Louisville nonprofit creating housing, 'training center' for single moms

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A former motel on Dixie Highway is being transformed into apartments and a "training center" for single moms and their kids.

New Life Directions Ministries has been using the former Archway Motel in Valley Station as a place to help get women into housing. Now, the property is in the middle of a massive construction project to completely transform the space. It will include 20 apartments for single mothers and their children. And, aside from the housing, the building will also have case managers and resources to serve as a training center for these women to provide life skills.

"When they come here, we want to help them go from where they are — most of the time homeless, fleeing from domestic violence," said Tena McNair, executive director of the nonprofit. "They just don't know how to get where they really want to go, and, sometimes, they don't even know how to dream about it."

Not long ago, Chantrea Terry and her three daughters were living at the former motel with help from New Life Directions Ministries. McNair found them other housing in the area once construction started on this project.

"If I would've never found New Life, I don't know where I would be," Terry said Tuesday. "I would probably still be homeless or living with a relative and working a regular 9-5."

Chantrea Terry recently graduated from Empire Beauty School. *(photo provided by Terry)*

Now, she's a recent graduate of Empire Beauty School, and, after passing her boards and getting licensed, plans to work at a salon.

New Life Directions Ministries said the construction project has a $7 million price tag for the building itself, not to mention the programming. According to McNair, more than $4.5 million is coming from the Louisville Affordable Housing Trust Fund. She said there are other agencies and private donors also helping, and the nonprofit is still fundraising for $1.3 million.

"This is like an answered prayer, seriously," she said.

All around the framed walls of the construction zone, partners of the project have written Bible verses.

"It's because we want God to bless this place and everyone in it," McNair said.

New Life Directions Ministries Construction — Walking around the construction site, you'd see Bible versus at nearly every turn, scribbled with marker on the wooded beams framing what will become a sanctuary for its residents. Sept. 10, 2024. *(WDRB Photo)*

New Life Directions Ministries "aims to life single mothers and their children out of poverty," it says on its website, by focusing on providing stable housing, case management, job placement, financial assistance and more. Its 32-week trauma-informed program is comprised of:

Basic Life Skills Training for Single Mothers
Career Readiness (Through "Ready for Industry" platform)
Counseling Services
Single Moms Group ("Life of A Single Mom") certified site
Financial Literacy & Budgeting Training
Credit Repair

The new training center will have everything New Life's leaders need to facilitate their program. The apartments will have one, two, or three bedrooms, a kitchen and more. There's also space for offices, a large room for events or trainings, and a Child Development Center for pre-school age children with room for 58 children.

"I believe in teaching the moms and the kids," McNair said.

The nonprofit's plans add to a growing push across Louisville to invest in affordable housing units in a city short thousands of them. Mayor Craig Greenberg announced a goal last year for the city to create and preserve 15,000 affordable housing units by 2027. It's called the My Louisville Home vision plan.

Since January 2023, the city said nearly 5,000 units of affordable housing have been completed or have started construction or renovations. Last year, the city estimated as many as 50,000 households lacked affordable housing, as a direct result of income.

And while the goal of 15,000 units added across the city wouldn't be enough to erase the affordable housing shortage, it would be a start.

McNair said rent at the complex under construction will be income-based. There's already a waitlist to get in the new training center, but the ministry will still be able to help other women in the community.

Chantrea Terry with her daughters. *(photo provided by Terry)*

Terry said while she considered moving back to the former motel site once construction is completed, she's now planning to stay in the other apartment where she's currently living with her daughters.

"Honestly, I just want to give another single mom who doesn't have anybody here that opportunity," she said. "So if I could stay in my place now and let somebody else come in, then I'm all for it."

She said she hopes other moms who enter the program will also see benefits.

"I just want the new moms to be open to change and willing to accept the opportunity," Terry said.

If you'd like to donate to New Life Directions Ministries, click here.

McNair said the training center is on track to have moms move in beginning in February 2025. For more information, including how to register for a training session in the new facility, click here.

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