Mary Hall Freedom Village Magazine.pdf

Freedom Village MAGAZINE

The Woman Behind the Dream: Giving the Gift of Hope and Purpose Lucy Hall

Women , Children , Veterans & Families SERVING

Managing the Office WITH A Can-Do Spirit Moraine Backas --- Office manager

Housing & Treatment SERVICES

PAYING IT FORWARD Former Client Now Guides Others to Help They Need

Mary Hall Freedom Village

ABOUT US

Mary Hall Freedom Village, founded in June 1996, addresses the need for residential substance treatment services for women in the Metro-Atlanta area. In 1998 we began providing housing to homeless women, children, veterans and families. Since its humble beginnings of one apartment and two women, Mary Hall Freedom Village currently provides housing and services to over 250 women and over 80 children on any given day, restoring over 1,000 lives annually, and has served more the 15,000 women since 1996.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

06 Tara Johnson: Manager of Housing Department

16 Getting Families Back On Track : Carla Hall

40 TROOPS: Housing &

18 Writing Resumes & Changing Lives, Gabriel Fernandez: TROOPS Resume Writer

Employment Aid for Veteran Women & Families

42 Managing the Office with a Can-Do Spirit

56 From Gardening to Garments, Vicky Canakaris: Lucy’s Closet & Garden Club

58 Paying it Forward: Former Client Now Guides Others to Help They Need

72 MHFV Provides a Future for Tamiko Castillo

MARYHALLFREEDOMVILLAGE.ORG

W hen asked how she got started, Lucy Hall is quick to answer: “God. It wasn’t my idea; it was God. . . After you come through your own storm, you realize it wasn’t just for you; it was for the purpose of helping others. You can think, poor me, when the reality is, poor me was for a reason. The hell I went through wasn’t just to say, ‘I've been through some hell,’ it was to help. Turn the hell to help.” She often hires participants who have graduated from the program, encouraging them to give back. She says, “You don’t have to stay here to do it; you just have to do it.” Lucy was working for Cascade House and took a job with CHRIS Kids, which helps children who are wards of the state. She had multiple jobs, including a housecleaning business. But with one particular household, she realized she was doing more counseling the homeowners than cleaning! So, she decided to go back to counseling and work at a homeless shelter. “I realized most women were in that shelter because of substance abuse, mental illness, domestic violence, undereducated, underinsured, and The Woman Behind the Dream: Giving the Gift of Hope and Purpose Lucy Hall, Creator of Mary Hall Freedom Village

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underemployed.” She called the gentleman she had been cleaning for, Mr. D: “I told him what God had laid on my heart to do. And that was to help other women, especially those in the shelter. They didn’t need a ninety-day shelter that said you could lay your

women and children. So, she went back to Mr. D to explain the situation, crying because she didn’t know how to write a grant! His gardener heard her and said her sister wrote grants. “And that’s who wrote my first grant.” And the rest is history.

head here and then in ninety days get out; they needed to be reformed. And so, i presented Mr. D with a business proposal and he lent me $1500.“ “I took that $1,500 and got an apartment and then went to hospitals that were detoxing people from addiction. . . and June 1st, 1996, I picked up our first two women, and I said, “We’re in the halfway house business.”

“I'm humbled that He chose me—somebody whom God set free 33 years ago—and told me to go back and get others. And that became my life mission. Helping others.”

Still working three jobs, Lucy needed help. A woman from Cascade house, Constance Willis, lived with her two children “in the hood, in a very dangerous situation. I told her to come to help me do this, and I would put her and her children in an apartment, and she became my housing manager.” Within ninety days, they had twenty-four women. “It kept growing. Literally, every single thing that I ever needed, when I said it, God provided.” In the beginning, they found clients from detox hospitals, and that clientele tended to have insurance. “Connie said to me, ‘Lucy, when are we gonna help women of color from the hood?” Many women were scared to ask for help, fearing losing their children. Lucy said, “We need to find money so they can bring their children.” And sure enough, she received a phone call from Mercy Care informing her of a grant to help

T ara Johnson, seven-year manager of the Housing Department for Mary Hall Freedom Village, wasn’t always on this side of the desk. “Mary Hall was a part of my journey because I had a brush with drugs and alcohol, so when I got clean and changed my life, I volunteered by answering the phones, telling my story, and being a guest at the First Step meetings. That’s how I got introduced to Mary Hall. I was a participant in the CTH (Community Transitional Housing) program.” And now she is managing the housing department! Success stories are commonplace at Mary Hall Freedom Village. Tara explained the process: First stop, Mary Hall’s intake Connections Department, which directs participants to the services they need. “They come with addiction problems to where their lives have become unmanageable, so we teach effective coping skills.” The true first step is for the client to feel listened to and heard. “Everyone has a story; things happen in life. I told my story, now I want to hear theirs.” Clients come in needing recovery, counseling, and employment to move forward. And they need a place to live. That’s where Tara and her team come in. So, what’s it like, managing the housing department? “In the housing department, that’s where the women reside, and where we transport them, take them to 12-step meetings, shopping, laundry, activities, take them to festivals in the park, take them to places of worship, and we teach them how to enjoy life in recovery.” What about temptation or safety concerns for your housing community in recovery? Tara beams with pride. “Our housing staff does rounds, and we have 24-hour coverage. If they can’t sleep, all our ladies have our numbers they can call, and someone is going to answer.” There are senior clients on the property, perhaps six to nine months sober, who help women who just got there, stay on track. As Tara says, “Each one, teach one.” Part of the healing process is to be of service, to help someone who is just beginning their journey. “The senior peer came in just as broken as the newcomer but now she’s applying all she’s learned, so she can help the newcomer. Everyone works together—it’s a sisterhood.” MANAGER of Housing Department So how do you start the process of housing? “We get them settled

