The new year made us think about the impact Stand in the Gap volunteers have had on the peoples’ lives throughout the years. So we touched base with our Women in Transition Program Manager, Rhonda Bear, and asked for a few powerful Stand in the Gap stories of transformation. Here are just a few of the stories she could tell…
(Each of these women have been incarcerated and participated in Stand in the Gap.)
Vanessa Crouch: Department of Corrections volunteer, co-teaching SITGM’s Women in Transition curriculum // Married and raising two children // Serving in her local church // Will complete Associate’s Degree at Roger’s State University this semester
Tammy Franklin: Employed as Recovery Support Specialist for HOPE Community Services // Curriculum Facilitator for Women in Transition at Firstep Treatment Center // Director of Branch 15 Transitional Home // Featured speaker at Celebrate Recovery // Department of Corrections volunteer // Grandmother, Mother and Wife in the center of many family photos
Shaunte Gordon: Started her own business – She Does Odd Jobs With Integrity, which is growing, employing others and paying taxes // Restored relationship with her oldest daughter (after 21 years) and her granddaughter // 4 generations are now restored in relationship // Drug free for 9 years // Co-leading a Celebrate Recovery twelve step group
Jena Barnhill: Employed at Schlotzsky’s for 2 years, currently a Catering Rep as well as a Corporate Trainer // Living Hope graduate // Active member of Crossings Community Church // Co-parenting two beautiful children // Restored relationship with her mother
Brandy Cook: Volunteers in SITGM spiritual families // Celebrate Recovery leader // Supervisor in an assisted living program (3 years), does all their training and assists in hiring process // Restored to her two children and never misses their activities anymore
Kristyl Carpenter: Volunteers in a SITGM spiritual family // Works at Pelco Structural, LLC and is an Assistant Manager at local hotel chain // House Manager of His House Outreach Ministries // Leading a women’s 12 step group through Celebrate Recovery, sponsors multiple women in CR // Has been restored to her son and family
Michelle Wise: Volunteers in a SITGM spiritual family // Lives in her own apartment// Makes all A’s & B’s in her Junior year of college // Works at Pelco Structural, LLC // Former Manager of She Brews Coffee House.
Crystal Combs: Volunteers in a SITGM spiritual family // Manager of a local hotel chain and hires many of the women SITGM serves // Restored to both of her sons // Recently bought her first new car
Cerissa Haggert: Volunteers in a SITGM spiritual family // Restored to her two daughters // Works 2 jobs for over 2 years // House Manager for His House Ministries and sponsors multiple women // Has “amazed” the court system in Rogers County with the changes in her life.
Chantel Reben: Graduating from her SITGM spiritual family and plans to volunteer in another spiritual family // Received custody of her 5-year-old son // Works as a custodian at First Baptist Church while making A’s & B’s at Rogers State University
