Beauty for Ashes

Beauty for Ashes Women’s Home, Inc. is a Florida non-profit organization devoted to providing safe housing and making a positive difference for women in transition from prison, jail, or short-term rehabilitation to living as productive members of society.

We strive to help women find their identity in Christ and this world, guiding them toward a life free of substance abuse, dependence on others, and shame over their past challenges and mistakes.

We offer counseling through Christian Coaches and mentors who walk alongside the women to guide, love, and believe in them while they learn to believe in themselves again. We assist them in finding jobs, pursuing careers and any schooling necessary to get where they want to go. We help them to dream of a future with a purpose without drugs, make informed choices to improve their lives, and teach them their significance - that they may become independent women who can live free from government assistance and live empowered to be the women God intends for them to be.

We are proud to be the first Women's Recovery Home in Manatee/Sarasota Counties to meet all requirements under FS.397.487as a FARR Certified Residence.

Who Our Program is For

Our program is for women struggling with hurts, habits, and hang-ups; Women who are recovering from struggles like drug or alcohol abuse, human trafficking, abusive relationships, and in transition from places like prison, county jail.

Our program is for women who strive to become independent but need a helping hand to get there.

Our program is for women who are unsatisfied with their old lives and wish to learn to lead a Christ centered life.

What We Believe

God

God is creator and ruler of the universe and revealed himself in three ways through the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit who are co-equal as one God. (Genesis 1:1,26; Psalm 90:2; Jeremiah 10:10; Matthew 28:19)

The Bible

The Bible is the inspired Word of God. Written by human hands with supernatural guidance from the Holy Spirit, the Bible is without error and is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Romans 15:4)

Salvation

We believe there is only one true God and that he provides us with salvation through the blood of his son Jesus Christ. Salvation is a gift from God, not from works on this earth. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:16)

Jesus Christ Will Return

At the appointed time, Jesus Christ will return and pass final judgement over His established kingdom. Unbelievers will be eternally separated from Him in damnation. Believers will live in His glorious presence forever. (Acts 9:11; Matthew 24:30; 1 Corinthians 15:24; Revelation 20-22)

God Has a Plan

Believing that they have been living according to the flesh, with their minds set on those desires, our goal is to help them to have desires and live according to things of the Spirit; that their minds would be ruled by the Spirit to receive the life and peace that comes from submitting to God. We believe they will come to know God’s plan as they seek Him with all their heart. (Romans 8:5-7, Jeremiah 29:11-13)

Beauty for Ashes Looks to God for Direction

We trust God to give us direction to help free ladies from their lifestyles and addictions and we seek guidance through the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to do so. (Jeremiah 17:7-8, Galatians 5:16)

Our Founder

Debbi Hanna is Beauty for Ashes Executive Director and Founder. For years she has had a heart for starting a home where women can come and be fed with the Word and be shown the love of Christ while they get back on their feet after being released from incarceration; a safe place where women can live and find jobs rather than go straight back to their old neighborhoods with their old acquaintances and old habits.

From Liberty University Debbi earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology: Christian Counseling, and a Master’s degree in Counseling: Addictions and Recovery. She is also a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors and is a Certified Recovery Residence Administrator.

As a volunteer, Debbi co-founded the Christ centered Celebrate Recovery (CR) program at a local church, held regular recovery sessions at another local women’s recovery home, and has been holding weekly recovery sessions at the Port Manatee Correctional Facility for the past 9 years.

Board of Directors

The Beauty for Ashes Board of Directors is comprised of 5 people with varying backgrounds, all with a heart to help the women we serve. Along with Debbi Hanna, the board consists of Jim Hanna, Mark Denison, John McNaught, and Alan Kilburg.

Jim Hanna

Jim holds advanced degrees in Computer Science and Business Administration. Married to Debbi for 34 years, he spent his career in the business world leading organizations that develop high-tech products. Along the way, Jim learned of Jesus Christ’s Love, Grace, and Truth.

Jim understands:

The drug epidemic in Manatee and Sarasota counties is extreme with addiction and overdose rates are among the highest rates in the nation.
Drug use is a common thread for most incarcerated inmates.
The recidivism rate is extremely high for individuals addicted to drugs.
Without Jesus, the changes of full recovery are next to impossible.
With a foundation built on Christ and through a strict program and counseling, the chances of recovery are much higher with expected recidivism rate being much lower.

Jim is following the Lord’s calling to be His hands and feet, guided by the Holy Spirit to help women build a foundation based on Him, recover from their addictions, and be fully functioning members of society.

Mark Denison

Mark is from Houston, Texas. He has been married to Beth for 35 years. Mark has served as Chaplain to the Houston Rockets and as Board Chairman for his alma mater, Houston Baptist University. He has received degrees from HBU (B.A.), Liberty University (M.H.S.), and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div., D.Min.). After 30 years as a senior pastor, Mark and Beth have launched a sex addiction recovery ministry, There’s Still Hope.. Mark is excited to be on our Board, as he is passionate about leading others into Christ-centered recovery.

Alan Kilburg

Alan retired in 2008 from a career as Sr. Vice President, Chief Lending Officer, of a community bank in Chicago, Illinois. He discovered during his retirement that he was called to bring the message of the miracle of sobriety to those in need. He is trying to achieve this by participating in the Inmate Recovery Program at the Manatee County Jail. He has been doing this since the inception of this program almost two years ago. He has felt God's Grace to move him to help those who want to achieve the next step to sobriety and independence from addiction. Living outside of incarceration in a safe Christian environment seems to be the biggest challenge.

John McNaught

Bio to follow soon..