I have known Shelley Collingwood for many years. She is a wise, quite woman from the heart of Texas. I have much respect for her. She has been a mentor in training for some time now.
A few months ago, she began this spiritual journey and as I watched her gain her balance and grow in spirit, I knew she was just the mentor to host a weekly circle here in our unit, one focused on emotions, coping strategies and goals.
I love watching how the circle flows so well. Ms. Collingwood possess the important gift of active listening and with the skill of a therapist, she delivers just the right amount of feedback when needed.
Ms. Collingwood has raised her children from behind these walls for nine years; in our parenting workshops, she has much to contribute to the young ladies coming in who are still sorting out how it will be without their children, how to communicate effectively with the persons tasked with caring for them.
The women in our unit seek out Ms. Collingwood for advice and she gives that advice based on the wisdom of Robert Greene. She has read every one of his books and quotes him regurally.
Ms. Collingwood, in my opinion is one of the ladies, like me, who came out of Texas from a time of mass incarcerated, where drug treatment was only an option for the wealthy and a single mom trying to make it in a small town met with an unfair disadvantage.
Shellee is someone who has done the work on herself, she has a solid plan for the future and she is making a positive ripple in the community here at Aliceville. I have no doubt she will be one to watch once she earns her freedom.
May it be soon.
She has my full support,
Celeste Monette Blair
Creator of Peer Success &
the Collective
