FREEDOM

Coaching for the Justice Involved

ABOUT ME

Greetings! I’m Katy Longnecker

Several years back, a dear friend of mine shared with me the mission of Side by Side, and what it meant for her in her role as a coach. My first reaction was, “I want to do that!” and she told me I could. However, that meant first obtaining my ICF coaching certification, a process that took about a year. So, I did.

Once I finished that certification, I reached out to Dana at SBS, and, thankfully, at that time, there was a space for me on the team as a coach. What a privilege! Not only did I join the team, but she also had a client for me to start coaching right away. An instant wave of nervous excitement rushed over me. I was ready to come alongside those leaving the justice system, to coach them, share resources, and be their cheering section.

That first day was two years ago. In those two years, I was able to work with dozens of clients. What an honor to be trusted with their stories, their lives, and their consistent hardships, and to be able to tell them that their lives could look different, that they have purpose and value, and that they have what it takes to change the next chapter of their lives. Some clients would show up once or twice, but others would show up time and time again, with a changed mindset, new patterns of choices, and a better understanding of themselves and the value they hold. It was a joy to be a part of their journey.

As we move forward, I hope there might be a way to continue supporting these clients on a smaller scale, even though SBS is officially closing its doors as a non-profit. I would love the opportunity to continue to come alongside our clients, to keep coaching, and to help facilitate resources for them. I plan to foster relationships with the Denver County jail as well as a few other facilities and offer “scholarships” to clients that show interest in coaching once they are released.