The last few weeks have been so heavy, with many appalling events, and no matter what side of the political aisle you’re on, it’s felt overwhelming.
Hope can feel elusive when the darkness presses in, so we want to share some of the people and places where HOPE is alive.
Four doses of hope…
Johnnie and Stephanie Turner, who lead Doll’s House Mission Home, in Brookhaven, Mississippi, left their careers 14 years ago to lead this transitional living home for women rebuilding their lives after addiction, incarceration, trafficking, or other devastating experiences.
Christina had the opportunity to visit them and see this work firsthand with MS State Representative Becky Currie two weeks ago (below). Behind them you can see new buildings going up!
At least 20 times during the two hours we were there, Mr. Johnnie brought the conversation back to the necessity of getting to the “why?” of someone’s addiction. It’s not the drugs, it’s the pain those drugs are trying to numb. Johnnie & Stephanie have dedicated their lives to helping women heal from their why.
Susan Ellison (below) came to the Overdose Awareness Vigil on the steps of the Mississippi Capitol on August 31. Although she shares a last name with Kylan Ellison, who’s in the picture she’s holding, they’re not related.
Susan never met Kylan, but she teaches a Bible study at a women’s prison where Kylan’s mother is incarcerated and mentors her through an organization called THE NET. Kylan passed away from an overdose on February 5, 2024. His mother was not allowed to attend her son’s funeral, but she is desperate to keep Kylan from being forgotten. Susan attended the vigil in place of Kylan’s mom, adding his name to the list of loved ones being remembered.
While Christina was in Michigan speaking at several conferences, she was introduced to Stanley (an EMT and trauma nurse who founded Street Outreach Teams), Andy (a harm reduction team leader), and Anna (an epidemiologist). Seeing their passion and compassion for the dignity and value of every person, even in the nitty-gritty of people on the street struggling with complex medical and mental health challenges, was so inspiring.
Also in Michigan, Christina met so many law enforcement officers (a few of them are below) who are shifting the way they police and incorporating harm reduction, diversion programs, and mental health connection points. They all agree that law enforcement tends to resist change, but they want to do what helps their communities most. The data shows that when they implement programs from their nonprofit partner Face Addiction Now, their communities are safer and healthier, and their officers have the satisfaction of truly helping people struggling with addiction.
The takeaway?
If you need more hope in your life, look for what’s happening locally and get involved.
Half of these folks are volunteers and have other day jobs. Not one of them is measuring success by whether or not they change the world. They’re using the time, resources, passion, and skills they have and applying them locally to individuals and families.
We’re bombarded every day with news that can paralyze us. For several years Christina has had a note stuck to her computer monitor that says, “What would I do if I wasn’t afraid?”
Fear is paralyzing. Hope is catalyzing.
Look for good work happening around you and jump in. If you lack time but have resources, just about every nonprofit out there is feeling the financial impact of the chaotic times we’re living in and would love your support, including us!
To paraphrase our new friend Andy in Michigan: Scroll less. Serve more. Connect locally, right where you are.
All of us can be an instrument of healing and peace.