Today we’d like to introduce you to Beth Thorp.
Hi Beth, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
As Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Mitchell Thorp Foundation, I wear many hats. I’m a philanthropist, leader, author, faith influencer, and speaker. The world of philanthropy came to me through the tragedy of losing my precious son Mitchell to an undiagnosed mysterious illness that took me and my husband across the United States in and out of hospitals and doctors’ offices looking for answers. After five long hard years, and still with no understanding of the cause, Mitchell passed away.
I have such strong faith in God, but at the time, my faith was tested. It was in my deepest pain of grief that the Lord spoke to my spirit saying, “this is not the end only the beginning.” At the time, I did not know what He meant by that until my husband came home with a similar message as he sat in church one day. I felt such a strong fire within my spirit that the enemy messed with the wrong mama and papa bear that fueled me to do something. I finally came to from my pain of grief and told my husband that I don’t want to do anything else in this world unless it has eternal significance.
You could say that this was my transformational, life-changing moment. What the enemy meant to steal and destroy, God had another plan. See, God knows how to take a tragedy and turn it for good to Glorify Him in the end. My husband and I both knew that there must be many other families struggling and children who are fighting for their tomorrows.
So, in August 2009, the Mitchell Thorp Foundation was born as a public 501(c)3 organization. The mission is to support families whose children suffer from life-threatening illnesses, diseases, and disorders, by providing financial, emotional, and resource support to their desperate situation.
Here we are fourteen years later; the foundation has given back over $3 million dollars back into the community to help children and families fighting the unimaginable. We accomplish this through our four programs: Medical and Home Assistance, Healing and Rehabilitation, Wheelchair Conversion Vans, and Youth Leadership Council, training student’s 8th-12th grade in servant leadership skills and learning to give back to those less fortunate. To learn more: www.mitchellthorp.org
The Foundation has been recognized nationwide for its impact and I for my leadership, with multiple awards. Among the most recent Community Impact Award 2022 in addition in 2020 Non-Profit of the Year by the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from the United States of America. Distinguished Humanitarian award presented by Marquis Who’s Who in America. Leadership award by ABC 10 News and Lead San Diego. Starfish Leadership Award given to those who inspire, engage, and lead, presented by City of Carlsbad. Professional Woman of the Year from National Association of Professional Women. It inspires me and my team to know that what we are doing is truly making an impact.
My book titled “ANEW Creation: Finding meaning in the midst of tragedy.” Published by Morgan James Publishing, New York, is a super empowering story that will ignite the readers’ spirit as they find the hope they seek through God’s promises. It is written as a witness for Christ living through us as we trusted His love and faithfulness throughout our journey-even when it felt like God had abandoned us. Books are available wherever books are sold online or in bookstores for an autographed copy, go to: www.anewcreation.org
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Starting a non-profit organization, like any business, has many learning and growth curves. It truly takes an entrepreneurial spirit and a strong passion for the mission. Starting with nothing but a God-given vision. I got busy writing a business plan with our mission, vision, and value statement. Next, I needed to recruit talented people to sit on my Board, so I began searching for like-minded professionals who were talented in different gifting’s than myself. We can’t be good in everything so align yourself with people who are strong in areas that you are not.
The Board of Directors had to have a strong belief in the mission and the impact it will make in the lives of children and families in the community. Thirdly like any non-profit, you’re in the business of raising money to support the cause through events and individual and corporate donations. In honor of Mitchell’s legacy, we continued with the Warrior Spirt 5K Run/Walk and Family Festival that we hold every year on the first Saturday in February. Followed by the Grand Slam 4 Mitchell baseball tournament in September since this is childhood cancer awareness month. Baseball was Mitchell’s favorite sport.
Next, I aligned ourselves with the children’s hospitals and spoke to all the social workers to make them aware of our services to help children and families in crisis. We created our programs and learned to collaborate with other organizations to better serve the families and children along the way.
