Following its Thursday night Seventh Annual Graduation and Fundraiser at New Work Fellowship, Hopkinsville’s philanthropy of Grace & Mercy has already received more than $192,000 of its $300,000 goal.
It’s a colossal step for an organization that takes the lives of women facing repeated incarceration and addiction — often battered, broken and belittled — and refits them to be holistic members of society through intensive personal development and a close relationship with Christian teachings and scripture.
After three more graduates — Jessica Luttrell of Liberty, Krista Ashby of Clarksville, Tennessee, and Andrea Breedlove of Princeton — Grace & Mercy has seen 51 women reintroduced into their communities, impacting more than 100 children who have seen their mothers take on new lives.
All three women were referred to Grace & Mercy through the Christian County Jail — having met Executive Director Joanna Mack through church services within the walls.
In and out of jail 27 different times, and a marriage deteriorating, Luttrell said she’s battled breast cancer and teeth replacement in the last year — only to see the women of Grace & Mercy stay by her and her husband’s side in this rehabilitation process.
Before Grace & Mercy’s intensive, therapeutic cleanse, Ashby said her life was “very chaotic,” in which she lost her family, her children and her identity through a decade of addiction.
Now, that’s not the case.
Breedlove said her life was a “hopeless trainwreck,” following 16 years of consistent methamphetamine use, seven-to-eight visits to mental health institutions and more than 50 incarcerations.
Grace & Mercy brought things back into her control.
Among its numerous outlets — including a fudge & coffee shop and two thrift stores — Grace & Mercy is beginning considerable efforts in renovating a second home for its women. Suzanne Arnold, a board member since the organization’s inception, said there is a $100,000 push to open this facility as soon as possible.
Already updating a stately house built in 1900, Arnold said the needs can easily be met.
No gift too small or large, details on donating can be found at www.graceandmercyky.org.
