About us
Who we are
Lamar Stapleton Jr., the founder of Chosen to Serve Inc. was raised in the projects of Brooklyn, New York, alongside six siblings. His father, Lamar Stapleton Sr., worked multiple jobs to provide for the family, while his mother, Daree Stapleton, helped with homework, cooking, and cleaning. The church was a central part of their lives and helped keep their family together.
The Stapleton family often received food and clothing from churches, the SNAP program, and generous donors. Despite this, Lamar’s parents were always more focused on giving to others than on receiving. This principle, drawn from the Bible scripture in Acts 20:35, which states, “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” was a cornerstone of their family values. His father taught them to always be thankful for what they were given, no matter the size, and to be a blessing to those who were less fortunate.
Our Approach
Our Mission
Chosen to Serve Inc. mission is to help people in Duval County out of poverty and also enabling them to become capable enough to help others as well.
Our Vision
We envision a future where our mission serves more families across Northeast Florida. We will expand into new counties like Clay and St. Johns, offering dedicated programs and events designed to build personal growth and fortify family relationships.
Our Partners
North East Florida -
A Snapshot
North East Florida, the region consisting of Baker, Bradford, Clay, Duval, and Nassau counties, is a part of Florida that has received little attention. As a consequence, the region suffers from underdevelopment and neglect which further compounds the issue. Statistics indicate that the median annual income for North East Florida averaged (See number on side).
While poverty has declined from 16.1% to 14.4%, the truth is that 24% of children below the age of 5 years reside in households that fall below the poverty line as defined by the Federal government.