Page 3 - FREEDOM TIMES VOL 1-1 WINCHESTER

Page 5
Page 3
BREAKING CHAINS PROJECT IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE
INTERVIEW WITH GERALDINE STEPHENS
INTERVIEWER:
“Geraldine, you too were one of the co-founders of this ministry outreach?”
GERALDINE:
“Yes, we began this ministry to the addicted in September, 2018.”
INTERVIEWER:
“I understand you work in all the aspects of Broken Chains, but your special vision is for women.”
GERALDINE:
“Yes it is. Very often we feel that women are the most vulnerable and overlooked. We have a separate home for women.”
INTERVIEWER:
“Do you just work with women with addictions?
GERALDINE:
“No, regardless of what their need is, we are open to help them. We are here to lend them a helping hand. Some women come expecting a baby, or with a child, or all alone. We take them as they are and find them jobs, counsel them and help them become a productive member of society.”
INTERVIEWER:
“Since you have been a registered nurse for years, no doubt your background is a big help to you.”
GERALDINE:
“It certainly is. Especially when you are working with people who have often been struggling with addictions for years.”
INTERVIEWER:
“Are the women who come to you required to pay anything in order to receive help from Broken Chains?
GERALDINE:
“No, we can’t turn anyone down who needs our help. We have learned that most of those who need help the most, have absolutely nothing. If we turned down women or men, because of lack of money, we would be turning away those who need our help the most.”
INTERVIEWER:
“Do you have enough staff to take care of the needs?”
GERALDINE:
“We certainly don’t. This is far bigger than us, and its grow- ing! We desperately need more volunteer help. Everyone
is volunteering their time. If we didn’t, there would be no Broken Chains ministry here to reach out to the needs.”
INTERVIEWER:
“If people want to volunteer or help with finances for this community outreach, how can they get in touch with you?”
GERALDINE:
“They can call me at 931-636-0556 or Larry at 931-636- 1373.”
INTERVIEWER:
“Geraldine, we admire you in what you are doing. Most people don’t desire to be inconvenienced by other people’s problems and needs.
Thanks for opening up your heart and being willing to be there for those who may need your help the most. Thank you for your time for this interview. I do hope the commu- nity here in Franklin County gets behind you and supports this project for our community.”
INTERVIEW WITH LARRY BRADFORD
INTERVIEWER:
“Pastor Larry, are you the one who founded the Breaking Chains Project?”
LARRY:
“No, Jeremy Stephens founded this out- reach on June 1, 2019. I am the director of men’s ministry and Geraldine Stephens is the director of the women’s outreach. Our vision is to point people with addictions to a Christ who has power to break the chains of addiction in their lives.”
INTERVIEWER:
“How do you accomplish that?”
LARRY:
“First, by sharing Christ’s love with them; how He died on the cross for their sins and rose again from the dead to break the chains and addictions that bind them. Although there are many programs that point those with addic- tions to a higher power, we tell them who that power is, and His name is Jesus Christ!”
We believe those with addictions need to look to God. Since our creator is the One who made us, He knows how to fix us when we are broken.”
INTERVIEWER:
“Do you take men who are struggling with addictions even if they don’t have any money”?
LARRY:
“The truth is, this is the way almost all of those who come to us seeking help are in. They are down and they are broke. Where most programs like this ask for money up front, we don’t turn anyone down because of lack of financ- es.”
INTERVIEWER:
“How do you make it then? How do
you take care of all your bills and expenses?”
LARRY:
“We took care of this per- sonally when we started, but now that things are growing, it is a challenge. After we secure a job for the men and provide transportation for them, they do give us some each week to help out.”
INTERVIEWER: “What is your biggest need now?”
LARRY:
“We do need finances, food, and other neces- sary items to take care of the needs of those who come seeking help. We are believing for two good vans so we will be able to provide transportation
to work and out around town, to help them with their needs.”
INTERVIEWER: “Larry, thanks for your time and sharing your vision with us. We will be believing with you for those two good vans.”
Breaking Chains in Franklin Country is a faith-based, inter-denominational, not-for-profit organization. Trust- ing in God they are providing a response to the very real problem of alcohol and drug addiction.
Breaking Chains believe they have a mandate to reach out to those who are struggling with addictions, regard- less of the nature of their addiction.
Breaking Chains provides counseling, housing, trans- portation, as well as, employment placement with com-
panies in our community.
Page 3