Women share stories of transformation at Bowling Green ministry’s VIP Banquet
Express gratitude on behalf of themselves, their young children
Three women stood before a capacity crowd in the St. Clement Knights of Columbus hall and shared the itinerary of their “ridiculously amazing” journeys.
Residential clients of the Anne’s Anchor interfaith ministry served as the keynote speakers at the agency’s VIP Banquet on March 21.
Anne’s Anchor (annesanchor.org) is a locally-funded interfaith nonprofit entity that provides a safe, welcoming community for pregnant women who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
Originally conceived by members of St. Clement Parish in St. Clement, it is named in honor of St. Anne, mother of the Blessed Mother and grandmother of Jesus.
The agency’s staff and board of directors are committed to helping the residents, as well as non-resident clients in the community, acquire the skills they need to become the best parents, providers and community members they can be.
Residential clients commit to spending a full year in the program but may end up living at the home for several years with their children, while saving up money and acquiring valuable life skills.
The goal is to help young mothers learn how to do for their families what St. Anne helped Mary prepare to do as mother of the Savior.
Clients use the “My Ridiculously Amazing Life” curriculum developed by Jane Dalton, executive director of the Bridges program in Rolla.
That challenging and effective method for teaching essential life and parenting skills focuses on seven core competencies for achieving self-sufficiency.
Ideally, that means earning enough money to support herself and her children in their own home, while maintaining a strong relationship with Jesus.
Hard work and accountability play a large role in creating that kind of environment.
“Brighter future”
Hannah, a mother of three boys, shared not her whole life story but “the best part of my life’s story that took a turn for the better.”
She spoke of “finding strength that I didn’t know I had and ultimately, discovering the transformative power of love and faith.”
She revealed how she was at an all-time personal low when she found out that she was pregnant with her youngest son.
“The realization that I was going to be having a baby at some point and that it was inevitable, awakened a deep desire within me to seek help and escape the hole I had dug myself into,” she said.
Yes, God intervened in what felt like her darkest moment.
She found out about Anne’s Anchor from a state employee who had been given oversight of her situation.
“Initially, I doubted that such a beautiful and blessed place would accept someone like me,” Hannah recalled. “It seemed like a distant dream.”
She was cleared to move into the Anne’s Anchor home shortly after giving birth to her son.
She acknowledged that adapting to the structure and requirements of Anne’s Anchor took some getting used to.
“I had come from a life devoid of responsibilities, without any routine or schedule,” she said. “ It took me a couple of months to adjust and recognize the benefits these changes brought to my life.”
She got her driver’s license, went back to school and began to excel in her studies.
“It is a remarkable confidence booster, as it exemplifies the enormous progress I have made in rebuilding my life,” she told the audience.
“Tonight, as I stand before you, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the incredible support system that has guided me every step of the way,” she said.
She thanked everyone, including God, the Anne’s Anchor staff and the community that supports the ministry, for helping her come this far.
“Your compassion has shown me that, no matter the past, we all have the potential to rise above our circumstances and create a brighter future,” she stated.
She now sees that the challenges she has faced are helping her become the person God wants her to be.
“I stand here today, a living testament to the power of love, faith, and the incredible impact that organizations like Anne’s Anchor can have in changing lives,” she said.
“May my story inspire others who may be facing their darkest hours to never lose hope, to reach out for help, and to have faith that a better future is within reach,” she said.
“Ridiculously amazing”
Elissa began with how the father of her son broke up with her and told her to move out last September while she was still pregnant.
Her father helped her look for temporary housing. A friend of his sent him a link for Anne’s Anchor.
One of Elissa’s friends took her in temporarily while she filled out the paperwork and waited for an opening at Anne’s Anchor.
That opening did come.
“Tonight, I don’t know where or what I would be doing without these ridiculously amazing people that I have come to know,” said Elissa. “For the first time in my life I feel like I am a human and that I am heard.”
She has grown close to the staff, board members and the other mothers who live there with her.
“Anne’s Anchor has helped me a lot with some of the things that I didn’t think I would ever accomplish on my own,” she said.
The people there helped her finish high school, work on her communication skills and learn to move father and farther out of her comfort zone.
At the same time, “I’m thankful to have somewhere to live, where I can feel safe and be me,” she said. “I have some pretty amazing friends and people I can talk to without feeling like I’m being judged.
“It truly is a ridiculously amazing place to be!” she proclaimed.
“Worth it”
Lizzy talked about how numerous people, culminating with those at Anne’s Anchor, helped her escape human trafficking, abuse and life threatening illness.
She recounted discovering the power of prayer in her darkest days.
“Things were worse than ever, but as I prayed, I had this reassurance that everything was going to be ok. I just had to keep going,” she stated.
She and her son moved to Anne’s Anchor last July.
She knew she was entering a difficult but transformative phase of her life.
“The expectations are high at Anne’s Anchor, along with all the day-to-day things like chores, curfews, house meetings, budgeting, and events we attend as a house and we are expected to take an active part in building or rebuilding our lives,” Lizzy stated.
“There is an understanding at Anne’s Anchor that it’s going to be hard but that they are there for me and that makes a huge difference,” she said.
It’s a safe place, but she’s also being pushed to improve herself and her life every day, including the spiritual aspects of healing.
“My faith is my compass and my greatest source of strength so putting in at the center of everything I do has been so rewarding in so many ways,” she said.
She knows that pursuing higher education will help her as a single mother provide for her children.
“There is a go-getter attitude at Anne’s Anchor and it’s just kind of part of the deal,” she said. “I know it’s going to be tough but it’s worth it and that’s what matters.”
She’s excelling in her studies, at her job, in learning life skills and saving up money and becoming an integral part of the Anne’s Anchor community.
“The sense of community within the house is really strong partly because of the household responsibilities of cleaning and cooking house meals for one another,” Lizzy said.
“This really adds to the sense of togetherness as well as reinforces the idea that we are there for each other in a meal or cleaning the house and knowing our house mate will do the same for us,” she stated.
Memories of the past are fading into the distance, and she grows happier and closer to God each day.
“Time truly heals and I try really hard not to be defined by those parts of my past,” Lizzy stated. “It’s not a fast process but moving on is something I am very dedicated to so I know it will continue to get better and with God’s help and Anne’s Anchor, and by extension, all of you supporting me, I really feel there are many more victories to come.”
