Giving Back in Blairgowrie, Sharleene’s efforts bring joy to the community
From small beginnings to big impact, Sharleene dedicates her winnings to the community that has helped her reach milestones and allowed her to be one with Blairgowrie Recreation Centre.
After losing her husband in 2020 and suffering a mental breakdown, Sharleene Jones refused to let adversity stand in the way of her dreams.
A mother of two, a daughter and a son, Sharleene found purpose in their presence after the loss of her husband, who had battled illness for some time. Her children became her reason to rise above her grief and rebuild her life for the betterment of both herself and those around her.
“I faced a period of immense anxiety and emotional turmoil. The weight of my responsibilities as a single parent and the grief that I carried were overwhelming, leading to a mental breakdown and forcing me to step away from my job,” said Jones.
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Raised by her grandmother, Sharleene sought healing through acts of service. She found comfort in helping the elderly and feeding the homeless – a way to escape the darkness and find purpose in uplifting others, especially her children.
In May, Jones entered the Mrs Global Universe Africa competition, held online, and was selected to represent the African continent in the international event in Singapore. Contestants were chosen based on the impact of their community work.
Fikile Motaung, a close friend and founder of Mrs Esoweto, shared her admiration: “Having seen her at her worst and seeing her take her pain and turn it into something beautiful has been nothing but an amazing journey to watch. She has blossomed into something wonderful and is ready to help the community.”
Sharleene is also the founder of the Sharleene Jones Cares Foundation, an organisation that supports women dealing with gender-based violence, divorce, or widowhood. “I want every woman out there to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel and [they] should not give up on their dreams,” she said. “Modelling has always been something that I’m passionate about, so to me it doesn’t even matter that I’m doing it in my 40s. This is just to show that dreams are valid for as long as we do not give up on them.”
According to Jones, this is only the beginning. While she’s excited to represent Africa in Singapore, her heart remains with her foundation, which was officially registered just two months ago. Upon her return, she plans to dedicate more time to its growth, continuing outreach to old-age homes and supporting the homeless; acts of kindness that helped shape her journey.
Sharleene’s story is a powerful reminder that even in our darkest moments, we can choose to rise, and that choosing to rise often inspires others to do the same.
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