Page 107 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2025

the Home of Grace Work Program— from groundskeeping to office support—developing a strong work ethic and sense of purpose. Many transition into Extended Stay housing, continuing to serve while preparing for independent living.
12:00 p.m. – Lunch
Lunch is more than a meal; it’s another opportunity to connect and strengthen community. Men and women often share stories from class or counseling, reflecting on how far they’ve come and how far they still want to go.
1:00 p.m. – Afternoon Class or Work
Afternoons are filled with continued learning and practical training. GED classes are offered for those who haven’t completed high school, giving residents the confidence to pursue better jobs after graduation. Others take part in vocational readiness programs that prepare them for re- entry into the workforce.
3:00 p.m. – Recreation and Free Time
Recovery isn’t all study and work. Free time gives residents a chance
to play softball or pickleball, or simply enjoy rest or quiet reflection. Friendships form naturally here— the kind of honest, laughter-filled connections that heal loneliness and rebuild trust.
5:00 p.m. – Dinner
The dining halls fill again with conversation, prayer, and gratitude. By this point in the day, laughter comes more easily. Residents talk about the lessons of the day, swap stories, and often end the meal in prayer for one another.
7:00 p.m. – Chapel
As the sun sets, residents gather once more—this time for worship, testimony, and teaching. Chapel services are a highlight of the week, often led by visiting pastors, alumni, or staff. It’s here that many first encounter the peace and purpose they’ve been searching for.
10:30 p.m. – Lights Out
By bedtime, the campus is quiet. Another day of healing, learning, and growing is complete.
What begins as a strict routine soon becomes a rhythm of restoration—proof that when faith and discipline meet, miracles truly do happen every day.
THE MEN’S CAMPUS
At the men’s campus, the sound of hammers, mowers, and laughter fills the air. The work program gives men the opportunity to
rebuild their confidence through tangible accomplishments. Whether repairing equipment, maintaining grounds, or helping in the kitchen, they rediscover purpose in productive work.
Men’s classes often emphasize transparency, integrity, and responsibility—traits that prepare them to return home as providers, fathers, and role models. As one graduate put it, “I came here to get clean. I left with a new heart and a new direction.”
THE WOMEN’S CAMPUS
At the women’s campus, the environment feels like family. From assisting the cooks to counseling sessions that bring tears and laughter, women find safety to be both vulnerable and strong. Classes like codependency, anger management, and financial planning help them build practical life skills. Bible studies, group devotions, and chapel create deep spiritual renewal.
As Megan, a recent graduate and Extended Stay client, shared, “I came in a broken person with no hope left and am leaving healed— emotionally, spiritually, and physically. I came in not believing in God and am leaving a saved child of God with a purpose. This isn’t just
a rehab facility—it’s a sisterhood and a life change.”
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living | www.smliving.net December 2025 | 107