The Power of a Supportive Community: Betsy's Journey to Renewal
At Providence House, our Supportive Housing team works tirelessly to take on the challenges of serving a diverse range of needs, standing not just as a housing program, but a symbol of hope, resilience, and community empowerment. Upon interviewing one of our Supportive Housing residents named Betsy, it is unwaveringly clear that she embodies these values in her remarkable journey from adversity to advocacy.
Betsy's story is one of unimaginable challenges and unwavering strength. After being incarcerated for 24 years, and battling a serious cancer diagnosis, Betsy found herself with no preparation for the outside world. Thankfully, she came to our doors, and we were able to help her. In 2022, Betsy had a housing voucher and a chance at a new beginning. Providence House became her sanctuary. A place where she found not just a roof over her head but a community that embraced her as family.
“I remember coming to see the apartment and going through the paperwork and all of that,” Betsy says. “I had finally gotten my keys and I was sitting in the middle of this empty apartment thinking how I was gonna set up the house. I had nothing you know? But by the grace of God a lot of the women that I did time with were home and they were doing their thing so they put me on. Those are my sisters, I'm telling you — they've given me more than my own family has, you know what I'm saying? I mean that's my tribe.”
Betsy often credits her "sisters" and how they’ve rallied around her, providing support and a sense of belonging that she had longed for. In December of 2023, Betsy and her sisterhood had the chance to travel as part of a group of 400 formerly incarcerated women to the first Beyond the Bars conference to take place in Nairobi, Kenya. As described by Columbia University Center for Justice, “there was singing, dancing, and sharing of culture and wisdom. The conference theme was ‘Movement Building Towards a Just Africa’ and speakers from the Center for Justice spoke about their experiences of incarceration and how they have continued advocating for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women since they have been home.” (https://centerforjustice.columbia.edu/news/beyond-bars-goes-kenya)
Pictured: “Sisters” and Betsy R. at Beyond the Bars conference in Nairobi, Kenya
Surrounded by a thousand women from different tribes and backgrounds, Betsy found empowerment and a renewed sense of purpose. She reinforced her passion in bringing criminal justice to the forefront, advocating for the rights of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women who aren’t able to use their own voices.
Today, Betsy is not just a survivor; she is a beacon of hope and inspiration for others. She volunteers, speaks at Brooklyn Law School, and engages in retreats and rallies, all in an effort to give back to a community that has given her so much. Her message is simple yet profound: "You are not your worst mistake." She believes in leading by example, inspiring others to dream of a bigger world, no matter their circumstances.
Providence House was such a safety net for me, and I’m so grateful that they provided that for me. It felt like coming home. - Betsy R.
Providence House Supportive Housing has been more than just a shelter for Betsy; it has been a lifeline, a safety net, and a home. It has provided her with the support and resources she needed to rebuild her life and pursue her passion for advocacy.
“Tomorrow is not promised by anybody. If I go today or tomorrow I want to know that I did something meaningful. And that’s where I get the passion for the work. When you have sisters that inspire you that motivates you. I’ve managed to make a home here, and that was the best feeling in the world. Leaving a halfway house and coming straight to my own apartment, I was determined. My goal was to live in my own place when I got out. You know how beautiful that would be? If women knew that? You have somewhere to go, where people are waiting to receive you? I think that keeps motivating me everyday.”
Betsy's story is a testament to the transformative power of community, resilience, and compassion. It reminds us that no matter the challenges we face, we have the strength within us to overcome them, and the support of a community can make all the difference.
