A Happy Place
Yolanda Harris has found her happy place.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Harris, who is developmentally disabled, came to Huntsville, Alabama, with her parents when they decided to relocate for a better environment to raise children. Their call to do so resulted in their daughter finding true happiness..
Yolanda has discovered her purpose.
Harris is a Cepeda Systems & Software Analysis (CSSA) community ambassador serving at one of Intentional Faith’s partnering agencies, Manna House, in Huntsville, Alabama. Harris has volunteered at Manna House for 11 years and has been connected with Intentional Faith since 2017. She has served at the Memorial Parkway charity by making sandwiches, preparing and distributing meals and helping to sort and organize clothing.
“I like helping people out. I especially want to help the homeless out. And that’s where God put me!”
Though struggling with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Harris attended a local school specializing in meeting disabled student's’ needs, and there she met the love of her life, Tommy Harris.
“We were high-school sweethearts,” she said. “We graduated at 21 and knew we wanted to get married,”
The two did indeed get married in 1997 and have lived in bliss ever since. In 2019, they renewed their wedding vows in a service planned entirely by her—a dream-come-true experience for Harris. Intentional Faith Executive Director Terry Roberts even officiated.
From left, Robin Drury, Yolanda Harris and Tommy Harris prepare to cut the cake Drury prepared for their wedding vow renewal ceremony.
“Miss Fran (Fran Fluhler, executive director of Manna House), she connected me with Intentional Faith, and I love the Intentional Faith team!”
“Tommy volunteers (at Manna House) too, so we get to be together.”
Tommy Harris, though unable to read or write, has discovered a gift for preaching the Word of God and often delivers the sermon on “Saturday Church” at Manna House.
Fluhler has high praise for Harris.
“Yolanda is a wonderful CSSA ambassador with HUGE heart of compassion for others. We all love her, and we are grateful for Intentional Faith. We are grateful for their commitment to helping individuals find their purpose and discover ways to serve our community,” Fluhler said.
Harris echoes Fluhler’s sentiments, “Intentional Faith has given me the opportunity to work at doing something for myself while helping others—something I love,” she said.
Intentional Faith is a Huntsville, Alabama-based non-profit that, through relationship, helps those they serve to discover their God-given potential by connecting them to opportunities for spiritual and professional growth. IF is a 501(c)(3) that equips, mentors and provides hope in Jesus’ name.
If you would like to assist individuals with personal, professional or spiritual growth, please support Intentional Faith by donating to our programs.
We are Discovering Purpose. Walk with us.