Tanya Hall hit bottom when her daughter Kameesha was taken away from her. Now she’s clean and sober and reunited, thanks to a New Haven effort that’s found a way to help addicted African-American women turn around their lives.
p(clear). Hall and Kameesha (pictured) were among the women who celebrated a the success of The Village of Power at a ceremony Friday afternoon. The women held the event to honor the ministers, elders and evangelists who have supported them through their darkest times into the light.
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The Village of Power was founded by Sue Feldman (pictured). It received a five-year federal grant in 2003, she said, “to provide specialized motivational engagement to African- American women who have not benefited from traditional substance abuse treatment programs.” Feldman serves as the program’s clinical director. She was dressed in green, but most of the women who’ve been in the program dressed in pink scarves and shawls and hair coverings.
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Marta Moret (pictured) is a program evaluator; she joked that such people are often perceived as the bad guys (or gals). But in this case, it was all good news. Of the 500 women who’ve gone through the program, she said, more than half are now employed. The good news just kept going up from there — for women living in permanent affordable housing, getting out of the criminal justice system, being drug- and alcohol-free, and reconnecting with their families. Click here to listen her comments and the enthusiastic applause.
p(clear). These women entered the program, which is part of the Hill Health Center, drugged out, homeless and almost hopeless. Several gave testimony about finding their higher power (Jesus Christ in all cases) and finding support among leaders of the faith community. The staffer who introduced several women who testified about their journeys said, “I don’t call them ‘clients’ — I call them ‘sisters in strength.’”
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Rosalind Bryant-Shipman (pictured) thanked Feldman “for having the vision and for believing in us.”
p(clear). Rona said when she was addicted, “I was always angry, and it made me want to hurt the people that hurt me. When I gave my life to God, it gave me hope to know someone else cared for me.” Click here for more of her testimony.
p(clear). Tanya Hall’s testimony touched on the incredible range of emotions she’s felt recently, all while feeling an inner peace. Click here to listen.
p(clear). Kameesha, who Tanya proudly said has her own relationship with Jesus Christ, recited every book in the Bible to the admiring crowd. Click here to listen.
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Some of the women participate in a program called Growing Through Sewing that gives them a focus that helps them resist their demons; it also gives them a marketable skill. (Some of the results are pictured.)
p(clear). After the testimonies, the women honored 23 of their spiritual advisers (not all of whom could be present).
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Apostle Eugene Brunson was first. He said, “Most programs with government funding, the first thing they always do is cut out God. And this is one program that has not did that.”
p(clear). “Amen,” the women responded.