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Between family and work as a research analyst and elections specialist at Texas Legislative Council, Lisa Benford has built the wonderfully creative charity that is Lisa’s HOPE Chest. Whether she is helping women choose brighter colors for their professional wardrobe or helping men find the right interview ensemble, she serves people who might otherwise be forgotten – the man or woman looking for a job and a better life. And she knows where they are coming from.
As the 58-year-old wife of 31 years to Thurman Benford, and mother and stepmother of five adult children, she began her career as a parent at 17 while still in high school. “I never got government help,” she said. “I paid my grandmom $10-$15 a week to care for my baby. I never missed a day of school.”
The idea of Benford’s 13-year-old charity is deeply personal. Her first husband was abusive, and, “It really stemmed from that.”
As a community leader, she has been recognized: On October 16th, she was invited to attend the commemoration of a Thousand Points of Light’s 20th anniversary at Texas A&M University in College Station, where President Barack Obama was due to speak.
The Rockdale, TX native recently offered her thoughts and wisdom on how a creative idea can nurture the soul.
On the importance of clothing for a person’s self-esteem
It gives them a boost of confidence; it also gives them a sense of pride, because they can feel and look like others when they go for an interview or to work. Even people who are homeless and living under the bridges, in shelters or halfway houses, feel better when they get a different or clean change of clothes.
On the importance of clothing for a person’s image
Right away an image is formed based on what a person is wearing. When a person comes to Lisa’s HOPE Chest for clothing for an interview or work, the first thing that I do is to ask them what kind of job they will be applying for. The next thing I will ask is what do they like to wear. Most of the time they don’t know what they need. Most of the time they go with extra-large. Women tend to go for black, dark colors, and that’s not good; it can show depression. I like to introduce them to another color.
On the message you send to your child by way of your work ethic
Children usually demonstrate what they see their parents do, so it is important to have good work ethic. When a child sees his or her parent going to work, this will give the child a sense of security and teach them that having a job is very important to the success of the family. Children look to their parents to be their role models, good, bad or indifferent. I’ve had a job since I was 13, whether as a waitress or as a short-order cook. I’ve taught my kids that you can’t live unless you work. If I go to work, everybody goes to work. My daughters have owned homes since their early 20s.
What I’ve learned from children
I have learned from children that they want to be loved, trusted and treated with respect. I have also learned that they are smarter than we give them credit for. They want to learn and be taught new things, and they also want to be disciplined when they are doing the wrong thing. My daddy was the type who would give me a hug and a kiss on the forehead, but my mom wasn’t huggy. She showed love in other ways. My kids have taught me how to love and be loved.
On the biggest challenge when
building a nonprofit
The availability of funding to keep it going. If you build it, they will come. I built it and they are coming, even more, since the nation is facing a recession and many people are losing their jobs, or changing careers. Some people seem to think that all we need are clothes to keep things going, but there is overhead that I must pay in order to keep the service free and the doors open. I help over 300 people a month; half of my clients are men.
On motivating/managing volunteers
I have one dedicated volunteer who shows up every week, and has been for five years. He is so motivated to help our male clients that I do not have to motivate him. Then, I have what I call my instant volunteers – those are the clients who are already there, and when someone shows up with a carload of clothing and I am too busy to help, I will ask for help, and they are always excited to volunteer. I usually reward them with something that they did not expect, such as extra clothing or cologne.
On the wants and needs of people
I have learned that no matter what the status or predicament of a person’s situation, everyone wants to be treated with respect and dignity.
favorite charity in Austin?
Lisa’s HOPE Chest. It is unique in its own way. We serve not only people looking for jobs, but people living under bridges, living in the woods, people just getting out of prison.
MORE INFO:
lisashopechest.org