JACQUELINE SWIFT.

It showed me that my past does not define me. My future does.

My name is Jacqueline Swift (formerly Underwood), and I am a proud graduate of the Empowering Women Out of Prison (EWOP) program. When I look back on my journey, I can truly say that EWOP was one of the biggest turning points in my life. It gave me more than just tools for reentry. It gave me hope, direction, and a servant leader’s heart.

When I first entered the program, I thought it would just be about preparing a pitch and writing a business plan. But it quickly became much deeper than that. EWOP gave me confidence in myself, a community of women who believed in me, and mentors who pushed me to dream bigger than I ever thought possible. It showed me that my past does not define me. My future does.

Last year, I graduated from EWOP, and this year I had the honor of serving as a servant leader for the class. That experience changed me. I realized that true leadership isn’t about titles. It’s about lifting others up, walking alongside them, and helping them see the best in themselves. I found my greatest joy not in focusing on myself, but in serving others.

My business pitch during EWOP was for a faith-based transitional house (Independence Project), a safe place where women could rebuild their lives with dignity, support, and faith at the center. At the time, it was just an idea, but the program gave me the courage to believe in it. Today, I work as the Office Manager at Oaks of Righteousness, a nonprofit that provides housing and support for women transitioning out of prison. In many ways, I am now living out the very vision I once only dreamed about.

That is the power of EWOP. It doesn’t just give you a plan on paper. It plants seeds of purpose in your heart and equips you to go out and live them. I carry with me the lessons of servant leadership, resilience, and faith that this program instilled in me, and I use them every day in my work and in my life.

To the staff, volunteers, mentors, and women of EWOP, thank you. Thank you for believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself. Thank you for showing me that real empowerment comes from service, community, and faith. And thank you for helping me step into a future filled with purpose.

Because of EWOP, I don’t just have a career path. I have a calling. And I will continue to serve, lead, and give back, just as this program taught me.

Jacqueline Swift, Office Manager at Oaks of Righteousness.