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WOMEN FOR COMMUNITY
Hello! My name is Deri Washington. Some of you may already know me and may also know and remember my wonderful husband, Alex Washington. But for those who do not, I want to share a little bit about us and Tranquil Designs. Alex and I co-founded Tranquil Designs LLC, in 2009. Over time, we were blessed to build a successful business. Throughout the years, our hearts were also focused on community. So, in addition to running our business, every year we would choose a nonprofit organization and donate our services and resources to that organization. I want to share a particular project with you, to provide you with a little more insight into our love for community and how we worked to assist those in need.
Women and families have always been a main priority of ours. When we heard about a project for women in transition, we knew this opportunity came to us for a reason. We always believed God led us to where he wanted us to be, and we found ourselves presented with a need where our talent and resources could make a difference. Aligning Tranquil Designs with a Nu Vision Foundation project, Alex and I became a part of the Nu Beginnings House. This allowed us to turn a house into a home for women in transition. Many of the women were leaving incarceration, re-entering the workforce, and needing a safe place to call home. With our design and business backgrounds we engaged with several of our associates businesses, who also shared a goal to donate their services. From here, we transformed the house into that home, offering women a bright and welcoming atmosphere, and giving them hope and happiness for a new beginning to their lives.
"NOTHING LOVED IS EVER LOST"
OUR
STORY
Fast forwarding to 2022, our lives turned upside down. God had taken us to a place where we were challenged beyond anything else we had encountered. Alex received a diagnosis of cancer. Many months of treatment and hospitalizations were unsuccessful in changing the path set before him. Many prayers were said along the way – hoping God would give us more time together, not only as a family, but also to help other families in need. However, God had another plan. My dear husband of 25 years left this world and passed away in March 2023. It was the most difficult time in our lives.
During the time that followed, I questioned God – a lot. And one of the most important questions I kept asking was “What is my purpose?” I then would ask “How do I go through life without my best friend?” I fasted and I prayed. And the scripture that continually came to me was Jeremiah Chapter 29, Verse 11 “For I know the plans I have for you” says the Lord. ”They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Seems easy, right? Where is the hope in this future? Because when you are going through a storm, your only means is to try your best to get through it. But then one day, it became clear. While praying, God revealed to me “your purpose and plan never changed.”
You see, Alex was my biggest fan and supporter. He always pushed me and always saw things in me that I was sometimes unable to see in myself. He was my Guardian Angel on Earth. I know now that God used him to show me my real purpose – our purpose – to continue loving others and helping those less fortunate within our community. And that was how I was able to move forward. My first step in making progress was to reach out to others who share the same passion Alex and I shared.
With that, I founded the organization “Women for Community.” My goal for this volunteer group is to help as many people as I can, with the gifts that God has given me, before He calls me home. Alex will forever be a missing part of my heart. I want to keep his memory alive so that others will always know the vital role he played in my life and the lives of others. With this desire, I am dedicating this website and the future of Tranquil Designs to Alex. May you rest in peace my love and continue to be my Guardian Angel, now from heaven.
NU BEGINNING HOUSE UPDATE
WFC
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