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Bridges to Life Staff

Deborah Hartman — Central Texas Regional Coordinator — Email

While working for Victim Services in Hays County, Deborah attended a conference in Houston. It was there that she was introduced to Bridges To Life. After visiting the display booth and speaking to the women at the booth, Deborah knew instantly that she wanted to be a volunteer for the program. She even won the Bridges To Life bear as a door prize and put it on her computer back at the office to remind herself of what she one day hoped to be a part of.

The mother of two and the wife of a man permanently disabled from a DWI accident, she knew well the suffering from another’s bad decision. Unfortunately it was her husband’s bad decision that had so adversely affected their lives. Knowing that the pain occurred on both sides and that healing was needed in every life affected, she struggled at her job that required 100% advocacy for the victims and did not provide an opportunity for offering compassion to the offender and his/her family. She understood her role but it proved to be a very difficult role for one knowing well the pain of “the other side”. Bridges To Life did just what she was looking for. It bridged the gap between the two sides. With love, forgiveness and the Holy Spirit at its core, she has witnessed incredible healings on both sides. After volunteering as a facilitator she was asked to become a Regional Coordinator for Central Texas.

Bridges to Life Book

Restoring Peace – Using Lessons From Prison to Mend Broken Relationships details the principles used in the Bridges To Life program, combined with actual stories from victim and inmate participants. The book is intended for repairing or improving relationships with others.

Inmate Comments

“The best part about this program is the small group setting which allows both victim and inmate to be open and honest with one another and the trust, confidence that is built through these groups.”