Fort Worth Native Uses Design to Help Impoverished Communities

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Stephanie Jackson (far right) with GoDesign partners Scott Jackson (center) and Eric McManus (left)

SAVANNAH, GA (03/11/2013)(readMedia)-- Forth Worth native, Southwest High School graduate, and Savannah College of Art and Design alumnus Stephanie Jackson partnered with fellow SCAD graduates to form GoDesign, a nonprofit organization that designs and builds architectural structures for poverty-stricken communities on a global scale.

Jackson was very involved in University Baptist Church in Fort Worth growing up, and her participation in the missions programs and exposure to different cultures through travel with her parents opened her eyes to many diverse lifestyles.

"My worldview was being shaped to have compassion for those who had little to no hope for more in this life," Jackson said. "My heart yearned to help those around the world. Not just because they were less fortunate but because there is a greater story of hope that needs to be shared with all people."

This was the foundation of GoDesign, which strives to research architectural needs in national and international communities and help fund projects through partnerships with other organizations.

GoDesign recently worked with Temple Christian Church to design a school in Southern Ethiopia that will serve 60 children in the remote village of Dilla. The school will officially open to children in the fall of 2013.

The trio hopes that their efforts to provide humanitarian assistance through creativity and altruistic measures will strengthen financially disadvantaged communities both physically and spiritually.

SCAD: The University for Creative Careers

The Savannah College of Art and Design is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution conferring bachelor's and master's degrees at distinctive locations and online to prepare talented students for professional careers. SCAD offers degrees in more than 40 majors. Visit scad.edu.