Helping to transform the lives of local women in crisis
Women fighting the evils of drug and alcohol addiction have a place in Hamilton to turn to for help reinventing themselves: residential life skills community Juliette’s Hope.
The Rev. Kimberleigh Russo is the founding executive director whose mother lost her lifelong battle with drugs and alcohol at the age of 46. The goal, she says, is to help the women at Juliette’s Hope learn what is needed to work and to live a clean life, transforming their character and enabling them to live crime- and drug-free.
“We are two-year residential life-skills community that reinvents lives broken from addiction, domestic violence, and human trafficking by teaching honesty, accountability and integrity. Our women are highly motivated to change their negative attitudes and behaviors,” Russo said. “Juliette’s Hope assists by promoting personal development through a highly structured environment that focuses on behavioral modification and character development.”
Key elements of the programming include vocational training, education, communication, peer groups, leadership training, job readiness and continuing care services.
Juliette’s Hope has successfully reunified more than a hundred children back with their mothers, Russo said. They have helped the mothers with finding jobs, buying vehicles and renting homes.
One woman who has changed her life since her time at the home says it helped her find peace. And now, she works there.
“I have discovered my identity during my stay at Juliette’s Hope,” said Shauna Snyder, the outreach coordinator. “I have found love, happiness, comfort, strength, respect, acceptance, joy, and peace in who I am. I am secure and confident, and I trust the Lord with all my heart and seek His direction over my life,” she said.
Russo stresses that the Juliette’s Hope Recovery Community is not a “rehab.”
“Our focus is not on getting clean and sober but on becoming honest and accountable while living a valuable life of integrity. Transformation happens here,” she said.
Those who would like to support the mission of Juliette’s Hope may donate items, money or their time. More information is available online at www.julietteshope.com.