Meet The Team
Big Ideas, Real Impact.
My name is Jessica Taylor, and I am the founder of It Takes A Village: SMP. I currently work from home for a medical company, and in my spare time I proudly run It Takes A Village: SMP.
I am a mother to one amazing little girl and a stepmom to one wonderful little boy, and family is at the center of everything I do. Our home is also full of fur-babies who keep life busy and joyful. When I’m not working or volunteering, I enjoy curling up with a good book and spending quality time with my family, whether that’s at home or making memories together.
My passion for helping others began when I was about 18 years old, when I started volunteering with local organizations to hand out Christmas gifts to underprivileged families. Through that experience, I became deeply aware of how many families struggle year-round and how great the need is for consistent resources and support. What started as a simple desire to help during the holidays quickly grew into something much bigger.
It Takes A Village: SMP was originally created as a small Christmas outreach nonprofit, but it has since expanded to provide ongoing assistance, resources, and programs to families who need it most. I pour my heart into this work and truly believe that everyone deserves access to the tools and support they need to build successful, stable, and fulfilling lives. Serving my community is not just something I do in my spare time—it is a purpose I am deeply proud of and committed to every day.
Kendyl Russell, Executive Director
My name is Kendyl Russell, and I am the Executive Director of It Takes A Village: SMP. I am a Marine Corps veteran and hold a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Washington. After graduating, I was blessed with the opportunity to become a stay-at-home mom, a role that has shaped me in ways I could have never imagined.
I am raising four beautiful children—three biological and one amazing bonus child. To them, I am simply Mama Bee. Motherhood has been my greatest joy, but in recent years, I have rediscovered myself through volunteering and serving others. The work I do with It Takes A Village: SMP has given me a sense of purpose outside of motherhood again and reminded me how powerful it is to pour into both family and community.
For much of my teenage and young adult years, I tried to escape St. Mary Parish, but when life required healing, I realized there truly is no place like home. Since returning, I have put down roots, rebuilt my sense of belonging, and found ways to serve the community that helped shape me. I am deeply committed to using both my education and personal life experiences to support others through difficult seasons and life’s challenges. I am honored to serve with It Takes A Village: SMP and look forward to working with and for our community, helping create a place where families feel supported, valued, and never alone.
Jessica Taylor, Founder
Meet The Community Inclusion & Outreach Committee
The Community Inclusion & Outreach Committee is a community-led advisory and action group within It Takes A Village: SMP dedicated to ensuring that people of color, underrepresented populations, and low-wealth families are meaningfully included in the organization’s outreach, programs, and decision-making. The committee works to identify gaps in access and participation, strengthen relationships with marginalized communities, and elevate lived experiences to help shape equitable policies and practices. By serving as a bridge between the organization and the community, the committee supports inclusive engagement, builds trust, and helps transform community voices into shared power that informs how services are designed, delivered, and expanded.
