CLARKSVILLE TN, (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – “When God laid this on my heart years ago, I looked around and said, ‘I want to break the homeless cycle,'” said Karen Powers, founder of Judy’s Hope, a neighborhood of tiny houses designed to shelter women and children in need.
After their doors opened in October 2023, Judy’s Hope continued to make strides and hit major milestones and achievements. Now, three of the tiny homes in the safe haven village are occupied, and more will be filling up soon.
Start of Judy’s Hope
“I did start praying through the idea around June of 2016, but we didn’t become an official nonprofit organization until 2020,” Powers said.
“Our biggest roadblock was in securing the property. It was a property that was owned by Bikers Who Care, but was dedicated to city use. Thankfully, Mayor (Joe) Pitts was able to see and understand our vision fully.”
With Pitts and several supporters on the City Council, Powers was able to purchase the land from Bikers Who Care and continue moving their ministry forward.
Powers said her initial board members (Elizabeth Black, Missy Reece, Nick Powell, Amie Wilson, Brad Fowers, Michelle White, Deborah Hellums and Denise Pickett) helped organize their efforts.
“Local business owners were also key in that they donated labor and materials to help us develop our site,” Powers told Clarksville Now. “In 2022, we also hired our executive director, Tabitha Tackett, and she has helped us continue to move forward in so many ways.”
From groundbreaking to grand opening
For their initial phase, Judy’s Hope opened eight tiny houses in October. 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.
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 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.
Women moving in, plans for the future
Powers told Clarksville Now they have received an outpouring of support, and the Amazon Wishlist developed for donations has been mostly filled. The next project Judy’s Hope is to create a greenhouse for some gardening therapy.
At this point, the tiny houses are gradually filling as mothers seeking help find their way to Judy’s Hope. Right now, three women and several children call Judy’s Hope home.
“The greatest benefit I have from creating Judy’s Hope is that I am praying to see God’s awesome hand at work in helping women and children,” Powers said. “God is for these moms and their children. He sees them and loves them.”
To get invovled
If you are interested in supporting Judy’s Hope, there are still items on the Amazon wish list women and children will need 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.