The Vision Board
Back in March 2024, we sat inside the county jail surrounded by a group of women creating makeshift vision boards out of cut-out words, pictures, and symbols representing what each woman hoped her future might look like. For many, it was the first time in a long time they allowed themselves to imagine life beyond survival, life beyond incarceration.
Fast forward to last week, September 2025, we did the same activity with the women in our residential program. Each woman made a beautiful framed collage meant to be displayed as a daily reminder of goals, growth, and hope.
As we worked on the vision boards, one of the women looked up at me and asked, “Ms. Mary Catherine, didn’t you do this with us in jail?”
Her words stopped me in my tracks. Sure enough, she was right. She had been part of that very group months ago while she was incarcerated. And now, here she was again—not in a jail cell, but sitting at a table in our residential program, piecing together a vision for her future with freedom and stability at her fingertips.
It was a true full-circle moment.
I remembered her original vision board clearly. She had glued down a picture of a long road and explained that it represented the long journey ahead of her. To see her today, holding her new framed board, celebrating progress, and recently passing a huge milestone—getting her driver’s license! —it took my breath away.
That simple picture of a road has become reality. She is walking it every day, step by step, victory by victory.
Moments like this remind us of the power of vision, community, and support. They remind us why we do what we do. Transformation doesn’t happen overnight—it’s a journey. But when we get to witness milestones like this, it makes every challenge worth it.
We truly couldn’t do this work without you, your prayers, your encouragement, your donations, and your belief in the women we serve.
So today, join us in celebrating her progress! Let her story be a reminder that no matter how long the road seems, change is possible. Healing is possible. And new beginnings are possible.
