RAY OF HOPE
By Carol S. Wolf

I never know where ideas for stories will come from.

A few months ago I was at a meeting and everyone there was invited to share their name and what their job and/or ministry was.

Minister Joyce Scott introduced herself as retired from National Grid after 24 years of service, a volunteer for Health Association of Niagara County (HANCI) Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Board of Director member and Secretary for FindPeace Corp. (formerly Center for Health Management, Inc.) ordained Associate Minister at Word of Life Ministries in Niagara Falls and now the President and founder of the Ray of Hope, a non-profit organization to help widowed and divorced women and their children.

I was intrigued since I had not heard of anything quite like that. I spoke with her after the meeting and she told me more about the program. She explained it was not a grief support group, but rather it was a program to assist, educate and empower widows and divorced women.

I set up a time I could meet with her and the board to have them share what they are doing with all of you. Here is their story.

RAY OF HOPE MISSION STATEMENT

Ray of Hope is a non-profit Christian organization that is committed to fulfilling the biblical mandate to help widowed and divorced women and their children (James 1:17) regardless of race, ethnicity and social-economic status. Through Christ-centered seminars and small group sessions Ray of Hope will endeavor to assist widowed and divorced women in achieving emotional, financial, physical and spiritual wellness. Ray of Hope was founded in memory of the late Deacon Eddie Ray Scott.

Minister Joyce Scott

Joyce was married to the (late) Deacon Eddie R. Scott for 31 years and they were blessed with two children Eddie Darnell (Montrisa) of Hanover, MD and Janel Lynn (Town of Niagara). She is the proud grandmother of Eddie Darnell Ray, Trinity Rae and Jaden Charles.

Minister Joyce is the author of "The Reason for My Hope: The Father's Compassion in Sickness and Death" (Outskirts Press, Inc. 2008) and can be purchased on Amazon.com. She has also been the featured guest for several programs on the LCTV Cable Channel 20. Joyce went on to say, “We started with the Where Do I Go From Here seminar in July, 2009 and the evaluations from participants indicated it was extremely helpful and they wanted more.” Joyce told me the participants were from a wide age range. “We saw there was a definite need for these programs. We also did a follow up session in September with small a group discussion.”

In December, 2009, Ray of Hope held a program, Being Your Best During the Holidays and Everyday: Keys to Improving Your Total Wellness, which was presented by Tom DeLoughry, Ed.D. Joyce shared with me how Tom has been so supportive. "He has helped me establish goals and set a strategic plan. Also my son Eddie and his wife Montrisa have been Advisors to me. Eddie is the Principle of Annapolis Middle School in Hanover, MD." She also acknowledged Mr. Brad Frank, a business consultant, for his expertise and assistance.

Joyce told me “My life was secured, financially and emotionally with a devoted husband and two children. On August 3, 1999 that all changed. She said, “So there I was, suddenly alone with the children, working full time, trying to figure most things out by myself: cars, home repairs, etc. it was overwhelming." "I can't even tell you all the heartache, pain, sorrow, fear and the unanswered question of why.”

"I was amazed at what I discovered about myself, God had given me ability and resources beyond anything that I could imagine. So now today, this is the reason, that I am passionate about Ray of Hope components to help women: Emotional, Financial and Social.

Joyce’s husband underwent extensive cancer treatment and passed away exactly 12 months later. Her life quickly changed. She was no longer the wife that she desired to be. Joyce said that the transition from wife to widow was extremely difficult and that is why she is passionate about Ray of Hope’s mission. “I compassionately assist divorced and widowed women in their transitions.”

