About 60 homeless women attended a dinner at the Woodstock Town Hall on Friday August 25.
It was held by Purpose Driven Community Youth Project, a non-profit that helps those in need.
The organisation’s founder, Zelda Johnson, said they wanted to do something special for the women to mark the end of Women’s Month.
Speaking at the dinner, Ms Johnson described how she had overcome adversity in her own life and she encouraged the women to find a way out of their predicaments.
“You being here tonight is not by accident but by God’s plan. He has a purpose and a plan for your life, just like he did with mine. I know your situations are not ideal and from here you have to go back to the streets, but I want you to know that God is not done with you yet.”
Kishmieyah Jones, 35, said she had been on the streets for about 14 years following the deaths of her parents and grandparents. Her brother was in prison and she had nowhere else to go, she said.
“People get tired of you coming around all the time – and I can understand that so I just rather stayed on the streets. I do have people I occasionally go to for food or to clean up, but I don’t want to be a nuisance.”
Ms Jones, who moves from place to place with her boyfriend, does occasional cleaning work to survive.
“I’m so thankful to be here tonight, to have a warm meal and be treated a little. It has been a while since someone did something special for me.”
Jade Barnes, 34, and her family found themselves homeless after their wendy house burnt down four months ago. She learnt about the organisation through Ms Johnson’s son.
“It feels nice to be here and to for a moment just ‘forget’ about everything that is going on in my life. Being here with other women facing the same challenges, being able to speak to people who understand is a good feeling.”