We teach them how to enjoy life in recovery. in, they live in condos in a group setting but separate condos with roommates, depending on their program. Those in Day Treatment can apply for Community Housing and live there for six to twelve months. Another option is Independent Housing, where they pay a discounted rate. When they successfully complete their program, they graduate.” Tara’s eyes shine with joy, “ We just had a beautiful graduation ceremony, just beautiful.” And yes, participants do need

employment. Mary Hall helps with that too. When they get to a certain level with their recovery and counseling, they start working. “Our participants are required to put away 30% of their income—to save it for their future. We assist with their expenses— their rent, their power, their transportation.” And at the end of the program, they have sometimes saved thousands of dollars— enough to get them back on their feet, with a new life in recovery.

Tara states with confidence, “If they apply themselves, they can recover.”

To Learn More About Mary Hall Freedom Village

VISIT US ON THE WEB! www. maryhallfreedomvillage .org

A Beautiful M erlyn Moore is a proud graduate of the Mary Hall Freedom Village Program. And it is truly amazing, how far she has come in one year! When Merlyn Moore was twenty-

at Mary Hall Freedom Village. They were so impressed with her hard work and attitude, that they hired her as a receptionist! “I’ve been with Mary Hall Freedom Village one year now. Not only am I a graduate of the program, but I will also be celebrating my first hundred days working here at Mary Hall!” Faith has been a big part of her journey. “Through Jesus, I found the faith of a mustard seed. I prayed, and God helped me.” Merlyn shared that recovery is a process. It doesn’t just happen overnight. “You must work for what you want. Nobody could help me until I wanted to help myself. I learned to love myself. And I remind myself, that I am still in recovery. I still go to meetings.” Not only did she get the personalized help that she needed, but she was amazed at all the programs Mary Hall Freedom Village offers. “I needed help with addiction. But they also have programs to help with domestic violence, family dynamics, and trauma.” Starting in community housing, she has proudly moved to independent housing. She pays her rent and loves her job at Mary Hall.

one, she became addicted to crack cocaine, marijuana, and alcohol. Living in New York, it got so bad, that she was prostituting herself and stealing. She thought about treatment but knew she couldn’t get clean where she was living, the temptation was just too great. Her cousin told her about Mary Hall Freedom Village in Atlanta, and Merlyn, though skeptical, decided to give it a try. “At first, I almost walked out. I didn’t want to be here. I didn’t love myself or know how to help myself. And I thought my story had never been told. But a lot of staff here are in recovery, just like me, with stories of their own, so I feel connected. They made me realize I wasn’t alone.” A mother of three grown children, Merlyn joined the 55-Plus program. Her first intensive program was for thirty days. Soon, she joined the Every Woman Works program. “I learned how to interview, and I got my first job here in Atlanta.” Soon, during her off-hours, she was volunteering

Success Story Merlyn Moore

-Merlyn Moore

Her relationship with her children was tumultuous before she joined Mary Hall’s addiction program. “My kids didn’t like me at one time. They wouldn’t answer my calls. Now, they all accept me, all three kids. Now, we have an awesome relationship!” Gratitude exudes from Merlyn. She is thankful to God, thankful to Mary Hall Freedom

Village, and herself for having the courage to say yes to letting go of her addiction. “Mary Hall Freedom Village is a great place to get sober but you’ve got to want it.” And she did. Her life is full of blessings now. So, how does Merlyn do it? She wisely answers, “Living one day at a time, and I am at peace.” 11

S harita takes care of a lot of infants. She shares with fondness, how one infant came in needing physical therapy. “We continually worked on ‘tummy time,’ strengthening, holding up the head, and reaching. We witnessed a tremendous change. Now he’s rolling over, lifting his head, starting to babble and starting to talk, and has made a wonderful recovery.” She talks about the structure that many children lack, when their parents suffer from addiction, explaining the vicious cycle—perhaps the parents also came from a home with no structure. “We can give the care and the love they may not have received. Maybe the moms had that same trouble when they were growing up. At Mary Hall Freedom Village, we can say, ‘It's okay, you’re here now.’”

