“Our legacy is not measured by what we achieve individually, but by the impact we make together in the lives of those we serve.” – Stephanie Bowman
Stephanie had to flee her home with her small children to escape domestic violence and had become addicted to drugs to escape the feelings of trauma from her past. She entered different treatment programs and stayed in several shelters, including the Mission for a brief time in 1987, but couldn’t resist the lure of drugs. Finally, years later, she entered treatment at STEPS, a Christian home for women, completed the program, and graduated on January 6, 1999. She has been drug-free ever since. “By the grace of God,” she said. “God had His hand in so much of it.”
Stephanie founded One Heart for Women and Children, an organization that stands as a testament to the transformative power of hope, feeding, and ministering to thousands of families each year. One of the largest food pantries in all of Orange County, One Heart also has a thrift store and sponsors many programs to help those in need.
She described her family as “generations of warriors, world changers in our lineage – grandma, mom, my daughters, and my five-year-old granddaughter.” Today her daughter Katie serves as Director of Outreach at One Heart, continuing the legacy.
“We’re all a work in progress,” she said. “We need to see people for who they are – to connect with one another, not judge. We’re never too old to be a student.”