09/01/2026
Back to What Matters
This month’s newsletter brings together three meaningful stories. First, I’m sharing What Makes Us Grow, a space centered on wellness, education, and community. Next, I’m inviting you to join Ginelle Alvarez and me for Back to School, Back to Us, an honest conversation about how the school-year transition affects parents and their relationships. Finally, I’ll share what’s next for Global Future Founders as we continue helping young people develop practical skills and confidence for life.
Each story is different, but they all come back to the same purpose: helping our community grow healthier, stronger, and more connected.
What Makes Us Grow.
I created What Makes Us Grow because the different parts of my life have never felt separate.
Raw South began as a place to nourish people through food, but over time it became much more: a space where people shared their health journeys, challenges, families and lives with me.
Global Future Founders grew from that same desire to help children develop the confidence, practical knowledge and life skills they need to thrive.
My own journey is part of this story too. As a mother, entrepreneur, wellness advocate and community builder, I have grown through success, but also through uncertainty, loss, difficult decisions and moments when I had to begin again.
What Makes Us Grow brings these pieces together in a space for honest conversations about wellness, education, business, motherhood, purpose and community.
The deeper question is not simply, “Are we growing?” It is, “What is helping us grow, and who are we becoming along the way?”
Back to School Back to Us
When children return to school, the entire household feels the shift. Schedules fill up, responsibilities increase and parents become so focused on keeping everything moving that they may forget to ask how everyone—including themselves—is adjusting.
That is why I invited Ginelle Alvarez, LMFT, to join me for Back to School, Back to Us. We’ll have an honest conversation about anxiety, communication, boundaries, changing friendships and academic pressure—and how parents can stay connected to their children, their partners and themselves through it all.
Join us for this live Instagram conversation:
Thursday, September 3 at 6:00 PM
Instagram:
Real conversation. Practical guidance. Support for the whole family.
Preparing Children For Real Life
Children spend years learning academic subjects, yet many reach adulthood without being taught how to communicate confidently, manage money, resolve conflict or take responsibility for their choices. These are not optional skills. They are life skills.
Global Future Founders helps children ages 8 to 17 develop the confidence and practical knowledge they need for the real world.
This September, our upcoming four-week Life Skills Series will cover communication, first impressions, email etiquette, time management, conflict resolution, basic finances and personal responsibility.
We are also working to bring Global Future Founders into more schools, libraries and after-school spaces—because every partnership brings us closer to reaching another child.
Dates and registration details will be announced soon. Visit What Makes Us Grow to stay informed about upcoming Global Future Founders classes, programs and ways to get involved.
Let's Keep Growing
Thank you for being part of the Raw South community and for taking the time to grow with us. I hope this September reminds you that growth does not require perfection—only the willingness to take one meaningful step forward.
Here’s to nourishing ourselves, strengthening our families and helping the next generation grow.
With gratitude,
Jessy
Click here for an update from Raw South Juice Co.!
