Today we’d like to introduce you to Mae King.
Hi Mae, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Mentoring Families and Kids: The Story of Mae King’s Lifelong Mission
In 2005, nearly two decades ago, Mae King founded a nonprofit that would become a cornerstone of her community in Jacksonville, Florida: Mentoring Families and Kids, Inc. Growing up in a large faith based family, Mae watched her parents pour their hearts into helping not just their family, but also the neighborhood around them. She had always been the kind of person who took the younger kids under her wing. With a military husband and a heart for service, she naturally extended that passion into a formal program to uplift children and their families.
Mae’s nonprofit is not just about the kids; it’s about the entire family unit. From the beginning, Mentoring Families and Kids has been a family-involved endeavor, inspired by the way Mae herself would take nieces and nephews to Disney, ensure they had school supplies, and nurture their growth. She carried that same spirit into her nonprofit, making it a mission of supporting underserved communities.
A notable aspect of Mae’s work is her emphasis on STEM education. With a family legacy of engineers, her husband a retired Air Force officer and college professor, and her son an engineer; she infused a rigorous academic standard into the program. Kids involved in Mentoring Families and Kids are not only encouraged but expected to excel, with a focus on mastering algebra in middle school and calculus before graduation. This high standard has led to remarkable success, with many of the children moving on to college and achieving academic excellence.
In addition to academics, Mae has spearheaded a robotics program for middle schoolers, which has earned accolades at regional and state levels. This program, like the rest of the organization, is a testament to Mae’s commitment to creating opportunities for kids who might not otherwise have them.
With strong partner and organization ties to the local community, Mae has made Mentoring Families and Kids, Inc. a beacon of hope. She’s known for her genuine care for both the children and their parents, often serving as an advocate in underserved neighborhoods and helping families navigate challenges. Her work has transformed countless lives and built a legacy of mentorship and empowerment.
In short, Mae King’s story is one of steadfast dedication to uplifting others, a reflection of her servant-leader’s heart, and a journey that has made a profound impact on her community.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When it comes to whether the road has been smooth, Mae is the first to say that while it hasn’t always been easy, it also hasn’t been a struggle in the traditional sense. As a woman of deep faith, she’s always leaned on prayer whenever she faced situations that felt uncertain. Time and again, she’s experienced that the right people and resources have come her way, as if placed there just when she needed them.
That doesn’t mean there weren’t challenges. For instance, working in a housing development area that was truly at the heart of her mission brought its own set of obstacles. But for Mae, it was never just about doing the hard work; it was about doing the heart work. She was right there in the trenches; feeding, clothing, and supporting these kids, sometimes with donations from friends and family, always with a heart full of dedication.
Today, she sees new challenges emerging, especially with technology. Mae is committed to ensuring that the kids in her program aren’t just keeping up but staying ahead and remaining competitive in a fast-paced world. And with her unwavering faith and community spirit, she continues to find a way forward, one step at a time.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Mae King’s work has always centered on helping people succeed. After high school, she built a successful career in retail, but family was always her top priority. A devoted wife and mother, Mae was deeply involved in her children’s schools, volunteering regularly and often stepping into leadership roles to support students, parents, and educators.
Later, Mae returned to college and earned a degree focused on supporting children with special needs. She went on to work in the local school system, where she became well known for her ability to connect with children and help them make meaningful progress. Parents often sought her out, trusting her care, experience, and instincts.
These experiences ultimately led Mae to launch Mentoring Families and Kids, Inc., where she brings together her professional background, education experience, and lifelong commitment to families. Today, she is widely known and trusted in the community as someone families can rely on — particularly in STEM-focused programming. Her nurturing yet structured approach has earned her strong partnerships and waitlists for her programs.
What sets Mae apart is her deep commitment to the entire family and her genuine desire to see children thrive. Her work is rooted in care, consistency, and a belief that every child can succeed when given the right support.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
In the next five to ten years, I see the mentoring and educational support industry evolving into a more intergenerational model. I believe that as parents and children navigate new technological and educational landscapes together, we’ll see parents becoming even more involved and learning alongside their kids. My vision is that the skills we teach won’t just empower the students, but will also ignite a passion in parents to become more tech-savvy and engaged. In essence, it’s about everyone lifting each other up so that our programs become family-led, and the knowledge we share together keeps paying it forward tomorrow.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mfkinc.org
