From Homeless to Helping 20,000 a Month: An Interview with the Founder of One Heart for Women & Children
July 7, 2026
Central Florida Trailblazer Rebuilt Her Life with a Goal to Make a Difference for Others
Stephanie Bowman survived severe domestic violence, battled addiction, experienced homelessness with her two kids, and eventually lost custody of her children. But her story didn't end there. Today, she is the founder and CEO of One Heart for Women and Children, an organization that feeds and supports over 20,000 people in Central Florida every single month.
In this episode of the B Student podcast, host Ashley Billings sits down with Stephanie for a raw, honest look at what it takes to rebuild your life from nothing. Stephanie shares the daily realities of recovery, what it’s like to start a massive community movement with zero money or business plan, and the unbelievable, true story of how a stolen trailer unexpectedly became the catalyst for a million-dollar campaign.
1. The Breaking Point of Abuse That Changed Stephanie Bowman's Life
Before building one of Central Florida's largest community resources, Stephanie Bowman had to escape her abuser with her kids in the middle of the night. This is the exact moment that inspired the birth of One Heart for Women and Children.
2. Mentorship Opened Doors
Stephanie Bowman opens up about a lesson from her mentor that changed how she saw herself: realizing she was worthy of good relationships, both personally and professionally, exactly as she was. Now, as a mentor herself, Stephanie brings other women into new spaces to help them find that same self-belief and confidence.
3. Thinking Outside the Box to Overcome Obstacles
When the trailer One Heart for Women and Children used to collect thousands Christmas gifts for children was stolen, founder Stephanie Bowman made a plea for help. The response from the Orlando community was overwhelming, allowing them to give presents, gift cards, and diapers to more than 12,000 children in the region.
4. Food Pantry Keeps Families from Losing Their Homes
One Heart for Women and Children is the largest food pantry in Central Florida. Founder Stephanie Bowman views it as a temporary safety net - by providing free, healthy food during life transitions, families can keep their houses and cars to get to their jobs or interviews.
5. A Fancy Car Doesn't Mean You Can Afford Groceries
When a fancy car pulls up to a food pantry, people judge. But Stephanie Bowman, founder and CEO of One Heart for Women and Children, taught a volunteer a powerful lesson about hidden poverty: you never turn anyone away, because sometimes that car is the absolute last thing they have left.