Janiece Hylton is a fourth-year pre-occupational therapy student at Florida A&M University. She is also the founder of We See You, a community-based project aimed to help individuals in the Tallahassee community.
She says she want to help people remember that they are not forgotten. Since Hylton was in high school, she has always loved community service.
“I get to give back to others who are less fortunate and it feels good to give back to others without receiving anything in return. Seeing the appreciation even of the smallest things really makes my day. I knew that I had a higher purpose in life and I needed to start somewhere,” Hylton said.
Hylton knew she wanted to start this community service project as soon as she came to Tallahassee.
“The specific reason why I started a community service project because when I first got to Tallahassee my freshman year I realized as a [state] capital, I realized how they overlook people in need. If it wasn’t for the residents in the community itself starting projects and having events these individuals would have no one looking out for them,” Hylton said.
In September, Hylton’s We See You vision became a reality. The first community service event was called “Warmth and Hope,’’ which was a clothes drive and food giveaway outside of the Kearney Center.
Hylton said: “I cooked rice, chicken, gave out ham and turkey sandwiches, chips, granola bars, water, and masks. On each sandwich bag, I wrote inspirational messages and Bible scriptures that would uplift their spirits. We received a lot of clothes and shoes donations for both men and women.”
Although Hylton created the project on her own, she did receive advice and support from people like Kasia Janey, a We See You volunteer and Zanae Arnold, a good friend of Hylton’s.
Janey said: “I know that it’s something she had in her heart to do for a while. Janiece wanted to make an impact in the community and create a project that helped people remember that they are not forgotten. Janiece is an overall kind and caring person and she is definitely passionate about her vision for We See You. I had fun working with her in person and getting to know more about the project as a whole. I’m looking forward to working with her in the future and watching this project grow.”
Arnold added: “I support her in anything she does so when she mentioned the idea to me, I instantly told her to go for it and that I was proud of her. Janiece has always been a giving and loving person . She’s always wanted to help those in need and sometimes people don’t get to see that side of her . Since this project, I believe that she’s even more invested into helping people and giving back to the community ! I know it does her heart well.”
We See You’s last community service event of the year was a Christmas Toy Drive for Florida Baptist Children’s Home. The next community service event will be held next year.
“In the future I see We See You as a nonprofit community outreach building that members in the community can come to for food, clothes, mentorship for kids/teens, mental, and physical help. I also hope to impact people internationally as well,” Hylton said.
For more information on how to volunteer or donate to We See You follow We See You’s Instagram page @ _we.see.you and follow Janiece’s Instagram page @ unique_janiece_.