For many of the women who walk through the doors of Heart Change Ministries, simply getting there can take a great deal of effort.
A morning may begin with getting children ready, finding transportation, dealing with a car that won’t start, or carrying the weight of challenges at home. By the time they arrive, some women are already overwhelmed.
That is why creating a safe, welcoming environment matters.
With support from a Kaleo grant, Heart Change replaced the harsh fluorescent lighting in its large gathering room with a new, flexible lighting system. The room is used each morning for worship, as well as for Bible studies, children’s activities, parenting programs, and other gatherings.
The new lighting may seem like a simple improvement, but for women who have experienced trauma, their surroundings can make a meaningful difference. Heart Change staff shared that darkness, closed spaces, and even certain types of lighting can be difficult for some of the women they serve. The new system allows staff to adjust the lighting for different activities while maintaining an atmosphere that feels calm and welcoming.
One mother has shown Heart Change staff just how meaningful that environment can be.
When she first began attending, she often entered the room visibly stressed. She would sit quietly with her head down, sometimes looking at her phone and rarely engaging in worship. She was also navigating significant challenges at home while parenting two children with special needs.
Over the past several months, staff have watched something begin to change.
Now, by the end of worship, she may have tears in her eyes and look as though a weight has been lifted. Other mornings, she is smiling and singing along—something she rarely did before. She is also more engaged with her child, inviting her onto her lap, talking with her, and singing together.
Morning worship has become a place where she—and other women at Heart Change—can set down some of the burdens they are carrying.
“It’s a great time for them to feel safe, loved, and protected,” Heart Change staff shared. “They know they’re in a room of people who love them and care about them. It’s okay to cry. It’s okay to show emotion. They feel like they can let some of the stress go.”
The same space is now being used in new ways throughout the week. Adjustable lighting makes it easier to watch Bible study videos, creates a softer environment for music activities with mothers and young children, and provides a brighter indoor play space during colder months.
For Heart Change, the grant was about much more than replacing lights. It helped strengthen a space where women can experience encouragement, community, and the love of Christ—and where, little by little, they can begin to imagine something beyond simply getting through the day.
Thanks to gifts from people like you, Kaleo can respond to real ministry needs and help strengthen the work of partners like Heart Change.
Prayer Focus
Heart Change is preparing for what is expected to be its largest Mom’s University class yet. Please pray for the women who will participate—that their hearts will be open and receptive to what God wants to teach them and to the purpose He has for their lives.
Volunteer Opportunities
To learn more about volunteer opportunities with Heart Change, visit www.heartchangeindy.org or email Courtney at cgamage@heartchangeindy.org.
