Sherry Graves

Sherry's charismatic style, dramatic poise and humorous deliveries is making her a much demanded facilitator who is ALWAYS requested again and again. Her practical content and compelling delivery never disappoints; audiences can sit back, relax and enjoy discussion topics including;
• Discover or rediscover self healing and recovery
• Discover how to accept your past and present circumstances, in the process of learning to love yourself again, even with scars
• Identify causes and underlying issues involving substance abuse
• Learn how to identify warning signs of drug addiction and where to go for help
• Learn how to break the emotional addictive cycle
• Understand consequences of teen runaway and some of the impacts of making bad choices
• Learn how to protect yourself from Bullying
• Learn how to protect yourself from Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI’s)
• Learn how to prevent Unplanned Teen Pregnancy
• Learn how to identify some consequences of dropping out of high school
• Learn how to develop essentials to healing, self-love, self-care and self-awareness
• Learn the effects of Sexual Abuse & Domestic Violence
• Acknowledge the warning signs of an abusive relationship
• Reprogram your negative thinking into positive thinking
• Discover your purpose, talents and gifts

Sherry Graves- Author, Survivor
Scars tell a story. In her book entitled “A FIRE WITHIN” someone set the fire and left us, for dead, Sherry acknowledges how she has found peace and purpose in the hurts of her past. Scars by their very nature, imply there’s a story to tell. They represent a wrinkle in time in which a person’s life is changed forever, and they serve as permanent reminders of an incident that, in one way or another, has made a lasting impression on one’s life. Each scar represents a moment in time when something happened to us or through us that we will never forget. Sherry says, I have several scars on my body as a fire survivor, and each has a story to tell. Some people have very painful scars too, but we cannot see them. You know the ones I’m talking about, we all have them. They are the scars on our hearts and in our souls the scars of rejection, disappointments, the scars of years of abuse and broken dreams.

Sherry says, after reading Sharon Jaynes life changing book “Our Scars Are Beautiful to God” I was finally set free from years of living in fear and bondage, hiding myself, from myself and everyone. We receive scars in one of two ways: what has been done to us by other people or what has been done through us by our own mistakes and failures. It was after reading “Our Scars Are Beautiful to God” that I learned that my scars are not something I need to hide or be ashamed of, but rather an invitation to share the healing power of Jesus Christ with a hurting world. For a scar, by its very definition, implies healing (Jaynes, Sharon 2006).

This book inspired me because I had never looked at the wounds in my life as potential treasures. But after digging deeper, and after I pushed aside all the dirt, I discovered the jewels that lie beneath the surface. Like sparkling diamonds, glistening rubies, and shimmering emeralds, my scars are beautiful to God. I was on an amazing journey to finding the peace that I so desperately needed and “purpose in the pain of my past” and when I did it changed the course of my entire life. A former drug-addict/dealer Sherry shares a powerful Testimony of how God SAVED her life and anointed her to use her tragedy to help others. She says, I’m no longer contributing to the problems in our society, today I am an instrumental part to the solutions. I provide Spiritual Healing, Addiction Education and Drug Awareness to hurting people as my way of giving back to God, myself, my family and my community.

In her book entitled- “A FIRE WITHIN” she explains her story is so much more than just a story about a former drug addict. The beauty in her journey is now Sherry has emerged as a successful, dynamic and powerful woman and she gives all the Glory to God with a daily prayer of gratitude. She acknowledges that the fire within her is her passion and gifts which she uses to lift God up, and magnify him because she says, He is so great and awesome. In “A Fire Within” she shares her personal experiences of crack addiction and how someone set the fire and left me for dead. Sherry says, in sharing my Testimony I am very transparent giving my readers a close-up look in the life of a drug addict. I have not “sugar coated” any of it. This was done intentionally so as to give Wings of Hope to those of you who also are caught-up using drugs. I share my “Rock Bottom” experiences with my readers because I realized that after hitting rock bottom the only place for me to go, was up. What was so profound to me was when I found out that no matter how low we go, God will meet us in our lowest places and pick-us up, bring us out and set us on higher ground. Today Sherry is “Empowering” women and men, young and old who have substance abuse problems and people who are in need of finding healing from the pains of their past and she is encouraging them that they too can conquer their demons and rise out of that life of self-destruction to emerge as confident, powerful and successful women and men of God. In speaking to thousands of individuals both throughout her professional career and personally since her tragedy her passions has been targeting individuals with involvement in the Criminal Justice System, Substance Abuse Programs and in Hospital Settings. She has started her own company-Beyond My Scars a Counseling Program for men, women and especially teens dealing with substance abuse issues, physical, sexual and emotional abuse, catering to individuals in need of healing from trauma.

