Meet Dr. Gayle Smith Daniels of Words of Comfort Ministries in Snellville

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Gayle Smith Daniels.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Having left home at an early age, the decision to start a ministry did not happen overnight. Ever since I can remember, I’ve struggled most of my childhood and adult life with low self-esteem as a result of past hurts and pains. I carried around the “Not Enough Syndrome….” Not good enough, Not smart enough, Not educated enough, Not pretty enough, etc.”

Yet, I constantly felt a calling and tugging at my heart to impact the lives of those who looked like me…. people who struggled in life. The closest population that mirrored me most were the homeless. I had a sense of how they felt…. feelings of abandonment, constant transition, low self-worth, lack of control, instability, stress, and anxiety at its fullest. I recall being at my lowest state of mind during times I really did not have a place to call home. So, I started WOC to touch hearts of homeless women and become a community servant to those in need.

As a result, 12 years ago the inception of Words of Comfort Ministries commenced with four volunteers and implementing our first Healing Through Pampering Program (HTPP) session. The HTPP was designed to show women they are ROYAL QUEENS. This program aims to give homeless women an experience where at the end of the day participants were made to feel like royalty, despite their struggles. As the ministry continued to grow, God begin to identify other populations in need. For instance, women who struggled with their spiritual growth and self-worth, families who struggled with paying bills and keeping food on their tables, students struggled in school and yet desired academically and monetarily to go off to college. These issues prompted the development and implementation of our multi-level programming such as Christian Counseling services, Monthly Women’s Bible Study, Financial Hardship Assistance, College tuition Assistance, Tutoring Services, Shelter Feedings, Adopt-A-Family and Thanksgiving Programs.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Our road has not been easy. Some of our continuous struggles and roadblocks are securing financial support and obtaining a dedicated location. As a non-profit organization, securing a steady funding stream is challenging. Our volunteers and student tutors should be compensated for the work they do. For years, many volunteers work countless hours, dedicating their time and talents with no compensation. Our programs are also limited based on only receiving in-kind donations and personal giving as our base funding.

WOC has a need for a building with the space capacity that will enable us to expand our services and enhance what we currently do. While we are located in a facility that allows for operation of our general counseling and tutoring services, we’ve outgrown the space.

Additionally, our current location is not conducive for other program activities or large enough for our major annual events.

Getting our populations to us is another challenge. WOC would like to readily be able to reach the homeless and bring them to us for services. Secure funding, space and transportation have been our major obstacles.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Words of Comfort Ministries story. Tell us more about the business.
Words of Comfort Ministries (WOC) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization located in Snellville, Georgia. This ministry was established in 2005 to offer hope to hurting women and those who search for help in their day-to-day challenges. Through the implementation of various program activities, our mission is (1) to foster ways to build trust in God reducing feelings and attitudes which block growth, (2) to offer God’s power and strength to others to help respond to crisis as growth opportunities, and (3) to cultivate services that reflect the compassion of Christ to build self-esteem, promote hope and reduce hurting behavior.

Through individual in-kind donations and nearly 30 committed volunteers and multi-level community partners, WOC is able to offer pampering services to homeless women that include clothing, food (fine dining), hair makeovers, facials, massages, pedicures, manicures, biblical teachings, and job preparation skills and techniques. WOC provides general Christian Counseling services, quarterly shelter feedings, financial hardship assistance, tutoring services, college scholarships, and host its annual events such as Back-To-School Drive, Adopt-A-Family, Thanksgiving Drive to individuals and families in need.

WOC is set apart from other organizations as the passion of the ministry is driven through past hardships experienced from its Founder. Dr. Daniels, left home at age 12 and lived with relatives and friends until going off to college. Her purpose for enrolling into Florida A&M University was to secure a place to live and eat. This experience keeps Dr. Daniels humble and enable her to lead a ministry that shows empathy and care for those who looked just like her.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t believe in “luck or coincidence.” I believe there is a passionate God who knows the plans He has for me. Because I’ve accepted the Lord Jesus Christ into my life, I believe God’s grace and mercy (not luck) has allowed and contributed to the successes of my life and ministry. I truly believe God has assigned Angels over me to keep me in all my ways. I believe God knew me when I did not know myself, during my struggles, pains and lowest moments in life. Yet, He allowed me to face trials to mode my heart, build my character and produce perseverance so that I could become spiritually mature. I believe this is why He ordained me to be used as His vessel.

Despite my shortcomings, by His grace (not luck), I’m called for a specific purpose which is to serve Him and His people (especially those who hurt and struggle with day-to-day life challenges). In this way, God gets the glory and Christ is seen in and through me and WOC. Not resulting from luck or coincidences; rather, His assurances.

Contact Info:

• Address: 2140 McGee Road, Suite A-1500
  Snellville, Georgia 30078
• Website: www.wocministries.com
• Phone: 678-357-5637
• Email: info@wocministries.com
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/wocministries

Image Credit:
Marvin Daniels Photography

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