By: Sydnee Floyd

Finding your voice in the 21st century is something that most find daunting, scary, and often the opposite of what they want to do. You see the issues, you see some speaking out, you see those who just share others opinions, and then there is you — so lost on what to do. I have been there. You want to make a difference in this world but sometimes it is hard because you can get so lost and caught up in everything! So how did I find my voice? — by realizing my passions and where my heart was.

Growing up in a small town in Kentucky, I was immersed into the world of poverty. Many of my classmates, and peers did not have much. I quickly saw that some of my own friends did not have food, clothes, or any basic needs that they needed to survive. Many times I packed them food to take home or gave away clothes I did not want anymore. I thought that I was just helping my friends but really their happiness brought happiness to my heart.

Also, when I was young I was very ill. I would get a 104 degree fever and there would be no answer why. My body constantly ached. It felt like my whole body was just working against me. I was in a lot of pain and no one knew why. Eventually they found I have two genetic disorders (Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and PFAPA). Those disorders are caused by a genetic mutation. EDS causes my connective tissues in my body to be loose and causes my bones to be weaker than most. PFAPA is a fever syndrome. When I get a flare I have to sleep it off and I cannot move because my body just aches. Feeling the pain, and being in and out of hospitals during my younger years showed me there are even more people that need my help.

In 2016, my mom and I made the big decision to move to Nashville, Tennessee. My whole life I had lived in Kentucky and now I was moving to this really large city and starting completely over in middle school. That is something that is still been very difficult. I do not fit in with the athletic people at school or the academic people. So where do I fit? That is something that it took me until now to realize and discover.

When we first moved to Nashville, I saw the many people living on the streets. It tore my heart to pieces. Why weren’t we helping these people? They obviously needed help. I had numerous conversations with my mom about who they were, how they got there, and why they are still there. I believe there is good in everyone no matter your past, so I started trying to find those local organizations around me that helped the homeless. I started contacting them on how I could help, and they told me I had to be a certain age. I was torn even more. I wanted/longed to make a difference and I couldn’t because of my age. That pushed me even more to find my voice, my passion, my dream.

In 2018, I made the life changing decision to start my own nonprofit Jumbled Dreams Changing Lives. The goal and purpose is to teach others in generation Z about volunteering and teaching, showing, and immersing them into the volunteer world. We primarily work with the homeless here in Nashville; however, we now have 25 partner organizations ranging with missions from antibullying to mental health! We have assisted in raising over 90,000 pounds of food, over 30,000 toiletries, over 10,000 articles of clothing, and over $10,000! It is incredible the power of the youth today!

My advice to you — use your personal story to find your voice. Then use your voice to chase your jumbled dreams. Because you never know when your story could lead to your dreams coming true.”