Women’s Shelter Expected To Open in January

After more than two years of behind-the-scenes planning, the Down Home Women’s Shelter is expected to open in January. Cathy Hinklin, chairman of the DHWS board of directors, briefed the Piedmont Rotary Club about the nonprofit organization.

Hinklin said that the a house has been purchased. The four-bedroom house is located on a county road just outside of Piedmont. Hinklin said that the DHWS volunteers are currently working on furnishing the facility. When the facility opens, it will have the capabilities of housing six to eight women. While women are housed there, they will be taught life skills and will be helped to develop the skills to get back on their feet. The facility will be a transition house and not a long-term care facility. People who need care such as drug treatment will be referred to other facilities.

During the presentation, Hinklin said that bunk beds were needed to furnish the bedrooms. The Rotary Club agreed to donate enough funds to purchase two sets of beds. Two Rotarians stepped up and each agreed to purchase a set of beds.

When the facility opens it will be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week by a house mom. Hinklin said that the Down Home Women’s Shelter is currently taking applications. Hinklin said the goal is to have two people at the facility at all times.

“It will take a community effort to make this facility work,” Hinklin said. “We want to help people who are hurting, not just addicts or abused.”

The DHWS Board of Directors is currently getting phone calls from people who are needing help. When the facility opens in January, they will take women who are 18 years old and older. They will not be accepting women who are accompanied by children at this time. They will not accept court-ordered placements. They want women who want to be there; they goal is to change lives.