Jean M. NorrisFounder/CEO JTETLP
It started at an early age for me, this thing called, “a journey.” I realized even in a joke I was destined for this journey.
You see, for me, my life has been a journey, not a destination (or a trip). Every life has a measure of sorrow and pain, however, this journey awakened the purpose within me. I grew up on the urban tough streets of New Jersey with a mother who demonstrated actions that left me filled with a desire to have more than what we experienced. Wow, just to have an encouraging word from Momma …well, let’s not go there. Few words are needed to describe the relationship with my father, which is a better way of saying I never had one. As a matter of fact, can you tell me what he looks like?
As a result of the emotional state of my childhood, I gave birth to two children at the prime ages of 18 and 20. This was the best thing for me. They erected the bridge between the loveless family structure to the devoted mother I became. Perhaps not wanting my children to have the same questions and emptiness is why I stayed in an abusive relationship with a man that was 10 years my senior, who definitely was not the father he should have been. I found myself with two children, an abusive man, and yes — I know you’re waiting for this — yes, I was in the drug scene. But, my journey continued…
It was said I was destined to be just another statistic, but all journeys have secrets even I, as the traveler, was unaware of. Many are called but few are chosen. I knew very early in my life that I was truly chosen, the realization of which came when I became a family member of The Power Center. My pastor and dearest friend, Will Horn, chose me through the Holy Spirit as his first female minister. From there, my journey made a RIGHT turn. Now the journey and its purpose are finally being revealed. My ministry led me to fulfill the part of my journey that has taken 9 years to form and birth into reality.
My search for purpose took me through many treacherous places and crossed many faces, but it all prepared me for “The Journey to Empowerment Transitional Living Program”. This is where my journey made a major RIGHT turn. The JTE program is not a business venture for me; it’s a direct reflection of my life. It’s important that everyone understands why I’m doing this. I seriously do not want a single young adult denied an opportunity to have a positive decision in the RIGHT turns they make in their life.
My focus is to make a difference in this world — one soul at a time. It’s not what happens to you that determine how far you will go in life; it’s how you handle what happens to you that matters. This is where JTE makes the difference. Here we teach “The how.” With God as my GPS, we will reach everyone’s ultimate destination…
SUCCESS.
You see, for me, my life has been a journey, not a destination (or a trip). Every life has a measure of sorrow and pain, however, this journey awakened the purpose within me. I grew up on the urban tough streets of New Jersey with a mother who demonstrated actions that left me filled with a desire to have more than what we experienced. Wow, just to have an encouraging word from Momma …well, let’s not go there. Few words are needed to describe the relationship with my father, which is a better way of saying I never had one. As a matter of fact, can you tell me what he looks like?
As a result of the emotional state of my childhood, I gave birth to two children at the prime ages of 18 and 20. This was the best thing for me. They erected the bridge between the loveless family structure to the devoted mother I became. Perhaps not wanting my children to have the same questions and emptiness is why I stayed in an abusive relationship with a man that was 10 years my senior, who definitely was not the father he should have been. I found myself with two children, an abusive man, and yes — I know you’re waiting for this — yes, I was in the drug scene. But, my journey continued…
It was said I was destined to be just another statistic, but all journeys have secrets even I, as the traveler, was unaware of. Many are called but few are chosen. I knew very early in my life that I was truly chosen, the realization of which came when I became a family member of The Power Center. My pastor and dearest friend, Will Horn, chose me through the Holy Spirit as his first female minister. From there, my journey made a RIGHT turn. Now the journey and its purpose are finally being revealed. My ministry led me to fulfill the part of my journey that has taken 9 years to form and birth into reality.
My search for purpose took me through many treacherous places and crossed many faces, but it all prepared me for “The Journey to Empowerment Transitional Living Program”. This is where my journey made a major RIGHT turn. The JTE program is not a business venture for me; it’s a direct reflection of my life. It’s important that everyone understands why I’m doing this. I seriously do not want a single young adult denied an opportunity to have a positive decision in the RIGHT turns they make in their life.
My focus is to make a difference in this world — one soul at a time. It’s not what happens to you that determine how far you will go in life; it’s how you handle what happens to you that matters. This is where JTE makes the difference. Here we teach “The how.” With God as my GPS, we will reach everyone’s ultimate destination…
SUCCESS.
This vision is for a future time.
It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled
If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will take place.
It will not be delayed
— Habakkuk 2:3 NLT
It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled
If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will take place.
It will not be delayed
— Habakkuk 2:3 NLT
Jean M. Norris is the founder and CEO of Journey to Empowerment Transitional Living Program, Inc. She is also a specialized adviser, speaker, consultant and life/business coach. Contact her for more information.