Today we’d like to introduce you to Desiree Grady.
Hi Desiree, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey into community involvement began from a very personal place—my role as a mother with children in the Taylor Independent School District. My initial drive was simple: to be more involved in my children’s education and to ensure they, along with their peers, received the best possible opportunities. This desire led me to volunteer within the district, where I hoped to make a meaningful impact.
Through volunteering, I had the fortune of meeting Kaitlin Olle and McKenzie Murray, two incredible women who shared my passion for supporting underprivileged students in our community. Together, we saw the challenges these students faced, particularly the financial barriers that prevented them from fully participating in school activities. We also saw the dedication of teachers who, out of their pockets, ensured these students weren’t left behind. Witnessing these acts of kindness and the need for support, we felt compelled to do more.
In January 2023, driven by our collective experiences and the inspiration we drew from Naomi Pasemann—a beloved figure in our community known affectionately as ‘Mama Duck’—we founded the nonprofit organization Mama Duck. With her 44-year career as an educator and counselor, Naomi had dedicated her life to nurturing and supporting her students, earning her the nickname. Her legacy fueled our mission to ensure educational equity for all students in our district by removing financial hurdles that limit their participation and success.
Mama Duck’s goal has been straightforward since day one: to ensure students are kept from being sidelined due to financial constraints. Our efforts have primarily focused on fundraising to cover costs for school events and essential educational materials. By providing equitable access to these opportunities, we can foster a brighter, more inclusive future for our entire community.
Reflecting on my journey from a concerned mother to a co-founder of Mama Duck, I am incredibly proud of the impact we’ve made thus far. Yet, I recognize that our work is far from finished. We continue to advocate for educational equality, driven by the belief that every child deserves the chance to thrive. Our story is of community, compassion, and the collective effort to make a difference—one child at a time.
It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Navigating the journey with Mama Duck has been an enriching experience, but it came with unique challenges. One of the first and most daunting hurdles we encountered was mastering the administrative complexities of establishing a nonprofit. We decided to file everything ourselves, dedicating a significant amount of time to understanding the intricacies of creating a nonprofit organization from the ground up. We immersed ourselves in learning about the legal requirements and ensuring we complied with local, state, and federal laws. This aspect of our journey has been a continuous learning process, and we prioritize setting aside time to participate in informational sessions to stay informed and compliant.
Following the administrative challenges, securing funding emerged as another significant obstacle. We needed to engage our current network and find innovative ways to reach beyond it to attract new supporters who believe in our mission. This required strategic planning and execution, as extending our reach and making compelling cases for support involves more than just passion—it requires clear communication of our goals, achievements, and the tangible impact of our efforts on the students’ lives.
Despite these obstacles, the journey has been profoundly enriching. The unwavering support from our community, the commitment of fellow parents, and the visible difference we’re making in the lives of children in our district fuel our resolve. The administrative hurdles taught us the importance of diligence and adaptability, while the challenge of securing funding has sharpened our skills in advocacy and networking. These experiences have strengthened our organization and deepened our commitment to ensuring every student has the resources to succeed academically. The path hasn’t been challenging, but the progress and the positive impact on our community remind us daily why our work is vital.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Mama Duck, we foster educational equity within the Taylor Independent School District. We focus on removing financial barriers that prevent students from accessing educational opportunities and fully participating in everything our local schools offer. Our specialization is identifying and addressing the unique challenges financially disadvantaged students face, ensuring they have equal academic opportunities.
Beyond our advocacy and fundraising efforts, we’re known for our unique, light-hearted symbol of commitment—the yellow duck mascot accompanying us to various events and the duck calls we sell to raise funds. These elements have become a hallmark of our presence and a playful invitation for the community to engage with and support our cause. Our supporters look for our mascot and vibrant yellow buckets to contribute to our mission, knowing that their support directly impacts the kids in our community.
One initiative we are particularly proud of is our Read Quack Repeat program, which fosters a love of reading. Partnering with local bookstores Curio Mrvosa and Libros Bookshop, we’ve enriched our community’s access to diverse books, making reading a more enjoyable and accessible activity for all. Through Read Quack Repeat, we’ve installed Little Free Libraries and hosted summer park pop-ups, significantly boosting local book access and aiding teachers in building richer classroom libraries. Additionally, this program has allowed us to assist a local elementary class in purchasing copies of a book they published, ensuring each student could proudly take home their work. This initiative promotes literacy and supports and celebrates the creativity and achievements of young authors in our community.
What sets us apart is our grassroots origin—founded by mothers deeply embedded in the community and intimately familiar with the challenges faced by families and students. This personal connection to our cause and our unique fundraising and community engagement approach distinguishes Mama Duck from other organizations. Our dedication to providing personalized support to every student in need, our continuous effort to understand and address the community’s evolving needs, and our capacity to bring joy and unity to our mission make us a distinctive, impactful presence in Taylor, TX.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Embracing networking and seeking mentorship has been crucial to our journey, requiring us to engage and actively seek guidance within our community. This approach led us to connect with a group of remarkable women, each bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience that has been instrumental in the development and growth of Mama Duck.
Diana Phillips from The Greater Taylor Foundation, Tia Stone with the Taylor Chamber, Rotary Club, and Good Life, Melanie Rathke from Texas Critter Crusaders, Veronica Johnson with Libros Bookshop, and Julie Rydell with Good Life have all played pivotal roles in our journey. These women collectively provided a comprehensive support system, offering expertise ranging from navigating the complexities of a nonprofit’s filing process, setting ambitious yet achievable fundraising goals, and simply being there as enthusiastic cheerleaders for our initiatives. Their collective wisdom and support have been invaluable. They have offered us tailored guidance and concrete goals to strive towards during our formative stages and beyond. They have continued to be supportive allies, cheering us on every step of the way and helping us maintain focus on our mission despite the challenges.
For anyone seeking mentors or aiming to strengthen their networking, our journey highlights the importance of engaging with your local community. Connecting with other local nonprofits can significantly broaden your network within your area. Even though your initiatives might support various causes, you’ll be surprised by the shared commitment to improving the community’s overall well-being that binds us all.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mamaducktaylor.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamaducktaylor/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MamaDuckTaylor
