Nikel Somers describes Jessica Billings as “my hero.”
For Elania Tillman, Billings is very caring and giving, there for anyone in need.
Billings works hard, and now that she’s found her footing, encourages her two sons to raise money for children in need at Christmas, Elaine Keathley said.
She helps anyone in need, not just at the Current River Sheltered Workshop, where Billings is manager, but anywhere in the community, said Rhonda Reeves.
More than a dozen community members nominated Billings, of Doniphan, as a Difference Maker.
She was named the 2022 Difference Maker of the Year on Thursday, during the Daily American Republic’s annual banquet at the Black River Coliseum.
“Our Difference Maker of the Year works with many people to help them turn their lives around and puts in countless hours by volunteering in (the) community whenever needed,” said Chris Pruett, publisher. “Adjectives that have been used to describe our Difference Maker of the Year include, ‘hero,’ ‘helper,’ ‘huge heart,’ ‘caring,’ ‘giving,’ ‘loving,’ and ‘family.’”
In accepting the award, Billings said whatever happens in life, just keep going.
“I know what it feels like not to have food. I know what it feels like not to know how to pay my electric bill,” she said. “I know what it feels like to want to make ends meet.
“So when I go to work every day, I don’t go to work just to get a paycheck. I go to work to give somebody hope.”
Billings said this was the first time she’s told her story publicly.
There was a time the 34-year-old didn’t see herself as someone who could make a positive difference.
While she had a happy childhood, an abusive relationship later in life and addiction cost her both her children and her freedom for a time.
Billings said turning her life over to God helped her out of that dark place.
“I served three years in the Department of Corrections. And I told God when I was laying on my concrete bed, ‘You can use me for whatever it is that you want me to do,’” Billings said. “I got out. I got my children now. And every day I wake up trying to be better than I was the day before.”
She found a new purpose when she started work at the Current River Sheltered Workshop in Doniphan three years ago, first in the resale shop and finally as manager.
She rehabilitated herself and regained custody of her two sons, Jalen and Jaden, now 13 and 14.
“I have watched first-hand her tremendous growth and perseverance,” sister-in-law Kerri Billings said.
Her sister-in-law worked up to three jobs at times, while working to get her children back, and before finding a place at the sheltered workshop.
“She works with many special needs people and gives them a good and safe environment to work in,” said Kerri Billings. “It warms my heart all that she does for them, especially since her nephew, my son, is autistic, and one day he may need a place like CRSW.”
She does this while helping in the community in any way possible, Kerri Billings said.
“Her life story of coming from the worst place in her life, to now being able to help others is why I would like to nominate her,” she said.
Rhonda Billings said she’s seen her daughter grow in ways she never imagined.
“I’ve seen her grow into this young lady who leads others with her heart, her mind and her soul, and gives her whole self to her job and the people in the community,” said Rhonda Billings.
The staff and employees at the sheltered workshop care as deeply for Billings as her family, according to the nominations.
“Anyone that is in need, she is there for them,” said Tillman. “Jessica has so much love to give and she’s let her love flow like a river. I am so glad I work with Jessica and got to know and love her.”
Additional reporting by staff writer Misty DeJournett.
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