One thing about running a business is that it is always changing and revolving, so it is good to be flexible and pivot when needed. I’m always viewing the foundation from the 30,000-foot level; this is the WHY vision, seeing the big picture as I stepped out in faith to take the risks for the Mitchell Thorp Foundation to grow and prosper.
When Covid-19 took over the world, it devastated many businesses and nonprofits. Our 5K Run/Walk was the last event to take place before everything was shut down, and all events had to be canceled. Talk about pivoting, business as we knew it changed, and we had to accept the Virtual Zoom call world. I did not panic, as I knew I could use this time of solitude to finally write our story that has been in my spirit for so long.
Being the faithful woman that I am, I heard God speak to my spirit again telling me, “Daughter, it’s time to write our story.” When God speaks, I move. I was amazed as every day before I sat down to write, I would pray asking the Holy Spirit to speak through me. It began to pour out of me like living water, from my heart to my mind to my fingers, as I wrote this beautiful inspirational story.
It took me 15 months to write the manuscript. With my very first book proposal in hand, I submitted it to a big New York publishing house, who wrote me a letter congratulating me that my manuscript proposal, “ANEW Creation” been accepted by Morgan James Publishing. Proceeds from the book go back to the Mitchell Thorp Foundation to help more and more children. Wow! God does work in awe-inspiring ways.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a professional Leader in my community people often want to know my leadership style. I tell them that I am a Servant Leader. Robert K. Greenleaf first coined the phrase “servant leadership” however, it’s an approach that people have used for centuries. Servant Leadership is a management style that focuses on the needs of others, not themselves. Servant Leaders, however, look at leadership as an act of service. We embrace and welcome feedback as a source of useful information on how we can provide better service. Versus self-serving leaders are addicted to power recognition, and who are afraid of loss of position, and are not likely to spend any time or effort in training their replacements…
I lead by the five practices of exemplary leadership, starting with modeling the way. Leaders not only talk about the way things should be done; they show the way they should be done. Titles may be granted, but leadership is earned. Leaders earn credibility by putting values into action and living by the same standards and principle they expect of others.
Secondly, I inspire a shared vison, which is to envision the future and enlist others in a common vision by appealing to shared aspirations. Thirdly I challenge the process, searching for opportunities, experiment, and take risks. Leaders are willing to step out into the unknown, knowing that failures and disappointments are learning opportunities for growth. Fourth, I enable others to act, which involves building relationships and is a group effort. I actively involve others. Number five, I encourage the heart by recognizing contributions and celebrate the values and victories by creating a spirit of community.
I feel what sets us apart is our level of transparency; we are proud of maintaining our Platinum Level Status of transparency as a non-profit organization with Guide Star. Our organization to date has 100% success rate in keeping married couples together and not end in divorce or separation as 78% statically do from the hardships of caring for a child with a life-threatening illness, disease, or disorder. The foundation has helped reduce medical equipment costs up to 50% for families.
The foundation grants a larger dollar amount to help a child and family get through this challenging time, not just a one-time gift card. The foundation pays the vendors directly, and families submit their invoices to the foundation for payment. This way, we know the dollars are going where they are intended to go, to help the child and family in crisis.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
We are always collaborating with other organizations if it’s the right fit. The foundation has a large resource page on our website. If people are interested in being a part of the organization, as a volunteer, or resource or to or to simply donate. Go to: www.mitchellthorp.org. Every book purchased goes back to the foundation to help another child fighting for their tomorrow. The book is available wherever books are sold, online, in bookstores, or for an autographed signed copy go to: www.anewcreation.org
Pricing:
- $24.99 Paperback
- $34.99 Hardcover
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mitchellthorp.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellthorpfoundation/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mitchellthorpfoundation/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mitchell-thorp-foundation
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/FriendsofMTF
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mitchellthorpfoundation4263
- Other: https://www.anewcreation.org/
Image Credits
Mitchell Thorp Foundation
