To Everything There Is a Season
by Alyssa Richie, Anderson Center Director
In Ecclesiastes 3:1, God informs us that, “to everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under the heaven…” As a devoted Christian and woman of God, this scripture has proven to be true time and time again throughout my life.
As First Choice for Women moves forward in 2019, I am honored to be the new Center Director of Anderson and Madison County. My hope is to ignite those I meet with a desire to make a difference and serve God alongside of our ministry. I feel so blessed to have been called to lead our center into a new season of growth and excitement!
About Me
My name is Alyssa Ritchie, my husband, Matthew Ritchie, and I are blessed to be the parents of our three wonderful children. Our family attends Madison Park Church of God and we actively serve through our church missions.
I have spent 6 years in the Human Services field and look forward to using my skills and experience to benefit the women and families in need throughout Anderson and Madison County.
When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my family. Our children are very active in clubs and athletics, which keeps us on the go, but we are always looking for activities that allow us to spend quality time together. We love the outdoors - hiking, fishing, kayaking - spending time in and around the water are our favorite things to do.
In my personal down time I enjoy reading, writing, and snuggling with my rescue babies (I have 6 rescued animals).
Vision for the Future
During this new season for First Choice in Anderson and Madison County, we want to ensure that every member of our great community knows about First Choice for Women and the variety of free services we offer.
We are also dedicated to partnering with the other organizations that serve our community. Together we can help ensure that the women, men and families in Anderson and Madison County are receiving the assistance they need to fully care for themselves and their children.
As we approach our two year anniversary in Anderson, one of our goals is to expand center hours so that we can better meet the needs of our community. With expansion and growth, comes the need for additional volunteers to serve in the ministry. Together, our staff and volunteers are prayerfully seeking those special people called from the Anderson and Madison County churches, businesses, and educational institutions to work alongside First Choice and surround the women and families of this community with love, compassion, and prayer. The more volunteers we have available to serve, the more hours we are able to open our center to the public and allow Jesus to shine His light over the community as women and families prepare to make life-affirming choices.
Galatians 6:2 states “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ”.
While believing there is a season for everything, I also stand firm in the belief that as Christ followers we are called to love and serve just as Jesus did. There is a great need for compassion and support in the Anderson and Madison County area, and a great need for people like you.
As we venture into this exciting new season, I encourage you to search your heart and prayerfully consider partnering with us. There are many opportunities to make a real difference in the life of someone in need through First Choice, right here in Anderson and Madison County. I look forward to all God has in store for this ministry and I look forward to hearing from you!
