CHARLOTTE -- A Charlotte non-profit which helps women and children of domestic violence escape their abuser, may have to close its doors, if it doesn't get help by the end of the month. The founder of 'Blessings in the Storm Ministry' recently became ill and can't afford to keep the shelter open. She said, in 15 years, she's never turned anyone away, but come June 1 she may have to.
Blessing in the Storm Ministry has been helping hundreds of women and children since 2000. Founder Loretta Caldwell says her eyes were blown open after visiting a local homeless shelter. She used to picture what she thought was homelessness, but now says that view has all changed.
"The face of homelessness for me is a 20-day-old baby, that I found on the side of the road with it's mother and two trash bags," added Loretta Caldwell, Founder of Blessings in the Storm Ministry.
For the last 15 years, Caldwell has tried to help. She’s passionate about what she does. But recently became ill, and couldn't fundraise like she has in the past. If she doesn't get help now, Caldwell will have to close her doors on June 1.
"I'm looking at the kids, I'm looking at their faces, that have been moved from spot to spot," said Caldwell.
Caldwell is currently housing six women and seven children at a home we aren't disclosing for safety reasons. The thought of kicking them out is too much. She said the children come into her home and call it their home and the longer they stay the more they feel stable and happy.
'Blessing in the Storm Ministry' is a 501 c-3 non- profit so all donations are tax deductible. Caldwell says you can help by donating through a PayPal account: contact@Blessingsinthestorm.org. Or you can contact her at 704-426-0375 or 4310 Crystal Erica Lane, Charlotte NC 28214