Charity Spotlight: New house brings new hope to the homeless women of McKemie Place

MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) — For Julie, it's the little things that add up to a better way of life.

"It's peaceful! We have washers and dryers now!" she says.

After all, when you're homeless, what's routine for others is a luxury for you.

"Just everything!,” says Julie. “The beds, the showers, it makes you feel like I can do this! I want this! And it's up to you to achieve that goal!"

Julie is talking about the only homeless women's facility in Mobile, McKemie Place.

Julie has been homeless before, but this time she hopes it will be the last time, because she's in a better place now. She's in the brand new McKemie Place.

"It's different, but it's the same,” says J.P. Thurman, the facility’s assistant director. “This place here is more serene."

This is the new McKemie Place. It's a dramatic improvement from the old location on Broad Street, but the mission is the same.

"Whether it's death, whether it's bad investments. rent has increased, not making enough money, mental illness, physical illness,” she says, “Life happens. And they find themselves here at McKemie Place."

The new McKemie Place looks more like a college dorm than a shelter. Seven sparkling new showers right next to the new laundry room. There's a large dining hall and a great room that's used for life skill and financial lectures. The bedrooms, while shared, are spacious, clean and comfortable.

And the courtyard is a place to think about the future, and less about the troubled past.

"They come in here like, 'This is the shelter?' And I say, 'This is the shelter! This IS the shelter!'” J.P. says, laughing.

For the folks at McConnell Automotive, they get it. Raise a person's self-esteem, and you put them on the road to recovery.

"McConnell has been about family for 65 years,” states Mitch McConnell. “And McKemie Place is something people need to know about, people need to donate. They need to donate goods, money, things like that. Because safety, family, security, they just all go together."

His brother, Baker, agrees.

"One of their sayings is a new beginning is never out of reach,” he quotes. “And I think that's what's great about McKemie Place is there are opportunities available for people who find they don't have a place that provides safety, comfort, a roof over their heads when they're sleeping. We can't imagine that."

By the way, Julie? That's not her real name. She asks that we not share that. But she did want us to share this. She already has a job.

"Within two weeks I have an appointment with a dermatologist,” she exclaims. “I've got a dental appointment, and it's all because of here! If I were out there this would not be happening!"

McKemie Place serves Mobile, Baldwin, and Washington Counties, accepting unaccompanied women.

Donate or learn more at WWW.MCKEMIEPLACE.ORG