CHILDCARE Sharita shares, “I know what it’s like. My mom had an addiction.” She is hands-on, helping with the nurturing, and the love, that perhaps they might not have received from their mother. “I can relate to their children because I was once that child. And I once had that mother.” She adds with joy, “My mom’s been clean for twenty- eight years, and she is now a counselor.” Sharita oversees parenting meetings, provides childcare, monitors RISE activities, helps to reunify children with their parents, completes intakes, does home visits, and makes sure mothers of newborns get diapers, bottles, and anything else they need. “I assist and listen to the moms when they need a listening ear or advice, and I help them with outside services like finding a pediatrician.” So, with all that work, just how hands-on is Sharita with the kids? She laughs and says, “Well, it’s supposed to be twenty hours, but most of the time, it’s

S harita Smith

much more!” She multi-tasks at her desk, right there in daycare with the kids. “ I’ll stop everything I’m doing to interact with the children. That’s my passion. That’s always been my passion.” Her work at Mary Hall Freedom Village is very fulfilling. Sharita says, “I love to see the change. It's so rewarding when a mom completes the program. When a child announces, ‘We have a car! We have a home!’” Talking with fondness of a little boy in the program, Sharita giggles, explaining that he is “Very busy and very sweet,” and he was really in need of following a structured schedule. He didn’t know how—he’d never had that before. “When we gave him structure, his inquisitive mind asked, ‘Why are we going to do this?’ And I answered, ‘Because we must follow a schedule. This will help you when you start elementary

school.’ Sharita added with excitement, that he underwent a tremendous change with their program, and is thriving in a structured environment. “Now he walks right in, and he knows exactly what to do.” When asked what she hopes for the future at Mary Hall Freedom Village, Sharita doesn’t even have to think about it. She shares the happy news, “We are getting ready to move to a new location! I’m so excited! We are still in the Sandy Springs area but are moving to an even bigger and

better location where we can help more children and more parents. I’m just excited to welcome all the new children, and to educate the moms that are coming, as well as the children.”

Of RISE & Department of Family and Children’s Services

AD IT’S TIME TO TAKE YOUR LIFE BACK MAKE A DIFFERENCE FROM WHERE YOU ARE $50 Provides 1 week of nutritional snacks for our daycare. $150 Provides 1 week of Summer Enrichment Camp.

$1,000 Provides 1 new laptop with software for our Work4 program.

$500 Provides 1 week of Housing & Services for a single woman.

8995 Roswell Rd, Sandy Springs, GA 30350 770.642.5500 maryhallfreedomvillage.org

HOW YOU CAN HELP Gifts of cash. You can donate through our website or send a check payable to Mary Hall Freedom Village Capital Campaign. Schedule a monthly donation. Give a smaller gift on a monthly basis through our website or give us a call. Matching gifts. if your company has such a program, please request their matching gift form. Naming Opportunities. Contact us at our website or call us to claim a naming opportunity at the Family Services Center for yourself, a company, a foundation, or a person you wish to honor.

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C arla Hall is a busy lady. At the beginning of our interview, a child ran to her, crying. She stopped the interview and comforted him until he was all better— it was very sweet to see. She knows it’s all about the children. She also supervises all childcare activities, enrollment, parenting classes, and safety. She runs the family and children’s services department, makes sure they are always in compliance with all state and federal regulations, leads the staff for therapeutic services, and offers individual behavior and health treatment. “Just like the moms get treatment, the children get treatment. We support them through their trauma or any issues they may have.” But perhaps most importantly, she helps mothers reunite with their children. Carla explains that when parents are beginning their Mary Hall Freedom Village (MHFV) addiction program, recovery doesn’t happen overnight. “We want to make sure the mom is ready for reunification. We want them in the parenting classes, which I facilitate. After about forty-five days, we get together with the parent’s counselor, the Department of Family and Children’s Services worker, the parents themselves—there’s a team of us. From there we set up visits, in-house. That way, our staff, Sharita and Tara, are right there if the mom starts to struggle. We are here to monitor and make sure everything happens the way it needs to happen. Because this is scary for the mom, who hasn’t been with her children in a while, and for the children. So, we want to make sure they are in a nurturing, safe environment. The next step is for Sharita to set the parents up to volunteer, giving them time with their children, in a supervised and nurturing environment, to begin the reunification process, one step at a time, safely and with love. Children learn better when they are back with their mom.”

FAMILIES BACK on Track

Carla shared a story about a boy who came to the “clubhouse”—their daycare facility. Many moms with addictions don’t register their kids properly with the schools, and his mom assumed he was in the 4th grade. “I reached out to the school system. We break all red tape, all barriers, so we can make an easy transition for the child.” It turns out, he didn’t pass 3rd grade and he was traumatized to learn this. Carla and her team stepped in and helped him process his emotions. He began 3rd grade once more and was really

struggling to read at all. “So, after school, we helped him, one on one, teaching him to read and to work through his emotions. Therapeutic staff came in as well. One day he came running into our clubhouse, so excited, waving an award that said, ‘Most improved reader.’ It brought tears to my eyes. His grades shot up. His mom couldn’t help with the education part of things, so we did. Every child deserves a quality education.” Carla is very proud of her staff. “We have a great team. One will step in when the other one can’t. Here at MHFV, we make sure that the environment is consistent, nurturing, available, and affordable. And most of all, we want them to know that we are here, in this community. When they leave this program, we help them to look for the same type of program, one that helps the WHOLE child. It takes a village, and that’s what we are.”

