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Rock Island, Ill. (August 9, 2024) – Royal Neighbors of America, a nonprofit life insurance organization, has presented Twala Lockett-Jones, Founder of nonprofit Girls Build Kalamazoo, with a Nation of Neighbors℠ empowerment award and a $10,000 grant.

Nation of Neighbors is Royal Neighbors’ signature women’s empowerment program. It recognizes and supports community leaders who work to empower women and girls through a nonprofit, business, or program. Nation of Neighbors℠ recipients are influential leaders who exemplify the Royal Neighbors “neighbor-helping-neighbor” mission of community service.

Ms. Lockett-Jones’ impactful work through founding Girls Build Kalamazoo is transforming the lives of young girls by equipping them with practical skills in construction trades, STEM fields, and entrepreneurship.

“Many times, women are not expected to know how to do things with tools, so a lot of the time, we don’t have the experience to operate most tools,” said Ms. Lockett-Jones. “I want to expose girls to construction trades and build confidence in them in working with tools and their hands to empower them to take on projects of their own when they get their own home.”

Through Girls Build Kalamazoo, junior high and senior high school girls participate in field trips to workshops, construction sites, design studios, and model homes. “We recently visited a site where the girls got to see every stage of building a home,” Ms. Lockett-Jones said. “These experiences open their eyes to new careers, skills, and opportunities.”

The $10,000 grant from the Nation of Neighbors program will be used to purchase a vehicle to transport girls to workshops, construction sites, and industry events. “A vehicle will enable us to expand our reach, ensuring that more girls, especially from underserved communities, have access to our programs and the opportunities they bring,” said Ms. Lockett-Jones. “And it goes beyond transportation – a lot of relationship building happens when we travel together.”

“Girls Build Kalamazoo’s impact will have a ripple effect for many years to come,” said Royal Neighbors CEO and President Zarifa Reynolds. “Not only are they empowering young girls with practical skills in construction and STEM, but they’re also opening their eyes to new careers and opportunities that will shape their futures. We are inspired by Twala’s drive to make a lasting and meaningful impact, which embodies our ‘neighbor-helping-neighbor’ philosophy.”

“Twala’s dedication to empowering young girls with skills that will serve them for a lifetime is truly inspiring. We are incredibly proud to support her and Girls Build Kalamazoo,” said Ursula Miniter, Member Engagement Specialist at Royal Neighbors of America, who presented the award.

About Royal Neighbors of America

In 1895, nine founding women created a membership community. They were one of the first to make life insurance accessible to women. Nearly 130 years later, Royal Neighbors remains committed to its mission of Insuring Lives, Supporting Women, and Serving Communities℠. The organization’s 265,000+ members, chapters, employees, and appointed agents across the country drive the mission through localized volunteerism and Philanthropy Programs, making social impact the cornerstone of their work.

Royal Neighbors members experience Insurance with a Difference℠ through their tailored life insurance and annuity products, opportunities to make an impact in their communities, and access to a variety of Member Programs, including savings on prescriptions, health screenings, grief support, and more.