Fifty-five years ago, Corrie Killingsworth took notice of the number of women moving to Columbia to live and work. At this time, few housing alternatives were available to women making the transition from their parents' home to independent living, so this pioneer worked to make her dream a reality.
Strengthened by statewide support from women in the Methodist church, Corrie raised enough money to purchase the first home for women, conveniently located in downtown Columbia, and later to purchase a larger brick home nearby. In the 1950s and 1960s Killingsworth Residence proved to be the home away from home that Corrie envisioned for women who were stepping out for the first time.
By the early 1970s, however, fewer women were living in Christian boarding homes and times were changing. The house continued to operate with a couple of residents, but the staff and board of directors began to consider the different issues women were starting to face. Skyrocketing rates of divorce and an increase in alcohol and drug abuse left women with new challenges of crisis proportion. Women coping with mental illness and domestic violence, as well as those being released from prison were struggling to live independently. They needed the opportunity to examine their options and the responsibility to make their own decisions, all while in a safe environment.
The 70s generation clearly demonstrated the need for a different type of transition home, so Killingsworth changed its focus and began accepting women from alcohol and drug treatment centers, mental health facilities, domestic violence shelters, the prison systems, and churches, as well as self-referrals.
Advocates and staff began addressing the issues of the new group of women by not only providing a safe place to live but also by offering guidance, assistance with job and educational placement and life-skills training in a supportive atmosphere. Their ultimate goal was to give women in crisis time to heal and the power to make their own choices before re-entering the community.
The Killingsworth Residence has been under the leadership and direction of the Rev. Diane Moseley for 26 years. She says, "The foundation of our 55 years of service has been, and continues to be, Killingsworth's deep-rooted belief in the remarkable courage, strength, and ability of the women who come here. Women from all walks of life ask for our help and support, and we provide them with the tools to become empowered and independent."
Once a woman is identified as a possible candidate for residency, she and the staff together identify areas of concern and set individualized goals. Because no two women are alike, weekly meetings are scheduled and together the women and the staff plan a date for the women to move out. An average stay for a resident is seven to eight months, but a year is not unusual.
The residence operates much like any normal home. Curfews and house meetings are enforced, and Bible studies are encouraged. Each week women attend sessions during which they talk about situations and problems that confront them. These sessions allow women to listen to each other and understand they are not alone in their experiences.
Diane says, "Our intensive programs are designed to meet the needs of the individual and to help her achieve sel-sufficiency. Work issues are big here. Women are expected to gain employment in the community and manage their own bills."
Over the years programs have expanded to include budget counseling, resume writing, work support groups, parenting classes. Assertiveness training, support groups for incest survivors, and even simple programs such as how to apply make-up and dress for a job interview. These were implemented as a result of the staff's recognition that women fleeing crisis situations need far more than a safe roof over their heads.
Killingsworth also addresses the physical health of residents through the Midlands Partnership for Community Health. Kay Cover, the director of the program, is the parish nurse for the 19-bed residence. She assesses medical needs, educates residents on health-related issues, and acts as a liaison to health care resources in the Columbia area.
"We want to help and support the survivors of crisis situations," says Diane. "We know that in order to help we must not take the power away from the women. Instead, we realize the women we are helping have developed tremendous strategies for surviving incredible situations. We do not view women leaving crisis situations as victims but rather as women who have had to deal with very difficult obstacles."
Killingsworth Residence has counselors available 24 hours a day to provide opportunities for the women to talk and sort out the impacts of their experiences. A counselor's goal is to assist the residents in thinking through the next steps they must take to rebuild their lives. The home for women provides options but few directives.
The home, built in 1902, is celebrating its 100^th anniversary this year. "Whatever you use in your home to make it work, we also need so that our family of women working together can make our home flow smoothly as well," says Diane. Killingsworth counts on the support of many individual donors, church groups and community-based organizations, and every dollar donated makes a direct impact on the life of a woman in need.
The home is always in need of items such as cleaning supplies, postage stamps, toilet tissue, light bulbs, first aid supplies, single bed sheets and pillow cases, bath towels, fresh fruit and vegetables, canned foods, breakfast cereals, copier paper and gift certificates from grocery stores and home improvement stores. Items and donations can be sent to the office of Killingsworth at 1831 Pendleton Street, Columbia, SC 29201.
The home also welcomes groups or individuals who wish to offer legal representation, seamstress services, professional counseling and painting or contracting services.
This ministry to women in crisis is changing lives, including the lives of women like Mary. At a recent house meeting, Mary announced she would be able to move out soon, after reaching 15 months of sobriety and celebrating her one-year anniversary with Gamblers Anonymous. Mary has allowed her story to be told in churches across the state and to be printed in church bulletins to show that she was strong enough to seek help, and now thanks to Killingsworth, she is strong enough to handle any challenge that comes her way.