Legacy is NOT Staffed 24/7

(This is the third in a three part series explaining what Legacy is all about.)
by Stephanie Miller

How else does DL's approach differ from other programs? To quote a much overused African proverb: It takes a village. This quote refers specifically to raising children, but really- aren't we all on the path to maturity? No one has arrived. 

At DL, our village is peopled with staff, board members, residents, and volunteers, as well as non-resident referrals who join us for a particular class or Bible study. Our desire is to create a sense of true community among our tribe members: looking out for one another, keeping each other accountable, and sharing life together in a deep and meaningful way. To phrase it another way- we bear one another's burdens, light and joyful or dark and heavy.  

One of the best ways to bear a burden is conversation with coffee!

An important part of burden bearing, however, is establishing healthy boundaries: who is responsible for which burden? Staff members envision the Legacy program working best when residents have ownership over their own success. Staff positions exist to encourage without enabling, challenge without discouraging, and connect without creating dependency. Our daily schedule allows for both accountability and freedom- providing frequent check-ins, classes, devotions, etc. but ample time for outside employment, healthy relationships, and self-improvement. While DL is not staffed 24 hours a day, we do have a staff member available 24/7 via cell, in case of emergency.

Our hope is that graduates will see themselves as an integral part of this larger Legacy community and stay connected long after they've achieved their personal goals. After all, it takes a village. Who better to mentor a new community member than someone who has walked the same path? 

A great example of graduate turned mentor is our very own Toni Martin. Watch the video below to see how this former Legacy grad stays connected to her community:

 

Community Highlights

So much good news…

• Jaycee's Putt-N-Crawl Event raised a "shocking" amount for DL- Funding expenses for 22 days this year!                                          (See adorable photo right ;)
• KNOP-TV aired a wonderful piece highlighting Legacy's very own Toni Martin!
• Rhonda Quaney, local blogger and precious friend of Legacy, featured DL in her most recent post!

"Why all the attention?" you may ask. 

Legacy's annual banquet is right around the corner! April 7th - a week from tomorrow - to be exact. In honor of the event, I've asked Toni Martin (recent program grad, newest Legacy staff-member, and this year's KEYNOTE speaker!) to share a bit about her "Life-at-Legacy":

DL: What did you first think when you walked through DL's door as a resident?

Toni: Wow I am being given a key to this beautiful house and these people don't even know me!

DL: What has been the most rewarding?

Toni: To be a part of community and having intimate relationships with other women in community...weaving together as one.

DL: What has been the most challenging?

Toni: Being totally honest as to where I am at...for support to continue to walk forward in life in a positive manner.

DL: What has been the funniest memory?

Toni: Making homemade cabbage sauerkraut and Shelly lost her fingernail in it...it was already in jars before we knew it!

DL: Tell me about your new job? Any surprises?

Toni: I am currently the Survivor Leader at DLH - I have been given the gift of being able to walk alongside other women and give them the gifts I've been given and continue to receive at Deborah's Legacy!  Surprises-The look from the opposite angle is amazing - how I can assist opposed to what I need.  What I have realized is to continue to love unconditionally no matter what.

DL: How have you seen God working in your life or the lives of others at DL?

Toni: My life has become more structured - daily devotions, prayer, Bible studies, living God's will and not my own.  God works daily in my life today, only because I have allowed Him in and accepted Him into my life, watching the ladies grow during living at DLH.  Them noticing God moments is always fun.

Please consider attending the upcoming banquet to hear more of Toni's amazing story and how Legacy continues to impact the lives of women in our community today.  

Legacy is NOT Compulsory

(This is the second in a three part series explaining what Legacy is all about.)
by Stephanie Miller

A quick google search of the word "freedom" reveals an abundance of pithy sayings and wise idioms. All the "greats" have weighed in on the topic: Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Ghandi… Even Bob Marley has thrown his hat into the ring. Thucydides (a REALLY ancient Greek historian), however, seems to nail "freedom" directly on the head:

The secret of happiness is freedom. The secret of freedom is courage. 

Freedom takes courage. The women at Legacy are choosing to live courageously. Seeking freedom from a host of issues, it is a courageous choice to stand and fight rather than turn and run. Legacy's program is 100% VOLUNTARY and is a launching pad rather than a “jail sentence”.  But as the familiar saying goes, freedom is never free.

It takes years to forge our chains. Breaking each link takes courage and effort. In order to successfully complete Legacy's 3 phase program, participants are expected to pursue personal growth in 5 key areas: 

1. relationships 

2. finances 

3. health 

4. work

5. faith

Residents are presented with the opportunity to fight for their freedom- Freedom from addiction, abuse, unhealthy lifestyles, weak boundaries, employment obstacles… If participants are not interested in earnestly pursuing growth through active participation in all that Legacy offers, then staff will help residents find alternative options, without judgment. 
 

We all want freedom from the chains that bind- and in Christ- we are finally free indeed.  Oh the irony… By temporarily surrendering a few freedoms (curfews, shared living space, scheduled learning, etc), our prayer is that residents may ultimately receive true and lasting freedom. 

If you are interested in supporting courageous women who choose to fight for freedom - please visit our webpage.