Most people are driven to help others out of the kindness of their hearts. Supporting their communities through emotional support or other avenues makes them feel better about themselves. Giving back to the less fortunate reminds individuals of their blessings. Caring for animals or volunteering brings the same kind of ‘helper’s high’. But these selfless activities have more than an emotional impact. Altruistic acts directly correlate to increased satisfaction and joy by releasing positive endorphins. Individuals engaging in these activities report lower stress and an enhanced sense of purpose. In the long term, these benefits can translate toward balanced emotional well-being, improved resilience, and the growth of tight-knit communities.
John Adams, CPA brings a unique perspective to the power of service, whether it be to local groups or clients that rely on him for services. As an accomplished accounting professional, founder of Bridgewater Tax and Financial Consulting, and co-founder of the nonprofit Love 2 Read, John has seen the many forms that giving back can take.
Through his accounting advisory firm, John has offered precise services that extend past a typical client-service provider relationship. His passion for democratizing financial concepts has inspired him to take this approach, putting client needs above profit. It was this empathy for others that inspired John to co-found Love 2 Read, a nonprofit that provides specialized instruction to children with learning differences such as dyslexia to improve their reading skills.
John’s daughter, Madeline, faced major setbacks due to her dyslexia. Her academic performance suffered, preventing her from meeting grade-level reading skills and other important milestones. These challenges also chipped away at her self-esteem, eventually affecting her confidence in reading and speaking aloud. John reached out to his colleagues working in academia to find an instructor who could support dyslexic students. With limited options available, John felt frustrated and guilty.
“Before my wife and I found Madeline’s instructor, it was really disheartening to see her struggle and not be able to provide her with the support she needed,” John says.
Through a close family friend, John connected with Mandy Horton Walker, a seasoned educator with decades of experience supporting children with learning differences. Madeline flourished with Mandy’s support, going from two years below her reading grade level to on par with her peers. As her academic performance improved, so did her confidence. John and his wife witnessed an amazing transformation in their daughter. She was more confident and proud of her differences, and frequently went out of her way to advocate for students with dyslexia.
As the most common learning disability, one in 10 people is estimated to have dyslexia. In the US, about 20% of children live with this condition, making it critical for nonprofits like Love 2 Read to offer accessible support. John was inspired to co-found the organization with Mandy after recognizing the privilege his daughter had to receive tutoring.
“One afternoon I asked Mandy, ‘Wouldn’t it be amazing if every student could have this level of support no matter their financial situation?’,” he says. “I was so relieved to be able to offer my daughter the help she needed but I know many other parents can’t afford or have limited access to certified professionals.”
John’s heart-centered partnership with Mandy is just the beginning of his positive impact on local communities. He has also served as a volunteer on the West Palm Beach FiCPA chapter as Programming Chair. John has remained open about his nonprofit with clients, allowing them to share similar struggles and connect with any resources he may know of. His story of entrepreneurship and public service is a heartwarming story, touching on themes of altruism, empathy, and generosity. Other business owners and finance professionals can take inspiration from John’s legacy of service.
Published By: Aize Perez
