Our visit to the Wellhouse and the Lovelady Center for Valentine's Day
As you may or may not know, the ladies that attended Women’s Retreat at Camp McDowell made sugar scrubs for us to gift to the women at the Wellhouse and at The Lovelady Center for Valentine’s Day. A couple of us delivered the sugar scrubs this past weekend and this is what I learned...
The Wellhouse is an absolutely beautiful place in so many ways. It is situated on 65 acres in Springville, Alabama. There are three perfectly decorated housing facilities and an office building - all of which surround a big pond that is stocked with fish and dotted with benches & swings.
This a well thought out program that exists to help women who are victims of sex trafficking. They have a medical doctor and a psychiatrist that visit once a week. They have a staff of 20 women which allows them to house 35 survivors. They accept women who are 18 years and older and the women stay for an average of two years. When they finish the program, these women will have earned their GEDs and either been trained for jobs or enrolled in college. They will have money that they have saved and be ready for the world.
I asked how Saint Stephen’s could help and was told that they always need volunteers to help sort through donations, assist with office work, answer the phones, or mentor the women. They also stated that they could urgently use some African American hair care products and that they always need toilet tissue. Of course, they also need clothes, feminine hygiene products and everything else it takes to support 35 women. They encourage groups to come out and bring lunch for the women.
The Lovelady Center has a much different feel to it than the Wellhouse. They are located on 2nd Avenue South in Birmingham in an old hospital. They currently have 410 women and 75 children living under their roof.
This ministry was created to help women in transition - those who have recently been released on parole, reached their end of sentence, or are participating in the transitional program through the Department of Corrections. Others are there on their own accord because they recognize their need for help and/or are trying to prevent being court ordered to stay. DHR might have asked one to come for a better environment or get additional life skills.
The women stay an average of 9-12 months. When they finish the program they will have:
Earned a GED if applicable
Completed required counseling
Participated in a Job Readiness Program
Cleared up any outstanding warrants or legal issues
Maintained sobriety throughout their stay and then they leave with a Positive Home Plan.
I asked what Saint Stephen’s could do to help and with that many women the list is endless: Lead devotions, Kitchen, Room make over, rocking infants & working with 1-4-year-olds, group activities arts and crafts with children, group activities arts and crafts with women, pull ups, diapers and wipes, hygiene drive, over-the-counter medicine for women and children, garden & landscaping, painting, maintenance for building and vehicles and donating vehicles. There are lots of ways to support the Lovelady Center.
The building is old and needs some nice touches. I am willing to answer questions about either ministry and I would love to help as many people as possible get involved in helping these women.
Thanks,
Diane Hightower