About Broken Shackles
From heartbreak to healing. From pain to purpose. All about Broken Shackles Freedom & Deliverance.
A Journey Born from Pain & Transformed by Purpose
Broken Shackles began in 2009 after Founder Gloria Woods experienced an unthinkable tragedy: the incarceration of her 21-year-old daughter and the death of her 18-month-old granddaughter. In her grief, Gloria began journaling, a lifeline that later became her published book, “Broken Shackles: A Mother’s Journey” (2017).
As her healing deepened, her purpose expanded. Gloria traveled to Tallahassee, advocating for families of the incarcerated and fighting for Criminal Justice Reform. Her voice grew stronger, eventually leading to the launch of the Broken Shackles Radio & Talk Show in 2020, now known as Broken Shackles Keys to Wholeness.
In 2022, Broken Shackles became an official 501(c)(3) and evolved into a Prison & Street Ministry, reaching those forgotten and overlooked by society.
By 2024, God revealed an even deeper calling: to serve the broken, the unchurched, and those battling trauma, mental health struggles, and generational cycles. The ministry was renamed: Broken Shackles Freedom & Deliverance Ministries: a place of love, support, and spiritual restoration.
Our Mission
Breaking chains. Restoring lives. Building wholeness.
Our mission is to serve individuals and families impacted by incarceration, addiction, trauma, homelessness, and emotional pain. We walk with people through healing, recovery, and freedom — giving them the support, compassion, and love they deserve.
What We Believe
Because Everyone Deserves a Second Chance
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Nobody is too broken to be restored.
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Healing happens through love, community, and God’s grace.
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Every story matters — every voice deserves to be heard.
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Freedom is possible when the right support is present.
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We serve without judgment and love without conditions.
Meet The Founder
Gloria Woods | Founder & Visionary
Gloria Woods is a mother, author, advocate, and ministry leader whose calling was born out of deep personal tragedy. In 2009, her life changed forever when her 21-year-old daughter was incarcerated and her 18-month-old granddaughter passed away. In her grief, Gloria turned to journaling, a healing practice that later became her 2017 book, “Broken Shackles: A Mother’s Journey.”
What began as private healing transformed into public purpose. Gloria started traveling to Tallahassee, advocating for families of the incarcerated and pushing for meaningful Criminal Justice Reform. Her compassion and transparency made her a trusted voice for people often overlooked and unheard.
In 2020, she launched the Broken Shackles Radio & Talk Show, now known as Broken Shackles Keys to Wholeness, creating a safe space for conversations about trauma, healing, justice, and faith. By 2022, her outreach grew into a full Prison & Street Ministry and official 501(c)(3).
In 2024, God expanded the vision. Gloria restructured the organization into Broken Shackles Freedom & Deliverance Ministries, focusing on prison ministry, recovery support, re-entry assistance, domestic violence awareness, mental health healing, and outreach to the homeless and hurting.
Today, Gloria leads with authenticity, compassion, and unwavering faith. Her journey is a testament to resilience and redemption — and her mission is to help others find freedom, wholeness, and hope beyond their brokenness.
