OUR HISTORY

From Quiet Acts of Kindness to a Movement of Empowerment

THE BACK STORY

iCMAD is a nonprofit rooted in a simple yet powerful belief—one I, Faith Saunders, founder of iCMAD (a.k.a. Faith McCalla), learned as a child in Jamaica: one small act of care can change someone’s life.

That belief was born from my mother’s quiet acts of compassion, which left a profound impact on the lives she touched. One of them in particular shaped how I’ve understood care ever since.

One evening, I watched as she carefully packaged leftover food from her restaurant. To my surprise, she then went out to place them in nearby garbage bins. The food, she explained, was for mentally ill persons who searched the trash after closing hours. She didn’t want them to eat from the garbage—she wanted to help, and to restore their dignity.

The lesson she passed down was simple: making a difference doesn’t require money but humanity. Whether it’s a smile, kind words, or a meal, these moments say, 'I see you. I care. You matter'.

THE BACK STORY

iCMAD is a nonprofit rooted in a simple yet powerful belief—one I, Faith Saunders, founder of iCMAD (a.k.a. Faith McCalla), learned as a child in Jamaica:
one small act of care can change someone’s life.

That belief was born from my mother’s quiet acts of compassion, which left a profound impact on the lives she touched. One of them in particular shaped how I’ve understood care ever since.

One evening, I watched as she carefully packaged leftover food from her restaurant. To my surprise, she then went out to place them in nearby garbage bins.  The food, she explained, was for mentally ill persons who searched the trash after closing hours.

She didn’t want them to eat from the garbage—she wanted to help, and to restore their dignity.

The lesson she passed down was simple: making a difference doesn’t require money but humanity. Whether it’s a smile, kind words, or a meal, these moments say, “I see you. I care. You matter.”

THE BACK STORY

iCMAD is a nonprofit rooted in a simple yet powerful belief—one I, Faith Saunders, founder of iCMAD (a.k.a. Faith McCalla), learned as a child in Jamaica: one small act of care can change someone’s life.

That belief was born from my mother’s quiet acts of compassion, which left a profound impact on the lives she touched. One of them in particular shaped how I’ve understood care ever since.

One evening, I watched as she carefully packaged leftover food from her restaurant. To my surprise, she then went out to place them in nearby garbage bins.  The food, she explained, was for mentally ill persons who searched the trash after closing hours.She didn’t want them to eat from the garbage—she wanted to help, and to restore their dignity.The lesson she passed down was simple: making a difference doesn’t require money but humanity. Whether it’s a smile, kind words, or a meal, these moments say, “I see you. I care. You matter.”

Turning Struggle Into Purpose

THE FOUNDING STORY

Years later, raising my own two children as a single parent, I came to understand deeply the struggles so many families face: choosing between work and caring for a sick child, stretching every dollar to keep the lights on, feeling isolated and unsupported.

Those challenges lit a fire in me to help others.  Not with handouts, but with support that builds dignity, resilience, and community.

Even before we officially became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2023, iCMAD had been quietly at work since 2010. We partnered with local organizations, ran winter coat and food drives, and hosted women’s empowerment conferences, all inspired by both my personal journey and the example of care passed down by my mother.

What Guides Us Today

Transparency

We keep overhead low so impact stays high.

87% of your donation goes to our programs and beneficiaries thanks to our lean cost structure.

Action

We not only answer immediate needs but take pride in crafting programs tailored down to new problematics that our beneficiaries raise/identify.

Dignity

Dignity means more than temporary relief.   
Unlike most nonprofits, we combine material support with mental health care—offering holistic guidance that empowers families to thrive independently.

Sustainability

We don’t fix it for you, we fix it with you.

Our programs focus on healing trauma and managing stress, pairing parents with support groups, coaches and accountability partners to build lasting, self-sustaining well-being.

What Guides Us Today

Transparency

We keep overhead low so impact stays high.

87% of your donation goes to our programs and beneficiaries thanks to our lean cost structure.

Action

We not only answer immediate needs but take pride in crafting programs tailored down to new problematics that our beneficiaries raise/identify.

Dignity

Dignity means more than temporary relief.   
Unlike most nonprofits, we combine material support with mental health care—offering holistic guidance that empowers families to thrive independently.

Sustainability

We don’t fix it for you, we fix it with you.

Our programs focus on healing trauma and managing stress, pairing parents with support groups, coaches and accountability partners to build lasting, self-sustaining well-being.

Areas you
can serve

New Jersey

Based in Somerset

Missouri &
surrounding areas

Chapter in St Louis

What Guides Us Today

Transparency

We keep overhead low so impact stays high.

87% of your donation goes to our programs and beneficiaries thanks to our lean cost structure.

Action

We not only answer immediate needs but take pride in crafting programs tailored down to new problematics that our beneficiaries raise/identify.

Dignity

Dignity means more than temporary relief.
  
Unlike most nonprofits, we combine material support with mental health care—offering holistic guidance that empowers families to thrive independently.

Sustainability

We don’t fix it for you, we fix it with you.

Our programs focus on healing trauma and managing stress, pairing parents with support groups, coaches and accountability partners to build lasting, self-sustaining well-being.