STA RT I N G A N EW Formerly incarcerated mothers get back on their feet with the help of Exodus Ministries Story by ELIZABETH UCLÉS | Photography by KATHY TRAN
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n g e l a Wa l t e r s c h e i d w a s looking for a new star t for herself and her two boys after completing a 1.5-year prison sentence. But shortly after release, the mom of three was in a race agains t time as her abusive e x-husband had tracked her down once more. In t h e n i c k o f t i m e , Wa l t e r s c h e i d came across Exodus Ministries, a residential discipleship nonprofit. Exodus Ministries is an intensive, comprehensive, residential, discipleship program for formerly incarcerated mothers, reuniting them with their children to achieve a productive and fulfilling life through Jesus Christ. It offers a place to live, tools for success and spiritual support. “Exodus just fit into what I was looking for in my life,” Walterscheid says. “It was faith-based and it felt like
G od was pushing me in this direction. This is the place for me.” After 18 months in prison, Maricela Espinosa knew she couldn’t restart her and her daughter’s life alone. Exodus would allow her time to work and save money while having a roof over their heads. Espinosa knew returning to her h o m e t o w n i n A n d r e w s , Te x a s , w a s not an option. “ I k n e w t h a t i f I w a s go i n g t o go back home, I was probably going to have to hurr y up and start selling drugs again so I could get my own house,” she says. Wa l t e r s c h e i d a n d E s p i n o s a c o m e f r o m d i ff e r e n t l i f e e x p e r i e n c e s , b u t the pursuit of a be tter life for their children unites them. These mothers are both working toward their goals with the help of Exodus.
june 2021
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