“ It takes a village and that’s what we are.”

writing Resumes “I t’s all about giving back,” says Gabriel Fernandez. “ It’s’ something I probably learned from being raised in a Catholic Home—a big TROOPS RESUME WRITER & CHANGING LIVES

facility at the end of the Bronx, with a hundred kids in cottages and dorms.” He still keeps in touch with them, adding affectionately, “I have a Facebook group with ‘the homies.’” Afterward, he joined the Navy for twenty years, focusing on service to others. “I turned it into a job. In the Navy, I had the Community Relations projects so that we would go to the Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia—we would volunteer, we would paint orphanages, and repair the playground; there was always a way of giving back. I used to coach kids’ soccer and baseball; I’ve always been helping others out.” When Gabriel retired from Navy electronics, he wanted to do something different. He joined the Mary Hall Freedom Village team three years ago, starting as a Veteran’s Employment Services Specialist, helping Veterans to move forward with finding jobs and “Addressing any barriers that are keeping them from finding employment.” He helped clients

with all they would need to find and keep an initial job: everything from resumes and communication skills to clothing, boots, gas and transportation, tools, etc. The next step would be to help direct the client toward a career. And now, he focuses specifically on being the primary resume writer for the TROOPS program—a challenging and rewarding position. “I’m very experienced. I won best creative writer in high school. I’m into writing, and I’ve been trained at this service since I’ve gotten out of the military, so I’ve been working in employment services and teaching resume classes and employment interview classes.”

search. “When I reviewed this person’s resume, it had good basic information, but it was reading like a job description. I sat down with him and got details. He was in logistics. I asked, ‘How many units were you moving per day? How many trucks did you have in the loading zone?’” Gabriel got enough information to do what he calls “ Taking the task and turning it into achievements.” Instead of the when and where of a job, he turned the resume into actions such as “I processed this many items, worth over whatever amount of dollars, and we got this done with four trucks, overnight.” Instead of job details, Gabriel changed the resume to achievement details. “That’s the biggest thing with people writing resumes, they will say what they did, but they won’t explain the results. So, I like to work on result-driven resumes rather than task accomplishments. Mention something really great that they did.” So, what happened to the client in logistics? “ He started getting interviews. All of a sudden, he had fifteen interviews within two weeks. He got the job and came in to thank me.” To Gabriel, that’s what it’s all about: “ Giving back, helping out. It’s a lot of effort, but every time someone gets that job, it’s worth it.”

His process at MHFV? He gets a copy of his clients’ initial resumes and talks to them about their past experiences, talents, and career wishes. Then he makes the resumes shine. For example, Gabriel had a client who wasn’t getting any callbacks from his job

C o n t a

c t u s t o d a y . . . IN-PERSON

1266 West Paces Ferry Rd., NW Suite 430 Atlanta, Georgia 30327 CALL 404.290.2486

O ur vision is for the lives of women to be transformed from the cycle of addiction, homelessness, and incarceration to lives of purpose and spiritual wholeness. Grateful Hearts Ministries

Our mission is sharing God’s love and faithfulness with women in their transition through the court system to recovery, restoration of families and productive living in the community.

Grateful Hearts Ministries was subsequently founded as a non-profit 501-c-3 organization which assists homeless, addicted and incarcerated women as they transition through the court system to recovery, restoration of families and productive living in the community. Our ministry continues to serve women in our community by sharing God’s love and believing with all our hearts that “with God all things are possible.” - Matthew 19:26

gratefulheartsministries.org

K imberly Thomas is the Chief Operating Officer at Mary Hall Freedom Village. When asked what she does, she laughs. “A little bit of everything. I show up every day, dressed to do whatever may come my way.” She really does a little bit—actually, a whole lot—of everything. “I love it; no day is the same. . . It's very interesting and challenging.” Kimberly Thomas is the chairperson of the CQI committee—Continuous Quality Improvement. She sees that services are in line and that staff can deliver those services without many bottlenecks. She provides surveys and looks at the results and responses, making changes for the better. “Knowing what’s working well is one of my favorite things.” She is very detail-oriented—

Kimberly left for a while and returned in 2005 to stay. In the beginning, “We did everything. I don’t even know what my title was; you showed up to work, and whatever needed to be done got done, trial and error. If you dropped the ball, you knew what to do the next time. Initially, the participants just lived at Mary Hall, and Lucy transported them downtown to services. . . Then Lucy got the first building not too far from the apartments.” Quickly outgrowing the initial building, “The next building was quite a leap. God continues to provide as the program grows. As soon as we have a need, it's literally already met. We had a group room, but we didn’t have chairs. ‘What about the chairs?’ we asked. Lucy said, ‘The chairs will come.’ the next day or so, someone had donated chairs and left them outside the building.

she has to be. “Every three years, we must get reaccredited by the CARF (Commission of Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities) . . . Each time we do it, we try to make the needle go a little higher, do better.” When asked about recent projects: “We just acquired four new units for the veterans’ program, so each woman doesn’t have to share a room—she has her own bed and bath.” The units must pass VA inspection: “That’s where I come in.” She makes sure everything is ADA compliant. Regarding childcare: “We need to be Bright from the Start compliant [Bright from the Start is Georgia's

“Even the building we’re in right now. We rented spaces from local churches for the daycare services but couldn't license them because the building wasn’t ours. We kept moving from space to space. So, Lucy said, ‘We need to find somewhere for the daycare.’ We got in the car, started driving, came upon this building, and here we are.”

