About | Wendell Walker Foundation, Inc.

Who we are

Community first, children at the heart

A faith-based nonprofit serving poor and underserved families of all ages in Simpson and Copiah counties, Mississippi.

We have served poor and underserved families of all ages in Simpson County and Copiah County, Mississippi: about 150 families. Our work has included food boxes, resume and career help, tutoring and aid for elders. Right now, every program is paused until donated funds and items can be gathered, collected and sorted. We are working to restart them, and your gift helps bring them back.

1998year founded

About 150families served

2 countiesSimpson and Copiah

501(c)(3)nonprofit organization

Our story

In memory of Minister Wendell R. Walker

Wendell R. Walker grew up here. He went to Simpson Central Middle School, where he played in the band, and to Mendenhall High School, where he did well in sports. He went on to Copiah-Lincoln Junior College and kept playing basketball. After his first year at Co-Lin, he accepted his calling to preach the Gospel.

Wendell was a minister and a mentor to children. People remembered his cheerful smile and kind words. He lost his life in a car accident on June 17, 1995. Wendell is gone, yet his memory lives on in this work.

In 1998, R. J. Walker, Jr. and Wendell's mother, Vivian Annette Walker, co-founded the Wendell Walker Foundation to keep his memory alive. Vivian Walker leads the foundation today as President and CEO. The early work focused on children: after-school tutoring, reading help, youth leadership and youth focus groups. Over the years the work grew to serve whole families, from children to grandparents.

1995Minister Wendell R. Walker loses his life in a car accident on June 17.
1998Vivian Annette Walker and R. J. Walker, Jr. co-found the foundation in his memory, under the theme “Reclaiming Our Youth.”
1999The first youth programs begin in the fall: youth leadership, an after-school program with tutoring and reading help, youth volunteerism and youth focus groups.
TodayPrograms for families of every age are paused while we gather funds and items to relaunch.
2027Blossom, our planned program for children, is set for its pilot year.

Reclaiming Our Youth

Our founding mission

The foundation was established in Wendell’s memory under the theme “Reclaiming Our Youth” and the verse it was built on, Ephesians 2:10: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.”

“…to help underprivileged children obtain and sustain a sound and limitless self-image of worth, respect and accomplishment…” From the foundation’s founding mission statement, earlier website

Our heritage

When the foundation began, its goals included helping children build a positive self-image, aiding their educational needs and offering tutoring support. Those early programs are part of our history; today every program is paused while we work to relaunch.

Our faith, open to all

We are a faith-based organization. Our theme from the start has been Ephesians 2:10. We serve because we were first loved. Help is for everyone. Our faith moves us to serve, and every child and family is welcome, whatever their religion, race or background. No one has to share our faith or take part in any religious activity to receive help.

In loving memory

Sam Hines

We remember Sam Hines, who served on our board of directors. We give thanks for his faithful service and hold his family in our prayers.

Leadership

Who leads the work

Vivian Walker

President and CEO

Board of directors

The foundation is governed by a volunteer board of directors.

Nonprofit information

Wendell Walker Foundation, Inc.
501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
Registered with the Mississippi Secretary of State, Charities Division
P.O. Box 531, Mendenhall, MS 39114

Carry Wendell's love for children forward.

A gift of any size helps children and families here at home.

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The official registration and financial information of Wendell Walker Foundation, Inc. may be obtained from the Mississippi Secretary of State's office by calling 1-888-236-6167. Registration by the Secretary of State does not imply endorsement by the Secretary of State.