After she and her husband separated, Kershaw's situation went from bad to worse. She lost her job. She couldn't make rent payments. So she and her four boys moved in with family until she heard about St. Lawrence Place.

Once they moved in things began to turn around. She earned her college degree and now works for the CMRTA. She's working to repair her credit and has been able to give her family something they've never had before: a home of their very own.

When Angelia learned about St. Lawrence Place, times were tough. She was struggling to stay off of drugs and support her four children in the wake of a failed marriage. The two years she spent in the community gave her a strong foundation. She learned how to be a better parent and she grew into the type of person she never thought she could be.

Today, she works at the same job she's had for two years, and lives in a home with three of her four children. Her oldest is off — attending South Carolina State University.

Tiffany — a mother of two — found herself without the help of family and living in the Family Shelter. Then, she heard about St. Lawrence Place. In the two years she and her family lived in the community she says she learned a lot about herself and how to be a good mother.

She was grateful for the many opportunities her children enjoyed. They had cultural experiences — like going to the Nutcracker — and the pure joy of summer camp. Today, she and her family are proud to live in a home. Even more proud that it's their own.