Women of Magdalene subject of CLU talk
Organization helps former drug abusers, prostitutes
The Rev. Becca Stevens will discuss “Creating Social Enterprise in Your Region through Empowering the Powerless: An Entrepreneurship with a Mission” as part of the Alma and Clifford Pearson Distinguished Speakers Series.
(THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Oct. 15, 2008) The founder of residential communities for women with criminal histories will speak on empowering the powerless in California Lutheran University’s Samuelson Chapel at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22.
The Rev. Becca Stevens will discuss “Creating Social Enterprise in Your Region through Empowering the Powerless: An Entrepreneurship with a Mission” as part of the Alma and Clifford Pearson Distinguished Speakers Series. She will also speak during the University Chapel service at 10:10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22.
Stevens founded Women of Magdalene 12 years ago on the premise that love changes lives. There are five residential communities of women who have criminal histories of drug abuse and prostitution. Each woman receives housing, food, medical aid, therapy, education and job training at no cost for two years. They hand-make natural bath and body care produces that are distributed nationally as part of Magdalene’s cottage business, Thistle Farms.
The Episcopal priest and chaplain at St. Augustine’s Chapel at Vanderbilt University has raised $9 million and received numerous honors including the Frist Foundation’s award for “Innovation in Action” and The Tennessean newspaper’s “Tennessean of the Year” award. Stevens has written three books: “Finding Balance: Loving God With Heart and Soul, Mind and Strength,” “Hither & Yon: A Travel Guide for the Spiritual Journey” and “Sanctuary: Unexpected Places Where God Found Me.”
CLU’s Center for Leadership and Campus Ministry are sponsoring the free event. The chapel is located near the corner of Olsen Road and Campus Drive. For more information, call (805) 493-3330 or e-mail campusministry@callutheran.edu.