De’Jone Watts
Women's Support and Social Services Manager
Central Valley California
Email De'Jone
Prior to coming to Root & Rebound, DeJone was an Americorps Vista, and a volunteer at a women’s rehabilitation home in Fresno, CA. She, pulling from her own experiences, counseled women and taught classes there. DeJone has always served others, even in her darkest times, she’d do what she could – it was the one thing that made her feel purposeful. But when she got home from prison, she was told that with her background, she would never get to work in the field she was most passionate about (Helping others out of dark places) . DeJone applied time and time again. She applied to orgs that work within the community, was offered positions, and yet even after disclosing her charges, her offers were revoked. This was devastating for her. But her faith was strong, and the village around her would speak over her when she felt weary, reminding her that she was called to this work, and nothing she went through would be wasted. DeJone knew that eventually she would get a yes, so she continued to pray and apply. DeJone reached out to R&R for help with record cleaning. A couple of years later a position became available, and she applied.
On a personal level, DeJone is a believer, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and mentor. She’s a system impacted, formerly incarcerated woman who loves to build up community, and use her personal experience to pave the way. DeJone loves being in environments that promote good health within the mental, spiritual, emotional, physical, and financial areas of her life. She believes that the healthier one is in those areas, the easier it is to teach others to live from the same place. And as a system impacted woman, who is focused on shifting things generationally for her children, and the people she serves, those areas of growth are fundamental. DeJone as a way of life believes in walking in love, extending grace, and forgiveness daily.
A few of her favs:
Matt 22:37-39, John 15:1-17, Proverbs 1:3,5-6 , Matt 25:23
“The fruit of love is service, which is compassion in action” – St. Mother Teresa
“It takes a village” – DeJone
De’Jone Watts
Women's Support and Social Services Manager
Central Valley California
Email De'Jone
Prior to coming to Root & Rebound, DeJone was an Americorps Vista, and a volunteer at a women’s rehabilitation home in Fresno, CA. She, pulling from her own experiences, counseled women and taught classes there. DeJone has always served others, even in her darkest times, she’d do what she could – it was the one thing that made her feel purposeful. But when she got home from prison, she was told that with her background, she would never get to work in the field she was most passionate about (Helping others out of dark places) . DeJone applied time and time again. She applied to orgs that work within the community, was offered positions, and yet even after disclosing her charges, her offers were revoked. This was devastating for her. But her faith was strong, and the village around her would speak over her when she felt weary, reminding her that she was called to this work, and nothing she went through would be wasted. DeJone knew that eventually she would get a yes, so she continued to pray and apply. DeJone reached out to R&R for help with record cleaning. A couple of years later a position became available, and she applied.
On a personal level, DeJone is a believer, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and mentor. She’s a system impacted, formerly incarcerated woman who loves to build up community, and use her personal experience to pave the way. DeJone loves being in environments that promote good health within the mental, spiritual, emotional, physical, and financial areas of her life. She believes that the healthier one is in those areas, the easier it is to teach others to live from the same place. And as a system impacted woman, who is focused on shifting things generationally for her children, and the people she serves, those areas of growth are fundamental. DeJone as a way of life believes in walking in love, extending grace, and forgiveness daily.
A few of her favs:
Matt 22:37-39, John 15:1-17, Proverbs 1:3,5-6 , Matt 25:23
“The fruit of love is service, which is compassion in action” – St. Mother Teresa
“It takes a village” – DeJone
