As the pastor of the New Millennium Church, Charlottesville, Virginia: Let me describe what I do.

In my work and travels, I have noticed that Charlottesville is a resource rich community. However, there is an absence of an important source in this community, and that is transitional housing for women. This year God spoke to my heart to reach out and provide this service to our community. For that reason, I attempted to open a transitional house in my home.

Unfortunately, the house was damaged by fire the day before opening. In spite of this, I was able to join with a group of concerned citizens to create an advisory board with the mission of opening a transitional home. Our aim is to create a "place of solace" for women who have gone through the trauma of being imprisoned.

So many of the women I have met in my ministry have told the same story. They grew up in Charlottesville, selling their bodies to support their drug use; others, have had loved ones physically, emotionally, and sexually abuse them. Their concept of "family" is distorted and deluded because they come from broken homes or simply do not know what a family is. It may sound like a stereotype but some of the women fit right into this mold. Other women have come from intact families, and yet have similar problems.

Unfortunately, many of these women do not have the opportunity to go anywhere else so they return to their chaotic lifestyles. Our goal is to help them stop this self-destructive pattern.

A transitional home will provide a buffer for the women getting out of jail so that they will not have to return to the same old neighborhoods and negative lifestyles that lead to them being incarcerated in the first place.

We want to give the women a chance to reestablish their lives with positive mentors guiding them to more responsible and healthier lifestyles. At the same time, we want to offer them a place to "rest" in between incarceration and their return to society.

It costs the Albemarle/Charlottesville Regional Jail nearly $23,000 per year to house an inmate. Programs such as HHH produce cost effective results because it reduces the burden of taxpayers by providing an alternative to jails.

The logo we chose was designed by one of the inmates at he Albemarle County Regional jail. Also, we have a brochure with additional information.

Should you share this interest, please contact me at Revlbf@Earthlink.net so that we may further discuss it. Precious lives are dependent on the home of solace in this community. Please feel free to call me at (434) 295-5567 or (434) 960-4636, if you have any concerns.