$100K in 10 Days – Featuring our Truth Be Told Graduate and Facilitator, Rutanya
We’ve made it to the final day of our 10-day campaign. Over the past ten days, it’s become clear that we have an overwhelmingly generous community of support that understands the need for programs to rehabilitate women. Our donors understand the urgency of providing quality programs that give women the opportunity to live a life free of emotional and/or physical incarceration. The incidence of trauma is undeniably linked to incarceration, and we are so grateful that our community prioritizes trauma-informed and gender-responsive programming.
Today, we have the pleasure of featuring our graduate, friend, and co-worker Rutanya. She has been actively involved with Truth Be Told in one role or another for a long time. She connects with our graduates and is never afraid to advocate for what she believes in.
TBT: What do you want people to know about incarceration and the criminal justice system?
Rutanya: What I want people to know about incarceration is that it’s a disease. It will and can infect the entire family. When a mother is incarcerated, so are her children and the person who is taking care of her children.
TBT: What is your favorite motto, phrase, or affirmation?
Rutanya: Your latter will be MUCH greater than your past.
TBT: Out of all the work that you did with Truth Be Told, what is the most memorable lesson or tool that you still use to this day.
Rutanya: I would have to say that journaling is the tool that I still use today, it allows me to say all the things I want and need to say.
TBT: We are all one choice away from incarceration. Describe one choice from your past that put you on the path to incarceration.
Rutanya: I would have to say it was choosing fear over faith that led to my incarceration. I was afraid of my mother, and I did not have the courage to say to her that what we were doing was wrong and I wasn’t going to continue to be a part of it. The courage came later after I realized that I wasn’t going to combust into flames if I resisted my mother’s requests and I would be alright even if we didn’t have a relationship.
TBT: What are you excited about in your life now or looking forward to in the future?
Rutanya: I am super excited about my new role with Truth Be Told, I have so many ideas about the future of Graduate Services, as I am now the new coordinator. I am looking forward to what my Heavenly Father has planned for my future. I can’t wait!!
TBT: Tell us about your best day in prison and your worst day in prison.
Rutanya: My best day in prison was when I realized that I was free and at peace in my mind, heart, and spirit. I experienced deep healing while in prison.
The worst day was when I found out that I would be released to my mother’s house. I didn’t want to go out of prison.
We are so excited to witness what the future holds for Rutanya. You make us proud to be a part of your story, but YOU are responsible for all the hard work that you have done. Today, we celebrate you!
If you’d like to donate, it’s not too late. Today is the final day of our campaign. We thank you for your support.
