (KJV)
Sharee Hodge
Founder & Outgoing Executive Director
HAPPI Parents Foundation
Established 2019
Building Stronger Parents. Nurturing Happier Children. Creating Healthier Communities.
