Jeanette would eventually find success through Catch Court, a program in Franklin County that helps survivors of Human Trafficking. It took a long time for Jeanette to get out, but once she did, she never looked back. Jeanette eventually earned her college degree at Columbus State, something that she never contemplated as a youth, and she now runs 2nd Chance Ministries. Her organization is involved with Amethyst, Catch Court, and many other community partners. She helps girls with makeovers hoping that if they can see beauty on the outside, they will recognize their inner beauty and own self-worth. She talks about storming drug houses and helping strangers escape from prostitution. It is very clear that Jeanette lives out her values of “second chances,” telling me that it is never too late to begin again and that no one is too far gone or worthless. And, there is one thing Jeanette wants to make sure people understand: “I call myself a thriver not just a survivor,” she states emphatically. “ If you want corn plant corn, if you want hope, plant hope. ” I have a million questions I want to ask Jeanette about relationships. I ask her for advice for people who struggle in relationships. She gives excellent advice: “Ask yourself: is it the way they speak? Is it the way they treat you, are there too many highs and lows?” Jeanette does not know it but she is having a serious and profound impact on me. My expression must not seem right to her: “You know, I can tell you’re a good one.” I ask her to put that in writing and engage my typical defense mechanism: self-deprecation. Jeanette sees right through me, but kindly gives me a pass. Jeanette and I continue to talk about her past, her struggles and her triumphs. We soon fall into a conversation about hope. “Hope is what got me through my absolute lowest,” she shares. We continue to talk about the impact of hope and how to have hope even when it seems impossible. “If you want corn, plant corn; if you want hope, plant hope,” Jeanette says. “ Everything matters. There is nothing small in this world. ” Over the course of the next few days Jeanette and I exchange e-mails. She now signs her e-mails as Mama J. I consider myself a very fortune member of a very exclusive club. A lot of people are quick to toss away those who have made mistakes or are considered undesirable, but not Jeanette. She believes that everyone has value. “A broken crayon still colors,” she says. Her passion lies in helping others find their voice and discover their value. If you are ever lucky enough to meet Jeanette, you will walk away with a whole lot more than just a smile and a hug; you will also get words to live by. “Everything matters. There is nothing small in this world,” she says. Ryan Sander Ryan is an attorney for The Legal Aid Society of Columbus and represents victims of domestic violence and families who are living in poverty before the Domestic Relations and Juvenile Courts. He is a former staff attorney for the Capital University Family Advocacy Clinic. 12 | ENVISION PROVEN SUCCESS MAGAZINE
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