Celebrating Rebecca’s Graduation And The Power Of Reconciliation

Many people imagine that prison was the worst thing that happened to our residents.  Most

Rebecca receiving her graduation certificate.

of the time, it’s not. Much of the trauma in their lives happened before they were incarcerated, often beginning in childhood. They turned to drugs and alcohol to ease their pain, but addiction only worsened their situations. Along the way, their children and other loved ones have suffered. That’s why we focus on rebuilding the shattered relationships that our residents have had with their families.

It's why we celebrate Rebecca for graduating from the Oaks of Righteousness program. Rebecca went through a spiritual awakening during her time with us.

Mission Trip To Brazil - 2024

She worked hard, regained her sobriety and committed to her walk with Christ. Last year, United City Church even invited her to join them on a mission trip to Brazil. She hopes to continue to be involved in Christian ministry.

Rebecca has also worked to reconcile with her children and to overcome the years when they have been separated because of addiction and incarceration.

At the graduation ceremony, Rebecca’s oldest daughter read the essay she wrote for her college application. We are sharing portions here because it describes the trauma that children of incarcerated women experience and the redemptive power of transformation through Christ.

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I went through so much as a young kid, and even as an infant. I know I'm not the only one who has gone through tough times, so I'm not gonna sit here and make you feel sorry for me. I have turned it into a positive way of life.

Starting before I was born, my mom was heavily into drugs. As you can imagine, her life began to spiral out of control for a couple years before she even had me. She couldn’t take care of herself. let alone a young child.  She would drop me off with her friends and family members, so I remember their faces much more than my own mother’s. They helped me survive when I had nothing.

All I wanted was my mom. I was attached to the idea that she loved me enough to come back, but when she would come back, pretty soon she would leave again and the cycle repeated itself. I know now that she was struggling deep in her addiction. I think of her as having been placed in and out of sad gray shackles.

By the time I was two and a half, I had a little brother and sister. Our close family could see that it wasn’t a good situation. Even at that age, I tried to protect my siblings from what their lives would have been like if they hadn’t had someone to look out for them. My family has told me stories about how we would be sleeping in tiny sleeping bags on a cold hardwood floor, and I would sneak out to the refrigerator and take food so that my siblings wouldn't be hungry. I remember taking the blame for things so they wouldn’t get in trouble.

Before long, CPS found out about us. We were put in homes and I had no idea where my siblings were. I felt more alone than ever. After a couple of months, we got a call from the hospital. CPS told the families keeping us to bring us to the hospital. When I got there, I learned my little twin sisters were being born.

When I saw my mother in the hospital with two babies, I thought, isn’t that the mom who promised she'd come back to me. I was so happy to see her, but CPS wouldn’t let her keep us. She had tested positive for cocaine. The only thing I could think of in my three-year-old mind was, when will my mom get to be my mom?

CPA split us up. My three sisters went to live with one of my aunts and my brother and I went to another aunt. They treated us so well and spent countless nights staying up with us while we cried and cried. They were there for us, truly, through thick and thin. The last 17 years of my life have been so eventful, but I am more than grateful for the opportunities this beautiful family has given me. I get to see my sisters and I'm learning more about my family tree.

My mom has come around again, and this time she is clean and sober. I have learned that even though she put me through such a tough time, I need to forgive her because I know that she needs help, too. She was broken, and that's okay.

And now, when I’m asked how I can forgive people so easily I just say, you never know what someone is going through. Be kind. My mom has shaped my relationship with God because she has inspired me by the women she has become.