The Origin of Strivus
T
"Time to be about your business,
so your business stops being about 'time'".
Strivus was born from a vision — not a business plan.
In 2010, while serving a 15-year sentence, Sonya Waites had a dream of a place built on truth, recovery, brotherhood, and rebuilding — a place forged through hardship, not comfort. She drew it, wrote about it, and carried it for years.
While incarcerated, Sonya found spiritual guidance under Warden Linda Laing, a remarkable leader and woman of faith who challenged her to build an education program and dedicate herself to serving others. Partnering with Gayle Waller, Sonya helped lead parenting and family literacy programs that enabled hundreds to earn diplomas and transform their lives.
It was through those years of struggle that she became tested, qualified, and made ready for the work ahead.
After her release in 2013, the dream lay dormant as life’s demands took over — until a visit from longtime friend Johnny Griffin, who had also served ten years. Johnny described a program he had seen in a dream, unaware that it mirrored Sonya’s vision down to the language and structure. That moment reignited the mission.
Founders
Sonya Waites – Fifteen years of incarceration became the forge where faith, education, and leadership were shaped.
Johnny Griffin – His obedience to share his own dream became the spark that revived Strivus’s mission. Though he is not in the spotlight today, his name remains on the Strivus Founders Wall, with an open invitation to share his full story whenever he’s ready.
Today, Strivus stands as living proof that a vision born in hardship can grow into lasting freedom.
It's difficult for me to call Strivus a program. It's more of a place of pivot where you have finally reached the bottom rung and you are done. If that's where you're at and there's nothing you want more than for your life to be profoundly different, open the door and step into the fire of change and refinement. Strivus serves as your place for impact- where you hit the ground running to prepare and train to be who you are intended to be. There are no victims here. Your past hurts are dealt with and taken out of the driver seat for good. Strivus will provide you with a safe environment to reconnect the pieces of your life that are worth keeping and replace the ones that aren't; develop the skills to thrive in the work force; bury the old man and learn how to start really living your life.. .
The leaves have been brushed aside for you to reach your full potential as you are led to success; but it won't be easy. If you are seeking change, you must put forth the effort to make it happen, and yes, it can sometimes be painful. Letting go can often be hard. Doing nothing will leave you simply watching as it happens for others or just looking back later and wondering what happened. This is not a textbook story; it's real life. It's your life. Take up the charge to write your own story (if you don't, it will always be written for you), make use of the tools we provide here, and you, too, will discover true purpose through refinement as God walks with you through the flame."
ARE YOU READY?
Sonya M Waites
"If I did it, so can you. You have the potential to do more than you think. The only limits are those we have placed on ourselves or have allowed others to place upon us. It's time to break through. I believe in you; it's time for you to start believing in yourself.
Now get in and lessgo ! "
Find out how you can help or donate to the mission. Strivus invites you to become a partner.
"Her work helped many of us face our addictions and commit to real change. I saw firsthand the impact she had: women who once felt hopeless began to believe in themselves and their futures again." -- former student, current addiction counselor
"Strivus, a recovery and reentry program built to help people rebuild what life tried to take from them.... she's in it because she believes in people and in the God who still changes lives." -- Ben Waites Ministries
"Sonya was instrumental in building a premier Adult Education program in the state for incarcerated women. Her desire to aid the individuals that the world forgets about is inspiring. Her passion and commitment are unwavering." -- Women's Corrections Program Director
"My initial test scores were at a fifth-grade level. She refused to give up on me or to let me give up on myself. I can't tell you how many countless hours she spent with me there, but six months later I had my diploma. She sat with maiuny of the women in that prison like that, sometimes individually. She made sure no one was left behind. " -- former student
"Be ready because though it is tough, the result is phenomenal." -- former student
What others are saying:
Find out how you can volunteer or donate to the mission. Strivus invites you to become a partner.
A testament to the strength, resilience, and unyielding spirit of liberty refined in the enduring power of fire and grace that has restored my life.
Strivus Inc©2025 Louisiana Recovery & Reentry
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