In a stunning series finale, Freeform’s Motherland: Fort Salem concluded with hero protagonists Abigail Bellweather (Ashley Nicole Williams), Raelle Collar (Taylor Hickson), and Tally Craven (Jessica Sutton) fulfilling The Mother’s wish to share witch hood with all humankind, thus shaping the world into a better conduit for human equality, love, and progressive change. Now, actor Jessica Sutton is “taking a page from Tally” and helping to plant seeds for change in her own Motherland of South Africa. In an exclusive interview with PopWire, Jessica tells us how The SmilingOne Foundation is working to affect change in South Africa’s most vulnerable communities, about her Smiles4Change charity campaign in support of the foundation, and the many ways you can help.
The SmilingOne Foundation was established in 2005 by founder and executive Karina Andersen with the simple yet powerful principle “umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu” (“I am because we are ”) and the goal to unlock the potential in those most vulnerable to risk factors in South Africa: men who are or have been incarcerated, disadvantaged women, and youth-at-risk. Karina’s foundation equips people, like the foundation’s trained Change Agents, with tools and leadership skills to seize opportunity and lead lives that impact positively. Jessica tells us that SmilingOne’s founder “goes into the schools and… prisons in high-risk communities within South Africa, and she sits with individuals who lack resources and opportunity and… helps them see that their lives have value.” “[Karina’s] incredibly crafted, in-depth programs… allow you to see all of the facets of yourself,” explains Jessica. With SmilingOne’s support, guidance, and evidence-based leadership programs, more than 5,000 students have been aided in awakening their inner leader and that “feeling that they, too, can have… a meaningful impact on their community”.
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Preceding ambassadorship for South Africa’s SmilingOne Foundation, Jessica started her journey with the organization as a friend, student, and mentee of Karina. Jessica knew the moment she met Karina that she would be a guiding light for her. “The mentors in our lives, the greatest teachers, the lighthouses that we find somehow show us our true reflection. There’s a mirroring there… and Karina saw me,” Jessica tells us. Karina has been instrumental in helping Jessica “stand in [her] strong” and pursue a life of purpose with intention. “[She] changed my life,” expresses Jessica with utmost gratitude. Karina would eventually invite Jessica to visit classrooms and prisons to witness the foundation’s fundamental program and education at work and later to be a SmilingOne Ambassador. Honored and humbled, Jessica gladly answered the call to ambassadorship in support of Karina and The SmilingOne Foundation’s cause.
On August 16, 2022, Jessica launched the Smiles4Change charity campaign with a goal to raise $10,000, her first major endeavor as an ambassador for The SmilingOne Foundation. Jessica attributes the success of creating the fundraiser to meeting the “right people at the right time.” “Thanks to [Motherland: Fort Salem and] the fan community, I was able to rally a team,” Jessica tells us. Smiles4Change has seen an incredible outpouring of love and support since going live. In two weeks’ time, donations have exceeded $8,000 – an incredible accomplishment made possible by donations of supporters worldwide. The support doesn’t end with donations; Fans and artists are submitting artwork, poetry, and selling merch in which 50-100% of the proceeds are being donated to Smiles4Change. “I’m so grateful for the loving embrace that this community has had and the funds that we’ve raised. Let’s keep going!” exclaims Jessica cheerfully. The funds raised by Jessica’s Smiles4Change charity will directly support The SmilingOne Foundation’s 5-year plan to expand services and scale for impact. With the help of donations, SmilingOne envisions reaching 10,000 inmates, training 100-plus team members, accommodating thousands of learners online, and more.
There are a multitude of ways you can help Jessica Sutton and the SmilingOne charity fundraiser reach their goal. First, donate if you can. No amount is too little when it comes to giving to others in need. Secondly, follow Jessica and SmilingOne on social platforms Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. There you can help boost campaign social posts and tweets to spread the word of this amazing cause by “liking”, reposting, and retweeting using hashtags #Smiles4Change and #Seeds4Change. You can also participate in Smiles4Change campaign sweepstakes to receive entries for donations or purchase merchandise created by artists supporting the campaign. Every contribution will plant seeds for change and help make The SmilingOne Foundation’s vision come to fruition. In the words of Jessica, “give a little, give a dimple.”