A Crown of Beauty Instead of Ashes

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
Isaiah 61:1b-3a

Each time LeChelle Redd has been blessed to meet one of God’s “Sun’s of Sandtown,” this passage from Isaiah comes mind, reminding her that when we see ashes, God sees beauty. The stories we will be sharing over the next couple of days will highlight the beauty that God sees as we introduce our “Sun’s of Sandtown,” bright young men who are working hard to make their way in overcoming the obstacles for themselves and their families.

MEET GERARD
We met Gerard in our first year in Sandtown. Growing up, he was ostracized from his family and did not receive much direction. He is working on developing his craft of making music, with hopes and dreams of becoming a recording artist. His relationship with Faith and Work Enterprises is one of the nurturing relationships to help him along the way.

In 2020, he was blessed with the birth of a baby girl. At the time of her birth, her mother was incarcerated and immediately terminated her parental rights, leaving Gerard as the sole caretaker of a new baby in his one bedroom apartment. Not having a good example to follow, he was doing the best he knew how.

Faith and Work Enterprises provides a non-judgmental presence of encouragement that enables people to see us as a trusted support partner where we have the privilege of speaking into people’s lives.

We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.  Romans 15:1-4

In 2022, the child was experiencing some health challenges. After visiting the hospital, Child Protective Services was engaged. They provided a list of requirements in a Child Protection Plan. Because Faith and Work Enterprises had been a consistent presence in Gerard’s life and was supporting him at the hospital, CPS recognized our organization as his support system.

Our Assistant Executive Director, LeChelle Redd has been walking with Gerard each step of the way and helping him fulfill the requirements as he learns to care for his daughter well. She is now 2 years old and and growing into a sweet little girl.