Faith Based Lovelady Center Changes Lives

By Rose Ann Haven Anchor and Community Coverage

It's a trend catching on across the country and here on the Gulf Coast....law officers teaming up with church leaders to take on crime.
One way is to help drug users learn a new way of life.
The WKRG News 5 Crime Solutions Task Force looks at how one faith based facility is making a difference in Foley. Faith Based Lovelady Center Changes Lives

Published: Mon, July 14, 2008 - 8:14 pm Last Updated: Mon, July 14, 2008 - 8:56 pm

Rose Ann Haven

"I was on crack cocaine, I also used alcohol, sometimes marijuana, and sometime pills", says Melanie Jenkins. Jenkins says she's free of all that since moving into The Lovelady Center in Foley eight months ago. Jenkins, 39, has learned how to talk about her problems, to face them instead of turning to substances.

Jenkins says,
"I've always stayed with people you know..always living from pillar to post. I'm just hoping that the life changing skills that I'm learning here will give me an opportunity to take them and live in the real world."

The Lovelady Center, a transitional facility, teaches women basic life skills...like how to cook meals, organize finances, and carry out household chores.

Lovelady Director, Kim Gregory says,
"These women need structure. They need to learn structure, they need to learn boundaries, and they need to learn how to be responsible when they do have their own houses..and when they do have their own husbands or children...then they will know exactly what life is all about".

The women who live here have to hold a job. They pay 130 dollars a week in program fees. That covers room and board, three meals a day..plus transportation".

The center has plans to create a computer lab so women can learn general office skills. Jenkins is grateful for what she's learned, and the love she's received.

"All I know know is even in my bad days...when my attitude stinks like I don't know what...these people love me in spite of myself. I don't feel like the outcast here..I feel like I'm being loved..until I'm able to love myself and help myself".

The center provides the women transportation... to and from work, doctor's appointments...wherever they need to go.
With gas prices being so high, the center spends about 850 dollars a week on just that.
Being a faith based organization, The Lovelady Center relies soley on donations.
From gas cards, toiletries, or even your time..they need anything you can offer.
If you're interested in volunteering your time to tutor these women in how to balance a checkbook, cook a meal, or in some cases even read...go to www.loveladycenter.org

You can also contact Kim Gregory at 251.943.2246.