In July 2015, Frederick Rescue Mission purchased the property that is now Faith House, a refuge for women and their children facing homelessness. This lovely home had most recently served as the headquarters of another nonprofit organization, but its origin was as the former Frederick City Police Station. A property associated with stories of poor decisions was transformed into a symbol of hope and redemption in when Faith House opened in December 2016. Since then, your support of the Mission has allowed more than 160 women and 80 children to benefit from Faith House!
Evelyn was one of those women: “My ex-husband tried to kill me in front of my children. I forgave him and gave him another chance. He came back, and he threatened me again.
He said, ‘Next time, I’ll make sure you die.’ And this time, I believed him. And I asked for help.”
Last fall, Evelyn and her two children moved into Faith House after being referred by Heartly House* They were frightened and traumatized.
Each woman who comes to Faith House works with a case manager who helps resolve the underlying issues that are the cause of her homelessness. The women often feel lost, broken, and hopeless. Your support provides them with life skills, job-readiness education, parenting classes, recovery support, nightly devotions, and resources to make valuable community connections.
Evelyn’s case manager helped her find a job and a therapist and taught her to trust God through prayer. “That devotional time, that hour every day, really helped me. Being at Faith House was a beautiful experience that brought me closer to the Lord and helped me so much.”
Today, Evelyn and her son and daughter are building a new life together, and all are thriving in all the beautiful “newness” of it all – apartment, new job for Mom, new school for the kids and new friendships.
You have made an enormous difference in the lives of many women in Frederick, some of whom have escaped domestic violence like Evelyn.
Fighting back tears, Evelyn exclaimed, “We CAN get out of domestic violence situations. I wish I could tell any woman out there: You don’t have to live like that. You can be happy!”
*A Frederick nonprofit that serves those who have been impacted by domestic violence. www.heartlyhouse.org
