Hi, I’m Lindsay Eubanks, Scarlet Hope’s newest employee. As a child, I breathed the same air and stomped the same ground as many of the ladies Scarlet Hope serves. I grew up just a few blocks from the strip clubs on Seventh Street. I graduated with a degree in Occupational Therapy in 2002 and have worked in a variety of settings from pediatrics to recovery and homeless programs. Since coming to faith in Christ over 15 years ago, I’ve had many experiences in life that have prepared me for walking with the ladies of Scarlet Hope. In addition to my childhood roots and a family that was no stranger to substance abuse, my husband and I were missionaries for 6 years in an inner-city neighborhood in Louisville. We learned so much (most of it the hard way) about the inner-city culture and what the gospel looks like in that environment. I also grew much thicker skin! Now we have two spunky kids and are long-time members of Sojourn Community Church.
So what am I doing at Scarlet Hope? I am an occupational therapist and Life Skills Coach for the ladies of Scarlet Hope. My goal is to equip the women with practical life skills that have been neglected/disrupted due to trauma- all through the lens of the Gospel. Think back to who taught you how to balance a checkbook, boil water, change a tire or resolve a conflict. Many of us were lucky enough to have parents or teachers who taught us these skills. Most of the ladies we serve have had these types of life skills neglected or disrupted due to trauma, poverty and addiction. Sadly, medical insurance and the traditional medical model of therapy generally will not pay for therapy and life skills training from a Christian perspective. Also, due to many of the ladies living in a constant state of “survival and crisis mode,” they are not usually in a place in life where basic healthcare is a priority – much less specific life skill development. My prayer is that with life skill development, the cycle of chaos can be broken that often keeps ladies in sin cycles, abusive relationships, addiction, early parenthood, welfare cycles, etc.
Over the past few years I have sensed God’s desire to use me to enable women to identify and grow in the basic skills that they need to live into the giftedness God has given them. The great thing about being at Scarlet Hope is that all of my training in task analysis, program development, evaluation skills, individualized treatment planning, goal development/monitoring and mental health training can be approached through the lens of the gospel of Christ and gospel-centered care. Serving as a Life Skills Coach for the ladies is an honor and I am thrilled to be a part of the community at Scarlet Hope!
Lindsay Eubanks, M.Ed., OTR/L