Whoa!

Kimberly laughs and agrees. “We have a lot of Whoa!” What message would Kimberly like to share? “We’re here. Once upon a time, people didn’t know MHFV was here. We were the best- kept secret, but there is such a need for the services we deliver, whether it's to the moms or to the children.”

Department of Early Care and Learning]. Make sure outlet plugs are there, we have the right kind of crib— ensure all compliance is in place and that we have the right quality control.” Kimberly Thomas saw the very beginnings of MHFV. “Lucy Hall started in June 1996, and I came in August.”

Quality C ontrol - Keeping

RUNNING Smoothly Village THE Kimberly Thomas, COO

A manda W est was three months pregnant with her twin boys when she came to Mary Hall Freedom Village in June of 2021. She's been in the RISE Program for almost a year, which she fully credits for the opportunity to mother and raise her young boys. For the mother of eight, it is the first time in her adult life she’s been able to be the mom she always envisioned, but until MHFV, that privilege had been out of reach due to her active addiction. Amanda's journey to MHFV followed a challenging conversation with her two oldest children, who told her she needed to be clean to be in their lives, or not at all: she knew it was time. During this conversation, Amanda explained to her teens she might be gone for a while once she found treatment. She'll never forget their response,

Amanda then called her second mom, Aunt Debbie, from Georgia. Aunt Debbie was her surrogate mom for most of her life due to her parents' lifelong addictions. Amanda asked Debbie for help to get out of Oklahoma so that she could begin her recovery. Debbie had just returned from a retreat where she had just learned about MHFV from her friend, Mary Jane. Debbie If we don't get to see you for five years, but in the end, you're clean and sober, it'll be worth it.

made the call, picked up Amanda from Oklahoma, and brought her to Atlanta, where her bed in the village was waiting. Amanda, now 36, has been in and out of active addiction for 21 years. She shared her life has almost always been unstable and traumatic. She lived in survival mode, coping with her parents’ addictions, which

resulted in her entering foster care at a young age. When her mom passed away in May two years ago, Amanda felt her world "collapsed" at that

moment. But with that pain, she also felt ready to take on change and embrace sobriety for herself and her kids: she didn't know how yet. It was the ultimatum from her teens which gave her the courage to pick up the phone and make that crucial call to Aunt Debbie, “If it wasn’t for Mary Hall Freedom Village, I don’t know where I’d be. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made. It’s changed my life.” She credits the Every Woman Works program for her readiness to land her new job and is looking ahead to remaining employed and gaining more independence. Amanda says she loves hearing herself say, "I have to go to work!" She recently received her first paycheck, and with a note of happiness in her voice, she noted she couldn't stop staring at the check; it gave her such an intense feeling of accomplishment. With employment secured, Amanda has a new goal to have all of her kids in the same room at the same time: something she couldn’t have envisioned before.

“I’m an adult again. Mary Hall (Freedom Village) has helped re-teach me responsibility,” she noted. Amanda says she is “forever grateful” to Miss Lucy, Aunt Debbie, and Mary Jane – the three women who believed in and have stood by her throughout her recovery journey.

Freedom Village 'Best Decision' of Amanda West's Life Mary Hall 25

Volunteer Today

M ary Hall Freedom Village aims to meet the needs of women and children needing services. Without our sponsors, treatment, housing, birthdays, supportive services and holidays wouldn’t be possible. Please call for more information on how you can help.

maryhallfreedomvillage.org VISIT US ONLINE: Contact Us Today Volunteer Opportunities • Welcome Packets • Providing Lunch/Dinner • Landscaping Beautification • Seasonal Events • Outings • Group Classes

RISE: Help for Mothers IN RECOVERY

T ametrice Jones’ passion is keeping families together. For mothers struggling with addiction, RISE is a place they can turn to. “RISE is for women who are pregnant, or who have given birth in the last year. We make sure the mothers receive prenatal care, that the children are born healthy, and if the women have any past trauma, that they address that trauma.” Starting her career in the foster care system, Tametrice worked with children whose parents struggled with addiction. “It was so heartbreaking to see those children being taken from their families. I thought, maybe if I could work with the adults, I could prevent this from happening.” This led her to the field of substance abuse and helping parents recover so their families could stay together. Tametrice raised her niece and nephews as her own. A turning point came when tragically, her nineteen-year-old nephew took his own life. “I didn’t see how I’d get through that, and it made me understand how trauma can lead you to a dark place if you just let it sit there.” So, Tametrice took action. And in 2020, she became certified as a trauma specialist. “I am able to understand what they go through.” Tametrice loves the work she does. “Mary Hall has been around a long time—26 years. It’s well-known and is unique in the comprehensive services it provides. It's always changing and growing! We added a health department with a fully staffed behavioral health department. What I like about Mary Hall, is that we base where we go, on the needs of the women who come through our doors. Things change, people change, and situations change, so we must be adaptable, and ready to make the

changes necessary, to make sure we are servicing the people with what they need.”

