About V Marie's Heart
A Legacy of Compassion. A Mission of Service.
V Marie's Heart started from a very personal place and grew into something bigger - a commitment to helping people get the support, education, and opportunities they need. It's about giving people the resources and connections to make their lives better.
Who We Are
Serving People. Strengthening Communities.
V Marie's Heart, Inc. is a nonprofit group that helps people in Alabama. They do this through different programs that support families and communities. They also provide education and help people find the resources they need. The group works with other organizations and provides financial help to those who need it. They have different projects and initiatives to make their community a better place. Some of their programs are only available in certain areas, so where you live might affect what help you can get.
Our work is built around the belief that people deserve opportunities to live healthy, stable, connected, and fulfilling lives.
We also recognize that challenges often overlap.
Housing can affect wellness.
Caregiving can affect finances and family life.
Education can influence employment and opportunity.
Mental wellness can affect nearly every part of everyday living.
That is why our work is organized around five connected pillars rather than one isolated area of need.
Our Story
V Marie's Heart was started by Artica Jenkins to remember her mom, Vonderia Marie Jenkins.
Vonderia was known for her compassion, humanitarian spirit, and dedication to serving children, families, and underserved individuals.
Her care for others was not only something she spoke about.
It was something she lived.
Through her mother’s example, Artica learned the importance of service, advocacy, mental wellness, community responsibility, and helping people see possibility even during difficult circumstances.
Vonderia died in 2016 from heart problems, she was just 53 years old.
Her life ended too soon, but the values she lived by continued.
Those values became a big part of what V Marie's Heart is all about.
The organization was set up to keep her memory alive by turning kindness into real help for people.
Today, V Marie’s Heart works to connect people with support, education, resources, partnerships, and opportunities that can strengthen individuals, families, professionals, and communities.
She's still the driving force, the one who inspires us to keep going; her spirit is what keeps our mission alive.
Our Mission
Improving Quality of Life Through Practical Support
Our mission is to strengthen quality of life for families, caregivers, individuals with disabilities, veterans, children and youth, and underserved communities by connecting people with practical support, education, resources, mental-wellness opportunities, housing-stability pathways, professional knowledge, and community partnerships that promote stability, independence, growth, and hope.
Our Vision
Communities Where People Have Greater Access to Opportunity
We envision communities where families and individuals are not defined by the challenges they face, but are connected to the support, knowledge, resources, relationships, and opportunities they need to move forward and thrive.
Our Values
Leadership & Governance
Meet the People Behind the Mission
Trust grows when people can understand who leads the work and how the organization is governed.
Artica Jenkins
Founder & Executive Leader
Artica Jenkins is the person who started V Marie's Heart, Inc., and she has a lot of experience in helping people with mental health issues. She also supervises others, advocates for her community, teaches, and leads organizations. Her main goal is to help people and families who are going through tough times. She started V Marie's Heart to honor her mom, Vonderia Marie Jenkins, who was a very kind and caring person. Artica's work is all about connecting people in her community with the help and support they need to make their lives better. She does this by sharing her knowledge, educating others, and working with different groups to create opportunities that make families and communities stronger. As a leader, Artica has a strong background in mental wellness, family support, and community partnerships. She has worked hard to help individuals and families navigate difficult situations and has established herself as a trusted advocate and educator. Through V Marie's Heart, Artica is committed to making a positive impact in her community and to continuing her mother's legacy of compassion and kindness. It's worth noting that Artica's credentials and leadership title should be confirmed and added to her public profile, including any relevant degrees and certifications she may hold. This will help to further establish her as a credible and experienced professional in her field. By doing so, Artica will be able to continue her important work and make an even greater difference in the lives of those she serves.
Organizational Information
501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization
Primary Service Area: Alabama communities; program eligibility varies by location.
How We Serve
Practical Support Through Multiple Channels
Depending on program availability, the work of V Marie’s Heart may include:
- Community education
- Resource navigation
- Family support
- Referrals
- Community outreach
- Volunteer service
- Professional development
- Training and workshops
- Partnerships
- Financial-assistance programs when funded
- Housing-related initiatives
- Mentoring
- Leadership development
- Scholarship opportunities when funded
- Workforce preparation
- Community-development projects
Not every program is available at all times.
We believe it is important to be clear about what is currently active, what is still being developed, and what belongs to our future vision.