A Prayer Warrior Sherry prays for herself, her family, friends, even strangers on the street, in supermarket’s, hospitals, jails everywhere she can. Her gifts and passion in sharing her Testimony has been inspirational in making a difference in the lives of others desperately in need of healing.

Since changing her life 17 years ago, she has earned a Master’s degree in Social Work, she is a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). In August 2012 her book entitled, "A Fire Within" won her 1st prize at the Impact and Influence Authors Conference. Then in February 2013 she was named "VIP Woman of the Year" within the National Association of Professional Women (NAPW). Sherry is also an International Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor. She’s a Certified DUI Clinical Evaluator and Treatment Provider. She is currently employed in the field of Mental Health, and previously worked for the Drug Court Program(s). She has also worked in Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Programs in New York City as a Substance Abuse Counselor, and she worked at the New York City Department for the Aging, Elderly Crime Victims Resource Center.

Sherry stated, I thank God for Bishop Dale C. Bronner at the Word of Faith Church his teachings have been instrumental in my healing journey. Also, a special thanks to the many other Pastor’s, and Ministers who have contributed to my growth and bringing me closer to the Lord. I have come into my own, into this new person-and I love her very much and that’s so awesome.
For more information on Sherry Graves-MSW, CADC, Inspirational Speaker/Author
and her book, “A Fire Within” please visit (link hidden)

Sherry Graves Travel/Accommodations Details; the blanks are filled in based on what services are needed and where the service will take place. If it is a local engagement within the Atlanta metro area this portion does not apply.

AIRFARE:
2 at $_____ each $_____
• Ms. Graves and Personal Assistant/Materials Coordinator
• Names traveling Sherry Graves and Assistant
• ____________ Airlines
• Departs Atlanta on______________Time___________
• Returns to Atlanta on_______________Time___________

HOTEL:
$90.-$150. (per night)
• ___ night(s) stay
• Hotel is in __________________________
• Inquired with ______________________________________________(4 listed)

PER DIEM
Total $_____
• $75. per day X 2 people

Speaking engagement, workshop or seminar:

MATERIALS NEEDED
• Podium
• Microphone – preferably a lapel mic
• 3 6-8 ft. tables for Books, DVD’s, CD’s, T-shirts, pamphlets etc.
NOTE- My assistant will manage the table(s)
• Autograph signing table for Ms. Graves

REQUESTS
• 1 Hour time frame set aside after the event for autograph signing
• Waiting room with juice, fruit or light snacks, beverages

Speaking Engagement or Workshops - 1 hour each, Special 2 hours

Seminar – 2 hours with a 15 minute break. Usually 2 or 3 days

National Speaking/Book signing Tour:
powerpoint happens first while crowd is gathering then I speak for about 15 minutes and next the book signing occurs. NOTE I need a clear white or light colored wall to project the presentation on and to hang our banner. 2-4 volunteers needed as well depending on number expected to attend. You must have at least 30 people minimum up to unlimited maximum in attendance.
Contact us for the city and states tour dates that may not be listed yet. Other states can be added if the schedule allows for this.

To host a Speaking and Book Signing event we ask that you cover airfare for 2, hotel accomodations and per diem. Ms. Graves does not charge for speaking however a love offering or honorarium is appreciated as it helps her to continue with the ministry of this book. This event is usually free to the general public however some hosting venues may charge a reasonable fee at the host's discretion.

Outside events:
Will require a tented area that is blocked off for crowd control and two or more 6-8 feet tables and chairs to accommodate our needs. Plenty of bottled juice/beverages and snacks.

Any additional needs will be detrimined based on each individual situation.