RISE is not just about prenatal and family care and substance abuse treatment. It’s also about moving forward in life. Services include job skills and job training, help with writing resumes, and how to dress for an interview. With RISE, mothers can stay up to a year in the program. “We want them to have bonding time with their babies, as well as all the classes they need to live life without using.” Tametrice’s goal is for her clients to “learn to live life on life’s terms, without mood-altering drugs, and to have a productive life.”

Very hands-on with the mothers and children, Tametrice genuinely cares. “I facilitate groups, and I am very engaged. I want to be visible. I want to be accessible.” Yes, RISE is mostly for mothers. But—what about the dads? Tametrice explains, “ We help fathers too. We have a program called ‘Families for change,’ where the wife, the husband, and the children can receive the help they need, to stay in an intact family. And if the parents decide not to stay together, we offer them support in co-parenting. There’s also a father’s advocate who reaches out, whether they need treatment themselves or just need guidance.” Tametrice smiles warmly. “We are an advocate for families.”

A rzulia Fields is an Air Force veteran, has been in accounting her whole career, and is the fiscal manager for Mary Hall Freedom Village. Her job description is what you might expect: keeping track of the

a home for free. They are given counseling, medical treatment if needed, food, clothing, and, when they are ready and feeling stronger, guidance towards an income—a sustainable income. It may take some time, but when they are back on their feet and have a stable job, they are expected to pay just a percentage of the rent that they can manage. Arzulia explains, “We only raise their fees once a year.” That means they can breathe, catch up, save money, and most of all, feel the pride of paying their own way. “We get them started so that they can sustain themselves. That’s the whole purpose.” The external customers are grantors for the different programs offered by MHFV, donators, and outreach from their hardworking development department to keep MHFV moving forward. CONTINUE READING > > >

revenue, taking care of the books, tracking the grants, and processing payroll. She also makes deposits for customers, internal and external. It’s the internal deposits that tell a story of success. Arzulia explains that, in fiscal terms, a “customer” is anyone making a payment. Internal customers are the participants in the program. But how can a participant—a client

in recovery—make a payment? That is the beauty of Mary Hall Freedom Village. When a participant comes in, they may have nothing— no food, no clothes, no home. They are given

Arzulia Fields— Fiscal Manager MHFV

You can imagine Arzulia is busy, in the background, at a desk, crunching numbers. But the truth is, as with all MHFV staff, her job is, first and foremost, “to assist our customers.” She shares a funny story: “Normally, at 7:30, I clock in.” When asked why so early? She laughs and says, “I start before everyone gets there because when everybody gets there, the day doesn’t go the way you plan it! We try to have people call and make appointments, but that doesn’t happen, so you do your job, say your prayers, and keep on going.” Arzulia shares that she will be retiring at the end of September and is in the process of training a fiscal director and CFO to replace her. She has been with MHFV for twenty years, and she’s seen much change. When she started, it was still Mary Hall Freedom House: “We actually worked out of a house. It has grown a lot. When I first started, I assisted the fiscal manager. Then my fiscal manager left, and I became fiscal manager.” When asked if she sees the participants daily, she explains, “I see their growth and financial growth, and how excited they are when they get their first job, then they get a better job, working on their career. You have that relationship with them, and they know who you are. ‘I got a job today! I’m getting my kids back!’ They share their growth with you. I don’t see them daily, but I always speak to them, check in—‘How's it going, are you having a good day, are you having issues I could address?’ It’s my responsibility. From the time they come in the door to the time they leave, there is such a change. It makes your heart happy to see how far they’ve come and how appreciative they are of Mary Hall Freedom Village and the staff.”

EVERY WOMAN WORKS

W hen Roswell resident Miss Tillie O’Neal-Kyles, retired from the corporate world, instead of taking steps back and relaxing, she set out to find her purpose. Miss Tillie, as everyone fondly refers to her, worked at AT&T for 36 years. She realized that the corporate world didn’t always reward the principles which she taught engineers about principle-centered leadership. She wanted to leave a legacy of having made a difference in helping to change lives. As she was walking on the beach one day “the vision itself, manifested.” Her work began with an opportunity to serve as a consultant for a substance abuse recovery center. Miss Tillie sourced skills from her corporate job and transformed them to suit the workings of the center. She realized that she could teach women transferable skills embedded within the principles and practices that were taught to executives. Approximately four years later, she discovered that many of the women that graduated from the recovery program, clean and sober, lacked the necessary skills to become self- sufficient while maintaining their sobriety. This inspired her to launch the ministry learning center she had envisioned that day on the beach. Utilizing her 401K funds, Miss Tillie kick started Every Woman Works (EWW) Learning Center Inc. in 2004 – a safe, therapeutic and supportive environment for women to work away from dependency to self-sufficiency.

