Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Years ago, someone told Karen Mobley of Howard County that “if you’re ever having a bad day, the best thing to do is help someone else.”
Mobley took that advice to heart, first while working 9 years as a full-time registered nurse at the University of Maryland System in Baltimore. At the hospital, Mobley said she would meet with social workers to learn of families in need and then purchase as gifts those necessities. Although she mostly pulled from her own pocket, occasionally she said she solicited help from fellow staff members and staff.
When Mobley decided to move on from her nursing career in 1996, she said she realized that her longing to help others stretched far beyond the doors of that hospital. At the time, she was 31 years old with a 1-year-old baby at home.
Now, Mobley operates a family-run nonprofit volunteer organization called Neighbor Network, Inc.
“To me it’s a very selfless thing because I get so much gratification helping other people and giving to somebody else,” said Mobley who formalized her efforts to assist needy families in 2000. “It just makes me feel so much better because you always feel good about what you’re doing.”
With two large garages on the property, Mobley said she has ample space to house everything she needs to successfully execute her volunteer services from home.
Mobley has always stayed close to home. Born and raised in Laurel, she said she married her high school sweetheart in 1995, attended Towson University and eventually settled down in Howard County.
Neighbor Network has facilitated many volunteer programs over the past 18 years, said Mobley. Some of the programs and volunteer efforts include stocking hundreds of backpacks full of supplies that are donated to schools, filling baskets with everything needed to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal and hosting free yard sales for low-income families who come to select choice donated items.
The Network also has sponsored ‘Christmas adopt-a-family,’ where volunteers receive Christmas lists of the less fortunate and provide them with a multitude of gifts. And, there has been a speakers series that allow individuals who have experienced poverty and homelessness to share their experiences to local residents and children.
Neighbor Network is funded entirely through donations mainly from friends, families, corporations, and businesses that match their employees’ donations. Family member businesses make up the core corporations that donate, said Mobley. Her older sister, Teresa, owns Solara Flooring, Inc.; her brother-in-law, James, owns Drainworks, Inc., a plumbing company; and, her husband, Gilbert, donates from his family-owned company, Eastern Homes, a mobile home dealer.
“Neighbor Network has helped hundreds – close to 1,000 – of our families throughout the holidays and during crisis,” said Quintin Askew, director of the Howard County Multi-service Center. “We can’t do everything and we know that we can’t provide our support for everyone in the community, but being able to work with people like Karen allows us to do things outside of our abilities, and to support more individuals that we wouldn’t necessarily be able to help without people like her.”
Askew added that Mobley’s nonprofit organization has provided enough services and financial support over the years to sustain a key program, called “Getting Ahead.”
“She has been one of our main supporters throughout the past six or seven years,” said Askew.
Karen’s daughter Elena, said her mother has been a great role model who has taught her about utilizing resources, the community and family to provide assistance to so many.
“I grew up always going with my mom and helping out with whatever needed to be delivered,” said Elena Mobley. “It was just something we did. My mom is the most selfless person I know, she doesn’t think twice about giving and I’m thankful to have that as an example in my life.”
“The hardest part is not being able to help everybody and do all that I want to do,” said Mobley acknowledging the countless hours and immeasurable energy needed to help those in need. “You know, you’re limited on funds and time, and being me, I just want to be able to do everything.”
Mobley also noted that she has learned that some people seek assistance out of greed rather than need.
“You learn that some people try to take advantage of people’s goodness and so it’s also about learning to vet them better and assess or go through a screening or application to understand them a little better,” said Mobley.
Undaunted, Mobley said she sees a bright future for her nonprofit organization and may be able to expand to help many more people as possible.
“Someone told me years ago, if you’re ever having a bad day the best thing to do is help someone else, touching somebody else will make everything better,” she said.