TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) -- Compared to the rest of the country, this cold snap is manageable, but for those without shelter it can be quite dangerous. Wisdom's Wellspring is a nonprofit organization providing a warm space for emergencies like this.
Homeless shelters, such as the Kearney Center, say they quickly hit capacity once frigid winter temperatures arrived. Wisdom's Wellspring is not a typical homeless shelter, but opened the door to women in need of warmth this winter. The non-profit is a ministry for young women that aims to get them off the street and into permanent housing.
Three years ago, Pastor Alyce Parmer, established the organization to help women on the verge of homelessness or already battling it to transform into self sufficient and responsible individuals.
Ashley Ballard is a twenty year old who has been living at the house a few days and hopes to successfully live on her own. She says, "I was going through another line of homelessness again and I was like I do not want to go through this again. So, I got in touch with my sister who was not long ago here and she helped me get into this place."
Wisdom's Wellspring offers a two year residency program which houses and feeds young women, while mentoring them and helping find and maintain a job. Several women have already graduated from the program and are successfully living and working on their own. Eight women, ranging from ages 18 to 30, are currently in the program.
The organization is hosting a fundraising event on April 27 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at Doak Campbell Stadium. Click here for tickets and information about the residency program.