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​Ms. Desiree Bowers, CEO & Founder
Chance House of East Tennessee
I am Ms. Desiree Bowers, a faithful Church of Christ member and I worship @ Laurel Church of Christ, 3457 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. Mark Smith, Minister. 

I started my faithful journey after a 20-year addiction to crack cocaine and a lifestyle that evolves with it. On September 18, 1994, I surrendered to God. It was not an easy task to give up myself, but through the love and help of my Christian family and other recovering addicts, keeping my life simple, and living it one day at a time I am now free.  


During my journey, I became a spokesperson against domestic violence, sexual abuse, and substance abuse. God's journey for my life involved becoming a member of the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence. I traveled through the state of Tennessee sharing my story and volunteering services with the Memphis/Shelby County Health Department, Memphis/Shelby County Domestic Violence Council, Salvation Army, YWCA, and DARE program.

Incarceration and Women
  • Incarceration rate of women is growing at a faster rate than that of men (Sabol and Couture, 2008)
  • Women have a different offense profile than men-higher drug and property crimes than men, lower violent crimes than men (BJS 2012)
  • Justice Involved Women have a different clinical picture: higher HIV, drug use mental health diagnoses, physical/ sexual/ family abuse and violence (CSOSA 2014)​
  • Approximately 1% (1,400) of state and federal prisoners were women Veterans (BJS 2007)
  • Growth in women Veteran population + growth justice involved women may lead to growth in justice involved women Veterans.​

I wanted to know more about the disease of addiction I attended Southwest Community College and received a certificate in Substance Abuse Counseling. During my active drug use, I became a parent to 3 little boys and had no idea of how to parent. In my training with new life, I included the completion of a Parenting Class from Exchange Club Family Center. This new life took a positive journey,  a Certificate of Appreciation from the Shelby County Board of Commissioners, a completion certificate from Senator Tommy Burks Victim Assistance Academy and Shelby County Training Division of Correction, as well as a Certificate of Appreciation from the University of Tennessee's "Take Back the Night."    


I am the author of two extraordinary fictions based on a true life story, "The Prodigal Daughter" & "Who Are You, I Am Me." 


God is not through with me yet! I hope not anyways. My prayers for transitional housing to accommodate veteran and non veteran women reentering society were answered in 2014. Whenever God has a plan for any of us to execute He connects us to the right person(s). Mrs. Mae Mosley, MarketsDemandMore, MDM LLC. Mrs. Mosley worked with me patiently to develop a business plan, establish a charter, 501c3, and tax exemption.   Mrs. Kathy Ellis, Sr. Project Specialist, Knoxville, Tennessee, Community Development Department. Mrs. Ellis worked diligently with me in searching for a house listed in, "The HomeMakers Property Disposition Program."       


We are now open for business! 


Thank you in advance for all your prayers and support. God Bless you and keep you always.




Desiree