Today we’d like to introduce you to Victoria Marie Malone.
Hi Victoria Marie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have been in community service and non-profit work for most of my personal life via my sorority and schooling. Professionally, I have worked in service to my community and the non-profit work for seven years. Working as the Executive Director of the Montrose~Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce, then to the Montrose Shopping Park Association, volunteering and leading committee on the Montrose Christmas Parade and volunteering my event production company for the Crescenta Valley Fire Works carnival game set up. I did not know that this very deep sense of community and want to be of service to those around me would be the footing for my own endeavor.
This year led me to co-found and serve on the board to The Chace Taylor Malone IMPACT FOUNDATION-LA.
January 01, 2021 I lost my youngest son, at age 27, to an accidental overdose. Those of us closest to Chace were bewildered and overwhelmed that such a bright lighted soul, who encouraged each of us, loved on us and was so engaged had fallen into a state of hidden anxiety and depression which also lead to substance disorder. As everyone was growing and moving forward toward their own personal goals, efforts to achieve success and material stability Chace was feeling detached. As a family and the family friends, we had spent most of his life as 1 unit. Sharing holidays and important events together. There was never a time when the house was empty and not filled with love and activity. As everyone, including himself was dealing with everyday efforts of work and bills, the pandemic was hitting hard. In ways, he was disoriented by everyone “doing their own thing”. The struggles of interpersonal lack of self-worth or uncertainty had been building, and we as a family & friend unit did not see the depth of it.
After a beautiful holiday season in 2020, as the pandemic had hit its height, we did not see clearly the depth in which Chace had been struggling. We did not have the understanding nor the insight on how to “help.” When things hit, we did not know where to turn, and when we did identify some sort of support, it was so financially out of reach, we had to try another route. No one in his life was a professional, nor understood that he needed more than our love and support, he needed professional direction to move his way forward. We did not get to that place “in time”, and we lost Chace 1.02.21.
For months we all were not only sad but frustrated with the lack of resources and the systems that seem so disjointed. Together with a group of Chace’s dear friends and loved ones, we formed the seeds to create: The Chace Taylor Malone IMPACT FOUNDATION-LA. The foundation provides client’s with a catalog of professional resource services. With the support of psychiatrist, therapy, coaching, and a designated personal steward, the client will receive guidance and tools to create a set path through issues relating to anxiety, depression, recovery, sober living, and beyond. We offer a process with actionable steps catered to the individual’s journey of wellness and even sobriety, sponsored (where applicable) by The Impact Foundation. We advocate for the individual by managing their process through each step: Identification, Analysis, Recovery, Sobriety, Wellness, to then Create a Sustainable Future.
Our Mission
To de-stigmatize mental wellness and substance disorder and create the openings needed for the path to a sustainable lifestyle. By standing in the forefront, we choose to be part of the solution. Collaborating with service professionals and advocating for the client and their family.
Our Vision
Instead of being directed by professionals, our vision is to partner people with a “steward” advocate who will empower them during the process of their own recovery.
We aim to create a unique process for every client that comes to us based on their individual struggles and desires. We do so by walking with you through your journey, providing safe, reliable mentorship to those struggling with anxiety, depression, &/or substance disorder. Our hope is to create a lifelong community with our clients via the Foundation.
Why Impact?
No one should lose the light of a loved one because they lack the resources and funding to get the care they need. This is why our foundation works in part to assist in supplementing cost, known as “benevolent aide”. We do this via a consensual agreement between both parties while on the journey of life restoration for clients who are struggling and may even be suffering from addiction. Our process walks alongside you/your loved one and family. Offering a steward, professional resources, and where needed, financial support.
As a mother, a Life Coach by profession, a person who truly has sought to be of service, I know that this tragedy myself and my family has endured brings my true work: to shine light for families to walk through this struggle together, with support and guidance to bring about sustainable and healthy lifestyle choices. Chace has given me the strength to move on and take what I now know to be there for others where I could not be for myself and for him.
We will offer a holistic approach to setting a healthy mindset along with healthy in-take to the client’s environment. We also empower the client to be part of the decision making process, knowing that human’s by their very nature will only take in/on what the nervous system can absorb. Being part of the decision-making will offer the client a safe and open space so they do not have to safeguard with “fight or flight” response to their journey. We commit to the client’s commitment. We do so knowing that this is a society and community effort, not just an individual effort.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
To build a non-profit foundation is not only timely but the steps to go through for the state and the IRS is arduous in itself. We have been working on the set-up for 6+ months. Identifying and vetting all involved from the board to staff, the professional resources is not only timely, but we want good people. People who care for the work and the client. That is just the set-up.
Then we need to get fundraising and seed money during a pandemic. But, we know if we do not do THIS WORK, the lack of this service puts others at risk. In the moments I have spent saying, “how do I think I can do this tremendous and important work? Who do I think I am to take on such a large endeavor”? I also know who am I not to do this very work. My son’s light will not continue to shine if I do not work with this team to create, share and build The Impact Foundation-LA.
Thus, we work each day to connect, reach out and support other endeavors that relate to our endeavor. Each day we work to connect and reach out to those who will support the financial needs as well as to share our message and shine light on the work of our foundation.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Key Features of THE IMPACT FOUNDATION-LA:
* A full spectrum and holistic approach to adjusting choices, habits and decisions to support a sustainable way to thrive.
* A Holistic approach to setting a healthy mindset for the client’s in-take of their environment.
* We offer professional services from Bail Bonds, Psychiatrists, Therapists, Hypnotherapy, Recover & Sober living facilities, Coaching – including business/career/interview coaching, work placement connections, Nutritionist, Yoga, and Self-Improvement Practitioners and more.
* Each step of the journey, the client will have a designated “Steward” to guide and coach along the path.
* We look to help identify and create the connections to adjust the patterns toward healthy and sustainable in-take: mentally, physically and soulfully.
There seem to be many services and organizations who specialize in one area only. Our foundation offers referrals and connections to the spectrum of services needed to support the healthy and sustainable in-take for success to support mentally, physically and soulfully.
How do you think about luck?
Luck of the draw of life in general, good and bad, has given way to my personal life and this work, to this foundation. We don’t choose what knocks us down, but we have a choice in how we respond. With the founders, staff and resource professionals, we choose to be part of solutions to these issues. And luck is part of what happens along the way, good or bad, but our response is what determines our failures or successes.
For those interested in supporting the foundation, please go on-line to the website to offer donations or join us for the Inaugural Golf Tournament 11.18.21. People can participate as players to the shot-gun round of golf, as sponsors, and or provide raffle prizes. All proceeds go directly to the foundation’s efforts to support financial aid to the client’s who seek to recalibrate their way of life and the operations.
Sign-up at:
Registration – https://forms.gle/x7PPAR65zR2LdnQ48
Sponsorship – https://forms.gle/sKeHNCuKyTedooA97
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://theimpactfoundationla.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theimpactfoundation_la/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheImpactFoundationLA
Image Credits:
Rachel Willis https://www.instagram.com/image_ofthe_invisible/
