A Faith Fueled Journey
Words by Amy Byrd | Image by Ryan McGill
In the quaint Walker County community, my life's journey unfolded, weaving through the threads of faith, challenges, and an unyielding commitment to making a difference. As I reflect on my path from youth to the present, it becomes evident that God's hands have guided every step.
Years ago, I sat in the pickup line at my daughter's school daily, watching kids disperse in various directions. Amidst them, a particular boy and his dog always caught my eye. Running across the street to meet his siblings, shirtless with oversized shoes, he exuded a resilience that touched my heart. Weeks turned into months, and still, no guardian appeared on the porch of the house they called home.
This boy, along with his siblings, inspired what would later become The Healing House. My heart! swelled with concern for children who lacked after-school support during a crucial time in their lives. I began praying for this family and others like them, wondering what resources and outlets these kids needed.
Observing the lack of after-school programs for students, especially during such a critical time in their lives, spurred me to action. Drawing on my own experiences and the void I felt during my eighth-grade year, I envisioned a place where children could find solace, engage in extracurricular activities, and receive the support they needed. This became the genesis of The Healing House, known initially as FLAMES (Fearlessly Loving Accepting Mentoring and Encouraging Students) in 2015.
Growing up, I witnessed Love's small yet profound impact through my grandmother, Mary Alice. Recently celebrating 95 beautiful years of her life, she crafted a legacy of love that changed perspectives. Her gestures were not grand, but her ability to make each person she encountered feel deeply loved and seen spoke volumes. In her simple acts, I find inspiration for The Healing House, a haven dedicated to providing love and support to those who need it most.
The land where The Healing House now stands holds the prayers of my dad's mother, Sybil Agatha. Raising seven children through prayer and hard work, she retired from Mar-Jac Poultry after 30 years, relying on the Lord's strength every step of the way. Her legacy of interceding for generations to come has been a beacon of hope for our family and, by association, so many others.
As we navigate from small beginnings to impactful futures, The Healing House team envisions tiny retreat cabins, outdoor classrooms, herbal healing gardens, and prayer walking trails. Plans include education for self-regulation, trauma healing skills, and expansions downtown, all under the banner of The Mayes Family Foundation Center. The goal is to offer tangible support, education, and resources for families in need, following the spirit of Mary Alice and Sybil Agatha.
We are also beginning two scholarship funds. The first is the Irvin Dewayne Mayes Scholarship Fund, available for students planning to gain certification in trades such as mechanics. This fund is in honor of my brother, who lost his life to domestic violence. The second fund is for first-generation college students. Additionally, we are collaborating to offer dance and movement classes to four- to seven-year-olds in the foster system.
The Healing House itself is the homeplace where my grandmother raised my dad and his six siblings. We are continually renovating to accommodate the program's needs, including a dance room, multipurpose/art room, full kitchen for culinary, music room with guitars, ukuleles, and keyboards, and a wellness room for individual check-ins and progress monitoring. In addition to teaching self-regulation and trauma response skills, we believe exposure to the arts and community connections through outreaches and pop-ups are just as significant. Early exposure to the arts is a proactive approach to students' engagement in life-giving activities instead of engaging in activities that steal life, which are prevalent in Walker County.
In my reflections, I am reminded that faith plays a central role in my daily life. It is the foundation that sustains me through life's challenges and triumphs. Faith has been a constant source of strength through the small beginnings of my childhood, marked by seven of the nine Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and later grappling with personal struggles. I have experienced the transformative power of leaning into God through loneliness, anger, and forgiveness.
With love, faith, and a deep understanding that we are all healing from something, The Healing House is not just a physical location but a collective of individual healing houses coming together to expedite wholeness. As I look toward the future, I pray that the exponential energy of collective healing continues to bring transformative growth and connectedness to humanity within Walker County. 78