Meet Ree-Jà

When Ree-Já Mitchell lost both of her parents, the grief sent her life spiraling. Addiction to alcohol and crack, along with what she called an addiction to “walking,” took over. For a time, she wandered without direction, exhausted in body and spirit. Eventually, she knew something had to change. With the help of a crisis center, Ree-Já took her first steps toward sobriety and then set her sights on Topeka, a place filled with childhood memories of family, church, and faith.

Arriving by Greyhound, Ree-Já eventually found her way to TRM’s Hope Center. There, she discovered something she desperately needed: stability, support, and community. “I am thankful for Miss Rachel, Miss Lisa, my roommates, and especially Mr. Gayle and Judy who prayed with me and hugged me,” she said. These relationships became lifelines, filling the gap of loneliness with love and encouragement.

For Ree-Já, the Hope Center provided more than shelter. It offered classes, meals, and resources that gave her confidence and purpose. From trauma classes to nutrition, life skills, and even something as simple as a blanket to keep warm, she began to see life through new eyes. “I am thankful for a bed. I am thankful for a quilt… something that feeds the soul and the mind at the same time.”

Today, Ree-Já calls herself a survivor of trauma and a woman blessed by God’s grace. Her journey is far from easy, but her faith sustains her. “I am confident of this because of prayer. Prayer works,” she shared. With new sobriety and renewed hope, Ree-Já is moving forward, proof of what happens when people choose to stand in the gap and offer love when it’s needed most.

Thank you for Loving in

the Gap for Ree-Já!