Meet Jennifer Winbush | Outreach Director & Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Winbush and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, let’s talk legacy – what do you want yours to be?
I want my legacy and for me to remember me as a person who cares about their community, who takes pleasure in impacting the lives of others and strive to meet the needs of others who are going through a difficult moment.

I want people to remember me as person whose characteristics and integrity were used for the good of humanity. For Jennifer to be known as that good hearted go to person who you can approach and feel comfortable in interacting and engaging with even with personal situations and endeavors in life.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My career started early when I was 18 years old when I started working for Total Community Action as a clerk typist because I had gone to a technical school to learn Secretarial/Word-processing skills at New Orleans Technical School. I was able to use my skills and get paid for it for the first time. But I was already prepared for this type of work because I was the Sunday School secretary at my church, and I also designed the weekly programs for church service. But my career somewhat changed when I got into the Security Field/Dispatcher after being a stay-at-home mom for some years.

I finally got the dream job of a Civil Service worker for the City of New Orleans as an Office Assistant which allowed me to work for the New Orleans Public Library in the circulations department. But as I needed more money, I went back to doing Security work starting with the Ernest Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, but Hurricane Katrina hit the city, so my path had taken a different direction for me.

After I had gotten a little settled in Arlington, TX, which we had family their and lived with them because of the storm an opportunity came to me to be able to relocate to Columbus, OH. I didn’t know anything about the city or state, but I was told that it was easier to find employment there. So, me and my twin boys who came with me caught the plane with only the few possessions we had and headed to Ohio. Mind you I didn’t have any close relatives or friends in Ohio, but God directed my path in which I should go.

Thus, I was able to find work back in the Security field first working at Abbott Labs as a Security Supervisor to landing a job at the Columbus Metropolitan Library as a Security Officer/Dispatcher in which I worked there for 14 yrs. But doing that time I had decided to go back to school to finish what I started in New Orleans and pursue my Business Administration Degree. So, in 2014 I was able to graduate with honors (Cum Laude) from Franklin University. Although I was using certain skills with operating Restore Hope Outreach Ministry, I was able to enhance my skills and knowledge in business which gave me courage to once again change my career to now be a business owner of Office Support LLC in which I use my combined experience in Administration, event management, Security, and book editing together offering services to small business owners and individuals who need assistance in that area.

I also work now to supplement my income as an office manager at a Home Health Agency which give me skills in working with case managers, employees, and clients.

The decision I made was difficult leaving a job after 14 years, but it was necessary for me to reach my personal goals.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh, wow this is difficult to answer because Columbus has so many places that I like to go.

I would take my best friend Nevada Martin to:

1. Easton Mall to shop I love this place because it reminds me of the French Market back home in which you can walk outside to the different stores and still see wonderful scenery along the way. Plus, you can also go to the movies there.

2. Show her the many parks that they city have to offer with its trails and walk around a little.

3. Eat at a restaurant downtown and sight see the downtown area.

4. Take a ride to the Hoover Dam my favorite spot to go and relax and listen to the water.

5. Take a tour through OSU campus and the Short North Area.

6. Go Listen to live music at the Savoy Club.

7. Meet with my friends in the community and in Ministry.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to give a huge shoutout to my husband Devearn and my children Justin, Vickey, Kendall, Kendrick and William for putting up with me when I ask for their help when we go into the community and do outreach. From setting up for the events, loading/unloading trucks, running errands, etc.

I also would like to thank my team who been with me from day one when we first started the Columbus Takeover event and outreach ventures that went beyond of what we expected Judy Dixon and Julia Seeli.

I can’t name everyone but also want to thank those who supported us throughout the years with their time, material donations, contributions and volunteering to help Restore Hope Outreach Ministries reach the goals of helping those in the community who needed help and who helped make the Columbus Takeover community event a success.

Website: www.restorehopeoutreach.com

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/jennifer-winbush-b-b-a-a63b6022

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068120647265

Image Credits
Recognition from Representative Dontavious Jarrels Office Support Business Highlight of the Columbus Takeover at the Columbus Gospelfest and in the community Outreach in the Fairmoor Community