For years Ralphetta Davis has been praying about how her church, Concord Fellowship, could establish a transitional home for young women aging out of foster care. The original idea came from her pastor, Rev. Andre Rogers, who identified the need for safe housing for at-risk women living in Midlands communities. Davis felt led to focus on the needs of older teens in foster care, pointing to the cycle of neglect, lack of education and, in many cases, abuse that can create a future without hope or healing for this specific group.

“It’s been heavy on my heart because I know there are so many children that are aging out of foster care, but have no place to go and then they flounder,” Davis says. “We’d like to offer a safe, faith-based option so that they can know they are loved.”

Part of her planning led Davis to meet with Toby’s Place creator Allison Daub who, as it turns out, had been pleading with the Department of Social Services to create a Midlands shelter option for foster care girls aged 18 to 21. Their discussions led Davis one step closer to founding the Harbor of Promise ministry out of her “heart for WMU [Davis currently serves as CMBA’s WMU Director] and leading women’s ministries at my church. I have a calling to serve these young girls.”

Recognizing the threat of human trafficking and a lack of healthy spiritual influence, Concord Fellowship leaders agreed that the ministry’s primary focus will be to serve young women living within the 29203 zip code who age out of foster care. Davis reports that while Harbor of Promise will be birthed under the governance of Concord Fellowship, the ministry has already applied for a 501C3 and tax ID number through the IRS. Once these approvals are received, next steps include identifying a potential offsite location for the transitional home, finalizing program details, and interviewing potential staff.

“Our housing would be offered to a group of six to eight women and for a time of 12 to 18 months. There will be a ‘house mom’ overseeing the girls, and the program will include teaching independence skills like cooking and money management,” Davis says, adding future ministry goals include helping interested girls obtain an education.

Once the shelter is underway, Concord Fellowship plans to build a thrift store on the church’s Wilson Boulevard property. The store was another aspect of Rogers’ original ministry vision, to help give the young women work-related experiences and income.  Davis is growing a leadership team and talking with potential ministry partners. She is also committed to including her congregation in the formation of Harbor of Promise.

“We had a church member who was instrumental in the development of Concord Fellowship, and in our community by getting children to come to church. She picked them up and provided for their needs. So, we are naming the house ‘R. Fisher’s House’ and the thrift store ‘Ruth’s Boutique and More’ in her memory,” Davis says.

Churches, community members, and like-minded businesses or corporations are invited to partner in this project to help these young women feel loved, supported, and introduced to the hope of the gospel. The development needs are great, and Davis realizes partnership is the key to jumpstarting Harbor of Promise the right way.

“My heart goes out to these girls. I can’t imagine what would have happened to me without the love of a family, and knowing that God loves me and that the church loves me,” she says. “Through Harbor of Promise, I want for these girls to move into adulthood experiencing genuine love and nurturing that they cannot receive while living in the streets. They need the knowledge of who Christ is to make a different choice for their lives.” 

For more information on partnering with Harbor of Promise, contact Davis through the Concord Fellowship office at 803.754.3100 or directly at 803.546.4086.