Collette Woliver – 9-12-2025

My life before Christ is a distant memory. What God has done for me these past 8 months is so
much more than my past. But, hey, I’ll say a little about my past and a lot about God. I have
used drugs and been in the lowest situations imaginable! I’ve been in and out of jail cells and
padded rooms. I was always searching to fill the void while running as hard as I could in the
opposite direction from a God that could heal it all. Finally in Bartow County Jail, my upward
journey began. . I came to a place of complete surrender (kind of). I applied and was accepted
into the Cartersville Outreach Women’s Center program. When I came into the program I never
expected God to show up and show out like He has. I’ve had some setbacks and I would be lying
if I told you, it was easy. At almost 3 months in the program the devil got to me and I ran again
but God lovingly caught me and set me back on the right track. Now I attend church and every
time I step through the doors of our Church I feel like I am at home. As I look around at our
congregation, I feel whole. I am reunited with my family and God has brought my daughter
back to me. These are just some of the blessings I have received from God. I can’t take the
credit. Here is what I want you to take from my story. I’m living proof of a God who lovingly
cares for us and every detail of our lives. He patiently waits for us to come to a point of
complete surrender so that He can step in and mold us into the person He created us to be. If
he’ll do it for me, He will do it for you. The Bible states he’s no respecter of persons. He doesn’t
play favorites. If today you’re where I was, I want you to know that He loves you very much and
wants to give you so much more; all you have to do is surrender to Him.

Psalm 27:14 “Here’s what I’ve learned through it all: Don’t give up; don’t be impatient; be
entwined as one with the Lord. Be brave and courageous and never lose hope. Yes, keep on
waiting—for He will never disappoint you!”

Psalm 119:114 “You’re my place of quiet retreat, and your wraparound presence becomes my
shield as I wrap myself in your Word.”

Terri Harkins – 7-18-2025

John 10:10 “A thief has only one thing in mind-he wants to steal, slaughter and destroy. But I
have come to give you everything in abundance more that you expect-life in its fullness until
you overflow!”

I want to give thanks, praise, honor and glory to God Almighty for saving me! I came from a
family of chaos, curses, witchcraft, dysfunction, drugs, alcohol, addictions and abuse of all
kinds. I either experienced it at the hands of another or operated in it myself. In Galatians 3:13
says, “Yet Christ paid the full price to set us free from the curse of the law. He absorbed the
curse completely as he became a curse in our place. For it is written: “Everyone who is hung
upon a tree is cursed.”

I have been in and out of jail, prison and other facilities. I was sentenced and spent 28 months
in Emanuel Women’s Facility, and it’s not a coincidence that Emanuel means “God with us!”
On July 2 nd , 2022, I was rescued from certain death and on July 15 th , 2022, I hit my knees and
fully surrendered to the Lord!

Galatians 2:20 says “My old identity has been co-crucified with Christ and no longer lives. Now
the essence of this new life is no longer mine, for the anointed one lives His life through me, we
live in union as one! My new life is empowered by the faith of the Son of God who loves me so
much that He gave himself for me; dispensing His life into mine!”

He has healed me and continuously delivers me. Psalm 147:3 says “He heals the broken hearted
and binds up their wounds (healing their pain and comforting their sorrow).”

Psalm 139:16 says “You saw who you created me to be before I became me! before I’d ever
seen the light of day. The number of days you planned for me were already recorded in your
book.” I have been clean and sober serving the Lord for 3 years. I have been restored, and
renewed in my spirit, soul and body. God has restored my children, RJ and Taryn, back to me.
Joel 2:25 says “I will compensate you for the years that the locust has eaten.” Isaiah 49:22 says,
“This is what the Lord God says, ‘Listen carefully, I will lift up my hand to the gentile nations and
set up my banner to the peoples, and they will bring your sons in the fold of their garments,
and your daughters will be carried on their shoulders.”

On November 8 th , 2024 Rebecca and Evie came to see me in the jail to tell me that I had been
accepted into Cartersville Outreach Women’s Center. That was the end of my wilderness
journey and I entered into my promised land on November 18th, 2024. I am forever grateful for
Cartersville Outreach and every person there. I truly have learned something from everyone of
my pastors, leaders and sisters and brothers in Christ. I have found my forever eternal family,
and words will never be able to express the gratitude I have for each person who was obedient
to God and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Deserie Urosite – 7-18-2025

