Empowering Women's Lives

HER PLACE

A Transitional Home for Women

P O BOX 11405, Rock Hill, SC 29731

FEIN 85-1198039

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your continuing support of Her Place and our mission to provide a place of peace and healing for homeless women.

Each day we receive phone calls from women who are homeless and looking for a bed. After asking some questions there are a few who express the desire to end the cycle of homelessness that has plagued them. If they fill out an application, then we will call them to come in for an interview.

The stories we hear are heartbreaking. Many women list PTSD, debilitating anxiety, and depression as factors causing their homelessness. Some have a history of drug use. Many have children but have lost custody of them. Some have families that simply cannot deal with their issues.

They come to us, as one graduate recently said, because “I saw no way out.” No way out of living in a shelter that put her out at 7am and to which she could not return until 5pm. No way out of wandering the streets all day and waiting in the cold at night hoping to get a bed.

After being accepted at Her Place this woman was able to breathe, to take care of her physical and mental health. She had regular meals, a shared bedroom where she could organize her few belongings, and people who took the time to build relationships with her. Slowly she relaxed. Slowly she began to trust. Eventually she saw a way forward. She has become one of our success stories.

Not everyone can do this. We have had many who have left or who we have asked to leave. The idea of time to heal is tempting, but it is hard work. Strange as it seems, a woman gives up a lot to enter the Her Place program. While she is here, she has a schedule to follow, chores to do, and classes to attend. Eventually she has an opportunity to work in the candle shop.

Success is measured by the ability of each woman to move toward a place of self-sufficiency; where she has a source of income, a stable living environment, and a community to help her on her journey.

Thank you for supporting Her Place. You are making it possible for our women to experience a new beginning and create a new life.

God bless you all,

Sue Fullerton & Regeana Phillips

Co-Founders Her Place

Residents and Education Fund

One of our residents is going to school to get her GED. Another is about to register at York Tech. Tuition can run into the thousands of dollars and so we are going to initiate an education fund for our women. We will encourage them to apply for other scholarships. We will have some minimum grade requirements and attendance guidelines. Our hope is to keep the women from going into debt. If this is something you would like to support, just make a notation on your check or PayPal donation and we will keep your donation in the education fund and we will give you updates on the student’s progress.

Service

In December and January our residents had the pleasure of serving others in a variety of ways. Twice we were at Pathways where we served dinner to the people who needed a hot evening meal. Our residents planned and prepared the food and had a great time with the people. On Christmas morning we went to St. Mary Church on Crawford Road where we helped pack over 700 Christmas dinners. As the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi states, “It is in giving that we receive”.

Candles

Our women continue to work two days each week in our candle shop. The process is long and detailed from cleaning the glass containers, to setting the wicks, heating the wax, measuring the scent, hand pouring the candle, cutting the wick, labeling the containers, and inspecting each candle for quality. They have been trained in each step and take great pride in each candle that passes inspection and is ready for sale. The women chose the names for the candles: “New Beginnings” and “Journey” which have great meaning for them as they begin again on life’s journey.

Each candle is hand-poured with heart. Our candles feature USA-made glass and sustainable bamboo lids designed to be re-used long after the wax is gone, and a clean-burning blend of soy wax and free from known harmful carcinogens and synthetics. Safe for your space, and life-changing for our residents.

Currently we can take only local orders that may be picked up at Her Place on designated days. If you are interested in ordering candles, Click here for the order form.

Candle Order Form

Learn more about our Candle Enterprise

Resident’s Poetry

We have a resident who writes poetry and loves to share it. Here is her latest offering:

2 Corinthians 11:30 “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.”

I used to balance books on my head

Walk the fine line between graciousness and fear of appearing vain

A gun line thinner than love and hate

Answering questions with questions

The overthinking

Still serving time for overcomplicating the simple

This time I got a good lawyer