Homelessness is a multifaceted issue that stems from a variety of circumstances, including mental illness, trauma and lack of support. For many homeless women, finding a place that offers more than just a roof over their heads is crucial to rebuilding their lives. In Aiken, one woman has taken on the mission of offering hope, healing and stability to homeless women struggling with mental illness. BonnieAnne Fulghum, the Executive Director of Nurture Home, oversees a program that goes beyond providing temporary relief to create long-lasting change for these women.
Fulghum’s mission is focused on compassion, dedication and a commitment to making a difference. Four years ago, she saw the need to adapt the goals of Nurture Home after a life-changing encounter just two days before Christmas. Fulghum met a homeless teenage girl living on the streets, overwhelmed by fear, depression and mental illness. The teenager’s situation was dire—alone, scared and lost in the fog of untreated mental health struggles. This teenage girl had run away from home to escape an extremely abusive situation. Fulghum’s heart was broken when she realized this teenage girl felt safer living on the streets than at home. This experience ignited a deep sense of responsibility in Fulghum, compelling her to create a haven for women like the young girl she met, who needed care, medical support and safety.
Nurture Home is not a shelter; it’s a transformative space where women suffering from mental illness and homelessness can regain control over their lives. Many of the women who come to Nurture Home have experienced severe and unthinkable trauma which often exacerbates their mental health challenges. Fulghum ensures that these women receive the care and therapy they need in order to begin their journey towards healing. The staff at Nurture Home works strenuously to connect them with medical professionals for treatment and helps them access necessary therapy services.
At Nurture Home, women are educated on basic but critical skills like cooking, cleaning and proper etiquette—skills that many take for granted but that can be life-altering for women who have never experienced a stable home environment. Fulghum goes beyond these basics as the women progress through her program and offers lessons in budgeting and job skills, preparing the women for a future where they can support themselves. She recognizes that helping them gain independence is not just about securing immediate housing but about equipping them with the tools they need to thrive on their own.
In addition to teaching these practical skills, Fulghum strongly encourages the women of Nurture Home to find employment. For many of these women, their mental health challenges make traditional employment difficult or even impossible. Fulghum works to match them with jobs that accommodate their limitations, allowing them to work within their capacity and build confidence in their abilities. Some of the women she has helped have even been able to enroll in online college courses, opening doors to further opportunities and growth.
One of the most vital elements Nurture Home provides is stability—a concept foreign to many of the women who walk through its doors. For those who have faced years of instability, abuse or neglect, finding a place where they can finally feel safe is a profound experience. Fulghum ensures that every woman who enters Nurture Home is treated with respect and care, giving them a sense of belonging they have never felt before. This stability is the foundation for the other work that happens at Nurture Home, allowing the women to believe in themselves and make strides towards improvement in their lives.
Fulghum’s heart for this cause has already transformed the lives of 40 women that have gone through the program at Nurture Home, helping them to achieve independence, something many thought was impossible. Under her guidance, women have not only learned how to care for themselves but have also developed the autonomy to move forward with their lives, whether that means finding stable employment or pursuing education.
While Nurture Home has made incredible strides in helping women reclaim their lives, the organization relies heavily on financial donations to continue its mission. The work that Fulghum and her team are doing is critical, but without the necessary funding, many women in need may be left without the support they so desperately require.
Every contribution helps Fulghum reach more women, providing them with the security and safety they need to start over. The impact of her work is undeniable, and with continued support, Nurture Home can continue to change lives for years to come. Those interested in supporting Nurture Home’s mission can make donations through their website at https://www.mha-aiken.org.