We believe that every individual, regardless of their starting point, deserves the chance to create a bright future. Here, we act as a reliable Caregiver, offering a nurturing hand and a clear path forward for those navigating life’s toughest challenges in New York.
Our story began ... not with a strategic plan, but with loss—and a personal promise.
In 2019, when our founder unexpectedly lost her sister, she felt a deep calling to fulfill a personal promise she’d made to a student and also honor her sister’s spirit of love and giving.
Drawing from her background as a corporate paralegal, creative director, and lifelong advocate for education, Morlette poured her heart and savings into building Adopt A Destiny. Within seven months, she registered the nonprofit, designed its first website, and secured its tax-exempt status. It was all driven by a simple, unwavering commitment:
“If I can help put one person in a better place than where they began, then I will be happy.”
That one person became many. The first student she supported—a young woman who dreamed of becoming a doctor—graduated in 2022. Since then, Adopt A Destiny has guided eight students, supported ten women, and inspired countless others through a growing network of hope and compassion. Our journey is proof that when empathy meets action, dreams become new destinies.
Our story began not in a boardroom, but in a quiet moment of shared hope between sisters. In 2019, when our founder Morlette Cowan lost her sister, Dahlia, she was moved to honor Dahlia’s legacy of nurturing young minds.
Driven by a deep-seated passion for educational equity and a specific promise made to a student in need, Morlette poured her heart—and her savings—into building a vessel for change. By 2021, Adopt A Destiny was founded as a beacon of hope, designed to ensure that no aspiring student would have to abandon their dreams due to a lack of resources.
In our early days, our care extended internationally, supporting students in Jamaica to achieve what seemed impossible. We watched with pride as scholars like Sashalee Beasley completed medical school to serve her community, and Michael Bailey defied financial limits to pursue a PhD in Neuroscience.
In 2022, we shifted our focus to serve the communities of New York and the United States. We saw that single women and first-generation students in our own neighborhoods were facing insurmountable barriers, and we knew we had to become their safety net.
Like the students we protect, our organization has faced its own storms. As a small non-profit funded largely by our founder’s personal earnings and the dedication of volunteers, we have had to make difficult decisions, including pausing enrollment in 2022 when resources ran low. Yet, we refused to give up. We responded with resilience, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to our “Lighthouse Scholars” and “Precious Pearls”.
Today, we stand stronger and more determined than ever to be the reliable caregiver our community deserves, proving that when empathy meets action, dreams really do become new destinies.
Adopt A Destiny is committed to fostering a future where all individuals, regardless of their socioeconomic background, have the opportunity to achieve their dreams. We serve New Yorkers and empower single women facing social challenges and first-generation college students from low-income backgrounds.
We offer targeted programs that provide financial aid, mentorship while promoting personal growth and independence.
We imagine a world transformed by radical empathy, where every individual is seen, valued, and empowered.
We aspire toward a future where The Destiny Difference—acts of selfless kindness and belief in others—is the standard for how people live and serve.
We know true change is built on more than money—it’s built on Compassion, Hope, and Unity. We step in to be the consistent support system our participants need to transform adversity into a new destiny.
We believe in the strength of connection. We foster a sense of belonging and collaboration, connecting individuals in need with community support to create a more equitable and compassionate future where everyone has the opportunity to build a new destiny.
We lead with empathy. We deeply empathize with the challenges faced by individuals from underserved communities and those experiencing hardship. At the heart of our organization is a commitment to offering understanding, direct support, and pathways to a new destiny.
We are future-focused. We believe in the power of positive change and instill optimism and resilience in our members and those we assist, helping individuals see opportunities to create a new destiny through education, empowerment, and community support.
We equip you to thrive. We believe in the inherent potential of every individual and strive to equip them with the tools, resources, and community support they need to succeed, overcome challenges, and create a new destiny, rising above social and economic barriers.
We don’t rely on luck; we rely on a proven strategy that combines direct assistance with community mobilization. Our holistic approach is built on the belief that sustained success requires more than just money—it requires a network of care.
We provide a comprehensive safety net, to help build resilience and agency, empowering individuals to thrive. Our approach combines:
The greatest measure of our success is the lasting stability, hope, and achievements of the individuals we serve.
Every donation, every hour of mentoring, and every supportive event helps ensure students graduates debt-free or a woman achieves sustainable independence.
See Our Latest Impact Report.
We provide customized care through two key initiatives, each offering the holistic support our audiences need most.
We all lead from a heart of compassion, volunteering our time and expertise toward helping the organization achieve its mission.
The Family
We are a dedicated group of advocates, mentors, and community members committed to providing personal, responsive care to every participant. We look forward to connecting with you.
Our commitment to building a new destiny for every New Yorker is only possible through the Compassion and Unity of our community. Whether you have time, resources, or just a desire to spread Hope, there is a place for you in the Adopt A Destiny family. |