It Takes a Village

Reecy's Story

Reecy, Trinity, Kynslee and Summer-Day

Hello. My name is Durecelle Butler, and I am a Ripple of One participant. I am pleased to share my Ripple journey so far. 

Before joining Ripple, I was in a very confused state. My marriage had just ended, and I was living with my sister and mother, trying to get back on my feet. I suffered a lot of depression during this time and was looking for anything to make me happy. My mom told me about the Ripple of One program, because she noticed the emotional state that I was in. She thought it would be a good idea for me to join the program for the support, so I applied. 

Since being in Ripple, I have been able to create a budget and stick to it. Before, I would always write a budget and follow it for a couple of months, and that would be it. I would just spend money here and there and not save. Now, I have a savings account and maintain a steady flow into it and don’t touch what is in it. I was able to enroll back into school at Anderson University to finish my senior year, after eight years of being out. I would  not have been able to do this without the help from everyone  at Ripple. 

I suffer from very low self-esteem and confidence issues, but since being in Ripple, I have become a little more confident. I struggle daily with this, but I am encouraged  by everyone in the program working with me. Every day is a growing and learning process, but I am slowly getting back to the woman I once was. I am working on a major lifestyle change with my health coach, Gabi. We are working on goals of incorporating more vegetables into my diet, as well as exercising 2 times a week. This is giving me more confidence every day, knowing I am changing habits that will help me be healthier. 

I never thought that I would have a support system outside of my family, but since joining Ripple of One, I have gained another family. My financial coach, Jim, helps me create and stick to my budget every month and save money for an emergency fund, if needed. My mentor, Teri, is always there to get me back on track when I feel like I am falling off the deep end. Gabi is very patient and sweet and shows me that we all are not perfect and that with time, we can change the habits we have formed and become who we want to be. My Ripple family shows me many different ways to stay strong, and I am very appreciative of them. I would not be where I am today without them. 

My children enjoy coming to Ripple and going to the Little Rippler’s program. Kynslee loves working in the garden and being able to shop in the store with the money she earns. Summer-Day loves being able to color pictures for me and her teachers each week and playing with her friends. When Trinity is able to come, she loves the discussions the teens have on the current topics that are going on in the world today.