In 2010, Betina Hunt began mentoring within the prison and within a few months she became the program coordinator to recruit and assist women transitioning from the Mark Luttrell Correction Center. The program she worked for eventually closed but she continued the work.
After several years of working her own program, Ms. Hunt received a call to create a program for juveniles in the West Tennessee Therapeutic Residence Federal Facility in 2017.
Ms. Hunt established You First Community Foundation in 2019 and officially launched in January 2020, which set in motion the Restart Reentry Program. Our organization was established to address the growing need for assistance for those exiting the prison system and returning to society and reducing the increased number of juvenile offenders. Many women were turned away from the Memphis/Shelby County area due to lack of housing and other resources.
In addition to lack of resources, Betina Hunt began her fight to bring awareness to the silent suffering of people who menstruate due to unhealthy menstrual cycles and the potential toxicity of tampons. In March 2022, Ms. Hunt created the first Feminine Hygiene Tour as a platform to educate and have discussions with school age girls and women groups about menstrual health. During the tours, the audience is introduced to a healthier alternative sanitary napkin and panty liner called Reign and many receive donated packs.
As the reigning Ms. Tennessee Corporate America, Betina uses the platform to bring awareness to period poverty across the state of Tennessee and the Mid-South.
To expand the work and services, the first headquarters was opened October 2023 in Memphis, TN.
We offer a variety of programs and services to meet the needs of those we serve. Our goal is to empower individuals and families to become self-sufficient and thrive.