LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A nonprofit in downtown Louisville wants to expand so it can offer more services to people in need.
UP for Women and Children is a drop in day center for unhoused women and children that offers a safe space, shower, restroom, use of telephones, a mailing address, case management and community resources. Founded in July 2018, UP for Women and Children is located at 425 South 2nd Street.
"We learned because of their experience with trauma, women were often of waiting services if they felt that their well being or their safety might be compromised, so women needed a women's only safe space during the daytime," UP for Women and Children co-founder Amy Meredith said.
About five years ago, Tyra Sowell was homeless with her six-year-old son.
"I had nowhere to go, no family here," Sowell said.
UP Women and Children was there for Sowell and her son when she needed it.
Tyra Sowell speaks to WDRB News on Dec. 27, 2023.
"If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't have any of it," Sowell said. "They did so much for me. I just want to give back, they did so much. They changed my life in a dramatic way."
The drop-in day center provided Sowell and her son with a shower, mailing address and a place to connect with dozens of community resources and providers.
"A lot of people don't realize if you're staying in emergency overnight shelter that you'd have to leave during the daytime," Meredith said. She also said most shelter's don't allow you to list the organization's address on the documents that help people get a job.
In about 12 months, volunteers also advocated for them in court, connected them to mental health services and helped them obtain birth certificates.
"If you need anything, don't be afraid to ask for help, just don't be afraid to ask, because the help is out here," Sowell said.
"We operate as a hub of bringing in other local nonprofits so that our guests can be met with multiple services by multiple providers because transportation is a huge barrier," Meredith said. "So having being able to address multiple needs at once is is very impactful for our guests."
Sowell, who earned a GED certificate, is no longer homeless. She now works at Walgreens as a pharmacy technician. Sowell is also a fashion designer.
"I just want to say thank you, I'm thankful, I'm grateful," Sowell said.
Since then, the nonprofit has grown into a three-floor operation.
"We are being very diligent to pace ourselves so that we stay sustainable," Meredith said. "It is sad and incredible how much we have grown in our short time."
Meredith said they need to move to a larger location to continue their mission.
"Unfortunately our services are needed all across town," Meredith said.
Sowell thinks so highly of the mission, she has come back to volunteer.
"If you can help, help them because they're actually helping people out here," Sowell said. "This is serious and people really need help."
UP for Women and Children is a drop in day center for unhoused women and children in Louisville, Ky.
"It's always wonderful when someone wants to come back and tell us about how much we made an impact in their lives because we take what we do very, very carefully," Meredith said.
UP for Women and Children serves guests on a first-come, first-served basis. It is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Housed guests are welcome on Wednesdays.
"In fact, because with the Second Street Bridge being right here, we do serve people from southern Indiana as well," Meredith said.
Volunteers are essential for the nonprofit, assisting in greeting guests, handling mail, laundry and perform administrative tasks.
The team of 16 serves about 80 to 110 people a day. In 2018, they served about 450 people. This year, they've served nearly 1,600 people.
The non-profit is always looking for donations of clothes, shoes, baby food, feminine products, and dog food.
"We are always working to expand our volunteer base," Meredith said.
To learn more about UP for Women and Children, click here.
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