Elder Mark Johnson

Mark is a Consumer Advocate for National Grid and has been in ministry for many years. He told me he is a member of New Mount Ararat Temple of Prayer on Jefferson Ave. in Buffalo, serves as Vice-President of the Dunamis Covenant Fellowship of Churches and also teaches courses to assist people in ministry in several other congregations. He is married and has four children. He told me, "I do Deacon training, alter training and whatever training is needed by the Pastor." I asked him how he met Joyce and he said, "She previously worked for National Grid and we started talking one day and she said some things I agreed with and we hit it off. She told me about what she was doing and I said, 'If I can do anything to help, just let me know'. Well it wasn't long after that conversation, that she called me to do a presentation and then four months ago to be on the Board." I laughed as Mark said, "I asked my wife first and she said sure, so here I am." He went on to tell me they are working on the by-laws and applying for non-profit status. He said, "My mom was widowed and in my ministry, I have seen the abuses and how often widows and divorcees are taken advantage of so I felt compelled to try to help out." He told me he is developing a program called Healed without Scars.

Ms. Betty J. Gandy, LPN

Betty told me how she has had a passion for geriatric nursing all her life. She has three daughters, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She is a member of Word of Life Church and is a divorcee. She said, "In July, I attended the conference, Where Do I Go From Here, sponsored by Ray of Hope. It was for widowed and divorced women to learn how to achieve emotional, financial, social and spiritual wellness. The topics were: Life Goes On: A Journey Built on Hope by Renita Shadwick, Relationship Manager, United Way of Buffalo & Erie County Facing the Fears That Paralyze by Vanessa Scott, Founder & Exec. Director God's Women's Outreach Ministries, Goals: Stepping Stones for Tomorrow and Finances: Yes, You Can by Deborah Robinson, Ph D., In the Pursuit of Excellence Consulting.

Betty stated, “I saw the impact that it had between my sister and myself. I had been overwhelmed and this made so much sense. These are programs to empower newly single women to learn how to make a new life for themselves. So in talking with Minister Joyce, when she asked if I would like to be on the Board, I was excited to be a part of this kind of support program. My whole family has been involved in ministry all our lives and it is so important to help others.”

Dr. Deborah J. Robinson

Dr. Robinson is the President and CEO of In the Pursuit of Excellence, a consulting firm that focuses on helping individuals, businesses, and organizations to develop strategies for career success. She holds a B.A. in History and Sociology with a minor in Business Administration from Canisius College in Buffalo, a M.S. degree in Student Personnel Administration from Buffalo State College, and a doctorate in Higher Education from the University at Buffalo.

She began by telling me she received a phone call telling her that Rev. Baugh, a former professor at Niagara Community College and her mentor, thought she should go to the conference, Where Do I Go From Here. She told me her mom was a widow at age 38 and she was a stay-at-home mom. Dr. Robinson said, "It was hard on my mom but her goal was to have my sister and I become responsible, respectable adults. She worked hard at it and it worked. My sister is an RN and I have my PhD. My mission is to help others. As a child I used to wonder, how people got themselves in such messes. As an adult I often saw people victimize themselves."

"Through the years working on the campus, teaching career planning and other classes and working in the court system, as a court clerk, and the judge would tell people what to do and they would agree, but they did not know how to make those life changes and did not have a goal. I would take them aside and give them some ideas and who to contact." She said, "Many people had good intentions but did not know how to start. So, because of these experiences, I started a program called In the Pursuit of Excellence."

Some of Dr. Robinson’s programs include: Time management Strategies, Budgeting Your Finances While Attending College, How to Dress for Success and Develop a Working Wardrobe, Goal Setting and Career Planning.

After the conference she got another phone call about being on the Board of Ray of Hope. She told me she was excited about being a part of the development.

I want to thank everyone for sharing their stories and their excitement over this new program and all that it can mean to women in Western New York. I know many organizations have grief counseling and support but very few do what Ray of Hope is endeavoring. They have some wonderful goals for this year including another Conference, so keep watching.

For more information contact:
Ray of Hope
P.O. Box 4045
Niagara Falls, NY 14304
Phone(716) 298-0150
Email rayofhopenf.org
Website: rayofhopenf.org

If you know of a successful program in your community or would like more information please let me know at caroldickwolf@cs.com.