It’s not every day you meet someone truly selfless. Someone who gives of themselves week in and out and not only during the holidays. I don’t know about you, but I need a reminder that there are still a lot of good people left in the world. Enter this heartwarming holiday story about longtime Atlantan Mary Jane Stafford.
About 14 years ago, Stafford was sitting in the pews at Mount Paran Church. The pastor asked if anyone would be interested in volunteering for a Bible study with women in prison. The empty nester raised her hand.
You have to understand something. On the outside, Stafford is the definition of a Southern belle. She’s soft spoken, sweet, lithe, demure, well-dressed and on point. She went to The University of Georgia, taught piano in her neighborhood for 20 years and generally followed a suburban wife and mother’s path.
If I was stereotyping, I would say she doesn’t look like someone who would enjoy visiting women in prison or jail. But Stafford is Two-Sided Southern. She is a steel magnolia. What you don’t get on first glance, is that her daughter has struggled with addiction for many years. That is not a part of the heartwarming holiday story. But it is an impetus for looking at the world differently. Her daughter changed Stafford’s outlook on addiction and what a horrible trap drugs can lock even the best of people in.
“I volunteered to go once a week through the church’s outreach. Then I started going twice a week,” she says. “Soon it was every day.” Stafford would eventually spend seven days a week helping the women in jail, oftentimes coming home at midnight.
“My first day, I fell in love with the women,” says Stafford. “I related to them in a different way than others [maybe because of my daughter].” What she also knew is that the cycle these women were in was almost impossible to break. “They get out of jail with no money, no family, no phone. They walk out and around the corner to another trap. The triangle is: addicted, homeless and incarcerated.” And round and round the triangle. Stafford knew in her heart she could help these women. “I never felt afraid,” she says.
Stafford would sit outside in her car after Bible study. When she knew one of the women would be released from prison, she would pick them up and take them to a free treatment program in the inner city. Safe rides are very scarce for these women coming out of jail or prison. Stafford spent countless hours driving the women to get new IDs, Marta cards, clothes or simply taking them to eat. She went to court and hospitals. Stafford did this all with her own money.
“I know people can change. I’ve seen it,” says Stafford. Because of her passionate belief in that simple statement, her friends began to support her mission by giving her donations. Mount Paran Church also supported her extracurricular efforts by allowing annual fundraisers at the church. Soon Grateful Hearts became its own entity as a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization.
Grateful Hearts has made a difference in the lives of hundreds of women and families in the Atlanta area. Through several big fundraisers a year, Stafford and her team educate others on their mission and raise funds to help these women get back on their feet.
“To see the women gain self-esteem, jobs, homes, get their kids and then start giving back to others is the true blessing,” says Stafford.
“Most people don’t want to go to jail or pick up homeless people and drive them around. It’s a special calling,” says Stafford. “But a lot of people still want to help somehow.” If you’re one of them, consider contributing to this heartwarming holiday story. You can help by donating, volunteering at a retreat, buying lunch for the women, or spending time with them. “Talking and relating to the women can make a big difference in their lives,” she says. Indeed, 98% of the women in the Grateful Hearts program stay out of jail.
Get in touch with Grateful Hearts this holiday and find out how you can help with their annual Diaper Drive, donate to raise funds for substance abuse treatment scholarships, along with providing Marta cards and resources necessary to meet daily living needs.
Happy Holidays, y’all. Take care of one another.
