How Lacie Llama Got Her Name
It is a little known fact that running from one place to another is not allowed “on the inside” of the facility that Lacie has called “home” since April 1, 2009. When she is in a rush or hurrying to get things done or to get to the next place, she walks quickly! It is said that her hurried walk with her long legs looks more like prancing. So, when her best friend, Jana, saw a llama “prancing” on a television show, she immediately confirmed that Lacie did indeed “prance” like a llama. Even the smirk on Lacie’s face resembled the precious look of a llama. Now, Lacie is affectionately known as Lacie Llama. It is a nickname that Lacie is proud to have. In fact, she painted the llama for the website. Yes, Lacie Llama is a talented artist too!
A Focus on the Vision
Often, some of the best things in life, the things that make a difference, come through great challenges. And sometimes these challenges are painful requiring endurance. The way Vision of Hope DOC got started is no different. As Lacie, the founder of Vision of Hope DOC, approached her 12th anniversary of being incarcerated for a crime she never committed, she also faced a battle for her life.
For a few years she had battled a lung illness and infection that had gone on for far too long. Multiple rounds of steroids and antibiotics did not resolve the challenge she had endured since April 2020, when symptoms of the infection began to resurface.
Ultimately, it was advised that she have surgery to remove a lobe of her right lung where the infection had embedded itself. In March 2021, Lacie underwent a surgery where surgeons would ultimately have to remove two lobes of the right lung. The infection was severe and the entire process was an ordeal, to put it mildly.
While in recovery at the Colorado Department of Corrections Infirmary, she prayed, worshiped, and leaned on God with all of her faith. It was all she knew to do and since all distractions were removed, and she was alone, it was the perfect time to be alone with Him. Armed with a Bible and faith the size of a mustard seed, God began to speak to her in many profound ways.
One day, Lacie asked the Lord a question, “What do you want me to do with my tithe? Where do you want it to go?”
Over the years, it had become something Lacie was accustomed to doing - tithing - giving the Lord a tenth of her income in obedience to Him. His response and answer was very clear, “Get glasses for women in prison.”
Lacie understood EXACTLY what God meant. Months earlier, a family member had ordered glasses for Lacie from an outside vendor. Rules within the DOC - Department of Corrections - had recently changed, allowing prescription eyeglasses to be ordered “from the outside” for inmates. It was a treat for Lacie to receive her own glasses “from the outside” and since she knew a little about the process, she was willing to do what God said.
There were many benefits to ordering prescription eyeglasses from outside vendors. They were better quality, fit better, lightweight, and overall more attractive. From Lacie’s understanding, she also knew that most women who are incarcerated don’t have a lot of support. Her tithe money would be used to bring the blessing of sight. Her obedience to what God had requested of her would bring vision and hope to many.
In the first year, 2021, through many ongoing challenges brought “to the inside” by the pandemic, Lacie and her childhood friend Amber, who was “on the outside”, were able to work together to get this entire process started. Through their efforts of working together, they were able to purchase six pairs of glasses with Lacie’s tithe.
Then again, at the start of 2022, Lacie asked the Lord, “Where should my tithe go?”
He gave her the same answer, “Glasses for girls.”
Immediately after the news of Vision of Hope was communicated through her sister’s regular update “Tale of Two Sisters” on February 8, 2022, contributions began coming in. A bank account was set up and arrangements were made to create the LLC and DBA by Lacie's brother-in law.
By March 2022, the project began to get a little overwhelming and Lacie reached out to her best friend Jana for some help. Together they began incorporating a process to keep up with the increased amount of requests. They also began creating a vetting process to make sure women in need would receive prescription glasses. Additionally, arrangements were made for contributions to be made for others who had family that could afford them, yet didn’t know what to do.
The process and system Lacie, Amber, and Jana had developed was working really well. By March 2022, they had tripled the amount of glasses given in 2021. It has been a remarkable project with assistance from many to make sure it runs efficiently and effectively.
What started in prayer and obedience continues through prayer and obedience. Trusting and listening to God’s plans are a BIG part of Vision of Hope DOC. In fact, it is only through Him that we would have even ventured out to do such a thing. God’s timing was perfect too, as it always is!
We continue to do our best to listen, honor, and respond to what He has called us to do. Lacie acknowledges that she has not been able to do it alone. With each step of faith, with each step of obedience, God’s provisions have come to establish Vision of Hope DOC. We have collectively been able to restore vision and bring hope to the women residing within the walls of DWCF - Denver Women’s Correctional Facility. From what we are hearing, things are looking a lot clearer and they are a lot brighter “on the inside” and we want to keep it that way!