Today we’d like to introduce you to Lorrie Trout.
Lorrie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Over 15 years ago, I found myself in a place I never could have imagined; on the other side of the law. I was in a dark place in my life. I attempted to end my life over a choice that I had made. Obviously, it was a bad choice and I wanted the easy way out. Because of this choice, I found myself in the Justice System. The evil was turned to good, and after 30 days in jail, God spoke to me to start a ministry to help women coming out of incarceration. I now run a not for profit that provides transitional housing for women leaving incarceration or maybe involved in the Justice System.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it has not been a smooth road. In this field when the ladies come into the program they come with all kinds of trauma, hurts, and emotional baggage that they have carried for many years. These traumas they have lived with since they were young children; and carried into their adulthood. They had to learn to survive and in many cases that landed them in prison; adding another layer of trauma. Then as they are leaving prison, there’s the trauma of not knowing what, where or how they are going to survive all over again. That’s another layer of trauma that no one sees. People only see or label them, “oh they are felons, they are criminals or they have been in prison ,” not knowing the full story behind the scenes.
We provide support to not only help empower them, but to help them get to that point of understanding, those past labels don’t define who they are. As we have to plow through years of hurt, pain and unforgiveness it’s not an easy task but many fail to realize, these ladies didn’t get to this point overnight; it’s been many years stuffed, packed and tucked away – because no one should see where they have been or what they have done or what they have gone through.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I would start by saying what sets us apart from other organizations is that we put God first. Our hearts are designed to love those that have lost their way and have no hope.
What we do is once the ladies have been interviewed and accepted into the program, we work with them becoming acclimated into society. Helping them to see their value and walk alongside them to say, hey we are in your corner. You got this.
We are known for loving these ladies back to life. Being the family many never had or lost along the way. My biggest joy is being a mother to many of them. I’m not perfect by any means but I’m the closest to a mom, many have had.
We meet them where they are and accept them for who they are. Not their past choices and failures but who God created them to be.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
The area we need the most help as does many not for profits is having financial support. One time gifts are great and much appreciated, but continuing monthly support would be awesome.
Some of the ladies can’t meet their monthly program fee of $500 due to garnishment, court fees, medical issues or just not gaining employment due to the barriers they face because of their past. Consider supporting an individual for a year. That would help tremendously .
We still work to help those struggling in their financial crisis but meanwhile, our bottom line continually decreases.
Pricing:
- $500 Monthly Program Fee
Contact Info:
- Website: https://growgracerestores.org
