On any given day at Faith Refuge, our Women’s and children’s shelter, you will see moms with their youngun’s up and down the halls, waiting on school buses, eating dinner together as a family, attending chapel services and just making the most of this season in their lives.
It’s not perfect. Every one of those moms would prefer to have their own place to raise their kids. Who wouldn’t want more privacy, more space and more certainty for their future. It’s not ideal, but it’s sure better than their car or the streets.
Our goal for each one is self-sufficiency. A good job, childcare, a house or apartment, transportation and the means to provide for their family. Our team of ladies work very hard to give them opportunities while making it a safe and friendly environment.
The toughest part is finding affordable housing. It is in short supply but we are familiar with every landlord and complex in the community so we can act fast when the opportunity arises.
We help with job searches, applying for benefits, parenting classes, diapers, car seats and other supplies.
We also help the moms enroll their students in school and arrange for transportation. The WFISD is an amazing partner and goes to great lengths in letting the kids go to the school of their choice.
We see all this as a sacred responsibility. James 1:27 says, “Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress …”. They aren’t all widows and orphans that we serve, but they are definitely in distress. And we take our responsibility to serve them seriously.
We will soon be adding 14 rooms at Faith Refuge that are designated for moms and children. We hope to break ground in May. If you want to know more about this project, call me at 940-723-5663 or visit our web site at faithmissionwf.org. Your support by praying, volunteering or giving is always appreciated.
