The Agape Women’s Rehabilitation Center is a life-changing, faith-based, non-profit program in Miami that provides support for women recovering from addiction, trauma, and homelessness by providing a home for them as well as their children. Founded by Reverend Harriett Williams more than three decades ago, Agape offers a safe and structured environment where women can rebuild their lives through counseling and community. These past two years, many students from Carrollton have given their time and volunteered as ambassadors at the center where they are welcomed as family.
The Agape Teen Ambassadors contribute to its homey feel. Many were introduced to the organization by Gracie Membiela ’27, Agape Club’s president. “Being Agape’s president has changed me so much,” said Membiela. “Spending time with the women helps me realize how much God inspires others and how His love guides people through hard times. I love spending time there because I truly get so much back from giving my time and love to them.”
Other ambassadors expressed similar feelings about the strength and resilience they witness at Agape. Agape ambassador Stella Fernandez ‘27 said, “Volunteering at Agape helped me realize the power of communal support and relating to others. The women there are truly inspiring as they are constantly dealing with things that are so heavy but are working to heal. It has shown me how important it is to show up for others and treat them with kindness.”
This sense of inspiration is shared by many. Giselle DiMare ‘27 said, “I am able to listen to the women’s stories and the difficulties they have faced, and how they share their unconditional love for Christ, and how Christ has changed their lives for the better.”
For other volunteers, the experience is deeply personal. “At Agape, I get to talk with each individual woman and hear their life stories and how God’s presence lifted them up and impacted them,”said Josephine Salazar ‘27.
And for other ambassadors, volunteering is about seeing life through a different lens. “It’s all about understanding life from their perspective and spreading a little bit of happiness into their day,” said Sol Perez ‘27.
Together, these stories reveal that Agape is more than a rehabilitation center–it is a family-filled community where people can find faith, love, and second chances. For the women who live there, Agape offers hope and healing, and for the students who volunteer, it offers awareness and a deeper understanding of service. As Carrollton continues its partnership with Agape, each visit becomes a reminder that little acts of compassion can transform lives.
