The Story of Siwonda

In July, 2022 Better Way Detroit was ministering to a small team of four women~ we call these teams cohorts~ when this inspiring story occurred.

Quiane, the Operations Manager, and her assistant were on their way to the shelter to pick up the cohort and drive them to their interim job at Goodfellows. On the way they were discussing how to approach the four women who were resisting efforts to get to know and help them.

One of the women in the cohort had a derogatory word tattooed on her leg, a word that referred to herself. Quiane looked at the woman and said, “You are not that” and the woman started to cry. Quiane said that by washing their feet we broke down communication barriers and we saw each other as equals.

Another woman in the cohort who was impacted was Siwonda Smith. This selfless act created her lasting bond with Better Way Detroit. Siwonda recently wrote to Quiane about her life after Better Way Detroit.

“Good afternoon, Ms. Q” she texted. “Just keeping you updated on this journey.” She wrote that she now has her own house, which “finally feels like home.” She wrote about how “a lot of office jobs are trying to interview me.” She added that “my kids are doing good. We’re back in therapy as a family because we’ve been through a lot.” She concluded, “thanks for the silent prayers.”

A long road ahead, but a story of hope. And a story of why we do what we do.