What makes Dusty Wildly Capable?

Dusty has one of the toughest jobs there is: drug testing the women in the ReMerge program who were on the verge of going to prison for various reasons. Her love and support doesn’t stop when these women graduate the program and she makes a huge difference!” LINETTE ROBERTS

What makes you feel proud?

Doing the right thing and treating people with empathy and respect. My child and grandchildren make me proud. ReMerge and the ladies in it make me proud, too!

What keeps you up at night?

Racism, homelessness and addiction, children in abusive situations and animal cruelty.

Who is the biggest influence in your life? Why?

Honestly, the women of ReMerge. They come into the program with the clothes on their backs and no idea what to expect but they know they want to be reunited with their children so they show up! They are so strong!

What’s been the biggest obstacle in your life so far?

Moving back to Oklahoma from the east coast. I worked for the Department of Corrections before I married into the military. In 2002 we got transferred to the east coast for 10 years. My ex-husband went to Afghanistan for a year and when he returned everything was different. It was hard, I lost my marriage and was hundreds of miles from home with a daughter who was going to be a senior in high school. We made it back to Oklahoma, I was hired back on with Department of Corrections and we finally got settled, but starting my life over alone was scary and an extremely uncomfortable time in my life.

One year from today, how do you hope you’re different?

Honestly, I just hope I can continue to be a source of comfort and support to those who need it. I’m very content with who I am.

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