About B.O.A.T.T.
Serving our community with love since 2012
Our Story
Founded on Faith & Compassion
B.O.A.T.T. was founded in 2012 by Sheila Brown-Jefferson after more than 30 years of witnessing homelessness and financial hardship in Duval County. Driven by faith and a calling to serve, she turned compassion into action.
We provide resources and items to people dealing with homelessness and financial hardships. Our team connects directly with people experiencing financial hardships or homelessness in the Northeast Florida area. We provide school supplies for children, personal care items for the homeless, and other resources for the under-served community.
Since COVID-19, we have expanded our mission to provide more resources to more people — including assistance with getting birth certificates, food stamps, groceries, utilities, and more.
Looking Ahead
Our Vision
Our vision is to one day acquire a building so that volunteers would have a permanent location to meet, strategically plan activities, and assemble bags to help further our mission. In addition, we will use the funding to run a mobile station with showers, washers, and dryers for the homeless.
Help Make This Happen
Leadership
Meet Our Founder
Sheila Brown-Jefferson
Originally from Fort Pierce, FL, Sheila moved to Jacksonville and earned her Bachelor's degree in 2005 from the University of Phoenix. After more than 30 years observing homelessness in Duval County, she founded B.O.A.T.T. in 2012. She currently works at Clara White Mission and completed the Nonprofit Executive Program at the Jim Moran Institute in October 2020.
Recognition