Rachael’s Story

Rachael completed Personal and Professional Development Training with us while incarcerated. The training was provided as a component of an entrepreneurship program called ASPIRE MO. The tools and support network she gained helped her powerfully change her life after being released. Read on to hear the story in her own words. 

“Since the age of 13, I have been on my own using and selling drugs. It’s the only way of life I knew, or wanted to know. By the age of 34, I found myself with 14 felony drug convictions, sitting in prison, lost and broken. I knew unless I wanted the remainder of my life to be one full of emptiness, pain, and misery, I would have to do something different but I didn’t know how. 

While in prison I was given the opportunity to take an amazing course called ASPIRE MO. From the very first class, I knew I was right where I was supposed to be. Through ASPIRE, I was also given the opportunity to participate in a program called Connections to Success. ASPIRE and Connections to Success have taught me how to have confidence in myself and my future and also how to love myself. They taught me how to crush the negative, self-defeating beliefs, and turn them into motivating, confidence boosting, SHINE! 

Upon my release…I had no one, or so I thought at first. Not only did ASPIRE and Connections to Success motivate me to be a better person while incarcerated, they were here to help guide me upon my reintegration to society. There were a couple of times where the fear of the unknown was so overwhelming, had it not have been for the tremendous support and guidance from my “superteam” (Kathy Lambert, Holly McKissick, Helen Hurley, Jessie Yankee and so many more) I would not be where I am today. 

Where am I today you ask? Well let me just tell you. In less than five months I have gotten my own place, my own car, and one of my three daughters are home with me. I’ve had my share of amazing jobs, sometimes two at a time. With the skills and confidence ASPIRE and Connections to Success taught me, I became a “superwoman of interviewees”. I set goals and I went for them, refusing to let my past define me. As of May 21, I will be beginning a new career with the Operating Engineers Local 101 – an International Union for Heavy Machine Operators. I am sober, happy, motivated, and living my life to its fullest. Every day I am still in shock and awe of my life and I know this is only the beginning. The amazing people I have met, I know will be there if I just need a little pep-talk or a push in the right direction. That’s something I have never had and it’s something that has made all the difference. By this time next year I know without a doubt, all my girls and I will be reunited. I will be well on my way in my new career and I’ll be helping and guiding other women like myself. I can say I know this with more confidence than I have ever had in my entire life and that is what amazing organizations like ASPIRE and Connections to Success have done for me.”

Rachael’s mentor through Connections to Success, Holly McKissick, celebrates her successes and shared an update on their work together. 

“I’ve been working with Rachael since January. She just got an apprenticeship yesterday with the Heavy construction union (local 101)…literally this is a life-changer! I spent a good bit of time with her in January and February because the weather was so bad and it was so hard for her to get to work without someone with a car… I realized early on she was a good candidate for a trade and we met with folks at the Building Trade Association and then with the groups that support women in trades. She’s in a nice quadruplex right now owned by another church. Long story: she’s an incredible human being. I’ve learned so much from her! She’s got one of her girls with her now and the other two should be on the way soon. It’s just honestly been a joy to see her making her way…really have never seen anything like it!” 

Rachael’s team of encouragers also includes Helen Hurley, her Life Transformation Coach (LTC) at Connections to Success. As her LTC, Helen supports Rachael as she works towards the life goals she set for herself during her pre-release training with Connections. Helen echoed Holly’s amazement in Racheal’s transformation.

“I met Rachael at her graduation from the ASPIRE MO program at Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center on 12/11/19. She was due to be released on 12/31/19. She immediately began treatment and acclimating herself to a strange city. Before long, she was navigating the city, working two jobs and engaging with a mentor. I have watched Rachael blossom into this incredibly independent, strong woman in under six months. She has found her footing and is tackling her life plan, one goal at a time. Rachael is advocating for herself and it is paying off exponentially for her and her family. It is rewarding all the way around to see a person find what they have had within them all along and finally be able to realize the successful person they are meant to be.”