Marva was born and raised in Topeka, Kansas, in a close-knit family where hard work and determination were daily values. Her mother—her biggest inspiration—always believed that with the right mindset, anything was possible. That belief continues to shape Marva’s life and work today.
Her journey with HopeNet and BridgesICT has been one of growth, healing, and purpose. After graduating from the Women’s Network and completing the Getting Ahead course, Marva joined HopeNet as an intern through the Bridges initiative. That experience became a launching pad—not just for her career, but for her calling. She went on to facilitate the very same Women’s Network group she once participated in, helping other women find their footing just as she had.
Since then, Marva has continued to lean into opportunities to serve. She has represented Thrive Lights in a video project, served as a Care Portal representative, and taken part in the Bridges workshop training. Each role has deepened her passion for building bridges—between people, between stories, and between where someone is now and where they dream of going.
She sees her work as part of a larger mission: helping individuals shift their mindset, access resources, and believe in their own worth and capability. Her long-term goal is to become a motivational representative for BridgesICT and Getting Ahead, roles that speak directly to her heart for empowering others.
“What I love most about this work is that it meets people where they are—but it doesn’t leave them there,” she says. “It lifts. It transforms.”
In her spare time, Marva enjoys encouraging others, spending time with family, and continuing her own journey of growth. Her story is still unfolding, but one thing is clear: she’s committed to using her voice, her experience, and her heart to help others find hope and strength in theirs.