Here are some highlights from Catherine's interview with Jim Mellado:
- After committing to follow Jesus at 25, she made a trip to Africa and began to wonder why she was so resourced with a 6-figure income.
- At 26 she took a trip to Texas to teach prison inmates - who face the unfortunate stigma from our society that they will for the rest of their lives be an "ex-offender". We could all carry that title, but we don't.
- She and her husband had accumulated a fair amount of savings, which they poured into the start-up of the Prison Entrepreneurship Program.
- Inmates who are up for parole are gifted as entrepreneurs who are committed to walking away from their criminal past. Their overwhelming comment: "Catherine believes in us."
- She's been mentored to...
- Show up.
- Get your orders.
- Be faithful; trust God.
- As Gary said yesterday, God is responsible for what he's passionate about
- Although the Texas correctional system is a system, Catherine chooses to see the organization as a collection of relationships. Relationships she can build at every level.
- Her willingness to be real about her own weaknesses breaks down walls among the inmates, and the work of character development begins.
- On criticism: if it's not legit - let it go, don't even address it. If it is - ask for more!
- Her take on being a woman leader - she simply carries herself in such a way that people can't cop out with criticism of her leadership. Her mature behavior and professional leadership defines and frees her.
- Many Christians experience pity on people such as prisoners and "ex-offenders", which is very different from compassion. In compassion we enter into and connect with people where they are and speak into their world with hope and vision.
At 31 years of age, Catherine is an inspiring follower of Christ, a model leader who grasps what it is to address injustice with compassion.
