KINGMAN – Melissa Russo said she first came to Angel Manor in 2019, stayed for over a year and left. She came back in 2022 and stayed six months. Then in April 2023 she moved back in with a madeup mind to stay; she’s been there ever since.
“I was trying to fill a void in my life with a lot of different things,” Melissa said, “but now Jesus fills that void.”
She continued, “I’m working on being a long-term sober mother, a friend and an outstanding member of society and being part of our community, showing God’s love.”
Melissa is Assistant to Angel Manor Director Wendy Rapp Weaver who said, “I don’t know what I’d do without Melissa. She is dedicated in every single way to this ministry and to her family. She’s much more than my assistant; she is my dear friend. I love her with all my heart.”
Melissa is also school administrator and a school teacher in Salt and Light Christian Academy at Angel Manor, teaching 10 children from Kindergarten to eighth grade; she’s excited about school this year.
“We have a new music teacher starting this year and we’re getting a sensory room to help children with autism. I can’t wait.”
Our students have a great opportunity to learn because we meet them at their level with project-based learning.”
Director Weaver said if it wasn’t for Melissa, Angel Manor would have no school.
“The Salt and Light Christian Academy exists because it was Melissa’s dream. She has created and grown every single part of the school. When she’s in the school, she’s in her element. I believe it’s the purpose God created her for.”
Weaver added that it was Melissa who created Angel Manor’s website and keeps it updated and that she’s also the bookkeeper for them.
“She’s the one who did all the communication with the state in order to make us a state-approved tax charitable donation ministry,” Weaver said.
Melissa, also treasurer on the Angel Manor Board of Directors, has worked very hard and continues to do so, obtaining a Substitute Teacher Certificate, two Masters Degrees, one in Psychology and one in Business, and well on her way to a PHD.
She said her goals are to continue assisting Wendy and to keep her position on the Board of Directors, but she has a bigger dream for the future, when her daughter is older.
“My dream is to be a professor at Mohave Community College and teach Business,” Melissa said.
“I will teach two evening classes and continue my role as administrator at Angel Manor.”
However, Weaver and her board may have other plans for her.
“Melissa knows how to run every single part of this ministry now, ” Weaver said, “and if anything ever happens to me, the board will automatically vote her into my position. It’s giving me peace of mind that if anything happens to me, Angel Manor will still be helping people in our community.”
