Our Story
SOYMILK & HOPE was founded in 2016 by Portia Ashe Hargrove. Born in Trenton, NJ, Portia transitioned to NC with her family in 1987, attending Saint Augustine’s College (now Saint Augustine’s University). She grew up in a community where “village mothers” helped to nurture (feed, clothe, and discipline) the children in the neighborhood; her mother, Gwendolyn, and grandmother, Mattie, included.
A mother of 3, Portia longs to see the day again where the village can come together to help nurture, encourage, support, and inspire today’s mothers and college students. She relied on her village to assist in training up her children, and desires to create a village of community nurturers . Over the years, she has provided shelter to several young mothers; cooked Sunday dinner for college students; sent care packages to college students; purchased school clothes & supplies for other children; as well as purchased household items and pampers & wipes for mothers in need. She understands the joys and stress of being both a young mother and college student. As a result, SOYMILK & HOPE was birthed!
The organization’s name is an acronym for Supporting Our Young Mothers Involving Leaders with Knowledge & Helping Others Prepare for Education. Simply put, It’s who we are!
