Karla Nelson knows the damage domestic violence and abuse cause in a household, particularly to children. Now, she wants to help local students break the cycle.
“It’s really something I’ve been thinking about doing for a long time,” Nelson said Thursday afternoon.
Nelson, who owns and operates The Well, a massage and skincare wellness center in Chehalis, is starting a nonprofit organization to provide scholarships to local students who come from families that suffer from domestic violence or abuse in the household.
“How do we lift these kids out of the circumstances that they’re in?” Nelson said. “Honestly, it’s through education, whether it’s a college degree or a trade program.”
The nonprofit, The Willie Fay Scholarship Fund, is named after Nelson’s aunt. Nelson describes Fay as “an inspiration and recognizing the truth in her actions” and said in the interview she “had the insight” to change the cycle.
Once it’s up and running, Nelson envisions growing the nonprofit from helping two to three students at first to around 10 students a year with their post-secondary education.
“It’s baby steps,” she said.
Nelson said 5% of the net profit from her current location and the new location she’s opening in Olympia will go toward the nonprofit.
But the nonprofit could receive another major lift.
Nelson is in the running for “Fab over 40,” a competition that could reward her with $40,000, a spa-cation, and a NewBeauty photoshoot. Friday, Nelson advanced to the top 15 and is currently placed fifth in her group. Votes in the competition cost a dollar, with the money donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. People can also submit one vote for free, and Nelson wants the community to get involved.
“Because that money will go a long way to help kids,” Nelson said.
If she wins, Nelson said she plans to split the funds between her nonprofit organization and bonuses for her employees.
“I actually have a chance at like, taking this $40,000 and putting it towards the nonprofit,” she said after seeing herself advance in the competition.
Her organization doesn’t have a separate phone number or website yet, but Nelson said those will come soon. A triathlete, Nelson also eyes other ways to raise money for the nonprofit.
“Ultimately, I’d like to start doing fundraisers that get people out and get people being healthy,” she said.
A mother to three children ranging from 18 to 24 years old, Nelson said she's seen first hand the confidence and self empowerment that can come from breaking the cycle of abuse, something she hopes to inspire in others.
“I’m to the point in my life where I have something to say and I want to help people to be successful, and stop that generational conditioning,” Nelson said. “Because it’s really conditioning.”
For more information about the FabOver40 competition, and to vote for Nelons, go to votefab40.com/2023/karla-ann-nelson. Voting for the top 10 ends at 7 p.m. on Nov. 2.
