The Power of Community: One woman's story

                                     My Lifeline

"I didn't know how much I would miss my old life when I moved to Arizona. After all, I have family here. My husband & I visited AZ for many years on vacations before deciding to move here. So, why was I turning into a recluse and why was I for the most part actively choosing to do so? Don't really know. But I did know it wasn't a good path to be on yet very difficult to alter. I wasn't sure I wanted to change it. Then my sister asked me to come to this gathering of women who were from out of town, wanting to meet other women. That is where I met Joelle, the leader of the pack. A woman who radiates with an inner glow, who projects self-confidence, expectancy and inspiration.

The Girl's Club meets once a month. A great place to get to know truly incredible women. I still wasn't sure I wanted to be that social. Yeah, I know, once a month yet truly a big effort for me. Nothing was ever expected of me so I continued to go. I now consider this club my lifeline as it helped keep me from a dark lonely place I could have easily slipped into. After a year I started bouncing back to my former outgoing, social self. I still keep a distance but feel the bonds breaking and I am headed in a positive direction. I am now the vice president of my HOA, heading a social committee, on several others and looking forward to being surround by people again.

So, Joelle, I thank you for the Girl's Club. When you thought up this idea could you have imaged that it would have such a profound effect on someone's life?"

Girl's Club Participant