Fayetteville church opens homeless shelter for single women
FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -- Toni Stewart's vision is clear. In the coming years, she sees the women she ministers to return to Person Street and do the same.
"In a year, I expect for the people that came to sleep here to be volunteering here because they found shelter, they are established, (and) they found jobs," declared Stewart. "I expect to see them turn around."
Stewart is the director of True Vine Ministries Hope Center, a 21-bed homeless shelter for single women. The center opened its doors on Person Street Wednesday morning. The building, located on the outskirts of downtown Fayetteville, is owned by the city which loaned it to the church.
City and church leaders gathered for a ribbon-cutting of the shelter, which is an extension of True Vine's homeless ministry. This year they began a partnership with the Salvation Army and opened a gymnasium shelter for all homeless population on their Morganton Road campus. It primarily serviced people on White Flag winter nights.
"I could not be more excited that it is this group that is re-opening this center because I know it's right here," said Fayetteville Mayor Nat Robertson, patting his heart. "It's in the heart and they are doing it for the right reason."
In addition to beds, the shelter includes living and entertainment space, a kitchen, computer lab and fenced backyard area with outdoor seating.
The daily fee for staying in the shelter is $5, although Stewart said sponsorship funds can temporarily help women who cannot come up with the money. She also said the center will assist in providing proper identification for residents.
Andre Harris and Ebony Chisholm are True Vine members who will volunteer in the shelter Wednesday night.
"I get a great joy just being able to set up and help get this place ready," said Chisolm.
"It mean, as it's titled 'Hope,'" added Harris. "My dream is to work with homeless people, so I believe that working here and opening this will give hope to Fayetteville and the homeless female population."
That population is one that is often dismissed in common conversations about homelessness, Stewart noted. She hopes to change that conversation with this new shelter.
"(It's) Remarkable, amazing ... just to be in the right place at the right time, doing the right thing," she said.
