CLARKSVILLE TN, (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – One local organization recently celebrated a grand opening to recognize and serve the housing needs of women and children.
“Our Christ-oriented ministry will offer second step housing for women and children coming out of broken places that need a safe place while they get their feet underneath them,” said Karen Powers, founder and president of Judy’s Hope.
Powers added that they will be guiding women as they develop resumes and healthy life habits. The work of Judy’s Hope will help them secure a job and save money until they can get a place of their own.
Tiny houses with big opportunities
For their initial phase, Judy’s Hope opened eight tiny houses in October at their site. Powers said they use the term “tiny” because they are really small houses. Four of the houses are around 300 square feet and are for women without children, the other four are around 600 square feet for women with children.
Along with the tiny houses there is also a community center where residents can gather for meals and to socialize. Outside the center there is a playground for the kids and a walking trail.
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Inside the community center there’s an area with a computer nook for writing resumes, job searching and other work, a kitchen, and a conference room with a glass table that is actually built over an old piano.
“Once we make sure we are serving these women in the best way possible, we plan a second phase of building where we will build 10 more tiny houses and another meeting space. We’ll eventually have 18 houses and be able to serve 18 women at a time,” Powers said.
Giving women support they need
Judy’s Hope is named after her Powers’ mother, who passed away 10 years ago. “She was a single mom of three children, and my younger sister was a paraplegic who ended up in the hospital with so many surgeries that my mom simply couldn’t hold a job,” Powers said.
Powers said they had awesome family support from her dad and grandfather, but she knows some women don’t always have that kind of support. “I thought about one woman in my life who taught me perseverance and strength, and I thought this is my mom, so we’ll call it Judy’s Hope,” Powers said.
Women will need to be recommended by a community organization to be a part of Judy’s Hope, and there is an application on judyshope.org. Powers said the application process will be followed up with an interview to make sure they are at the best place possible and ready for Judy’s Hope.
To get invovled
To show support for Judy’s Hope, Powers said there is an Amazon wish list of items the women and children will be needing to help furnish the tiny houses. Judy’s Hope is also holding a brick fundraising campaign, and the bricks will be used to pave a path on Judy’s Hope property to support and be enjoyed by those participating in the program.
To make a donation, volunteer, and learn more about Judy’s Hope visit judyshope.org or email judyshopefound@gmail.com.
Giving Grace, sponsored by Grace Dental, is an ongoing Clarksville Now series showcasing local nonprofit organizations.