Sometimes purpose doesn’t begin with our own journey, it begins by watching the courage of someone we love.

For Mercy Housing Southeast resident Leslie Shepherd, that someone was her daughter.

Originally from Boston, Leslie first came to Atlanta to bring her daughter to attend Clark Atlanta University. What began as a visit eventually became home. Leslie built a life in Atlanta, working in hospital administration before launching her own event planning business and helping coordinate events during the city’s Olympic era.

But one of the most meaningful chapters of Leslie’s life came through something unexpected, watching her daughter find her voice.
Growing up, Leslie says advocacy wasn’t part of her upbringing.

“My upbringing was to keep your head down, do what you had to do, and not make waves,” she explains. “Having a voice was new to me.”
Her daughter, however, was determined to speak up. Even as a student, she organized events and pushed for conversations around identity and justice. Over time, Leslie began to see the power of advocacy firsthand.

That passion eventually led her daughter to found an organization focused on civic engagement and voter education. Leslie began volunteering by helping with voter registration efforts and encouraging neighbors to stay informed about the issues shaping their communities.

Today, Leslie continues that work within her own community at Mercy Housing Southeast’s Reynoldstown property, where conversations with neighbors often turn to how seniors can stay connected to the issues that affect their lives.

“I hear people say, ‘Those issues don’t concern me anymore. I’m 80 years old,’” Leslie says. “But I always remind them to think about their grandkids and the people coming behind them.”

For Leslie, civic engagement is about honoring the past while protecting the future.

“We’ve got the history and the knowledge,” she says. “Our block of seniors is big enough to make a difference if we’re all on the same page.”
Through conversations like these, Leslie has also helped spark new ideas about how communities can better support civic participation among residents.

As we approach National Voter Registration Day, (September 15, 2026) Leslie’s story reminds us that stable housing creates more than a place to live, it creates a place to lead. When residents feel connected to their communities, their voices help shape the future for neighbors, families, and generations to come.

Thanks to Leslie’s advocacy and her willingness to share her voice, Mercy Housing Southeast has also taken additional steps to make civic participation more accessible for residents, helping ensure residents have the resources they need to stay informed and engaged in their communities.
Through leaders like Leslie, residents continue to show that wisdom, experience, and community connection remain powerful forces for good.