SOUL Empowering Sanctuary so far...
(Through February 2025)
15
Left an Abuser,
Were Empowered to Choose Life for their Unborn Child, and/or had DSS case closed and kept child custody, as a result of SOUL's services
92
Moms Provided Life Skills Lessons to Empower Stability
220
Moms, plus their 313 children, Impacted by SOUL's Direct Services
70
Moms Financially
Supported through Housing Crisis
129 children remained housed with their mom as a result
16
Found Faith through SOUL, giving them the hope of the loving care of God for their futures, and connection to a community of care
Amidst unemployment and housing instability, Za'lawana faced an unplanned pregnancy. God led her to SOUL, who welcomed her into The Nest maternity home program. Her SOUL Sister mentor helped her find healing in connection, and a peer support group of other young single moms. She is growing in confidence and faith, as she makes steps toward her goals of establishing her future with her baby.
A Mom's Experience of Healing and Growth in SOUL Sisters:
How a Pregnant Woman went from homelessness to hope through the support and mentorship of the SOUL community:
A mom and baby endured sickness, almost losing it all.
She grew in courage and wisdom through
SOUL's mentoring and housing assistance.
Mahala's home flooding was just the beginning. Health issues during pregnancy, theft, and depression weighed on her heavily. Growing up in the foster care system, she did not expect what she found at SOUL: a faithful mentor who guided her through every step of the way. The SOUL community also empowered her with a transitional hotel stay, housing assistance, financial management courses, and resource connections. For the first time she feels like she's "doing life the right way."
A woman was able to find her way out of an abusive relationship, but on the other side she was pregnant, had bills piling up, and was feeling abandoned. She found God's faithful presence through her SOUL Sister, God's provision through the SOUL housing assistance program, and God's design for healthy relationships through the mentoring program.
Quotes from SOUL Clients
- Kayla, SOUL Sister
"It's nice to know
someone really cares."
Client Story
It was one of the coldest nights in January. But at three months pregnant, a sweet young lady and her six-year-old daughter were sleeping in her car. Again.
She did not want to continue the pregnancy. The relationship with her children’s father was rocky, and family support proved unreliable. Just one year ago, she’d lost a baby at seven months gestation, and her high blood pressure put this pregnancy at risk. Her doctors demanded bed rest. Unable to handle the physical demands of her nursing assistant job, she lost her income and her apartment. She needed to support her daughter. Abortion seemed like her only option.
She scheduled an appointment at DAZZ Medical Services. The counselors there gave her hope that she could continue the pregnancy. They referred her to an organization that could help -- SOUL. It took her a few days to gather the courage to call. Then the weather turned colder and she grew desperate.
When she showed up for her first SOUL Sisters meeting, she was amazed at how she was treated. She couldn’t believe the women of SOUL cared so much about her and genuinely wanted to help. Working with SOUL to form a plan, she found an affordable mobile home in North Charleston. She gathered as much money as she could and SOUL provided the balance of her security deposit and first month’s rent.
She and her daughter celebrated their stable home! She continued attending SOUL Sisters meetings and worked an online job from home. Thriving in SOUL’s budget and relationship classes, she began making positive changes. She grew in faith, praying and trusting God to provide. She gained hope that she could parent her baby, and God protected her throughout her dangerous pregnancy.
Her son was born premature, but healthy! SOUL assisted financially and spiritually throughout her pregnancy and maternity leave while she worked to earn what she could from home. Today, she is back to work, in a nicer townhome, and attends a local church. With gratitude, she says, “All I can do is keep praying and thanking God.”