Tenisha ‘Crosses Over’ Into a New, Expanded Season of Ministry Impact for Women on the Margins

Tenisha Watson offers support to women in crisis through a holistic approach to care and counseling.

Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Tenisha Gant Watson, Founder and CEO of Jordan Community Resource Center (Jordan CRC) and Phoenix Counseling Solutions, has a deep-rooted faith in God that allows her to follow His plan to care for survivors like herself. 

One of Building Hope in the City’s first LIFT (Leaders in Faith Together) participants, Watson has allowed us to follow along as she dreams of new ways to support women who have experienced similar traumas to those she has been through. Jordan CRC was established in 2004, celebrating 20 years next year. Watson says “We serve women who have been impacted by human trafficking, substance use disorders and incarceration. Women who are in crisis.” And, as a woman who has experienced the same trauma as many of the women she now serves, Tenisha sees the potential and the beauty in each of them, knowing if they have the right support they will thrive. 

As Tenisha persevered through her own healing journey, over and over God spoke, clearly saying “What about the others?” After relinquishing the power to God and following His purpose for her, Tenisha needed a name for her initiative to support other survivors. 

Again, God spoke loud and clear, placing the name 'Jordan' on Tenisha's heart every time she thought about ‘others' in similar situations to her. Tenisha explains, “that is how you know God is truly at work because what he is putting in place goes beyond your capacity of thinking.” 

In Joshua 3-4 the Isrealites crossed over the Jordan River from Moab to the Promised Land - Canaan. Like Joshua, Tenisha trusted God’s nudge to follow this path and offer a space for women to ‘cross over’ into healing and wholeness. 

She began Jordan with a mentoring program called Woman to Woman. The need was evident and grew quickly - women even began bringing their children and some expressed a great need for recovery and supportive housing. Thus, Jordan’s first home was purchased to provide a supportive living environment for women as they entered their healing journey. 

“Anytime there is a request we have of God, there is also something we are required to do. So I gave all of the money I had saved to acquire the first home.” It began with 7 beds for women in need of safe, transitional housing. Today, Jordan has 32 beds available for women in recovery. 

This original initiative to keep women safe and offer them mentoring and support has now blossomed into Phoenix Counseling Solutions which provides gender-based, trauma-informed, healing-centered counseling and treatment for the last six years. 

She has a deep connection to the women of Jordan CRC and says, “My ‘why’ is that I am them. Everytime I see the light come on for these women after trauma, the light comes on for me again and again, too. That is my ‘why!’” 

Now, Tenisha and her team at Jordan CRC are gearing up to offer more services in a greater capacity than ever before. The Oasis, a new facility located in Cleveland’s Mt. Pleasant neighborhood, is currently being renovated and will be partially completed by early 2024. It will serve as headquarters for Jordan CRC and Phoenix Counseling Solutions. Additionally, The Oasis will include new offerings, such as a cafe and teaching kitchen, which will allow women to gain job skills, find consistency and learn to trust those around them in a work environment. BHITC’s Vatreisha Nyemba and Brian Upton have provided ongoin counsel, assistance on strategy and a supportive ear to Tenisha as she has developed The Oasis project. 

Tenisha has followed God’s path for her all the way to The Oasis and continues to teach others that they can trust a God who can work all things for the good of those who love Him.  

To learn more about Jordan and how you can help Tenisha invest in the lives of women in crisis, visit jordan4change.org.