Founder & visionary leader
Shernavian Roper Vandiber
Founder • CEO • Executive Director • President • Chairman of the Board
Shernavian Roper Vandiber is the Founder and visionary leader of Mending Hearts And Homes Family Outreach, Inc. (MHHFO), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening children, youth, families, veterans and communities through education, literacy, mentorship, leadership development, family support and community outreach.
With a lifelong passion for helping others, Mrs. Vandiber has dedicated decades to service, education, mentoring, advocacy, creativity and community development. Her work reflects a simple belief: when we strengthen the individual, we strengthen the family; when we strengthen the family, we strengthen the community.
Education
Educational background.
Mrs. Vandiber earned a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. Her educational journey included attending Alabama State University before transferring to Grambling State University, where she attended on a Choir Scholarship. Her background in psychology has contributed to her passion for understanding human behavior, supporting children and families, mentoring youth, and developing programs that address the whole person.
Training & certifications
Preparing to do this work well.
- 145 Hours of Alabama DHR Training
- Foster Parenting Certification
- ALEG — Alabama Learning Education Guidelines Certificate
- DHR Standard Requirements for Daycare Director
- CPI — Crisis Prevention Intervention Certification
Professional experience
A career built across hospitals, schools and shelters.
Mrs. Vandiber's professional experience has provided her with a broad understanding of children, families, healthcare, education, behavioral support, social services and community needs — across hospitals, group homes, shelters, educational settings, child and family support environments, and community-based programs.
Court Counselor — Operation Bootstrap
Worked with individuals in a court-related support environment while developing experience in counseling, guidance and advocacy.
Substitute Elementary School Teacher
Gained hands-on educational experience working with elementary-age students and supporting classroom learning.
Behavior Interventionist — Children's Hospital
Worked with children and families in a healthcare environment, providing behavioral support and gaining valuable experience in child development and intervention.
Patient Care Advocate — Montclair Hospital
Developed experience assisting patients and advocating for their needs within a healthcare setting.
Mentor & Life Skills Coach
Provided encouragement, guidance, mentoring and life-skills support designed to help individuals develop confidence, independence, responsibility and positive decision-making skills.
Community service & leadership
Roots that go back to 1979.
Mrs. Vandiber's commitment to community service began as early as 1979, when she became involved in giving back through the Todd Town Culture Club. Her philosophy of service has continued throughout her life and evolved into the development of MHHFO and its growing network of educational, youth, family, literacy, leadership, veteran and community initiatives. She believes that community transformation begins when people are willing to plant seeds for future generations.
A graduate of the Clarke County High School Class of 1975, Mrs. Vandiber carries with her a lifelong connection to the communities that helped shape her — and honors the legacy of her late mother, Elder Bernice Stewart Roper, her father, Minister Haywood Roper Jr., and her aunt, Jessie Stewart, whose examples of faith, family, service and perseverance have influenced her journey.
Mrs. Vandiber with Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin at a leadership conference for nonprofit and community organizations.
Founder of MHHFO
One vision, many initiatives.
As Founder and visionary leader of MHHFO, Mrs. Vandiber has developed a comprehensive organizational vision that brings multiple programs together under one umbrella, addressing not only immediate needs but the long-term development of individuals and families.
Beyond the nonprofit
Author, artist, playwright, creative entrepreneur.
Mrs. Vandiber is also a creative entrepreneur — an author, artist, playwright, florist, fashion designer, creative producer and entrepreneur — whose work extends beyond nonprofit leadership.
Vandiber Self Publishing
Creative projects combining storytelling, education, family values, imagination and community lessons — including the Veggie Town children's book and educational storytelling universe, designed to teach friendship, kindness, problem solving, bullying prevention, literacy and social-emotional learning through stories kids actually enjoy.
Vandiber Contour
A fashion and design venture reflecting Mrs. Vandiber's broader belief that people should be encouraged to discover, embrace and express their unique gifts.
Beyond the Bench™
A television and media concept exploring the lives, leadership and human stories of women judges — showing the person behind the position and inspiring future generations of leaders.
Leadership philosophy
Leadership is not a title. It's service.
- Opening doors for others.
- Teaching what you know.
- Creating opportunities.
- Listening to the community.
- Protecting children.
- Supporting families.
- Encouraging young people.
- Honoring those who came before us.
- Preparing the next generation.
- Leaving something meaningful behind.
Vision for the future
Growing from community roots — outward.
Mrs. Vandiber envisions MHHFO growing from its community roots into a broader network of programs serving communities throughout Alabama and eventually beyond — starting with Clarke, Washington, Wilcox, Jefferson and Shelby counties and Birmingham — with plans to expand wherever there is demonstrated need and the resources and partnerships to provide meaningful services.
Her long-term vision is a model in which education, mentorship, family support, leadership, literacy, wellness, community service and opportunity all work together.
“Roots give us our foundation. Wings give us the courage to soar. And growth gives us the opportunity to become everything we were created to be.”
Shernavian Roper Vandiber
Founder & Visionary Leader, Mending Hearts And Homes Family Outreach, Inc.
Every child deserves someone who believes in them.
Every family deserves an opportunity to become stronger. Every community has untapped potential. And every generation has a responsibility to help prepare the next.
Get in touch with MHHFO