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 >>>
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