VALDOSTA — Within days of opening to shelter homeless women, the Meeting Place II Women’s Transitional Center may be forced to close. 

Founder Lisa Straughter received news by text message during her opening house Friday, March 22, that someone is seeking to purchase the North Toombs Street home, she said.

Unless Straughter – who is renting the house – can buy the home herself, she would have about 60 days to close the center if it is purchased by someone else, she said.

“I know God’s going to work it out,” she said. “I don’t know how He’s gong to do it, but I have faith and know that He’s going to do it.”

She is presently contracted by a one-year lease which could be terminated if the home is bought, she said. The asking price is $70,000.

Straughter, who has been personally funding expenses such as rent, is searching for donors for financial assistance.

“This is the house God blessed us with, and I want to stay here,” she said.

The Meeting Place II currently shelters three women with one woman on the way.

The day prior to the open house, Straughter was instructed to display a “For Sale” sign in the front yard confusing some of the women as they moved in Friday, she said.

“They went to asking questions. It kind of worried them a little bit,” Straughter said.

The guests asked if they would be “kicked out again,” she said.

“I just try to assure them, ‘we’re going to be fine, don’t worry about that sign,’” she said.

Straughter said she would house the women in her personal home before allowing them to become homeless.

Melissa Smith, who was previously residing with her sister in Jennings, Fla., said being at the Meeting Place II and participating in a goal-setting activity has increased her self-esteem.

She said she has been battling post-traumatic stress disorder stemming from a past sexual assault and has been depressed.

“The last couple of days, since we’ve done that (the activity), it gave me a different outlook,” she said.

Smith’s goal is to feel better about herself, return the support she’s receiving and be reunited with her children and grandchildren in North Georgia.

She said all of the women at the center can relate and find a commonality.

There is a shortage of women’s homeless shelters, Smith said.

“This is not like a shelter,” she said. “This is home.”

Annie Ladouceur, a native of Destin, Fla., has been in Cecil for two years, she said.

She said it was difficult to locate halfway houses for women as they are all for men.

Ladouceur was the first one to walk through the door of the Meeting Place II, she said. She favors setting goals, which includes returning to her family in Destin, she said.

“It’s had a huge impact on me, and I want to support this and I want to see more of this and see her do more,” she said.

“I just have absolute faith in Lisa and what she’s doing. I’ve watched her, and her heart’s so in it.”

To donate, call (229) 262-2308 or email themeetingplace2inc@gmail.com. Visit themeetingplace2inc.org for more information. 

Amanda M. Usher is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. She can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1274.