Growing Our Future, One Project At a Time!
About What We Sow Foundation
The Mission
The Mission
The Mission
What We Sow Foundation is 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to provide youth-centered events, programs, outreach, and fundraisers in St. Tammany Parish. We educate, inspire, and empower the next generation to reach their full potential through hands-on community engagement.
Our Team
The Mission
The Mission
What We Sow Foundation was created in 2025 by Brittney B. Mendel. With a background in special education, fundraising, and event planning, and as a mother of five, Brittney is passionate about creating the kinds of opportunities she would want for her own children. Through What We Sow Foundation, she focuses on empowering youth through
What We Sow Foundation was created in 2025 by Brittney B. Mendel. With a background in special education, fundraising, and event planning, and as a mother of five, Brittney is passionate about creating the kinds of opportunities she would want for her own children. Through What We Sow Foundation, she focuses on empowering youth through life skills workshops, community service projects, family centered events, support for families facing unforeseen circumstances, and helping students receive adaptive equipment to reach their full potential. She founded the organization alongside a dedicated, impact focused team including Cleveland Wester, Amy Reed, Navon Crandle, and Judy Helmstetter, who have worked together for years on youth events, fundraisers, and community outreach across St. Tammany Parish. Together, they created an organization committed to ensuring children and families from all walks of life have access to meaningful programs, resources, and opportunities to thrive.
Youth Life Skill Workshops
In February and March 2026, we hosted our first youth life skill events. These free events for students in grades 6th-12th in St. Tammany Parish, LA taught vital life skills such as: financial literacy, mindfulness, leadership, confidence, preparing meals, health and fitness, and much more. More coming in 2027.
Kidz Block Party
The Kidz Block Party was created to bring free, youth-centered events to our community. From April through August, families joined us on the final Friday of each month for an afternoon of fun, connection, and community.
Each event included music, free food, arts and crafts, games, local resources, and donation drives that encouraged youth to experience the joy of giving back.
OUR IMPACT
4,180 COMMUNITY MEMBERS REACHED
Since our founding in 2025, Kidz Block Party has reached 4,180 people through our events. What started as a monthly gathering has grown into a movement that brings families together, connects youth with local resources, and creates opportunities for our community to give back.
A PLACE FOR EVERYONE
Kidz Block Party is about more than one day of fun. It is about creating meaningful connections, strengthening our community, and making sure every child and family feels welcome.
We are grateful to our presenting sponsor, A Gift Given In Jesus' Name from the IJN Foundation, for helping make this movement possible.
This is what happens when a community comes together. We connect. We give. We grow.
The Mason Gaines Legacy Award
This award honors Mason Nakia Gaines who tragically passed away in 2023. Our mission is to provide financial aid to children with special needs who require adaptive equipment, supplies, or services to reach their full potential.
Application Opens: September 8th, 2026
Application Closes: October 30th, 2026
Please scan the QR code or follow this link to apply:
Navonathon
NAVONATHON’S 9TH YEAR!
⭐️ official flyer coming soon ⭐️
📅 Saturday, November 21 | 3–7 PM
📍 Rock N Blues | 407 N. Columbia St., Covington, LA
🎟️ $20 Tickets
🚘 Exotic Car Show
🎶 Live Music
🤫 Silent Auction
🎟️ Raffles + Prizes
In 2017, Navon Crandle lost his leg in a motorcycle accident, and our community came together to help fund his prosthetic. Every year since, Navonathon has continued that tradition by paying it forward and helping people in our community facing unforeseen circumstances.
This year, Navonathon is officially part of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization What We Sow Foundation, allowing us to make a bigger and stronger impact than ever before. Instead of helping one specific beneficiary each year, funds raised will now support many local children and families in need.
Starting in 2027, families will be able to apply for aid for a wide variety of circumstances. Every dollar raised through sponsorships, donations, in-kind donations and auction items for Navonathon will go directly toward this effort.
❤️ We can’t wait to continue making an impact in the lives of people who need it most in our community.
Join Us
Help Our Cause
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and fund our mission.