Rhonda Bear had a dream…it was simple, yet difficult to achieve. Rhonda envisioned a community with less recidivism and more successful, healthy women.

 

Recidivism, the act of relapsing into negative behavior, is a major problem in Oklahoma.  And Rhonda is no stranger to this problem.

 

"I was previously incarcerated."

 

That's not an easy statement for some people to proclaim, but Rhonda is more than happy to share her story of failure-turned-success.

 

Rhonda struggled at an early age with drug addiction and numerous arrests.  After losing custody of her children and serving prison time, Rhonda knew she wanted to change.

 

After working with her Stand in the Gap small group mentoring team, while living in a  ministry-led transitional home, Rhonda was able to regain custody of her three children and hold a steady job for nine years.

Rhonda is now clean, sober, and the founder of She Brews Coffee & Transition Program.  These coffee houses, located in Claremore and Tulsa, Oklahoma provide opportunities for women reentering into society after struggling with problems like drug addiction.

 

Rhonda explains that She Brews Coffee is "intended to give back what was given to me.  People invested in me, and I tell them all the time it's earning interest, because I am now investing in the lives of other women."

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Rhonda also directs She Brews Transition Program (His House Outreach Ministries), a faith-based residential transition program founded in Claremore with numerous group homes in Claremore, Tulsa & Edmond.  Women who are regaining their lives are supported programmatically in the housing program and given the opportunity to work at She Brews Coffee to gain responsibility, leadership, trustworthiness, and social skills.

 

Rhonda's mission statement is:

 

"To improve the quality of life by advocating for women struggling with reentering back into society successfully; to bring effective solutions to the cycle of recidivism by providing programs focused on social and economic change and community development. She Brews Coffee helps us do this"

 

She Brews is certainly upholding its mission, as many women have moved on from She Brews to hold other jobs in the community or focus on higher education.

 

The past is dark, but the light at the end of the tunnel is shining brightly within the walls of She Brews Coffee House.  The service is always friendly, and the citizens of Claremore and Tulsa have graciously supported this cause since our opening in November 2012.

 

We'd love to see you soon, as we continue to brew inspiration, strength, and change.