ABOUT
The Split Second Foundation (SSF) is a New Orleans-based nonprofit community care startup dedicated to promoting the holistic wellness of individuals with disabilities. Our mission is to deliver comprehensive care, resources, education and advocacy to those affected by disabilities, promoting independent living and enhancing their quality of life.
At Split Second Foundation, individuals impacted by disability receive comprehensive and compassionate care tailored to their unique needs. Our multidisciplinary approach encompasses physical, mental, and societal wellness, ensuring holistic support for each individual. From fitness programs designed to improve mobility and strength to mental health services offering counseling and emotional support, we address all aspects of well-being. Our dedicated team of professionals provides personalized care, guiding individuals through case management, resource navigation, and advocacy. We strive to create a nurturing and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation, we are transforming lives and building a more inclusive society for all.
Our focus revolves around community-building. From the instant you step through our doors or engage with our team, our aim is to make you feel comfortable and welcomed as part of our family. Too often, individuals with disabilities experience feelings of isolation in society, but at Split Second Foundation, they discover a genuine sense of belonging.
Our holistic approach prioritizes the physical, mental, and societal wellness of individuals with disabilities. Our comprehensive services encompass physical fitness, mental health support, case management, and resource navigation. Furthermore, we're expanding our offerings to include nutrition programs, vocational training, and financial literacy resources. Our goal is to address the diverse needs of our community and empower individuals to lead fulfilling lives.
Mission
Provide comprehensive care, resources, and education to people impacted by disability.
Vision
Transforming Hope into action.
Values
- Inclusivity: We believe in creating an environment where everyone, regardless of ability, feels valued and included.
- Empowerment: We strive to empower individuals with disabilities by providing them with the tools, resources, and support they need to thrive.
- Compassion: We approach our work with empathy and compassion, recognizing the unique challenges faced by those we serve.
- Innovation: We are committed to seeking innovative solutions and approaches to address the evolving needs of the disability community.
- Advocacy: We advocate for the rights, needs, and interests of individuals with disabilities, working to dismantle barriers, promote inclusion, and advance social justice and equity.
Why
CEO: Mark Raymond, Jr.
Mark Raymond, Jr. is the founder and CEO of The Split Second Foundation (SSF). Based in New Orleans, SSF is a nonprofit healthcare startup dedicated to promoting the holistic wellness of individuals with disabilities. Our mission is to deliver comprehensive care, resources, and education to those affected, fostering resilience and enhancing their quality of life. From fitness programs designed to improve mobility and strength to mental health services offering counseling and emotional support, SSF addresses all aspects of well-being. The dedicated team of professionals provides personalized care, guiding individuals through case management, resource navigation, and advocacy. SSF strives to create a nurturing and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential.
Mark’s commitment to fighting for justice and equity was intensified following a shallow diving accident in 2016, in which he damaged the vertebrae by the base of his neck and lost the ability to walk. This life-changing experience illuminated the reality of disparities in access, and there were very few community resources to turn to for help. His new disability and lack of support ultimately pushed him to advocate for millions of others by transforming the split-second that led to his injury into a life filled with awareness, hope, and action. He founded Split Second Foundation to make people aware of a growing population of individuals impacted by disability, advocate for their rights, fund cutting-edge research, and provide clear-cut steps to immediately improve their quality of life.
Mark has a deep-rooted history of serving the community. He has played a vital role in advancing various equity-centered efforts across the Greater New Orleans area and beyond. From renaming historic streets and landmarks in New Orleans to creating a more accessible and robust rehabilitative health infrastructure in the Gulf South, Mark’s aptitude for cultivating relationships and driving coordinated, healing-centered change has been vital to the advancement of those most disadvantaged. He also serves on several federal, state, and local boards and commissions to represent and advocate for people living with disabilities. Notably, he serves as Chairman of the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) New Orleans Board of Commissioners, responsible for overseeing the administration, operations, and maintenance of the agency.
Mark’s work within the community and through SSF has earned him numerous awards, including:
- Gambit’s “40 Under 40”
- New Orleans Magazine’s “Ones to Watch”
- Millennial Change Makers Award
- Xavier University’s “40 Under 40”
Director of Split Second Fitness:
Quanteria 'Q ' Williams-Porche
It might be impossible to curb Quanteria ‘Q’ Williams-Porche’s enthusiasm. She wakes up in the morning energized, knowing that her purpose is to help someone each day. As Q puts it, “I love having an impact on someone’s life and making it better.”
A native New Orleanian, Q knew she was destined for a healthcare career. She wanted to combine her love for science with her strong desire to work with people. She graduated from LSU with a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences in 2003 and then earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from LSU’s Health Sciences Center in 2009. An experienced therapist, Q has spent much of career dedicated to patients with spinal cord injuries, amputations, multiple sclerosis or CVAs (i.e. strokes). As a staff therapist for Touro Infirmary’s inpatient physical therapy department, Q has written many exercise programs for patients with neurological conditions for more than 13 years.
Q says that her position with Split Second Fitness is a culmination of her job and life experience. She considers herself to be a “natural caretaker” and that extends to her family. Quanteria absolutely loves her job. The only thing that she loves more are her husband and her 3 kids.
Director of Split Second Cares:
Dr. Mary Delahoussaye
A peek inside Mary’s resource library would show a huge assortment of files she has carefully curated over her 17 years as an occupational therapist. “I love connecting people with what they need to make their life a little bit brighter or easier. A huge part of this is listening to understand what each person needs as an individual in their own lived experience.”
Mary was born and raised in Lake Charles, La, and moved to New Orleans in 1999 to attend Loyola University with a plan to pursue a career in psychology. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Loyola University. Along the way found a better fit in occupational therapy and went on to obtain her Master’s in Occupational Therapy at LSU Health Sciences Center and her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy through the University of Alabama at Birmingham while residing in New Orleans. Mary has worked in every adult rehab setting, including the rehab continuum of care at Touro Infirmary specializing in brain injury and spinal cord injury rehabilitation. She also served on the faculty at LSU Health Sciences Center in the Occupational Therapy Department from 2019-2022 teaching mental health content and community-based practice.
