Reconciling Lives One at a Time
Bryn May was stuck. She was stuck in a manipulative relationship, and a cycle of drugs and despair.
“I got introduced into another world than anything that I had ever before,” May said. “My life really just started falling apart. I started pulling away from my family, isolating myself, and I was just very broken.”
The Dallas native’s parents knew about Reconciliation Outreach — the ministry-based nonprofit that works with both adults and children to nourish the body and soul — because its CEO, Tim Chapman, was a family friend. They knew that’s what she needed.
But May wasn’t ready to be helped. It wasn’t long, however, before she reached her breaking point and realized she couldn’t do it on her own anymore.
“I called my dad, crying, and told him that I was finally ready,” May said. “I walked through the doors of RO and I had to tell myself there was no Plan B. The fact that there was no judgment, and there was no condemnation. They really just loved on me long enough for me to realize who I was.”
That’s the mission of RO: to transform generations by creating a Christian community to meet the needs of broken lives. From individuals like May, to those who are homeless or facing addiction, and even felons trying to find their way again.
quick facts
Reconciliation Outreach was founded in 1987 by Dorothy Moore, affectionately called the “Lady in the Hood.”
• MISSION: To create a Christian community in the inner city to meet the needs of broken lives.
• DONATE: RO currently needs socks, vacuum cleaners, hangers, pillows, ear muffs, winter jackets, computers, a three-door commercial refrigerator, heaters, and blankets. To donate, contact Dawn Cohen at [email protected].
• TEE OFF: The 4th annual golf tournament benefiting RO is April 23 at 8 a.m. at Bear Creek Golf Club. Email: [email protected].
It started when founder Dorothy Moore opened her heart to the East Dallas community almost 30 years ago. She wanted to help those in need, and she started with the children.
Moore implemented Sunday school and after school programs, exposing at-risk children to educational opportunities, activities, and love. As her ministry grew, she began to see the bigger picture.
Pia Molina, a spokeswoman at RO, said Moore talked about how when working with the kids she realized a lot of the problems they faced stemmed from their parents, who were sometimes addicts or living on the streets.
“That’s why she opened up a women’s home, men’s home, and now the transitional housing,” Molina said. “It came in as just outreach for the kids, but I think RO has grown into a holistic way to restore the community.”
Adults are now exposed to a rigorous mix of discipleship, job training, and other opportunities that they may not have otherwise had. Chapman says that the key is for them to get back to life and pursue what they are really called to pursue.
May is an example of how the adult programs can work. She is now sober, courageous, and hopeful for what is to come. She is in her final months of her yearlong journey in RO’s Ministry Intern Personnel Program, and says that she has found her purpose.
May has committed to another year of working with RO to reach out to those who also need help. This is what she was called to do.
“Now, it’s my turn not to make it about me, and to make it about the others that are coming in,” May said. “To get to pay it forward and go through the next year and half on the team with RO and do the internship program and pour into the other people that are coming in that are broken, hurting, and are just longing to be loved and accepted. My vision is to see what I can bring to the team.”
