Our Past Signature Program - Jackson-Budd

In 2008, Felicia Jackson, who fulfilled her sister's dying wish by vowing to raise her 10 children, in addition to her own four, was the beneficiary of a new home and new hope -- courtesy of ABC's Extreme Makeover Home Edition, community builder, Classic Homes, and our Xi Sigma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Felicia's journey began in 2004 when her sister Cassandra died of cervical cancer. Before she passed, she asked Felicia to promise to keep her 10 children together and to love, care for, and raise them. Keeping her promise, Felicia's family grew to 14 children, since she had four of her own.

At that time, the kids ranged in age from 1 to 14 years: eleven of the children were in school, and the three youngest stayed home. Felicia gladly assumed this awesome responsibility because of her love for family. Having grown up in foster care, Cassandra and Felicia had dreamed all of their lives about how they were going to keep their families together. With Cassandra gone, it was up to Felicia to make those dreams come true. Soon after Cassandra passed, our chapter learned about this family. Chapter members galvanized around this family and immediately started rendering assistance. Over the years, the chapter has provided food, Christmas presents, birthday presents, new coats for all of the children, shoes, holiday

baskets, school supplies, and entertainment packages. Above all, non-material support and time devoted to help Felicia meet her family needs continues to prove invaluable.