They accept our unconditional love. This is one of the most meaningful things I think I’ ve ever done. The HOPE necklaces unite us.”
In April, The Healing Place contacted Jewels of Grace saying they had a surprise for the group.
“ We show up in the lobby of The Healing Place, and they take us into the classroom where we’ d given them the necklaces. One whole wall was covered in our tree art. One of the participants had drawn it on a coloring page, and each one had written her very touching story on the colored pages. We were speechless,” she said.“ The simplicity of the acorn turning into the oak, that connection of hope – it’ s an immediate read for them. They’ ve been through so much, and they hang on to it.”
In addition to the beauty and personal affection of the HOPE necklaces, Jewels of Grace has also taken steps to better the lives of The Healing Place women in other ways. They routinely supply the campus with‘ big books’ that contain the 12 step program, as well as blankets and socks for those going through detox. Another group of women makes handmade cards to accompany the blankets.
Last but not least, Jewels of Grace and other members of Christ Church United Methodist collect money for The Healing Place men and women to earn a General Educational Development( GED) Degree. Many don’ t understand the importance of having a high school dipolma and even less have the $ 120 required to take the test. So far more than $ 1,000 has been raised for the GED funds. To help draw interest, Jewels of Grace members made posters to put up in The Healing Place facility stating why the GED is important.
The HOPE necklaces have begun spreading to other communities as well. Norton Audubon Hospital, where Ms. Matthews plays piano each month for musical therapy, had a display of HOPE necklaces up in the art gallery for visitors to engage with throughout the
22 LOUISVILLE MEDICINE summer of 2016.
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Jenny Branson, Music therapy Services Supervisor at Norton Audubon, commented on the HOPE necklaces and how much they’ re loved.“ We have been so pleased to share the HOPE exhibit this summer! Visitors to the art gallery on the second floor have learned so much about the outreach and support provided by HOPE and The Healing Place. The stories are a wonderful extension of the patient journeys that we witness as we care for patients in rehabilitation programs and the neonatal intensive care unit.”
In addition, a grade school friend of Paula Matthews’ who is now living in Arkansas reached out, saying her church group was interested in doing something similar to the HOPE necklaces for prison ministry
and children of abuse. The Louisville Jewels of Grace group has created a sturdy foundation that other groups can adapt and spread hope in their communities.
A few months back, Jewels of Grace received an email from Marla Highbaugh, Director of Communications at The Healing Place which read:“ Our staff met on Thursday for the weekly staff meeting, and one of the women who was petitioning to leave the program( something each woman has to do before leaving recovery to prove she’ s ready) to begin her transition into her next step, was wearing her HOPE necklace. As she nervously told the staff her story and why she felt it was time for her to move on, she held her necklace and said it gave her hope! She said that the ladies who made that necklace are praying for her and she almost cried. Thank you for making a difference.”
If you’ re interested in making a difference in the lives of The Healing Place women, there are two ways. The first is to donate to the facility directly. Information about The Healing Place donations can be found at www. thehealingplace. org / donate. To donate directly to Jewels of Grace, a check can be sent to Christ Church United