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Dr. Renee Harvin's bio in her own words.
God’s Amazing Grace
I was born in Philadelphia Pennsylvania at Temple University Hospital on July 28, 1957. I grew up in North Philadelphia with both my parents. I was the oldest of 6 children with my mother, in all, I am the oldest female of 14 siblings. I attended the Philadelphia school system. I never experience being hungry, being without clothing, or not having a place to live. It was by God’s amazing grace. I loved going to church, and I was filled with the Holy Ghost at a young age. By the age 14, I stopped going to church and it seemed that is when the devil pounce upon me. I became adventurous, promiscuous, curious about life, I was smart, independent, but gullible, naive, always making the wrong choices in life. I had my first two sons out of wedlock, and my youngest son was born on my first-year anniversary. I was 23 years old. I was successful in school obtaining my first Associates degree. I purchased my first home, working two jobs, caring for three sons and all that came with.
My lifestyle enhanced with the drinking of alcohol experimenting drugs and hanging out on weekends. I was emotionally fearful of this lifestyle because of intimidations, controlling, and not realizing it was the beginnings of an addiction. I tried to slow down this lifestyle. I stopped participating in routines during weekdays, socializing only on weekends, going back to church with my sons on Sundays, and giving my family the attention, they needed. But, still doing things “Renee’s way.” March 1987, I experienced the trauma of my middle son being killed in a car accident, he was 9 years old. It seemed like my life had ended too, and instead of turning to the God I thought I knew so well, family, or other supports, I turned to and I lived a life of drug addiction for 10 years.
Now let me talk about my healing and rebuilding. Praise God I went back to work after 10 years of addiction. Through that whole time, God never left me, nor forsaken me. I have been clean and sober for over 23 years to date. Through this time, life continued to happen. With more trials, tribulations, and triumphs. By the grace of God, all my children are doing well. I am blessed with a total of 23 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren. Through this time, I continued to fellowship and study the word of God at Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, since 2007. Doing various ministries. I also achieved my associates, bachelors, master’s, and PhD Degrees. God opened doors, and the place where I started my healing, 1997, Behavioral Wellness Center at Girard, is where I have started a career working as a counselor, and an Adjunct Professor at Alvernia University for the past 7 years.
I am 63 years old, and guest what, I know God is not through with me yet. He is about to open another door and its about to blow my mind and yours. The Word says in Philippians 1:6 “For I am confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." It is by God’s Amazing Grace I am here today; it is all for His Glory.
