We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Yvonne Spencer a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Yvonne, appreciate you joining us today. We love heartwarming stories – do you have a heartwarming story from your career to share?
My Heartwarming Story
Some call it a mission. Others call it a purpose. But for me, it was a divine calling—one that began long before Wake Up Women & Stand Up Men Incorporated opened its doors in 2018.
It all started when I stepped into the Houston County Detention Center as the Chaplain for Women. Each visit, I met women who felt discarded by the world—women who had lost everything, including hope. I listened to their stories, their struggles, their silent cries for a second chance. And every time I walked out of that facility, my heart grew heavier. I knew I was meant to do more.
The vision was clear: a place of peace for people who had nowhere to go.
I shared my dream with my fiancé, who saw the burden on my heart and believed in it as much as I did. With faith as our foundation, we set out to build a sanctuary—a safe haven for the forgotten, the broken, and the ones the world had given up on. That vision became reality at 414 Lilly Avenue, Macon, GA.
Since then, I have witnessed lives transformed, chains broken, and hope restored. I have seen men and women walk through our doors feeling lost, only to leave with renewed strength and purpose. I have seen second chances turn into fresh beginnings.
This journey has not been easy, but every tear, every prayer, every struggle has been worth it. Because at Wake Up Women & Stand Up Men, we do more than provide shelter—we restore dignity, rebuild confidence, and remind people that their story isn’t over.
I am humbled to be part of this mission, and I know this is only the beginning. God called me to this work, and I will keep answering.
If you believe in second chances, stand with us. If you need a place of peace, our doors—and our hearts—are open to you.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
A Life of Service: Answering the Call
From the moment I walked into Houston County Detention Center as the Chaplain for Women, I knew I was exactly where God had called me to be. Week after week, I sat with women who felt abandoned, who believed their past mistakes defined their future. But I knew better—I knew that God had a plan for each of them.
I listened, I prayed, I encouraged. But deep down, I knew they needed more than just words of hope inside a jail cell. They needed a place of peace when they walked free. A place where they could start over without judgment. A place where second chances weren’t just possible, but promised.
That vision led to the creation of Wake Up Women & Stand Up Men Incorporated in 2018, a shelter and support system for those whom society had given up on. Located at 414 Lilly Avenue, Macon, GA, this shelter became more than just a building—it became a home for the lost, the broken, and the weary.
More Than a Shelter, A Ministry of Healing
My practice isn’t just about providing food and shelter—it’s about restoring lives. Through faith-based counseling, mentorship, and community support, we help men and women heal from trauma, rebuild confidence, and reclaim their future. We stand in the gap for those who have nowhere else to turn.
Women escaping abuse find safety.
Formerly incarcerated men find guidance.
Families facing homelessness find hope.
The lost find direction.
Each person who walks through our doors is met with compassion, dignity, and the unwavering belief that their story isn’t over.
A Mission That Continues
This work isn’t easy, but it is God’s work, and I am honored to serve. I believe in redemption, restoration, and the power of second chances. I believe in the people who come here, even when they don’t believe in themselves. And I will continue to stand in faith for them—just as God has called me to do.
If you need help, know that you are not alone. If you feel called to support this mission, know that every hand lifted, every heart opened, makes a difference.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Faith Over Fear: A Journey of Resilience
Running Wake Up Women & Stand Up Men Incorporated has never been easy. From the moment I opened the doors at 414 Lilly Avenue, Macon, GA, I knew this shelter wasn’t just a place—it was a lifeline for people with nowhere else to go. But what many don’t see is the struggle behind the scenes.
This shelter operates with no outside funding. There have been days when I didn’t know how we would keep the lights on. Nights when I wondered if we’d have enough food to feed those seeking refuge. Moments when doubt whispered, “Maybe this is too much.” But then, I remember why I started.
I remember the woman who showed up, fleeing an abusive home, with only the clothes on her back. I remember the man who had just been released from prison, determined to turn his life around but with nowhere to go. I remember the countless souls who walked through these doors—broken but not beyond repair.
And so, I press on. I trust that God will provide.
Through faith, community, and sheer determination, the shelter stays open. Some days, it’s a donated meal that arrives just in time. Other days, a stranger’s kindness keeps us going. And every day, I witness miracles—the kind that remind me this mission is bigger than me.
Yes, there are struggles. But resilience is refusing to give up, even when the road is uncertain. This shelter stands, not because of wealth, but because of faith, love, and a belief in second chances.
We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.
A Divine Connection: How Faith Brought Us Together
In life, some connections are simply meant to be—ordained by God, strengthened by faith, and guided by purpose. That is exactly how my fiancé, Sherman Owens, and I found our way back to each other.
Sherman and I attended the same church, and one day, I found myself in need of volunteers to accompany me to Houston County Detention Center, where I served as the Chaplain for Women. When I asked for help, Sherman was the one who stood up.
For a time, we worked side by side, united by our passion for serving those society had given up on. But like any journey, ours was not without challenges. We had a falling out and stopped speaking for six months. It seemed like our paths had diverged—until the day everything changed.
On that unforgettable day, I was being baptized—and so was he. In that sacred moment, we both knew: God had never meant for us to be apart.
From that day forward, our bond grew stronger—not just as partners in life, but as partners in purpose. Sherman didn’t just believe in me; he believed in the mission. He saw the vision of Wake Up Women & Stand Up Men Incorporated and committed himself fully to ensuring that this shelter remains open for those in need.
Even with no outside funding, Sherman has worked tirelessly, paying the bills and keeping the doors open while we search for resources to sustain this haven for the lost, the broken, and the forgotten. His dedication and faith have been a pillar of strength, proving that love is not just words—it is action.
Now, as we prepare for our wedding on June 21, 2025, we know that our journey is just beginning. Together, we stand in faith, knowing that God brought us together for a purpose far greater than ourselves. And as long as we are able, we will continue to serve, to uplift, and to provide second chances to those who need them most.
We invite you to be a part of this mission. Whether through prayer, support, or partnership, together, we can ensure that this shelter remains a beacon of hope for all who seek it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Wakeupwomenincorporation.com
- Instagram: Wakeupwomenincorporation.com
- Facebook: Wake Up Women
- Linkedin: Wake Up Women Incorporated
- Twitter: Wake Up Women Incorporated
- Youtube: Wake Up Women
Image Credits
Real Anointed Finance
Macon Recovery
DayBreak
Dr. Jones (School District)
Alpha Lamb Ki
Another Godly Construction
AHP Realty Ventures
Deliverance Revival Church
RHO Alpha Tau
Community Church Of God (Pastor McClendon)