Why I Live a Life of Giving
As a young adult, Sonya Birtha recognized her calling to help others. Her journey began as an elementary school teacher, where she taught pre-k, first, and second grade. She would eventually become a School Director at Grace Heritage Christian Academy in Stone Mountain Georgia. After a twenty-year tenure in education, she began working at a local Food Pantry.
This position deepened her insight into God’s vision for her life. Her journey did not come without adversity. In 2005 she was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer, then diagnosed 5 years later with stage 1 colon cancer. Although these trials were difficult, she knew there was a purpose to her pain. God gave her a strength she never knew existed. A strength to fight and persevere through any affliction that life may bring. In the midst of it all God brought her into complete remission.
In 2009, Sonya established Sonya’s Store House, with a mission to assist individuals in need of food, clothes, counseling, and prayer. The storehouse receives support from local churches, nonprofits, and individuals that donate food, finances, and clothing. Having served over 150 families in the greater Atlanta area, most assistance is achieved through referrals and word of mouth.
Sonya’s goal is to positively impact the lives of every individual she encounters. Her resourcefulness is beneficial to many. If unable to meet a need, she will find an organization or program that can. Among other things, she has a desire to help women affected by domestic violence. She has plans to open a Transitional House for battered women in the near future. This is particularly important to her as most women accredit homelessness to domestic violence.
In addition to these efforts, Sonya volunteers her time to several causes in her community. She serves as a Home Health Aide for disabled vets and seniors. Likewise, she volunteers for (RFL) Refugee Family Literacy in Clarkson Georgia, where she teaches refugee women and children to speak English. In recent years, she’s served at VeloCity Atlanta, a fundraising event that benefits the #1 trauma center in downtown Atlanta, Grady Hospital. Not to mention, spending hours volunteering at local nursing homes. Sonya says, “ I’ve worked with children for many years and now God has allowed me to help disabled seniors.” Sonya’s calling has inevitably enabled her to serve the community in more ways than one. Her vision has been supported by many throughout her journey.
To acknowledge a few, Khristine Gilbert, Kay Howard, Dionne and David Boston, Lady Teresa Harris, Valerie Prosper and family, Tyra & MaShawn, her daughter Shonda Birtha and her parents Minnie Pearl & Jason Birtha. Her faith, tribulations, and perseverance have been the driving force in her mission to live a life of giving.