Meet Kristy Pomeroy | Executive Director of Women of Worth Transition House Inc., Social Worker, Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Blessed Wife and Mother

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kristy Pomeroy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kristy, what principle do you value most?
Integrity was the first value that came into my mind as I value integrity above other things in my life. Integrity is the quality of being honest and showing a consistent and uncompromising adherence to strong moral and ethical principals and values (Wikipedia definition.) I believe it is so important both in my personal life and my professional life to be a person of integrity. When I am representing Women of Worth Transition House Inc., there are many people looking to me to do what I say I will do or be who we say we are. If I am not consistent in my actions, then I am seen as being untrustworthy or as having conflicting values. I want to be seen as a person who is honest, truthful, consistent and intentional with my actions and words. Donors are trusting me when they give of their money or time. Our residents are trusting that my word is true and that we will serve them well, providing all of the resources to help them be successful. Our staff team is also relying on me to be a person of my word about the culture of our organization, how they will be treated and valued as a professional and that our Board is also making decisions with integrity.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I knew I wanted to be a Social Worker around age 12-13. I know this is unusual but I wanted to get paid to help people and I saw my stepmom doing that in her role as a social worker for a foster care and adoption agency. I did not know what population I wanted to work with but my internships in college led me to the field of domestic violence. I became very involved in the criminal justice system as a legal advocate for women who had been abused by their intimate partners. I answered crisis calls, helped in a confidential shelter, walked women through the legal system, and facilitated support groups so they did not feel so alone. I also worked with male domestic violence offenders for about 6 years. That was an eye opening experience because it was there that I saw the negative effects of growing up in an abusive often addicted household. I was a treatment counselor in the Womens jail in Davidson County and this is where I began to understand the disease of addiction and how addiction negatively impacts all other areas of someone’s life. While working in the jail I would help women make release plans for post incarceration. In searching for resources, I came across The Next Door Recovery. I was hired in admissions, to interview and admit women from jails/prisons into our reentry program. I LOVED this position and felt like I came alive professionally when serving this population. I loved to go into the prisons – offering hope, light, encouragement.
I tell people that Women of Worth found me. A dear friend when I worked in the jail (Jeaneice Shearon) reached out to me in March 2020 during Covid pandemic and asked if I would take over her non-profit residential program. It was at such a challenging time in my life that I felt it was not a good idea at all but she peaked my interest enough that I followed through with going to see the physical location/home of the program. I stood in one room and cried. I have never felt more of a calling or a pull on my professional life-it was on, my heart really- than I did that day.
Getting to where I am now was definitely not easy. I have worked VERY hard mostly in residential programs (24/7/365 care) which are very time consuming but it has never been something I regretted.
I have learned how to balance my time better between work and family. I have learned that relationships are so important and I believe that is what keeps residents/clients engaged or interested enough in changing their lives for the better. They know I am trustworthy and that I will be there to support them, but they also know I will empower and not enable them. Accountability is a big deal with me.
I would want the world to know that I love BIG…I love Jesus, my wonderfully supportive family, amazing friends and all things Women of Worth…and honestly so many other people, places, ministries. I want everyone I come into contact with to hear, know and feel that they have value and worth. I want to share the love of Jesus through this amazing WOW program and my hope from the beginning was to just help ONE (like Jesus would leave the 99 and go after the 1.) I am confident that we have helped WAY more than one and I give God the glory for that. I do not have any of the love, strength, experience or knowledge that I have without Him. Now I just want to give that away. I just try to walk in his guidance every single day.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This is a tough question for me as I am a native Nashvillian. As I get older I am more of a homebody than a night out person. BUT I do love MUSIC so I hope it would be at a time we could enjoy a Christian concert or even an 80s tribute band. We would do some shopping and of course I would take them to see downtown, but most likely not at night as that is overstimulating for me (ha ha what a weirdo!) There are so many new, amazing restaurants in Nashville so I may let their visit be an excuse to try something new but I have some old faithfuls that I would visit like McDougals for chicken, Lucky’s Sir Pizza in Rutherford County for pizza, definitely some mexican food at Chuy’s, Nectar Cantina or Margarita House. I also love the food at Maggiano’s.
I am planning a move to Lebanon TN so I would definitely take them to the property to see our 5 acres of peace and quiet – away from the city life – and enjoy some small local shopping and restaurants there.
Zanie’s may also be a good spot for a show.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First I would say that God has been in my story since the very beginning of my professional career. From where I sit now, I can see all of the roads that led to where I am today. Even the wrong turns led me to learning a lesson that would help me in my current role. I am grateful for His direction in my life. I am greatly blessed to have a group of friends who I want to give a shoutout to: Jennifer McPherson Adams, Shelley Upchurch Holt and Stacey Brackeen Edmonson have been my BESTIES for almost 40 years. We went to middle school and high school together and remained close friends even through all of life’s twists and turns in adulthood. They are true rocks for me in my life. They fill me with light, laughter, and constant encouragement and support. When I was presented with the opportunity to take over a non-profit organization they were my first group to share it with outside of family. They immediately got so excited and encouraged me, even joined me with events, fundraising, Board involvement and so much more. I am forever grateful for these three women. Sadly we lost Shelley in April 2023. She was my personal cheerleader for so many years and I would not have taken the leaps of faith that I did without her support.
It would be remiss for me to not mention a few other professional supporters who have positively impacted my life in so many ways and continue to do so. They are: Linda Leathers Tullock, Kate McKinnie, Verna Wyatt, Holly Biggs, Jeaneice Shearon, and Carole Purkey.
Lastly I want to shoutout to my husband Shane who has been with me every step of the way and helped me become who I am in this role as Executive Director.

Website: wowtransition.org

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