Over a year after our ServeLouisville work crew completed a renovation in the California neighborhood of Louisville, we were able to visit the new day shelter and see the impact they are making in this community through the newly renovated building.
Renne Rivers, the Director of Sanctuary of Sisters, shared her first impressions of walking into the building as construction was wrapping up: “I came by several times [during the construction] and I remember what it looked like then and what it looks like now. Speechless. Speechless… When you walk up, it feels like a calm, peace loving space.” That atmosphere is vitally important to the work of Sanctuary of Sisters.
At the Sanctuary
As the first Women’s day shelter in the West End of Louisville, Sanctuary of Sisters strives to provide a safe and nurturing environment for women to care for their essential needs. From food, showers, clothing, medical care, social work, and more, the staff and volunteers strive to be a safe space for rest and restoration.
“We open up this door and we provide a safe place for them. We provide a loving place. It is a harvest of connection that I think that none of these women have ever felt,” explained Director Rivers. “We don’t judge here. We love on you. We pray on you. Whether you need food, whether you need some type of shelter during the day, whether you need a shower… You know that, ‘Hey, I have somebody that cares for me… I have a resource.'”
The location has also been a huge factor in the shelter’s success. As an under-served area, there are women regularly sleeping on the streets, at bus stops, in garages, or even staying with their abusers for access to shelter. Director Rivers remembers on their opening day looking out the window to see a woman sleeping on a bench across the street. After inviting her in, the woman was floored and so thankful to have a shelter and resources so accessible.
“They live in this area. I don’t care where they sleep, whether they walk the streets, whether they stand on the bus stop all night long. Whatever they do, this is home, its comfortable, its near, its convenient.” Rivers lives in the area herself, and remembers when she had to rely on services like the clothing closet as a single mother. Now she has dedicated her time to helping the community through the shelter and her own outreach efforts.
Loved by the Community
“They feed us, they give us showers, they give us everything we could ask for. So that’s why it is a blessing to us for them to be here,” explained recipient Latoys Glenn. “Everyone here is real respectful. They are respectful to us, they understand our needs. Nobody gets turned away, no matter what position you are in. And that’s they best thing, because people are quick to judge, but [Sanctuary of Sisters] don’t judge, and that’s why we love them.
“It means a lot to the community. I wasn’t aware the need was so great,” shared kitchen and clothing closet volunteer Henrietta Dean. “To see the women come in and change clothes, and feed them a good hot nourishing meal, I can see a difference. It is making a huge difference in the community. And it is just spreading love.”
As a board member, Henrietta is also working to provide more through the Sanctuary, “We are listening to them to find out what resources they need, and not just assuming that we know.” Some of those initiatives are having a nurse and social worker on site to help with minor medical care and advising on any legal issues the women may be working through. In addition, Henrietta has started an Al-Anon program that will meet weekly at the shelter.
Looking to the Future
“I believe Love will take root,” continued Henrietta. “It’ll take a while, we’ll have to water and plant, but I can see an improvement in a lot of the ladies. Their attitude, their smiles, happy to get here, this is just a place of serenity for them. Making a huge difference.”
The passion for service doesn’t end at the staff and volunteers, Renne explained that the community itself has embraced Sanctuary of Sisters. From their next door neighbors to churches and schools throughout the city. “We’ve had family members literally knock on the door, want to come in here and see and say, thank you. What are we doing? How can they help us?”
With so much growth, Renne is looking to offer more. “We are open currently Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11am to 2pm. We need to be open more. Our population is growing because other centers are closing. I don’t care if you live east end, south end, west end, downtown, you can see the need itself on the streets.”
You can find out more about Sanctuary of Sisters and how to get involved at onebloclou.org
Want to be part of helping ministries like this through construction? Join our Louisville Work Crew to get updates on weekly projects in the Louisville area!
