The heart of a grandmother is unparalleled. Myrtis Addison was a kind and quick-witted woman with a heart of gold and because of this attribute, whenever the world was cold and cruel to those whom she cared for; she would provide a safe place for family and friends to rest their head within her home.

One beautiful autumn morning in 1995, my Grandmother Myrtis said to me, “You know what baby, you’re going to live a long time; I see your heart is like my heart and I want you to build a home for homeless children to have a place to stay.” I would always hold on to those words through the years and after the passing of my Grandmother Myrtis in July 2020, I was inspired and purposed to found MyrtisHeart Inc., a sustainable housing and leadership development program for transitional foster care youth. Homelessness is an important concern for aged out of foster care youth and the transition process leaves youth scrambling for resources if not guided properly through the system.

~ Tania Williams