Breaking Free by Faith celebrates 10 years

ST. PETERSBURG – Supporters as well as former and current clients of Breaking Free By Faith Outreach Ministries, Inc. gathered to celebrate with founders Ernest and Dr. Clarissa Hersey-James the tenth anniversary of the not for profit organization last month at the Enoch Davis Center.

With the need for transitional housing for homeless people with substance abuse, domestic violence, mental health issues and those being released from jail or prison so great, St. Petersburg is blessed with the Jameses and their ministry.

Established in 2004, Breaking Free provides shelter, transitional, affordable/permanent housing to help them transition back into society and work toward self-sufficiency. Since then, the organization has served over 1,500 individuals for a total of 32,000 shelters day and night stays.

Well over 100 people were in attendance to show true love and support for all the hard work and dedication to the cause of Breaking Free by Faith Outreach Ministries, Inc., which is synonymous with the labor of love of the birth parents of the organization.

A big thanks to all the sponsors, Southside Accident and Rehab, Peyton Lacy with St. Pete MRI and Attorney Nicholas M. Athanason, who did not shy away and donated so that the event could be enjoyed and celebrated on a grand scale.

The event was prepared and hosted by the population of the ministry. Master ceremony Darius Wilson show up and out for the event, and the keynote speaker of the night was Bonnie Marshall, Residential Director for CASA.

Two leadership awards were given out during the evening. The first one went to Kenold Lucien, in celebration of Zachary Johnson’s life, and the second was the Man of Courage Award, which went to Stephen Hersey, who served in the US Navy, in honor of Jesse Abrams’ life.

The event was a huge success thanks in part to the event coordinator Susan Canty, the organizers as well as the sponsors, who all cannot wait to do it all over again next year. Be sure not to miss it as it will leave you with such beautiful memories of a great evening with great friends celebrating life.