Kyle Jackson: A Father’s Footsteps
Written by Joanna Holbert Like most young boys Kyle Jackson grew up wanting to be just like his father. Kyle grew up in the Booneville, Mississippi area and, at the age of eight, his parents divorced in part because of his father’s life of drugs and crime. “My dad was my hero,” Kyle said, “and when…
Unlimited Dreams Gives Laurel Students Another Education Option, Hope
Written by Joanna Holbert Dr. Amanda Cooley set out on a mission to meet the education needs of the children in her hometown of Laurel, Mississippi. What she didn’t know was just how large that mission was going to be. Amanda had run a daycare in her town for years and discovered that some of the…
Kayla Hulett: Finding Freedom After Addiction
Written by Joanna Holbert “Looking back, it feels like a dream. All the statistics were against me, and I should have died.” That’s how Kayla Hulett describes most of her life growing up in Tupelo before she got sober in 2012. One of her earliest memories as a child was of her mother giving her narcotics…
Rocket Learning Launches New Education Option in Southwest Mississippi
Written by Joanna Holbert Deep in the heart of Southwest Mississippi, in the sleepy community of Silver Creek, lies an innovative thriving new school founded by a veteran teacher who was looking for freedom in her own classroom. In the early spring of this year, Vicki Cox found herself frustrated as she sat in her public…
Tyler Wilson’s Battle For Hope
Written by Joanna Holbert Tyler Wilson of Iuka has spent most of his 29 years on this earth in and out of prison. He was broken, addicted, and searching – searching for fulfillment in his life. But that fulfillment never came – at least not in a healthy way. “I had a good, God-fearing mom,” he…
Finding hope in the hopelessness of prison
Written by Joanna Holbert Eleven times Deborah Mosby had been before the state parole board – and eleven times she had been denied. “I knew on that eleventh time going into the hearing that I wasn’t going to be paroled,” Deborah said. And she was right. Feeling hopeless, she sat on her 3’x6’ rack knowing she…
State removes regulation. Entrepreneur follows her dreams.
Written by Joanna Holbert “I never dreamed I would be here.” That’s how Karrece Stewart describes the feeling of owning her own makeup studio, Get Glam Beauty in Fulton. Little did she know when she set out with this new venture that she would face barriers making it nearly impossible. Karrece placed her dreams on hold…
Serving their local communities
Written by Joanna Holbert In the small town of Louisville at a table in the local restaurant, Cameron Whitehead knew nearly everyone who walked through the doors at lunchtime. She’s the town’s nurse practitioner and treats a number of its residents. Cameron began working as a nurse in Jackson 20 years ago, and over the years…
A new conviction
Written by Kienna Van Dellen “If it allows me to change one person, it would make it all worth it.” That’s how Ben Little describes his life’s story which includes struggles with addiction, a suicide attempt, and prison time followed by a new life found in the salvation of Jesus Christ. Today, Ben uses his own…
“Second chances are crucial”
Written by Kienna Van Dellen Never in a million years did Wesley Jackson think that he could move from being a drug addict to running a men’s recovery center in the same community he once harmed. Wesley’s story began in Tennessee with a good family and a normal childhood. He found himself falling in with the…
Offering hope to those who need it most
Written by Kienna Van Dellen A piece of chocolate and a word of encouragement. That’s how the Buried Treasures Home began. Nikki Benz’s obedience to the Lord led her to the cold walls of the Hinds County jail in downtown Jackson. The jail, at that time nearly two decades ago, was located around the corner from…
“The system did not allow me to do my job”
Written by Joanna Holbert Veteran teacher Joseph Herrington walked out of his classroom after 27 years – not because he didn’t want to continue teaching but because the burden placed on his shoulders had become too heavy to bare. A U.S. history teacher, Joseph engaged his students and enjoyed a career in the classroom, but as…
“As a parent, you want the best for your child”
Written by Joanna Holbert Starting school is often an exciting, anticipated right of passage for a child, but for some parents – parents like Josh and Elizabeth Saucier – it’s an upcoming milestone for their son that comes with a deep sense of anxiety. “Nolan stopped talking at 18 months,” said Elizabeth. “Before that, he was…