Virla Spencer is living proof that service can pave the way to a better life. She’s a real advocate serving with a heart of service while building community relationships through compassion and trust. No matter what situation or circumstances someone is in, Virla meets people where they are with kindness, offering a hand up not a hand out. Through her work at the Way to Justice, she is leaving a legacy by living a life of purpose that is bigger than herself. She’s become a beacon of hope for women and families all over Washington State.
Q. What inspired you to start this nonprofit organization The Way to Justice, and how has your vision evolved since its inception?
A. I worked for a nonprofit organization for many years and it was coming to a close, that chapter in my life was about to be over, but I wasn’t done serving the community. So I thought “I can just start my own nonprofit.” I didn’t know how, or when, I just knew I wanted to start my own nonprofit, a nonprofit that has the power to dismantle and disrupt systems that have oppressed, whether it be the education system, housing, employment, the criminal justice system, medical facilities, and whatever other institutions and places. I wanted the organization to be something where we can create change.
Q. What were some of the initial challenges you faced when starting the organization, and how did you overcome them?
A. I think the biggest challenge I faced is being an African American woman doing this work. When I worked for a different organization it was almost like I was grandfathered in and barrier free. Once this nonprofit got going and people have seen that there is different leadership, specifically Black and Brown leadership, I think that caused some hesitancy about being able to do the work.
Q. How would you describe the mission and vision of your organization?
A. Well, the mission is simply advocacy and access. Those are the most important things that folks need to have. They need to have access to all things. The vision goes far beyond Spokane, it goes worldwide to be able to help change people’s lives.
Q. How do you ensure that the organization stays true to its mission while adapting to changing circumstances?
A. I think first you always have to stay rooted and grounded in where you came from. You have to look at why the organization was even created in the first place. You can’t drift away from the mission nor the values and principles of it. Everyday there will be challenges and changes that happen because things are always evolving. I always go back to my why. The organization was created intentionally to make sure that we were fighting against the things in our community that we need to change.
Q. What recent accomplishments or milestones are you particularly proud of?
A. I think the milestones that I am most proud of is one, the way that I am able to build relationships with other communities; two, for me I wanted the organization to be world wide, international, if you will say. We have been able to expand into Pierce county, doing some work in King county. The final accomplishment is that I am proud to be in a position where the organization is in its fourth year and still standing.
Q. How can the community support your nonprofit?
A. Well the first thing that comes to mind is the financial component. There is always funds needed when you are running a nonprofit to be able to sustain it. The other is volunteering for us, in-kind donations with hours is always a good thing. Lastly, come by the office, have a cup of coffee and build relationships with us. It won’t cost you anything.
Q. You recently were named one of the 2024 “Believe in Women” honorees back in July by WNBA’s Seattle Storm for the work you do and the difference you make in the community. How does it feel to be honored by the Seattle Storm for their Believe in Women night?
A. For me I had to process it because I’m so used to doing the work and not being recognized. I don’t do this work for the recognition. So I had to internally process what was happening and it took me a couple of days to be able to realize what this honor meant. After doing some research on what the “Believe in Women” was all about, I felt honored.
Q. This year’s theme was about amplifying the contributions of Black women, leaders of color, and organizations serving Black communities. How important is it to amplify and celebrate the contributions of Black women?
A. For a long time Black women have gone without being recognized. Black women have never served with the intent to be recognized, but I think that because Black women have carried so much and continue to do so, it is important for us to be acknowledged, honored and celebrated. It just doesn’t happen too often, so when those moments come I think we need to embrace them.
Q. What motivates you to be such a force for positive change?
A. I have experienced a lot of hurt, harm, and losses in my lifetime. One day I woke up and said no more! No more for the sake of me, for the sake of my children, for the sake of the folks that I serve, no more! In doing this work all I care about is serving. My motivation to get up every morning is to see who I’m able to serve for the next day.
Q. Spokane Eastside Reunion Association (SERA) just hosted their annual Community Celebration event last month at Underhill Park in Spokane’s East Central neighborhood. How and why did the Way to Justice get involved with this event?
A. Community Celebration has always been an event put on by Michael Brown through his nonprofit SERA. A couple years ago he approached me with the concept of partnering with SERA to be able to grow this thing. For us, we felt like this event was about celebrating the basketball players and the camp they had successfully completed. We wanted to be able to add an element of resources for a need being that this event is held in a historically Black neighborhood at Underhill Park. I was thinking “what can we do to get people to show up and see what the community has to offer?” We decided to add a component of backpacks, school supplies and shoes.
Q. What challenges has your organization faced in the planning, preparation, and execution of the event?
A. This is our second year participating in this event, and every year we learn something new and what didn’t work the year before. There were a few challenges this year, crowd control was one, but mainly the challenge is finding sponsors that will sponsor this event so that we are not having to cover the entire cost of the event.
Q. How has the community responded to this event so far?
A. They are excited that there are resources available to meet their needs. They come out and have fun! We had a Nom Nom Slurpee truck at the event giving free Slurpees, we had bouncy houses, face painting, raffles, prizes, hot dogs, chips, waters, and all of it was free. So for families to be able to come to an event and not need to bring a dollar is always something that is exciting.
Q. After being a part of the event for two years now, do you plan on continuing your contribution annually? If so, how do you plan to sustain and build momentum around this event?
A. I believe that once something is started you can’t just cut it off. For me it has shown that there is a greater need in this Spokane community. I have every intention of continuing to partner with S.E.R.A. Michael Brown has done a phenomenal job with the basketball program and creating a summer program that is fun and provides relief to families. In order for this event to keep going, sponsorships and donations will be a vital part of it.
Q. What is the easiest way for people to support this event and the work that SERA and the Way to Justice is doing?
A. Go to our website www.thewaytojustice.com, there is a donation tab through paypal to make a donation there. You can also send a check to our P.O. Box 7503 Spokane, WA 99207.
Go to SERA’s website www.spokaneeastsidereuionassociation.com to donate and support their work as well.