When Rose Britner founded Women of Grace ministries in 1999, she envisioned a support ministry that would meet the spiritual and emotional needs of women. But as time went on, it became apparent that many of the problems plaguing the women had their roots in their teen years. The ministry quickly expanded into an outreach ministry for at-risk teen girls.
"I realized a lot of the problems women have go back to their teenage years," she said. Britner began a one-on-one mentoring program for girls. Trained mentors offer support, advice, and friendship. The ministry is open to any teenage girl in need, although parental permission is required.
The ministry has impacted the lives of many local girls who don't have strong adult support. One mentee wrote of experiences with Women of Grace, "Knowing that someone is always ready and willing for you to call on and talk to whenever needed is an emotion I cannot begin to describe....these are the incredible women who have helped me overcome my past and recover my life."
Eventually, the ministry expanded even more into an outreach program in the Sandusky County Juvenile Detention Center, which serves the Sandusky, Ottawa, and Huron County areas.
Group mentoring programs are held once a week at the detention center. The meetings give the girls a neutral setting in which to learn about and discuss life issues. Participation is optional, but the unintrusive atmosphere encourages the girls to join in the discussions.
"We never ask what they're in for," said Britner. "We never want the conversation to go into a place that would embarrass them."
The mentors speak about such subjects as relationships, anger, self-esteem, and the painful consequences of abortion.
After each meeting, the girls are asked to fill out an evaluation of the program. Common responses tell of the girls' lack of prior knowledge in dealing with issues such as anger and loss.
At one meeting, a guest speaker was invited to speak about her experiences with abortion. "She talked about her personal experiences in having an abortion, and the events that led up to her having an abortion," said Britner.
"She spoke of the devastating effect on her life because of her choice in having an abortion," she said. "She dealt with guilt and shame and grief and loss."
The girls were greatly impacted by the speaker. One wrote, "It changed the way I think about abortion and life."
Women of Grace ministries strives to develop relationships with the girls in their one-on-one mentoring programs, and that means going beyond the serious issues, and having fun.
Last July, seven girls were invited to sail across the Sandusky Bay with the B-About Sail Ministry. Some of the girls had never been on the water before. Britner said the purpose of the trip was to give the girls the opportunity to do something they'd never done before, and to help them appreciate the beauty of God's nature. "When we take the time to view His creation, it is therapeutic and helps us understand who we are in the world," she said.
Women of Grace Ministries still seeks to meet the needs of adult women as well. Their next event will be a women's retreat entitled, "Who Am I?" held at Eagle Isle Bed & Breakfast Day Spa in Fremont. It will be held on November 7 and 8, and is open to the public.
Group meetings for girls outside the detention center will begin with a tea on October 28. The meeting, which will focus on self-esteem, will take place at the Women of Grace Ministries' office in the Pontifex in Fremont.
Future plans include the creation of Grace Haven Rehabilitation Center, a therapeutic residential facility for at-risk teens. The group is currently raising financial support, and is hoping for the donation of a home in a rural area of Sandusky County, preferably, but not limited to, an area on the river.
For information about the programs, donating, becoming a mentor, or scheduling a talk on the ministry for your organization, please contact Women of Grace Ministries at 419-332-1001