Our Story
The Alayah Foundation is a non-profit, grass roots organization founded by Tony and Melyssa Jones in 2009. We are dedicated to providing personal hygiene items to people and families in need in Ventura County.
In 2009, my husband Tony and I embarked on a journey to give back to our community by founding the Alayah Foundation, named after our beautiful granddaughter, Alayah. With Alayah as our inspiration, the foundation was born out of a desire to make a difference in the lives of others, just as we had once dreamed for our family. This initiative was our way of channeling our gratitude and hope into action to support families in navigating the challenges of life, much like we did.
Raising our children, Laura and Jason, was a journey marked by financial struggles and the constant worry of providing the basics. Living in low-income housing and relying on food banks, we experienced the reality of hardship first-hand. Despite these challenges, Tony's full-time job and our combined efforts to further my education while maintaining a household laid the foundation for our future. Our journey from these humble beginnings instilled in us the importance of community support and the impact it can have on changing lives.
Driven by our experiences and the support we received, we were motivated to give back to the community that stood by us. Thus, the Alayah Foundation was established. Initially, our focus was on providing children with backpacks filled with essential school supplies, aiming to ensure that every child felt prepared and confident to face the school year. This effort was our way of contributing to the educational readiness of children in our community, reflecting our belief in the transformative power of education.
Over time, we discovered that while the need for educational supplies was being met by other organizations and schools, there was a growing need for essential hygiene products among families. Recognizing this, we decided to shift our foundation's focus towards providing hygiene products to those in need. This pivot allowed us to address a critical, yet often overlooked, aspect of family support.
Through this initiative, we aim to ensure that families have access to necessary hygiene products, thus contributing to their health, dignity, and well-being. Our journey, marked by adaptability and a deep commitment to serving our community, continues to evolve as we strive to make a meaningful impact where it's needed most.
Partnerships
We are grateful to our partners who support our mission and help us reach more people in need. Together, we work to make a difference in the lives of those in our community.
