About PJ Jones - Empowerment Strategist

A Little About Me

Growing up, I was an outsider never really accepted, and never understanding why. As I got older, I began to realize the painful truth: I was the product of my father's abuse of my mother. My father, the pastor of the church I grew up in, was the source of the trauma that shaped my early years. I didn't understand generational trauma at the time, so when my mother began to abuse me, I believed it was my fault.

Throughout my teenage years, I endured my mother's alcoholism and physical abuse, and in the midst of it, I began running away from home. But the streets were no escape. As a homeless teen, I faced even more trauma from being preyed on by older men, robbed, gang-raped, and assaulted, making me feel even more isolated and unworthy.

At 16, I met the father of my children. What seemed like an escape quickly turned into a controlling, abusive, narcissistic relationship that lasted until my late 20s. Once I was free, healing was never part of my life back then. I made many mistakes, but I convinced myself that as long as I was a great mother, that was enough.

Then, in 2017, I lost my oldest child, my 19-year-old son, to gun violence. That devastating loss was the turning point for me. I knew I couldn't keep living in the pain of the past anymore. This loss became the catalyst for my transformation and began the long journey of healing and change.

My story, my struggles, and my growth all matter. I know what it's like to feel alone, unworthy, and unseen, but I also know that change is possible. It's time to heal, and it's time to create a future where we all have the opportunity to break free from our pasts.

The path from my pain to purpose wasn't easy. I dove deep into personal development, seeking tools to heal my mind, body, and soul. It was in this healing journey that I discovered the power of holistic practices and empowerment strategies. I trained as an NLP Practitioner, learning how to reframe my mindset and create lasting change. I became determined to not only transform my life but help others do the same.

This transformation led me to found Soulful Resilience Journey Coaching Practice, where I now help survivors and individuals reclaim their power, heal from their past, and step into their full potential.

My platforms for change:

Host of the Insights of a Survivor podcast, sharing stories of hope and strength.
Founder of Empowered Voices: Finding Strength in Survivors on YouTube.
Author of A Place to Belong, a roadmap for others seeking healing and community.
Creator and host of empowerment events like the Rise and Thrive: Empowered Voices Summit (Jan 2025) and Fearless and Flourishing: Women's Empowerment Event (Mar 2025).

Today, I stand as a voice for the voiceless, a beacon of light for those who feel lost, and an advocate for those ready to rise from their struggles and flourish. My story is a testament to the power of resilience and transformation.

From Surviving to Thriving

My Journey to Empowerment

Background & Education

A Non-Conventional Path

My journey has been anything but conventional, but every step has shaped me. I earned my G.E.D. at 23, passing the exam on my first try a testament to my determination to overcome obstacles.

I later pursued and completed a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and Human Services in 2019, and then a Master's degree in December 2020, even after the devastating loss of my son temporarily forced me to step away.

Driven by a desire for holistic healing, I sought out specialized knowledge:

Baccalaureate Certificate in Cannabis Science and Operations.
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutic Management.
Certification as a Trauma-Informed Professional.
Certifications in Holistic and Life Coaching.
Certification as an NLP Practitioner (Neuro-Linguistic Programming).

I spent years working in the human services field as a Case Manager at a children's homeless shelter, a Mental Health Specialist, and later in state positions as a CPS worker and Adult Protective Service Worker. In April 2024, I made the bold decision to leave the government sector and move to Costa Rica to focus fully on my true passion: helping others heal and thrive through my coaching practice.

Every moment of pain, resilience, and rebirth in my journey led me to create Nova Sorella Sorority Incorporated a sisterhood built on healing, empowerment, and transformation. Nova Sorella, meaning "New Sister," represents the rise of women who have walked through darkness and emerged with purpose. It's more than a sorority; it's a movement of survivors, advocates, and changemakers devoted to rewriting their narratives and creating generational healing.

Within Nova Sorella, every sister's voice matters. We uplift women who have endured trauma, rejection, and loss, providing a space where they can belong, rebuild, and rise together. Through mentorship, advocacy, and service initiatives, we focus on creating tangible change in at-risk communities. Our mission is to transform pain into power by supporting survivors of abuse, violence, and systemic oppression through education, empowerment, and collective action.

Out of this same purpose came Unbroken Voices: The Survivor's Anthology a powerful collection of real, raw stories written by survivors who refused to stay silent. This anthology is more than a book; it's a declaration of strength and unity. It gives voice to the voiceless and stands as living proof that trauma does not define us our courage does. Every story shared within Unbroken Voices helps others find healing, hope, and the reminder that they are not alone.

Through Nova Sorella, Resilient AF Magazine, the Insights of a Survivor podcast, and my community empowerment projects, I am channeling every lesson, heartbreak, and victory into impact. My mission is clear to bring awareness, healing, and opportunity to at-risk communities and survivors around the world.

I believe that healing ourselves is the first step to healing the world. Nova Sorella and Unbroken Voices are the embodiment of that truth proof that from brokenness, beauty can rise, and from survival, leadership is born. Together, we are not just surviving anymore we are thriving, creating, and transforming the world one unbroken voice at a time.

The Birth of Nova Sorella & the Unbroken Voices Movement

"You are not defined by your past, but by your strength to rise above it. Your healing is your power, and your future is limitless." PJ Jones

Start Your Healing Journey or Share Your Story

If you're ready to begin your healing journey, or have a story that can inspire others, I invite you to reach out. No matter where you are, you don't have to walk it alone.

Let's Break the Silence Together

(Available for Coaching, Speaking Engagements, and Podcast Interviews)

The Story of Me