Saint John’s Program isn’t for everyone. It’s not a Band-Aid. It’s not just an emergency meal or warm bed. Really, it’s not even a shelter. And that’s done on purpose – that’s how it was created.
Saint John’s Program is, however, for women who are fed up and ready to make new choices. It is for those who are ready to work, ready to be uncomfortable, ready to face inner demons. Most importantly, it’s for those who want to change their lives, and re-write the story for their children.
Our CEO, Michele Steeb, teaches a weekly class on the power of positive thinking for the ladies currently in the program and recently shared a story from one of her classes. While walking through the purpose of the program, a client became agitated over the message she was sharing, frustratingly responding that she was “only here for housing”. It wasn’t until two other clients stepped in, describing how transformative the program has been for them once they looked themselves in the mirror and faced old behaviors head on. They assured her that as hard as it would be, it would be equally as rewarding, and that they would be there to help her every step of the way. With that sudden understanding, it was like a light bulb went on. “Her attitude shifted right before our eyes,” Michele said.
This is the power of REAL change. This is only one story, but it’s one of many stories that happen on a daily basis. Change is hard. If you’ve ever tried to cut back on chocolate intake, kick that retail therapy habit, get in the gym more or even leave an unhealthy relationship, then you know exactly what I mean. But it’s hard for a reason, because the reward is worth it.
We have all faced a breaking point that forced us to make a change. Often, we fight those changes, even when we know deep down that change would better our circumstances. For the women in our program, it’s no different. Identifying and correcting the root causes of poverty is a long, difficult road and most of these women are facing issues that have run through their family trees for generations. Our program is challenging by design, because we know every small success is a huge win for life-long change.
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