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| Statement & Core Values | Distinctives | Philosophy & Methods Statement
Core Values
With her full head of auburn curls, Stacy leaned forward on the couch, looked hard into my eyes, and declared, “If you can’t help me, I am dead. Really. I have tried everything else. I am desperate.” I breathed deeply and inwardly prayed. Never did I imagine my life intersecting with those whom my heart now loves—those caught in destructive lifestyles and desperate to find a new way to live. You see, I have been a Christian educator for 34 years, a mother of five God-fearing children, and committed to living right. Although I have done my share of wrong choices, I have never interacted with those bound in drugs and dark living. Yet, here I am giving my life for those who can’t fight for themselves. Three years ago I caught a vision to open a home for women captured in multiple life controlling issues which would use a distinct individualized, life coaching approach. Now I am the executive director of the Pathway Network of Homes here in the Southern Crescent. Now this does not make me noble or any such thing. I am humbled and honored to love such precious women. I will share more about them later. My journey began when my husband’s design engineering contract job was completing in South Florida and I wanted a department head position since I was nearly finished with my graduate degree. A move was in the works, so when Landmark Christian School in Fairburn, GA offered me a contract, we packed our household in thirty days and embraced life in the South. Ten years later my youngest child graduated from high school and suddenly I knew it was time to leave behind my familiar world and start something new. I had been certified as a life coach and had begun training for Lifeforming Leadership Coaching, headquartered in Virginia Beach, VA, but never considered it a possible career. However, in my new circumstance, I experienced an increase in my passion to partner with people to overcome obstacles, discover solutions, heal if necessary, and be released into the fullness of their purpose. That is life coaching—a relationship of challenge, encouragement and accountability—a powerful catalyst for change. Together I and my daughter Jodi, who introduced me to the coaching world as she was being certified, formed a nonprofit organization, REAL Change, Inc. whose vision is to employ life and leadership coaching as the paradigm for transformation in lives and organizations. Jodi is now a successful, full time coach and serves as the VP of Coaching and Equipping. After six months of experiencing the radical success in various clients, I was gripped with the need for a residence facility that could serve broken ladies. I envisioned a program that was individualized through coaching and offered hope, healing, and training in a purpose-driven life. I could not let go of the idea. I could not find it modeled in any other rehabilitation program anywhere. Trailblaze I must--at an age when most are retiring, I had to fight for others who could not fight for themselves. So in April of 2005 I signed a lease with only have of the first month rent and no concept of how to do what I knew I must do. I have been stretching ever since. Some days that feels good, like a good workout, but other days, I wonder what in the world am I doing! Then I witness the radical change and increase my commitment to build the organization to serve more women and train others to join in the challenge. The process is for a lady to reside in the Pathway Home for about nine months under 24/7 supervision and embrace a demanding path designed for her specific issues. The authentic community of the home, the Christ-centered approach, and practical application and skills serve to prepare the ladies for the next phase, the Gateway Home, a transition and discipling facility. Here the ladies remain in a community with like values as they re-enter the work force and learn to apply the realities of their new lives. The ladies have variety of backgrounds and issues. Abuse of all kinds is common. Life controlling problems vary, from alcohol, drugs, sex, prostitution, gender identity, broken marriages, parental neglect and any combination of these. Some still need their GED and others hold a college degree. Some have been raised in the church and others have no faith heritage. All are desperate to change—and they have to convince me of that to be accepted. The success amazes even me. We have had fourteen graduates in two years and all will report that they are changed and have not returned to their old patterns. Four have returned to college or training school; all are holding down respectable jobs. Stacy, the one on the couch, is running her own successful boat cleaning business in Virginia Beach and beginning a marketing campaign to help us raise money. Of course, they are all growing in their ability to make wise decisions and live for the bigger calling and not themselves. Just like the rest of us… This statistic astounds me. Something really important is happening in this newly designed process. So this former English teacher is pressing ahead in this very daunting task of designing the program, running the business, and fundraising. Networking and asking for donations has been my hardest part—not that I don’t believe in what I see happening—it’s such new territory. Presently we are in a crisis situation because the landlord of our second phase home was in a financial crunch and chose not to pay the mortgage. (We had meant our financial obligations.) At the beginning of September we learned that we had 13 days to find another place to live. Right now six ladies and a 3 month old baby are living in my house—kind of everywhere. Lots of grace and giving to each other is needed as we wait for the provision for the next move. Part of the philosophy of the program is to not require each lady to have means to pay her monthly cost of $1500. I do not want money to keep someone from living. We are now in a strong effort to raise support. (If you want to donate one time or monthly, please send checks to REAL Change, Inc., 125 Wesley Place, Fayetteville, GA 30214.) We have many practical needs as well. Check out our home website www.realchangeinc.com and see our other services as an organization. Click on the picture of the Pathway Home for more details. The heart of the ministry is to care for the hearts of others. Over the last two years wonderful individuals have volunteered in this process, offering time, talents, and touch. I so appreciate all of their sacrifice for changing lives. Yet, we need so much more and there are so many hurting women that want a real chance at living. Really I am just an ordinary person determined to make a difference and willing to grow however necessary to give real life to others. Isn’t that what we all deserve? I never did expect to be on this journey, but I am overwhelmed with the privilege of loving others sincerely and generously. Let this season inspire you to do the same in your world.
Philosophy & Methods The central belief is that caring for a woman's heart is the key to a life of delight and destiny. All behavior originates from the heart. Therefore, each woman must experience a recapturing of her heart by accepting the love of the Heavenly Father offered in His Gift of Salvation. Upon this foundation, the woman must experience the healing touch of the Holy Spirit, bringing restoration to her whole being. She will discover her identity, her beauty, her value, and her purpose. With new life breathed into her, new thinking shaping her, and new health supporting her, each lady is then prepared to pursue the dream God designed her to fulfill. The lady is then prepared for a lifestyle of delight and purpose.
The core method of providing care for the women is life coaching, offered in a position of advocacy. For each woman a pathway for recovering her heart, soul and body will be created to enable her to discover her beauty and purpose as a female.
Implemented by a professional life coach, this relational approach involves designing for each woman an individual, flexible growth plan which will inspire internal transformation. In the framework of an authentic learning community, she will complete creative exercises and applications that will correspond with truths examined and stimulate healing and transformation.
Each growth plan includes training in the basics of Christ-like, Spirit-filled living, character development, healing in all areas, identity discovery, and Truth-based thinking. As each lady moves forward in growth, the focus will be to deepen faith, build character, and acquire skills in preparation for future successful living. | ||||||||||||
P.O. Box 142067 | Fayetteville, GA 30214 | 770.719.8152 (PH/FAX) | |||||||||||||