I was only 19 years old when I found myself serving a sentence at Lee Arrendale State Prison. I felt deep shame for the terrible decisions I had made in my short life. I vividly remember getting down on my knees and pouring my heart out to the Lord. I was hoping He heard me. Somehow, I knew he had, and I was born again. Because I didn’t hold onto Him like I should have, when I got out I went right back to bondage. I quit using one drug and started taking another. Then I had my son, and for the first time, I knew there was something worth getting sober for. Still, I felt a gaping hole in my heart and nothing I did made it any better; not even the love I had for my child. I relapsed again, got arrested and found myself in the same place I begged God to get me out of. This time I knew that God was the only one who could help me change.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Says “If anyone is in Christ, He is a new creation. Old things have passed away behold all things have become new.” Today I can proudly say that I am a new creation in Christ. Over the past year, God has really shown up in my life. I started the program at Cartersville Outreach Women’s Center and God has used this ministry to help me make the changes I needed to make. The leaders and ministry have been such a blessing to me! I knew about Christ coming into the program, but I didn’t know who I was in Christ. This program has taught me to stand in faith and know the authority that was given to me by our Lord Jesus Christ. It hasn’t been easy. I’ve been through a lot of ups and downs, but Psalm 34:19 says, “Even when bad things happen to the good and godly ones the Lord will save them and not let them be defeated by what they face.” Now I have a job, a new life and a future with my son. Thank you Jesus!

Psalm 18:36 “You have set me free and now I’m standing complete and ready to fight again.”

Joshua 1:9 “Haven’t I commanded you, Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Heather Cardon – 1-3-2025

Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.
The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself
for me.”

My past is full of heartache, pain, and sorrow. To live was a bigger struggle than I can explain. I
was broken and thought I could never be fixed. I was abused and abandoned by everyone and
was suicidal. I was trapped in the bondage of addiction for 13 years. I lost everything I had ever
loved and any resemblance of hope that life could get better. My life changed forever on
September 7th, 2021. I was arrested on 14 felony charges. I should still be in prison but GOD
had a different plan. I got saved in Bartow County jail and I sat there for 2 years and went to prison for 1 year. When I got out, I went straight back to being homeless and I came to Cartersville.

Revelation 21:4, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away.”

I didn’t know it at the time, but God was in control of everything that was happening. He was the
reason I was in Cartersville. He needed me here so He could work. The Lord knew that
Cartersville Outreach was special to me and that I would open up and listen to His truth. April
19th, I came to the church to talk to Rebecca about the Women’s Center. I prayed the night
before, because I was so afraid of what was going to happen. I knew my life was changing. I
walked in the church that morning and all fear left and all I could feel was the love of God. I’d
never felt love like that before in my entire life. The Lord used Rebecca that day to restore my
hope. The Lord blessed me with a true family. I have never had this before. The Lord used
Cartersville Outreach to help me realize I’m not alone anymore and never have been. To help me
see I’m worthy, important and that I really do matter. I have peace that I’ve never had in my life.

I have real joy in my life now. I can see beauty in the world now and can always find something
to smile about. Life is no longer a struggle. I look forward to everyday and what God is going to
do. He is restoring my family and my children to me. He has given me a brand new life that is
only possible with Him.

Casey Whitman – 5-31-2024

I grew up in a broken home where drugs, alcohol, and abuse were normal things and were for almost 30 years. It was normal to me. With that being said I followed in line with that lifestyle. However, I ended up deeper into drugs than anyone else in my family. I was the “one” who did the things even my family wasn’t ok with. I used these drugs, alcohol, men, and women as a coping mechanism to escape the life I thought I’d never get out of. Escaping was a result of suicide attempts on a regular occurrence.

The person I am today, I would have never been able to imagine I’d ever be. I am the first graduate of Cartersville Outreach Women’s Center. I was blessed to participate in the program for 8 months. After I completed it, I stayed in the transitional phase and I became the in-house staff member. During that time, I was also working in remodeling, and was able to save money for the next steps of my life. I now have my own car and apartment. The Lord made all that possible. My relationships with my children are being restored and I am still able to be a part of Cartersville Outreach Women’s Center. I teach a class on Thursdays and I am blessed to be with the ladies on Sundays. Thank you Jesus for your mercy, love and patience.

Jennifer Birlew – 10-18-2024

My name is Jennifer Birlew. I graduated from Cartersville Outreach Women’s Center on October 18, 2024. I had been on drugs for many years and went through a lot of abuse in relationships.

I lost my way. I have two daughters and two grandsons that were done with me. I hadn’t seen my daughter in two years, until I finally got to see her on November 17, 2024. God has restored my relationships with them and I got to see my grandsons for thanksgiving this year. God is doing so much in my family since I got here and I have been clean for 14 months. I thank God for choosing me to be in this program.

I am now a house facilitator and I have a job. All the glory goes to God. I got my car back and I am moving forward with my life. He has restored back to me what the locusts have eaten. I teach a nutrition class on Fridays to stay involved with the center and I intend to give back.

1 John 4:4 “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in this world.”

Reba Wright – 11-22-2024

I was in darkness and I never smiled. I was homeless and on drugs for a long time. I came into Cartersville Outreach Women’s Center on March 26, 2024. My life changed forever. John 15:16 says “ You did not choose me, I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit–fruit that will last–and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.”

I’m saved and I’m on fire for God. I am His fireball! God has done a tremendous amount of work in my life. I’m sold out for Christ. Jesus has restored my sons and my relationship. He has restored my family. God really shows up and shows out when you let Him have control. I love reading my Bible and I love praying with people. I am a mighty woman of God and nothing less!