ìThe vision itself, manifestedî - Ms. Tillie

Every Woman Works Inc. Learning Center is a non-threatening, supportive environment where women who are homeless, recovering from alcohol and drug

dependency, in transition from the penal system, recovering from domestic violence, or living in poverty will have an opportunity to develop solid, transferable work skills, to strengthen their sense of self-confidence and to obtain financial independence. Since opening its doors in early 2004, Every Woman Works, Inc. has achieved remarkable success in accomplishing its mission. Since the beginning of the program and with community support, EWW has served over 2,000 women and 5,000 children.

P amela Jones has worked at Mary Hall Freedom Village for At first, she didn’t know how the company ran. “Then—oh—the feeling you get when you see the ladies come in, and then leave a different person. Seeing their growth—to go through the phase they went through and then they come back to help others. I’m the crybaby, always crying from happiness for their accomplishment, on the journey with them. It's just amazing. I am exactly where I am supposed to be.” When asked what brought her to Mary Hall freedom Village, she five years, housing women and children, and families as well. laughs as if she has a story. And she certainly does—four generations worth! Her mother and grandmother worked there together. “And now, me and my daughter work here together!” So, what’s the secret? “My mom used to work in a homeless shelter. The love that she had, I wanted to know about it.” And Mary Hall Freedom Village had the answer, for her whole family. So, what does Pamela do, exactly? “I’m all in. I coordinate meetings, transport the ladies back and forth— I do everything as a housing associate. I live on property here with the ladies, in the same complex—I service them. Then they go to Sandy Springs for programs like Day Treatment.” When asked if she becomes connected with the

clients, she says brightly, “I do. Who wouldn’t? You become a part of their lives, from thirty days to maybe two years, so yes. We’re there 24/7 for whatever they need.”

Just how difficult is the recovery process? Pamela muses, “Some ladies want the treatment, others were told they had to go, which makes it more challenging. As Miss Lucy says, ‘Once they get a taste of not using, and that feeling that they can do it, then they want it more.’” She shares that her clients come from many different situations: “Some come off the streets, some off the couch, some come from jail. Some come that just had enough money for a one- way ticket to Georgia, and they say, ‘I’m here for Mary Hall Freedom Village.’” What about success stories? Pamela has many, including a client who went through the program two years ago, and whom she stays in touch with. “She now does ‘Celebrate Recovery’ meetings, she sponsors ladies here, she sends donations and buys pizza. She gives CONTINUE READING NEXT PAGE >>>

“Some come off the streets, some off the couch, some come

from jail. Some come that just had enough money for a one-way ticket to Georgia, and they say, ‘I’m here for Mary Hall Freedom Village.’” -Pamela Jones

CONTINUE READING BELOW back, she’s a success story. She doesn’t go far from Mary Hall. I tell her, ‘I’ll always be there for you, no matter what.’ “Another participant started the program and didn’t have a relationship with her mother. She went through the program, worked for the program, and brought her mother in. Then her mother worked for Mary Hall. She and her mother are now best friends.” Pamela is a woman filled with gratitude. “I’m where I’m supposed to be in life, helping others. This is something I’ve always wanted to do.”

Enduring ongoing sexual, physical and emotional abuse throughout childhood into her adult life, with both parents in active addiction, Adele's story is painful and is uniquely her own. Adele was in and out of prison, along with seven rehab stays, doing what she knew to survive, before MHFV. At one point, Adele was sent to Maui, Hawaii, for yet another rehab stay and

A dele Griffith was raised to understand that God exists in all places, “When you look in nature, at flowers, you know he’s there,” her mom taught her. “Even if you don’t have money, you have love, and where there is love, there is God.” Adele turned 32 in

found herself talking her way out of entering that program, but stayed on the island to “ just get as far away from things as possible,” for a few years. Before coming to MHFV, she endured years of abuse within her marriage. Her ex-husband was repeatedly unfaithful to Adele throughout their relationship, fathering children with another woman, and he gaslit her continuously. She was imprisoned in his basement for two

June and has been in recovery at Mary Hall Freedom Village since October 2021. The seeds of addiction recovery were planted during each of her prison and rehab stays during her 11 years of active addiction. But it wasn't until her 2021 jail stay, that she learned about MHFV, and also felt ready to be

years and used whatever drugs were available throughout her ordeal to cope. The police

successful. She continuously heard hopeful things about MHFV and felt intuitively that's where God needed her to be.

CONTINUE READING NEXT PAGE >>>

Mary Hall Freedom Village Offered Safety, Peace, Hope & a Path to a New Future FOR ADELE GRIFFITH

CONTINUE READING BELOW

found her in the basement during a drug raid on his home, and she made the rapid decision to accept all of the drug charges as a means to escape his basement, knowing that prison would sadly be safer imprisonment than with him. She learned about MHFV in jail and finally entering the program finally gave her peace of mind. “I didn’t know I had trauma. MHFV has helped me process so much of that, including my relationship with my (late) dad. I meditate and pray a lot. I feel so free today.” Preparing to move into Community Transitional Housing

(CTH), Adele spoke of her future with optimism. Once in CTH, she plans to join an AA group and participate in Bible study with her community. She credits the Every Woman Works program at MHFV for her employment at the Egg Harbor Café, which she loves, for helping her gain the tools to re-enter the workforce. Adele spoke of now envisioning herself with money in savings and the ability to buy a car. Adele shared she’s been thinking a lot about where she wants to put her roots down; and contemplating, “Where does God want me to be?” She said she would love to own a farmhouse with land and animals, to be able to provide animal therapy in the future. When in active addiction, she said she rarely considered the ‘cause and effect' of her actions outside of herself and reflects often on the "ripple of untold pain" she caused to others in her past. She now does little things to help her community, not for credit, but because she would ". . . rather give untold love, than untold pain."

