Maria Crayton is a Mississippi native who moved to Georgia to pursue further education in the field of mental health. She completed her M.A. in professional counseling and was immediately introduced to the world of early intervention. This was the motivation to pursue and complete her M.Ed. in the field of special education. Maria was initially introduced to the special needs community as a child during which time the resources appeared to be very limited. After she began working in early intervention, she realized that there are plenty of available resources but there are so many families who are unaware of these resources and need assistance to obtain what is necessary. Since then she has worked to provide assistance and advocate for those who have been diagnosed with developmental disabilities and/or mental health needs. Maria continues to work in the field of special needs as a behavioral health counselor. Professionally, Maria has worked as a service coordinator, developmental specialist, substance abuse counselor, community therapist, family advocate, and special instructor. Maria’s professional experiences have allowed her to work with so many wonderful people in the special needs community, from babies to the elderly.
The dedicated advocate is also the chief financial officer for Our Children’s Story, Inc, a 501c3 organization that assists families who for loved ones with special needs. Maria has had the pleasure of being interviewed by Voyage ATL. She is also a writer for #GiveEmAVoice a blog for the voiceless. Learn more about Maria and her work below.
Fancy: How would you describe your swagher? What makes Maria, Maria?
Maria: What makes me Maria? There are many sides of Maria Crayton, visible and invisible. I am very passionate about issues that are important to me. I love helping others in any way that I can. I consider myself to be tenacious, steadfast, loyal, and compassionate. I love hard but selectively. I’m open to evolving, but I am also comfortable and secure in where and who I am. I’m spiritual and allow my spiritual relationship with GOD to guide me. I am a goal setter, mindful, honest, and approachable. I was raised by queens; therefore, I consider myself to be a queen. What makes me Maria? Being able to continue a legacy passed down to me and share that legacy with the world, piece by piece. This is what makes me Maria.
Fancy: So, you are the CFO of Our Children’s Story. How did that come about?
Maria: Interestingly enough, I met Libra Hicks, the founder in 2006 when I became her Service Coordinator with Babies Can’t Wait. At that time, her son was 6 months old and she was just beginning her journey into the land of special needs. After her son transitioned out of the program, we talked over the years about the desire to have a school for children with special needs. Over the years, life happened, and we ended up connecting again on FaceBook. So, when she approached me to be a part of Our Children’s Story, I didn’t hesitate to say yes. I knew her journey, and like so many other families, I saw how cumbersome and overwhelming this journey can be, so any amount of help for a family can be a lifesaving moment. I felt she was sincere in her mission, and I know my personal motto is “anyone can make progress with the right tools.†Sometimes you just give people the tools and they can then help themselves.
Fancy: What does your position of CFO entail?
Maria: As CFO of Our Children’s Story, I assist with partnership and relationship building for grants and sponsorship for the purpose of funding the community support we provide. I assist with managing and soliciting funds for Our Children’s Story. I also act as a Therapeutic Coach in the field of Mental and Behavioral Health for families that are concerned about any behavior or mental health issues with their loved ones. I am responsible for building a division of services within Our Children’s Story’s special needs community for families who may not have a loved one with a developmental disability, but they suffer from a mental illness. These are two communities that are overlooked and are usually overlapping regarding the care they need. I am doing whatever I can to ensure that as an organization, we can provide a continuum of care for families who are in the realm of developmental disabilities and mental health.
Fancy: What was it that attracted you to the organization?
Maria: From my experience working in the field of mental health and special education, I know many families struggle with finding the resources they need for their children. There are resources out there that even professionals in the field may not know about because it is not advertised. People literally must go on a treasure hunt to simply find out how to fill out an application for medical supplies. I was attracted to this organization because it strives to lessen the gap for families who may not know where to look, are uncertain about how to apply, or are simply overwhelmed with the whole process.
Fancy: We already know that navigating through the paperwork and obtaining resources is difficult, but with the many changes that are being implemented with healthcare insurance and so on, do you anticipate the process becoming more difficult?
Maria: The process of navigating through paperwork and accessing resources will always be difficult due to the system not being set up for easy accessibility. History shows that when it comes to attempting to get access to help for certain communities, there are always hurdles that are almost impossible to cross. I think the easiest way to combat this issue is to be proactive by educating people who must navigate these different systems for assistance. Education for a community can go a long way. You’re essentially helping people learn to help themselves.
Fancy: The Purple & Green Gala is returning for its third year. What can attendees expect to look forward to?
Maria: Attendees can look forward to being able to recognize people in the special needs community who have made an impact. They will also be inspired to be a part of a movement in a community that has so few supporters.
Fancy: Why is this gala so important for the organization?
Maria: The Purple and Green Gala is important for our organization because it allows us to bring awareness to the two special reasons we are all together: Cerebral Palsy and Epilepsy. It also allows us to highlight the organization’s need for continuous monetary donations to continue the work that we do. This fundraising gala is an opportunity for the community to come together for entertainment, inspiration, and giving back.
Fancy: How can others assist to make this event a success?
Maria: Donations would be truly appreciated because it allows us to continue assisting our community and bringing them the necessary resources. Spreading the word about our organization is another way people can help make this event a success. A simple share of the event can help us get our message out to people who want to help but are unable to be present.
Fancy: While I’m sure it’s rewarding, I’m also sure your line of work can take a toll on your mental health. How do you practice self-care?
Maria: During my daily work routine, I prioritize my tasks. I do what’s most important and pressing first. Anything that does not get completed that day is carried over to the next day. I have learned that there is only so much I can get accomplished in a day. Work-related tasks are cut off at 5 pm. After that is my personal time and opportunity to work as a volunteer on Our Children’s Story related tasks. When I feel stressed, I utilize exercise, usually cardio, deep breathing, and meditation to combat that feeling. I also know how to say “No.†I know most people think of spas, steam baths, etc. as self-care, which they are but sometimes people miss the most important aspect of self-care; mental health. Since I’m a counselor/therapist, of course, mental health care is extremely important to me. All the steam baths in the world at the swankiest spa can’t take the place of eliminating a toxic relationship or just having peace after a long day at work. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good hot stone massage, but I truly believe in making sure that I can maintain my peace of mind once I leave the spa.
Fancy: Do you have any upcoming events or projects that you care to share?
Maria: Our Children’s Story recently partnered with North Metro GNETS Program, a school in the city of Atlanta that provides educational and therapeutic support for students, 3-21 who may otherwise qualify for restrictive placements. We are so excited about this partnership that will allow us to create and implement so many programs for children who are often left out and forgotten about. Once we have these programs in place, we will be announcing them to the public. After our Purple and Green Gala, we will have our Toys for Tots Drive in December.
Learn more about Maria and Our Children’s Story below.
Maria’s Instagram:@mariacrayton_cfo
Maria’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/MariaCrayton
Our Children’s Story Website: www.ourchildrensstory.org
