Mission Statement

We Remember

We give because we remember

We do not give from what is left
We give from what we know

We give because we remember
What it feels like
to be spoken over
to be told
you are not ready
not worthy
not enough

We remember the weight of silence
how it clings to the bones
when no one calls your name in a room full of light

So we give
not because we have so much
but because we have been through so much
and survived it
and saw others who did not

We do not wait for perfection
We see brilliance in broken places
We speak life where others see ruin
We believe
again
and again
and again

There is no shame in beginning
No shame in stumbling
No shame in having once been forgotten
There is only truth
and rising
and voice
and choice

We open the door wide
not to show what we built
but to remind others
that they can build too
from ashes
from nothing
from stories that were almost lost

We teach what we know
We share what we have
Because someone once did that for us
And it saved us

That is why we give
That is why we serve
That is why we stay

Because we are still becoming
And we are not going alone

“I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.”
– Maya Angelou

Organizational Background & Mission

At Black Feather P.O.E.T.S., Inc. (People Overcoming Everyday Trials Successfully), our mission is to empower at-risk and historically underserved communities by providing the employable skills, creative tools, and mental wellness support necessary to overcome systemic barriers and build a sustainable future.

We focus on practical workforce readiness by offering GED preparation, Microsoft Office proficiency, and foundational AI literacy. These tools ensure our participants are not excluded from the rapidly evolving job market. Our work is especially critical in low-income neighborhoods where lack of access to technology often leads to persistent poverty and limited opportunity. We believe that every person, regardless of their background or circumstances, deserves the chance to gain relevant, competitive skills and pursue employment with dignity and confidence.

What sets our model apart is the integration of Poetic Therapy Workshops, which address the mental health challenges that frequently accompany economic hardship. Many of the individuals we serve, including women in crisis, returning citizens, and youth affected by trauma, have experienced violence, abandonment, systemic neglect, or incarceration. Through poetry, storytelling, and spoken word, they begin to heal and rediscover their voices. These sessions create safe and affirming spaces where self-worth is nurtured, confidence is restored, and hope is renewed.

We recognize that workforce development and emotional healing are deeply connected. Our holistic approach is built on the understanding that self-advocacy, personal confidence, and mental resilience are just as essential to long-term success as any technical skill.

Founded in Alaska in 2004, Black Feather P.O.E.T.S., Inc. has worked in partnership with organizations such as STAR (Standing Together Against Rape), Covenant House Alaska, and North Star Behavioral Health to deliver trauma-informed care and empowerment programs in shelters, schools, correctional facilities, and community settings. We have published poetry anthologies authored by homeless youth, hosted healing-centered open mic nights in behavioral health centers, and collaborated with universities to raise awareness around injury prevention and survivor advocacy.

We are now expanding this mission throughout Georgia and Alabama, with a focus on closing the digital divide and ensuring that underserved populations are prepared academically, emotionally, and technologically for today’s workforce.