In serving in the Celebrate Recovery Inside at the local Auglaize County Jail, I was told by prisoners they were afraid to get out because they knew they would reoffend.  They stated that once released they would be back around friends or family that abused drugs or alcohol.  One of the young men from the jail that I got to know even moved out of state to family members he thought would be safe.  He found out that in his new location drugs were once again everywhere he went.  He relapsed and spent some time in prison for drug related offenses.  When released he came back to Wapakoneta area and contacted me at Celebrate Recovery.  He was able to get into a nearby towns short term recovery home but this meant that he could no longer come to our CR meetings in Wapakoneta.  He did get to CR in another town and sometimes found rides to our meetings.  He did so well he became the recovery house manager, went back to school taking classes for addiction counseling, and is now married and works in a nearby county for recovery services.  All this young man needed was a safe place to get his life back.  That’s what we want to do with The Redemption House for women because Auglaize County does not have a women’s house.

One of the privileges of being a Christian is reaching out to those in need. This philosophy has always been an important part of my life.  While my husband and I were raising our young family, we became foster parents to over 25 children during a 5 year period. I saw firsthand the importance of a loving, safe and caring environment for every child. While serving on Epiphany Prison Ministry teams, I was introduced to many young adults who, for many reasons, made some mistakes and choices that for the most part didn't want to repeat. They truly wanted to change their lifestyle and improve their life.  Most had very troubling childhoods and came from hard living conditions. Believing you live what you learn, I was troubled when hearing their stories. How could they change if they didn't know how? They needed guidance and direction and safe living conditions that provide a hope for successful future. When I listened to one young lady explain she was glad to be in prison again, after getting pregnant in a halfway house, where she didn't feel safe and had no supervision, and then after hearing one young man say he was so scared to be released from prison because he had no one on the outside, I knew I had to do something. As a believer, we need to do better to help these young people. We all need to work together and step up. After being approached with the idea of The Redemption House, I was immediately on board. I believe this is God's will for me and I am excited to see God's plan for the future. I am looking forward to seeing lives changed into productive, caring, loving members of our community and God's Kingdom.

I have been a member and leader at Celebrate Recovery since 2016. CR is a Christ centered twelve-step program offered throughout the United States as well as internationally. I began to serve in “Celebrate Recovery Inside”, our jail outreach ministry in Auglaize County in 2017.  The first time I heard that jail door shut behind me I was scared. I had no idea what to expect.  What I found there were women who were full of despair and without hope. They found themselves at their lowest point, with little prospect of changing their lives. When John and Tina shared with me the vision of The Redemption House, everything came into focus.  I have seen women return to jail over and over again because of their addiction. The common thread, it seems to me, is that they are returning to the places where their addictions flourished. Most have no other choice.  The Redemption House would change that reality. It is my hope, that together, we will become the hands and feet of Jesus through this vision. I hope you will join us in changing lives.

In December of 2013, the Lord came to me in a dream telling me I must go to Ohio. And so, the adventure began as it turned out I was brought closer to him thru many trials and turns which brought me to C.R. and a friendship with the leaders, an opportunity to serve and become involved. So, I noticed many growing stronger with the help of the weekly meetings. However, I noticed a pattern of some circling in and out of jail due to the environment that led them to the bad behavior in the first place. Thru an invitation to attend an Epiphany Prison Ministry I was touched to see firsthand the need to have a place to go, and grow in safety away from the bad influences that led them there in the first place. They needed the full armor of God. That led me to join in the effort to give them a safe place to have a retreat, a high intensity opportunity to learn life skills thru biblical teaching.  Putting it into practice day in and day out. Till it becomes a new strength and compass to lead them away from trouble by leaning on the lord. Working hard for a fresh start. The Redemption House can provide them with the building blocks for a new beginning.

Having been a member on an Epiphany team several times, I became aware of the predicament that many of them faced on their release from prison. Many would have to go back to the same family, same friends or area that had contributed to them going to prison in the first place. They shared so much with us and they felt safe and had hope and we were able to share with them about the love of Jesus and how their life could be changed.  But I wondered if they could keep that same hope once they returned to the outside world. Back around the pressures of their peers. I became aware then of the need for a safe house or home where they could learn more about the love of Jesus and continue to have that hope and productive lives.  Having a friend that had opened her own home that grew into a very large home where she has helped so many women who were ready for change in their lives, I knew it was possible and wanted to be a part of that at The Redemption House.