Amanda Cheatwood
Mar 1, 2025
Rachel Elledge's story is one of redemption, resilience, and the power of community. It began in April of 2022, when Rachel arrived at The Lovelady Center in Birmingham, Alabama, fresh from Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women. With nothing but the clothes on her back, Rachel entered the program unsure of what the future held. Little did she know, this moment would mark the beginning of an extraordinary transformation.
“It was a big change to go from being incarcerated to being in a place that everyone was telling me they love me. The love of Jesus was everywhere, and it was a real culture shock for me.”
Rachel had been through much before arriving at The Lovelady Center—addiction, a deep sense of unworthiness, and a lack of essential life skills. Her time in prison had left her feeling isolated, disconnected from the world around her. But the moment she stepped into the center, she was met with something new: love. “It was a big change to go from being incarcerated to being in a place that everyone was telling me they love me,” she recalls. “The love of Jesus was everywhere, and it was a real culture shock for me.”
The Lovelady Center’s program wasn’t just about recovery—it was about discovering who Rachel truly was in Christ. Through financial literacy classes, job training, and personal counseling, Rachel began to rebuild her life from the inside out. “I learned how to save, how to open a checking account, how to show up for work on time, and most importantly, I learned that I am worthy because I was made in the image of God,” she shares.
“They helped me understand that my identity in Christ is not defined by the world’s labels, but by who He says I am.”
But the most profound shift occurred when Rachel found her true identity in Christ. “They helped me understand that my identity in Christ is not defined by the world’s labels, but by who He says I am,” she reflects. This newfound sense of self was the cornerstone of her recovery and spiritual growth.
In the years since, Rachel’s life has been dramatically transformed. She describes her relationship with her family as fully restored, including her bond with her grandmother, who now says, “I finally got my little girl back.” This restoration goes beyond family—Rachel now wakes up with a heart full of gratitude and a renewed excitement about the future. “The Lord gave me a hope and a future through The Lovelady Center,” she says, “without a shadow of a doubt.”
One of the defining aspects of Rachel’s journey at The Lovelady Center has been the community she found there. “The people, the community itself—it’s everything,” she says. “When you have a community that supports you, pours into you, and makes you feel like you belong, you blossom.” The sense of belonging that Rachel experienced helped her break free from past struggles and embrace the life she was always meant to live.
“It’s fulfilling to reach out to the community and bring people in to our girls and our kids. It helps them see that there are people outside these walls who love them with the love of Jesus.”
Rachel’s story is far from over. Today, she serves as the Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator for The Lovelady Center, helping others find the same hope and healing that she did. “It’s fulfilling to reach out to the community and bring people in to our girls and our kids,” she explains. “It helps them see that there are people outside these walls who love them with the love of Jesus.”
As someone who has walked the difficult path from addiction and incarceration to recovery, Rachel is uniquely positioned to support others currently going through the program. “I’ve been where you are,” she tells the women she mentors. “I’ve walked the same walk, and I’m still walking it out. I’m still thriving in Him.”
“Never give up. No matter how many times you fall, get back up. It’s not over until He says it’s over. Fight for your life.”
Her message to those struggling with addiction, trauma, or hopelessness is simple but powerful: “Never give up. No matter how many times you fall, get back up. It’s not over until He says it’s over. Fight for your life.”
In addition to offering life-changing recovery programs, The Lovelady Center is a place where faith and community intersect. “Jesus is what makes us unique,” Rachel says. “We are the hands and feet of Jesus, and that’s what sets us apart from other programs.”
Looking ahead, Rachel believes the legacy of The Lovelady Center will continue to impact women and families for generations to come. “I see lives being transformed and generational curses being broken,” she says. “I hope it continues to grow and spread, reaching women in every state.”
“Take that first step. I know it’s scary, but you have everything to gain and nothing to lose. We’re here to walk it out with you.”
To anyone considering entering The Lovelady Center’s program, Rachel offers this encouraging word: “Take that first step. I know it’s scary, but you have everything to gain and nothing to lose. We’re here to walk it out with you.”
Rachel’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of community, faith, and never giving up. As she continues to pour into the lives of others, she embodies the hope and restoration that The Lovelady Center offers to every woman who walks through its doors.
For more information about The Lovelady Center and how you can support its mission, please visit www.loveladycenter.org or contact (205) 833-7410.
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