About Uplift Us
Serving families with hope, dignity, and compassion for over 6 years.
“Uniting Communities, Empowering Families, Building Brighter Futures”
Our Mission
Uplift Community Outreach is a community-based nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening families and reducing isolation through food support, connection, and education. We serve individuals and families in Tallahassee and surrounding communities with dignity, compassion, and purpose. Our work centers on meeting essential needs today while supporting long-term stability and growth.
Our Vision
We envision a community where no one feels unseen, unsupported, or disconnected. Uplift Community Outreach works to create pathways to stability by addressing immediate needs while fostering meaningful relationships and lifelong learning.
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Who We Serve
Uplift Community Outreach serves:
Families experiencing food insecurity
Seniors and adults facing loneliness or social isolation
Children, teens, and adults seeking accessible online learning opportunities
We are committed to serving with respect, cultural awareness, and a strengths-based approach.
Dignity: Every individual deserves respect and compassion
Connection: Strong communities begin with meaningful relationships
Access: Support and learning should be reachable, not exclusive
Integrity: We operate with transparency, accountability, and care
Empowerment: We focus on building capacity, not dependency
Our Values
Our History
2018 – Founded in Tallahassee by a small group of compassionate FSU graduates and community members.
2019–2020 – Expanded programs to include Holiday Aid program and family support services.
2021 – Launched Uplift Connect, our senior companion program.
2022 – Launched Uplift Learning Academy.
Today – Serving hundreds across the region and nation with education, food, companionship, and hope.
What We Do
Feeding the Hungry
We provide food assistance and grocery support to families and individuals facing food insecurity, working in collaboration with community partners to meet local needs.
Uplift Connect – Virtual Companionship
Our companionship program offers consistent phone and virtual connections for seniors and adults experiencing isolation, promoting emotional well-being and community connection.
Uplift Learning Academy
We offer virtual classes and workshops for children, teens, and adults focused on academic support, life skills, and personal development.
At Uplift Community Outreach, we are more than an organization—we are a family dedicated to lifting each other up and creating brighter futures. Together, we can continue to break down barriers, inspire hope, and build a legacy of compassion that will resonate for generations. Join us on this journey of transformation and be part of a movement that uplifts lives.
Leadership
Uplift Community Outreach was founded by LaShundra Williams, a social work professional and community advocate with over a decade of experience supporting individuals, families, and vulnerable populations.
Shundra’s background includes case management, training, policy development, and community engagement. Her passion for service is rooted in creating sustainable systems of support that uplift individuals while strengthening families and communities.
She currently serves as the organization’s Founder.
When I first started Uplift Community Outreach over five years ago, it was born out of a simple but powerful conviction: no one should feel forgotten. I saw firsthand the struggles families faced—parents trying to put food on the table, young people searching for direction, and seniors longing for companionship.
I believed that with compassion, education, and community, we could create spaces where people didn’t just survive but truly thrived. Over the years, we’ve served families through meals, life-skills classes, senior companion calls, and holiday programs like Gift a Child. Each smile, each story, each thank-you reminded me that even small acts of service can ripple into big change.
My hope is that together—with volunteers, donors, and community partners—we will continue to build a future where every child, adult, and senior has the dignity, support, and opportunities they deserve.
With gratitude,
LaShundra “Shundra” Williams
Founder & Director, Uplift Community Outreach
Founder’s Note
Governance & Accountability
Our Commitment to the Community
Uplift Community Outreach is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to ethical operations, financial accountability, and responsible stewardship of resources.
The organization is actively strengthening its governance structure to support sustainable growth, program effectiveness, and community impact.
Uplift Community Outreach is committed to serving with compassion, consistency, and care. We believe lasting change happens when people feel supported, valued, and empowered to move forward.
We collaborate with community partners, volunteers, and supporters to expand access to resources and strengthen the communities we serve.
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