Meet our Staff.
Caroline Franklin
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Kayla Peterman
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As Program & Outreach Director, Kayla walks directly alongside each woman throughout her time in our program. From entry to graduation, she oversees resident care and management to ensure all individual and group needs are being met and goals achieved. As a woman in recovery and Grace House graduate, Kayla is passionate about empowering and guiding women on their journey of sobriety. She is a powerful example that freedom from addiction can be found at Grace House and she is excited to use her story of redemption to help others encounter transformation and healing.
KAYLA'S STORY:
"My life before coming to the Grace House was simply surviving, and not actually living. I felt hopeless and defeated and that I had no hope for the future. My self-worth as a woman was shattered and I lost sight of my self-esteem and dignity. On countless attempts, I tried to regain my life, but it always seemed to slip through my fingers, and I never had the tools to overcome my addiction. I decided to step out in faith and put all my trust in God. I came to Grace House willing to surrender and give it all I had. It wasn’t easy, it was one of the toughest decisions I have ever made, but it has been an empowering journey. Grace House has taught me that anything I put before my recovery will jeopardize my sobriety. This house has taught me how to hold my head up high and know that I am a child of God, and that I am worth saving. Grace House has taught me how to be a self-sufficient woman in sobriety. I value things more because I am working hard for it. I care about people and have healthy relationships. I have learned how important it is to give back and show compassion, because I was once that girl that stepped in Grace House lost and hopeless. I am honored that God has called me into this role where I will be giving back what was given to me. I am an advocate for women in recovery and believe that empowered women can change the world, one miracle at a time. My prayer is that God will use me to help women discover that we do recover and that life is worth living." |
Jo Anne Hanft
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A graduate of University of Georgia, Jo Anne attended the chemical dependency counselor training program at Hazelden Foundation in Center City, Minnesota. She is a certified chemical dependency counselor by the Institute of Chemical Dependency Professionals of Minnesota and was employed six years by Hazelden Foundation as their primary family program counselor. Jo Anne has been our volunteer in house counselor since 2013 and comes to the Grace House twice weekly and provides our girls with one on one counseling free of charge. She is an unbelievable blessing to our house and residents and loved by all. Jo Anne truly understands addiction and meets each woman where she is with an open heart and supports them throughout their entire journey in our program.
"Working with Grace House since 2012 has been an opportunity for which I will be forever grateful. I love the miraculous process of recovery. To watch addicts recover, to see them help others, to watch loneliness and fear disappear, to see a fellowship grow up about you - this has been an indescribable experience. Walking with these women and helping to show them new principles by which to live, has brought new meaning to my life." |
The Paper Dolls
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The Paper Dolls are a group of about 20 local Christian women from St. Simons who have come since 2010. These women conduct a short bible study group weekly and donate paper products monthly. These women become a personal mentor and Christian friend for each girl who comes here to make her journey through this new way of life, just a little bit easier. We could not do this without them!
"In 2010 a small group of 8 women began going to the Grace House once a month for Bible Study and began buying paper goods to help the house financially. We became known as the Paper Dolls. We shortly became very comfortable with these women and realized they were helping us grow in our faith more than we were helping them. We are now a group of 20 women going to the Grace House weekly for Bible Study, buying paper goods, mentoring one on one, and enjoying watching them grow spiritually. It has helped us see GOD working and we consider it a privilege to serve. This ministry truly puts JOY in our lives!" |