Road Map To Recovery

RECOVERY

The journey to freedom begins with recognizing the need for help and results in a healthy, drugfree, self-sufficient life. While at MHFV, participants identify the reasons behind their behaviors and traumas that led to addiction. Gaining new tools for recovery to live productively and free. Our purpose is to work with every woman to develop a road map to recovery by providing wraparound services,

unique to each child & family, to include day treatment, intensive outpatient treatment, aftercare, residential treatment, recovery housing, medical and mental

healthcare, childcare, career development, and spirituality.

PROGRAMS

Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and by the State of Georgia Department of Community Health, MHFV provides comprehensive programs and services structured to fit each woman’s individual needs. We teach core concepts of behaviors and skills to remain in recovery. MHFV uses best practice behavioral models, 12-Step model to address participants’ negative core functions, addictions and co-occurring disorders by making participants aware of their values, beliefs, thoughts, emotions and behaviors.

SERVICES MEDICAL HEALTH

Dr. Tommie Richardson, M.D., Psychiatrist, serves as Medical Director for MHFV. Participants also benefit from access to nursing staff at the Support Center. Women receive a medical assessment, a physical and a psychological assessment. Participants also undergo regular drug screenings and receive care, for any medical issues that arise during their stay. Mary Hall Freedom Village partners with a host of community healthcare providers to address primary care as well as mental health services for adults and children. MENTAL HEALTH Mary Hall Freedom Village Behavioral Health offers mental health services that assess and deliver appropriate individualized mental health care to participants with low to moderate mental health complexities. We focus on the education of mental illness and strive to reduce the barriers that prevent recovery, successful employment, improved psychosocial function, and quality of life. FAMILY SERVICES MHFV believes that family and community are important and necessary for long term recovery. We provide education, counseling, and support to families impacted by addition, mental health, homelessness, and many illness of our society. EMPLOYMENT SERVICES Visit maryhallfreedomvillage.org

G ina Bracks is a Veteran Employment Services Staff Member for TROOPS (Training, Reintegration, Outreach and Opportunity Program Services), whose primary goal is to focus on employment and housing for homeless veterans. “We have transitional housing for single women and women with children. We also work with men, who have dependents eighteen years or younger. We assist them, get them employment training, and make sure they are at the top of their game. Whatever skills they do have, we enhance them. We want them to have a career. The whole idea is for self-sufficiency. We want to give them a skill set and to have a profession where they can flourish and grow.” “We want to give them a skill set, and to have a profession where they can flourish and grow.” Networking is an important aspect of Gina’s job. While participants are training for their careers, if they need immediate income, Gina’s company networks with employers looking for labor, so they can have an immediate paycheck. An important aspect of Mary Hall Freedom Village is that working mothers can utilize childcare services such as CAPS (Child and Parent Services) while they are learning job skills and getting back on their feet. So, how does Mary Hall Freedom Village find these veterans in need of homes and jobs? Gina answers, “It’s a mix—some are referrals. Some have gone to the VA, and we have a liaison there, whom we get referrals from. Some, we may have met at a job fair. Some relocate to Atlanta without a plan. Some are living in their car, I’ve met them in the woods, in shelters… we interact with those in need.” The bottom line: this team makes a real effort to find those in need. But participants in

recovery can’t always dive into work. Gina explains that at Mary Hall Freedom Village, “We have a substance abuse program. Once they have completed the programs, they transition to the employment aspect of things, which is TROOPS. We handle the employment once they are ready to work.” And not just a job. A career, and resources. “ We match them with certain jobs to create an income and provide them with job training, whether in IT, medical, or whatever they choose. We get them connected to the VA for mental health services, and we make sure they are connected with their benefits.” Gina shares a story about a client—a veteran who desired to be a bus driver but needed a CDL license to do so. Due to past substance abuse, this was a problem. “She went through our program, and we were able to find her the training she needed. She worked at Kroger while in training. When she was finished, she was able to get her CDL license to drive buses and vans. She had a positive attitude throughout the whole program. She lived in our housing, then got HUD housing and was able to get her own place. Those who stick with it want better and work hard to get better, and they get rewarded for that.” It’s clear that Gina has a huge heart. Previously, she worked with nonprofits for Catholic charities assisting homeless veterans. Now she’s been at Mary Hall Freedom Village for almost three years, still doing what she does best, helping veterans in need.

TROOPS : Training, Reintegration, Outreach and Opportunity Program Services

FOR

& Families

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