One afternoon, a local reporter from The Hometown Way stopped by the center, attracted by the sight of the siblings diligently packing bags. When asked what motivated her, Jordan smiled. "We're just doing it little by little," she said, her hands busy tucking a handwritten note of encouragement into a bag. "Our goal is 100, but even if we only help one person feel seen today, that's a win for us".
They had started a project that summer that some called ambitious and others called impossible: they wanted to assemble 100 "essential bags" for the homeless and needy in their community. Jordan, with her characteristic determination, led the charge. She didn’t just want to hand out bags; she wanted to curate them. With donated money in hand, she and her siblings went shopping, carefully selecting each item—warm socks, travel-sized toiletries, and non-perishable snacks—that would go into the bags.
As they worked, Jordan found herself thinking about more than just the physical needs of those they were helping. She often thought about the stories behind the faces she saw on the street, wondering about the struggles they might be facing with their own mental health. She knew from her own reflections that a person's mental battles don't define their strength, and that sometimes, just knowing someone cares can be the first step toward finding peace.
By the end of the summer, the 100th bag was packed. Jordan looked at the neatly stacked rows of "essential bags" and felt a sense of quiet pride. She knew this was just the beginning of her journey as a changemaker, a path inspired by the belief that everyone—no matter their circumstances—is "fearfully and wonderfully made".
In the quiet town of Willow Creek, was known for two things: her boundless energy and her remarkably kind heart. While other teenagers spent their summer afternoons lounging by the local pool, Jordan, along with her siblings Joshua and Nevaeh, was often found at the community center, surrounded by piles of donated supplies.
