Ascend Life Skills

Coronavirus has stopped social interactions for now, but the needs of marginalized women continue (and in some ways are increasing) Ascend is blessed to be partnering with Red Oak Hope to give this sweet woman on the left a chance to heal from her trauma. She was recently released from jail and Austin Transitional Center and is on the road to recovery!!

Finally free! Our friend Jennifer has spent almost a year in jail, and 3 months in rehab. This is the moment that she stepped outside of the rehab facility into her new sober life. Ascend has supported her inside the jail, during rehab, and now in sober living. We feel privileged to show her what God’s love looks like. Go Jennifer!!

“I have been in an all-out pursuit of God for most of my adult life. But when He turned my telescope around, the truth became clear. I had it all wrong. He was much too small, and I far too big. I began to see He was the one pursing me with an outstretched hand, inviting me to live and move and have my being in Him. And friend, God is pursuing you, too!” Sharon Jaynes

I can’t believe I’ve never heard of these guys! 50% of the profits go to sober living scholarships! Austin-based company that’s killing it nationwide - they’re stocked all over Austin so give it a try!

I love my Ascend team! Pat Schaerdel is a faithful member of my prayer/letter-writing team for the women we serve at Travis County Correctional Complex. She also happens to be a Noonday consultant. She had an amazing idea of asking her community to purchase a Noonday bag to donate to the Ascend inmates when they leave jail - they also donated cash to purchase hygiene items and devotional books to place into the bags. She told me that a lovely group of girls from her church also gathered after school to stuff the 30 bags with all the purchased items. When the women leave jail, they usually leave with nothing - no money, no ID, no possessions, etc. This will be so amazing for them and give them a shred of dignity that they so desperately need!

The women we serve in jail are precious daughters of the Creator of the universe - we love what we do!! Just picturing how happy it makes Jesus to see us serving them (Him) gives me goosebumps ❤️

Sometimes it can feel like we are all alone - but that is a lie straight from Satan! Incarcerated women need this message especially, as they are facing so many obstacles, even when they are released. Thanks to your support, we can offer them hope ❤️🙌

Lately I’ve been hearing from the women that we serve in jail that’s the thing that has impacted them the most is our love for them. We demonstrate their Heavenly Father’s love for them, and they can’t help but be transformed. Many times this is the first time they have been shown what real love looks like. We love what we do!

Kerry Rice Dickerson

Tomorrow at the jail is our educational component on addiction. We talk about the definition of addiction, is it a disease or a choice (it’s both!), the lying and deception that is required to continue using, avoiding high risk situations, recovery resources, but most of all how to seek God’s healing and strength to recover. And also Robert Downey Jr. 🤪 If you're looking for a non-profit to support tomorrow for , we'd love your help! www.ascendlifeskills.com/Donate.php

Tomorrow at the jail is our educational component on addiction. We talk about the definition of addiction, is it a disease or a choice (it’s both!), the lying and deception that is required to continue using, avoiding high risk situations, recovery resources, but most of all how to seek God’s healing and strength to recover. And also Robert Downey Jr. 🤪 If you're looking for a non-profit to support tomorrow for , we'd love your help! www.ascendlifeskills.com/Donate.php