From Pain to Purpose: The miracle of Chosen House and its impact on Chandler

It’s a place of healing birthed out of the pain of two sisters, and the impact that they are having in the town of Chandler can only be described as a miracle.

“This did come from pain, but now it’s our purpose,” said Mari Battle, co-founder of Chosen House.

After losing their sister and her son to heart disease sisters Mari and Kim began searching for purpose in their lives.

“We started witnessing first to the ladies at the Lincoln County jail,” said Mari.

The moment of truth came when they saw one of the women leaving one of their sessions.

“And I asked her, 'Where are you going?,' and she said, 'I don’t know,' and something whispered in my ear, the drug dealer will take her back,” said Mari.

The sisters knew immediately they had to create a safe space for women getting out of jail or needing help with addiction. And after renting multiple spaces, their miracle happened.

“Last April, we ended up building this house and it’s paid off,” said Kim Battle, co-founder of Chosen House.

Over 3,800 square feet, housing up to eight ladies at a time, paid off through donations and community support.

The house allows women to spend time with their families while going through the program. The typical stay at the home is nine months, taking the women through classes on finances, nutrition, substance abuse and daily Bible study.

 “Of course, they have to work, the days that they are not working they have to go to church on Sundays; it doesn’t matter whose church, but they have to go to church,” said Kim.

“I got a job, I paid all of my court fines, that was $5,000. I saved $10,000 and was able to buy my own house,” said former resident Regina Cox. 

The sisters credit the incredible success of the program to one thing.

“If you really want to know why you are here ask God, why did you leave me here? He will fill in the blanks because there is no way this could be possible without him,” said Mari.

“If I wouldn’t have had Mari and Kim then I don’t know where I would be right now,” said Cox.

The sisters recently purchased an affordable rental home for women transitioning out of the program. The hope is to purchase more to help more women. For more information about Chosen House, visit them on Facebook @The Chosen House, Inc.