Samuel Jones, 45, is originally from Castlewood, Virginia. For the past four years, he has been a resident with the Bristol Redevelopment and Housing Authority. Although Samuel received an autism diagnosis at the age of nineteen, he was never deterred from reaching his goals. He wanted to make a positive impact on the community and the people in it.
He received his Master of Arts in Human Services from Liberty University and then obtained countless certifications. In 2012, Samuel created Tri Cities Diaper Ministry, a foundation that collected diapers and redistributed them to members of the community in need. Samuel has been a Buckle Up for Life Program Coordinator, and a Community Outreach Coordinator for Faith Lutheran Church. He is a member of several organizations that help serve the community and has won a variety of awards for his dedication to child safety.
Samuel’s work with the Buckle Up for Life Program keeps him busy. Buckle Up for Life is a national child passenger safety education program. He currently holds various car seat safety checks within the community, including a monthly check at the EnVision Center.
Samuel, as a representative of Appalachian Promise Alliance, the BRHA Kids Club, and The Boys and Girls Club, recently partnered and utilized the EnVision Center as a location for a Bicycle Safety Event. Fifteen kids were fitted for safety helmets and received training on bicycle safety.
If there is a community event to share resources or provide aid, Samuel is sure to be there. During our interview with him, he expressed the pleasure he gains from helping make sure that children are safe on the roads. It is wonderful seeing someone strive with such heart to make a difference in the lives of others.
